Gentleman Jim (1942)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(475 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, Corbett is… 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.
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

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
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.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
One of the most lovable, funny and enthusiastic of all film biographies.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...as good a sports biography, hyperbole or not, as you'll find.
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Errol Flynn excels as the brash, social-climbing Corbett.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Romanticized Jim Corbett boxing fable; Flynn is still fun to watch.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Superior -- if largely fact-free -- biopic with Flynn as the character should have been rather than as he was.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A pretty good boxing movie, it's set in the past, in England (I think). I saw it on TV, and it looked good enough, but I got kinda bored with it in some scenes.
jay n

Errol has one of his best roles here. How much is truth who knows but its well played and Alexis Smith is incredibly lovely.
Danny R

A Warner Brothers classic, that richly deserves a place among the pantheon of great boxing films, it tells the true-life story of James J. "Gentlemen Jim" Corbett, the colorful Irish-American boxer who became the first heavyweight champion of the world, under the new Marquis… More
A Warner Brothers classic, that richly deserves a place among the pantheon of great boxing films, it tells the true-life story of James J. "Gentlemen Jim" Corbett, the colorful Irish-American boxer who became the first heavyweight champion of the world, under the new Marquis of Queensberry rules. The story follows Corbett played by Errol Flynn who delivers one of the finest and most charismatic performances of his career, as a ambitious bank clerk in San Francisco, who thru chance will fight the ex-boxing champion of England and win. That will eventually lead to a fearsome fight with the heavyweight champion of the world, the great John L. Sullivan a legendary ring king played by Ward Bond in brilliant larger-than-life performance which is one of the finest moments in his distinguished career. The film is also a fascinating look at the early days of boxing as a outlaw sport, with some exciting and realistic fight sequences, which well-staged and are highly effective. Flynn was actually an accomplished boxer and you can see it was him doing all of his stunts and no doubles, this role was Errol Flynn's favorite, he trained rigorously to master Corbett's gliding footwork, his deft jabbing and lighting left-hooking that were all Corbett trademarks. Magnificent supporting performances from Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, William Frawley, Minor Watson, and John Loder. Superlative direction by Raoul Walsh and impressive production values, convincingly recreating San Francisco circa 1887. A Knockout entertainment. Highly Recommended.

Cast

            Errol Flynn as James J. Corbett

            Alexis Smith as Victoria Ware

            Jack Carson as Walter Lowrie

            Alan Hale as Pat Corbett

            John Loder as Clinton DeWitt

            Ward Bond as John L. Sullivan

            William Frawley as Billy Delaney

            Minor Watson as Buck Ware

            Madeleine Le Beau as Anna Held

            Rhys Williams as Harry Watson

            Arthur Shields as Father Burke

            Dorothy Vaughan as Ma Corbett

            James Flavin as George Corbett

            Pat Flaherty as Harry Corbett

            Wallis Clark as Judge Geary

            Marilyn Phillips as Mary Corbett

            Art Foster as Jack Burke

            Edwin Stanley as President McInnes

            Harry Crocker as Charles Crocker

            Frank Mayo as Gov. Stanford

            Fred Kelsey as Sutro

            Sammy Stein as Joe Choynski

            Hooper Atchley as Man

            Clara Blandick
            
            Monte Blue
            
            Wade Boteler as Policeman

            Georgia Caine as Mrs. Geary

            Wade Crosby as Manager

            William B. Davidson as Donovan

            William "Wee Willie" Davis as Flannagan

            Jean Del Val as Renaud

            Lester Dorr as Reporter

            Mary Gordon as Irish Woman

            Frank S. Hagney as Mug

            Carl Harbaugh as Smith

            William Hopper
            
            Milt Kibbee
            
            Mike Mazurki as Jake Kilrain

            Lon McCallister as Page Boy

            Pat O'Malley as Detective

            Lee Phelps
            
            Emmett Vogan as Stage Manager

            Charles C. Wilson as Gurney
See full cast