Gentleman Jim
As bare-knuckle boxing steps into the modern era, the bold, flamboyant Jim Corbett leverages fresh regulations and dazzling, inventive footwork to ascend to the pinnacle of the boxing world.
Director(s)
Raoul Walsh
Russell Saunders
Where to watch
Amazon Video
Rent
Cast & Crew
Details
Reviews
John Chard
If I get lost, I'll send up a rocket. Loosely based on the James J Corbett biography "The Roar Of The Crowd", Gentleman Jim is a wonderfully breezy picture that perfectly encapsulates not only the rise of the pugilistic prancer that was Corbett, but also the wind of change as regards the sport of boxing circa the 1890s. It was like trying to hit a ghost! The story follows Corbett (a perfectly cast Errol Flynn) from his humble beginnings as a bank teller in San Fransico, through to a chance fight with an ex boxing champion that eventually leads to him fighting the fearsome heavyweight champion of the world, John L Sullivan (beefcake personified delightfully by Ward Bond). Not all the fights are in the ring though, and it's all the spin off vignettes in Corbett's life that makes this a grand entertaining picture. There are class issues to overcome here (perfectly played out as fellow club members pay to have him knocked down a peg or two), and Corbett has to not only fight to get respect from his so called peers, but he must also overcome his ego as it grows as briskly as his reputation does. Along with the quite wonderful Corbett family, and all their stoic humorous support, Corbett's journey is as enthralling as it is joyous, yet as brash and as bold as he is, he is a very likable character, and it's a character that befits the tagged moniker he got of Gentleman Jim. The film never sags for one moment, and it's a testament to director Raoul Walsh that although we are eagerly awaiting the final fight, the outer ring goings on are keeping us firmly entertained, not even the love interest sub plot hurts this picture (thank you Alexis Smith). The fight sequences stand up really well, and they perfectly show just how Corbett became the champ he was, his brand of dancing rings round slugger fighters is now firmly placed in boxing history. As the final reel rolls we all come down to earth as an after fight meeting between Sullivan and Corbett puts all the brutality into context, and it's here where humility and humbleness becomes the outright winner, and as far as this viewer goes, it will do for me to be sure to be sure. 9/10 for a truly wonderful picture.
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Gentleman Jim FAQs
The directors of Gentleman Jim are Raoul Walsh and Russell Saunders.
The cast of Gentleman Jim includes Clara Blandick as Woman on Train (uncredited), Monte Blue as Gambler in "Lucky Guy", Tor Johnson as The Mauler (uncredited), Sammy Stein as Joe Choynski (uncredited), George Lloyd as Harrigan (uncredited), Art Foster as Jack Burke (uncredited), Charles Cahill Wilson as Gurney (uncredited), Arthur Shields as Father Burke, Milton Kibbee as (uncredited), Lew Harvey as Reporter (uncredited), Charles Meakin as Olympic Club Member (uncredited), William Frawley as Billy Delaney, and more.
The duration of Gentleman Jim is 1h 44 mins.
Yes. You can watch the Gentleman Jim trailer on this Fanbiz page on Fanziz.
You can watch Gentleman Jim on Amazon Video (Rent). Check this Fanbiz page for the latest platforms.
Gentleman Jim was released on 14 Nov 1942.
Gentleman Jim is listed under Drama and Comedy on Fanbiz.
Gentleman Jim has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 9.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "If I get lost, I'll send up a rocket. Loosely based on the James J Corbett biography "The Roar Of The Crowd", Gentleman Jim is a wonderfully breezy picture that perfectly en..."
