Gentleman Jim

If you like Flynn, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Alexis Smith, William Frawley and/or Ward Bond, then this is the film for you. This film is a biopic about the boxer, James "Gentleman Jim" J. Corbett, who was one of the first boxers to fight under the modern boxing rules. This film deals with his ascent to stardom, courtesy of his brash cockiness and natural talent as a boxer. Carson portrays his less attractive friend who enjoys the perks involved in being friends with a star. Hale is his Irish father who is hilarious.

Smith plays a woman whom Flynn courts throughout the entire film. She pretends to loathe him, mostly because of his arrogance, but throughout the film, you can tell that she's got the hots for him (and who wouldn't?) even though she tries to suppress it. Frawley is Flynn's boxing manager who tries to keep him a serious boxer, but struggles at times. Finally Bond plays John Sullivan, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion who Flynn ends up challenging. Their fight is the climax of the film. There's a very touching scene between Flynn and Bond at the end of the film. It's followed by a very funny scene involving Hale and Carson. Highly recommended. Even if you're not a boxing fan, you'll find this film enjoyable. Flynn so effortlessly makes his "cock of the walk" character utterly charming. In lesser hands the part of Jim Corbett could have easily become obnoxious, but Flynn's personality and charisma makes the audience root for his character.