Gentleman Jim (1942)
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100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(506 ratings)
Maybe Errol Flynn was never the war hero that he often played, but he was a capable boxer, and Gentleman Jim makes full use of this skill. Flynn stars as Jim Corbett, the 19th-century American pugilist who introduced "scientific" methods to bare-knuckle boxing. Originally an office clerk,… More Maybe Errol Flynn was never the war hero that he often played, but he was a capable boxer, and Gentleman Jim makes full use of this skill. Flynn stars as Jim Corbett, the 19th-century American pugilist who introduced "scientific" methods to bare-knuckle boxing. Originally an office clerk, Corbett is introduced to the then-illegal sport of fighting when one of the bank executives sponsors the young man's training at the Olympic Club. His arrogance wins Corbett a few enemies, including high-born lady Victoria Ware (Alexis Smith), whose dislike turns to casual affection when she realizes that Corbett is a sincere young fellow who can back up his boasts. What "Gentleman Jim" desires most in life is a match with reigning heavyweight champ John L. Sullivan (Ward Bond). Corbett and Sullivan finally meet in a bout governed by those new Marquis of Queensbury rules that Corbett has helped popularize. Twenty-one epoch-making rounds later, Corbett emerges victorious. At the victory celebration, Sullivan and Corbett graciously exchange mutual words of respect and affection. At this point, Corbett has totally won over the lovely Victoria -- but hasn't quite convinced his brawling brothers that "scientific" boxing is the wave of the future, and the film ends with a typical Raoul Walsh-directed battle royal. More faithful to the facts than most Errol Flynn biopics (but still with enough poetic license to drive historical purists up a wall), Gentleman Jim is broad, boisterous entertainment. Though it looks expensive, the film was made under Warner Bros.' standard pinchpenny restrictions; if you look closely at that moored ship where Corbett has one of his first professional fights, you'll notice that it's a leftover set from the 1940 Errol Flynn swashbuckler The Sea Hawk. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Raoul Walsh
- Written By
- Horace McCoy
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1942 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 27, 2007
Critic Reviews
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The most kinetic of period pieces, the least pious of biopics, Walsh's Grand Illusion, an elegy for men trying to hang on to the notion of blood sports as games of honor
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Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Walsh trusts his viewers to value ability and wit over humility and pathos, resulting in one of the most roundly entertaining of all sports films.
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
One of the most lovable, funny and enthusiastic of all film biographies.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...has all the exuberance, excitement, romance, and high good humor that is missing in many of today's so-called inspirational sports films.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Errol Flynn excels as the brash, social-climbing Corbett.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Errol Flynn
as James J. Corbett
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Alexis Smith
as Victoria Ware
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Jack Carson
as Walter Lowrie
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Alan Hale
as Pat Corbett
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John Loder
as Clinton DeWitt
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Ward Bond
as John L. Sullivan
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William Frawley
as Billy Delaney
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Minor Watson
as Buck Ware
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Madeleine Le Beau
as Anna Held
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Rhys Williams
as Harry Watson
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Arthur Shields
as Father Burke
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Dorothy Vaughan
as Ma Corbett
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James Flavin
as George Corbett
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Pat Flaherty
as Harry Corbett
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Wallis Clark
as Judge Geary
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Marilyn Phillips
as Mary Corbett
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Art Foster
as Jack Burke
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Edwin Stanley
as President McInnes
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Harry Crocker
as Charles Crocker
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Frank Mayo
as Gov. Stanford
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Fred Kelsey
as Sutro
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Sammy Stein
as Joe Choynski
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Hooper Atchley
as Man
- Clara Blandick
- Monte Blue
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Wade Boteler
as Policeman
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Georgia Caine
as Mrs. Geary
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Wade Crosby
as Manager
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William B. Davidson
as Donovan
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William "Wee Willie" Davis
as Flannagan
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Jean Del Val
as Renaud
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Lester Dorr
as Reporter
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Mary Gordon
as Irish Woman
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Frank S. Hagney
as Mug
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Carl Harbaugh
as Smith
- William Hopper
- Milt Kibbee
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Mike Mazurki
as Jake Kilrain
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Lon McCallister
as Page Boy
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Pat O'Malley
as Detective
- Lee Phelps
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Emmett Vogan
as Stage Manager
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Charles C. Wilson
as Gurney