GENTLEMAN JIM
US, 1942, 104 minutes, Black and white.
Errol Flynn, Alan Hale, Alexis Smith, John Loder, Jack Carson, Ward Bond, William Frawley, Rhys Williams, Arthur Shields.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Gentleman Jim is a colourful boxing picture made at the beginning of World War Two for the United States. Errol Flynn was the star - and worked with director Raoul Walsh in many features. He was to make several war features with Walsh in the years immediately following Gentleman Jim.
Flynn is suave and debonair as James J. Corbett, the world champion heavyweight who defeated John L. Sullivan at the turn of the century. The film is colourful in its re-creation of San Francisco in the 1880s and 1890s.
The film has its usual strong Warner Bros cast and a vigorous heroine in Alexis Smith.
1. Enjoyable boxing film? Biography? Piece of Americana?
2. Black and white photography, period settings, costumes and decor? Warner Bros productions values? The musical score?
3. The atmosphere of the west coast in the 1880s? The life of San Francisco, law and order, the police, illegal boxing matches, the judge arrested - and off because of Jim's testimony? The crowds, the popularity of sport, betting? The need for regulation? The gymnasiums, the training, the champions? Bare-knuckle fighting, the Marquis of Queensberry rules? The establishing of American boxing?
4. Jim Corbett and his style - Errol Flynn's style? The opening, dashing and debonair, his friendship with Walter, getting him into the match, his shrewdness and quick-wittedness, saving the judge after the arrest? The work in the bank - and his being promoted? His attraction towards Victoria Ware, following her, carrying the money to the club? Not backward in being forward with the members of the club? His moving into training, his quick punches, nimble footwork? Going into training, succeeding in boxing, the establishing of rules? Defeats, victories? The admiration for John L. Sullivan? The build-up to the fight against him - and his winning? As a person, personality? The ups and downs of his relationship with Victoria? With the members of San Francisco establishment? With his father (helping him with his cab ride, support)? His brothers? His mother? Putting his money to the betterment of the family? A romanticised figure?
5. Walter, his friendship, support of Jim, his drinking, people looking down on him?
6. Victoria, San Francisco aristocracy, her father? Her fiance? Social occasions and Jim's behaviour? Her interest in his career, supporting him? Attracted, moving away from him? Finally returning? A romanticised romance?
7. The picture of the boxing world - illegal, the law, the need for regulations, the establishing of balance, championships? The role of the media and their lionising the heroes? Managers and money?
8. John L. Sullivan, Irish background, reputation, arrogant? His victories? The confrontation with Jim Corbett? The match and the defeat?
9. Warner Bros entertainment productions of the period - strong on character, plot, humorous dialogue, Americana?
