Kid Galahad (1937)

58% of users liked it
(334 ratings)

Fight manager Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) has just lost his best fighter to crooked promoter Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart). During a party at Donati's apartment, a bellhop (Wayne Morris) kayos Morgan's boxer, who has insulted the honor of Donati's girlfriend, Louise "Fluff" Phillips (Bette… More Fight manager Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) has just lost his best fighter to crooked promoter Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart). During a party at Donati's apartment, a bellhop (Wayne Morris) kayos Morgan's boxer, who has insulted the honor of Donati's girlfriend, Louise "Fluff" Phillips (Bette Davis). Sensing a good thing when he sees it, Donati takes the bellhop under his wing, promoting the erstwhile pugilist as Kid Galahad. Morris is shipped to Donati's farm for training, where he falls in love with Donati's sheltered kid sister, Marie (Jane Bryan). Angered at this, Donati sets up Kid Galahad for a fall, ordering him to take a dive in an upcoming bout and betting his bankroll on Morgan's boy. Kid Galahad takes a terrific beating until, at the urging of Fluff and Marie, he abruptly changes his ring strategy. When Galahad wins, Morgan, feeling he's been double-crossed by Donati, shoots the latter. Morgan manages to fatally wound Morgan before expiring himself; as he breathes his last, he gives his belated blessing to Galahad and Marie's romance. To avoid confusion with Elvis Presley's 1962 remake of Kid Galahad, the earlier film was retitled The Battling Bellhop for TV. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: May 29, 1937 Wide
On DVD: Oct 21, 2008

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The popular film became a boxing classic for the 1930s.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Solid Warners boxing yarn - you can't go wrong with Eddie G. and Bette.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Kid Galahad is just an okay boxing movie when you consider the talent involved. Edward G. Robinson seems to be just kind of... there and Humphrey Bogart merely turns in a canned Murderer's Row performance. Bette Davis plays a forgettable role but considering she's never… More
Kid Galahad is just an okay boxing movie when you consider the talent involved. Edward G. Robinson seems to be just kind of... there and Humphrey Bogart merely turns in a canned Murderer's Row performance. Bette Davis plays a forgettable role but considering she's never looked better, I didn't mind. Kid Galahad definitely doesn't fall into the essential viewing category but if you're on an Edward G or Bogie kick that just won't die, its not a bad way to chase the dragon...
AJ V

This movie brings the words quaint and sentimental to mind. This movie combines elements of romance and sports drama in a nice way, but it was too nice I think, it could have been more realistic. In other words more conflict. Good, but it could be better.
Stella D

despite bogie, edward g and bette davis, the film is just ok. the usual boxing cliches...anyway it's gotta be better than the musical remake with elvis :p
jay n

Excellent fight picture with Edward G and Bette working well together, her role, Fluff, seems atypical for Davis but its nice to see her in something a little different and of course she infuses the part with her customary grit.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Nick Donati

            Bette Davis as Louise "Fluff" Phillips

            Humphrey Bogart as Turkey Morgan

            Wayne Morris as Kid Galahad

            Jane Bryan as Marie Donati

            Harry Carey as Silver Jackson

            Soledad Jiminez as Mrs. Donati

            Joe Cunningham as Joe Taylor

            Ben Welden as Buzz Stevens

            Joseph Crehan as Editor Brady

            Harland Tucker as Gunman

            Curtis Benton as Announcer

            Veda Ann Borg as Redhead at Party

            Don Brodie as Reporter

            Eddy Chandler as Title fight announcer

            Lane Chandler as Timekeeper

            Joyce Compton as Drunken Girl on Phone

            Don DeFore as Ringsider

            Mary Doran as Operator

            Ralph Dunn as Reporter at Dinner

            Bob Evans as Sam McGraw

            Frank Faylen as Barney

            Eddie Fetherstone
            
            Eddie Foster as Louie Pianist

            William Haade as Chuck McGraw

            Harry Harvey as Reporter

            Max Hoffman Jr.
            
            George Humbert as Barber

            I. Stanford Jolley as Ringsider

            Milt Kibbee as Reporter

            Horace McMahon as Reporter

            Carlyle Moore Jr. as Bellhop

            John Ridgely as Photographer

            John Shelton as Reporter

            Charles Sullivan as Second

            Emmett Vogan as Ring announcer

            Billy Wayne as Bell Captain

            William Arnold
            
            Virginia Dabney as Girl at Party

            Edward Price
            
            Harry Carey Sr.
            
            Soledad Jimenez
            
See full cast