Customer Reviews

Kid Galahad [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was thrilled to see my favorite Elvis film coming out on DVD. This is truly one of the best of Elvis! Not only is the story great, but the songs are all terrific. Elvis shines in his portrayal of Walter Gulick, a now former soldier who becomes a boxer. The rest of the cast is also terrific, mainly Gig Young and a supporting role by Charles Bronson. Once again, Joan Blackman (from Blue Hawaii) plays Elvis's love interest- If you have only seen Elvis in some of the silly films from the 60's than you need to see Kid Galahad, you will see the true actor in Elvis...if only he had been given the chance to do more dramatic roles he might have been more appreciated for his acting and not just his singing.

This is definately one of Elvis Presley very best movie. I love it. He is at his singing best, fighting best and acting best! This is Classic Elvis. I'm so happy that this gem of a movie is finally available on DVD.

from the very first time i saw this film, i've been convinced that Elvis can act as well as sing. Unfortunately, he was not given too many chances to do so. His performance is credible, noteworthy, and unforgettable. The up-state NEW YORK scenery is beautiful,the veteran actors also in the movie- GIG YOUNG, CHARLES BRONSON, ED ASNER, all give outstanding performances.
The songs may have been few, KING OF THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, I GOT LUCKY, etc, but still Elvis at his best.This movie is my favorite Elvis flick hands down. PLEASE MGM produce this movie on DVD FULLSCREEN AND WIDESCREEN 5:1 DOLBY DIGITAL . DO IT SOON, FOR I WANT TO ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION. THANKS,oldugly1911

"Kid Galahad" stars Elvis as an ex-G.I. who comes back to his hometown in upper state New York. Beautiful scenery, I might add. He wants to be an auto mechanic after returning from the Army, but instead he's reluctantly roped into being trained to be a boxer. Elvis has an anvil-fist and an iron jaw. Soon, he becomes boxing champ nicknamed "Kid Galahad". Joan Blackman returns and plays Elvis' love interest and the sister of the boxing camp owner Gig Young. Great picture formula, great songs and beautiful and breathtaking mountain scenery. Recommend this must-see to everyone.

KID GALAHAD (1962) is an excellent boxing movie. If you liked the ROCKY series, you will enjoy this movie of an ex-GI who has a winning knock-out punch. Elvis is credible as a boxer. The rags to riches story also rings true. Elvis himself rose from poverty to become the most popular and successful performer in the world.

The opening scene sequence is unforgettable with Elvis riding on the back of a Mayflower truck singing KING OF THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. There are six songs including I GOT LUCKY. Musically, Elvis is in top form in this movie.

This is a remake of a 1937 movie that starred Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson. The 1937 version was directed by Michael Curtiz who directed CASABLANCA and the Elvis movie KING CREOLE in 1958. The movie examines the corruption that was endemic to boxing and the gambling and crime associated with it.

Oscar-winner Gig Young is excellent as the promoter and DEATH WISH's Charles Bronson gives a spectacular performance as the trainer.

Elvis' acting is very good here although he is not really allowed to show his acting chops. It was a wasted opportunity. The hard edges and the harsher aspects of boxing were toned down. This movie could have been a breakout role for Elvis, but he was not allowed to show his full dramatic range. His image as a happy-go-lucky, safe entertainer had to be maintained at the expense of a strong dramatic performance. In short, Elvis was not allowed to develop and explore the dramatic depths of his character. Compared to ROCKY, the movie falls way short. Nevertheless, Elvis gives a good, convincing performance as the rising boxing star.

The song sequences are excellent especially one where Elvis and Young and Bronson are riding in a jalopy that Elvis restored and painted red. The I GOT LUCKY sequence is fun to watch.

A man who can sing when he ain't got a thing, he's the king of the whole wide world. Indeed. Nobody proved it better than Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll and the Artist of the Century. Follow that dream. It can take you to the top. But when you get there, will you be the same person?

Released in Europe two yeas ago, what took MGM so long to release this Elvis classic to North America? They say that Elvis always wanted to get a chance to do some serious acting and his performance in "Kid Galahad" is as close to that chance as I think he ever got. Besides being fairly well acted the musical score for "Kid Galahad" although only six songs is also one of Elvis's best when it comes to his theatrical career.

Staring along side Joan Blackman who he acted with in "Blue Hawaii" and a small role in "Follow That Dream," Elvis handles his make believe role as a want to be boxer fairly well. Although he is known as an entertainer he almost makes the fight scenes in the movie look believable. One thing you will notice in this film is that Elvis's hair is its nature color, not that dyed jet-black look that he wore in most of his other jump around, chaotic made for the screen films. So if you want an entertaining film with an acceptable music score then take "Kid Galahad" home as a keeper

This 1962 remake of "Kid Galahad" provides a solid acting vehicle for Elvis Presley. Relatively few songs (mostly forgettable) as director Phil Karlson focuses on the boxing milieu. A stronger-than-average cast includes Gig Young, Lola Albright and Charles Bronson. Unfortunately, the film's moderate box-office success prevented Elvis from venturing into more dramatic territory - which is a pity, since he could deliver the goods when given half a chance.

When I first saw this movie, I wasn't really expecting much. There are a few things in all Elvis movies that are the same (He sings, gets the girl, and everything works out in the end.) But I wasn't expecting to get wrapped up in this great 1963 boxing movie. Elvis plays a young man who takes up boxing just to make some money. This movie is wicked cheesy, but it is really good. About half way through the movie, you will realize that you really do like this movie. It's a guilty pleasure, and it's a knock out!

I have not seen the original "Kid Galahad", but this one was very good, compared to anything, not just Elvis' other movies. I wouldn't agree with the "Oh well, at least it's not as bad as his others" angle that many seem to take. I think anyone would enjoy it. It has a good cast surrounding Elvis, most notably Gig Young and Charles Bronson. This movie also further proves that Elvis was a good actor, given the chance. The whole movie just seems to click, somehow. And about the songs, give them a break! It's an Elvis movie. The man can sing! Let him! Be thankful it wasn't a musical. It had a few songs, yes, but that fact is not nearly as annoying as others try to paint it. It had a great depiction of the corruption of the boxing industry, and some good fighting scenes. Elvis looked like he enjoyed his part and was interested, contrary to many other opinions, and by no means was he "chubby". He was very well-built, and worked with a real-life boxing trainer, who said that Elvis could've been a professional fighter. So anyone who says he wasn't convincing as a boxer should take a second look. Watch this movie, not compared to anything, but just as the movie itself, and there's a big chance you'll enjoy it.

Years ago, I read that according to Elvis' pals the Memphis mafia, Presley and co-star Charles Bronson did not get along well on the set of this film. I won't mention the specifics out of respect for both legendary performers, but basically, it seemed to be a personality clash between the young, fun loving Elvis and the older, more serious and taciturn Bronson. Watching the film, you feel like there is an almost brotherly bond between Presley as the title charactor, and tough guy Bronson as his tough but sensitive trainer. The sources I read stated that this is made possible mainly by Bronson's stalwart professionalism. Of course, it's a two-way process, and Elvis' performance in this semi-serious drama shows he was a better actor then most folks gave him credit for