Mere Hollywood Hokum? Not even a Contender?
Hold Him Back! Here’s One Judge’s Claim:
And Here’s Another (Far Better) Judge’s Claim:
We have a Split Decision. Please Cast your Deciding Vote.
Was Errol Flynn’s Gentleman Jim a Champ or Chump?
— Tim
Gentleman Jim: Mere Hollywood Hokum?
27
Apr
Champ TKO!!! Tim, your namesake movie is beyond a doubt one of the all-time greatest sports movie and on boxing. Flynn gave a knockout performance in perhaps the best of his non-adventure films. He was at the zenith of his career and good looks and ‘Gentleman Jim’ looks even better today than in 1941. Ralph Schiller
Thank you, Ralph. I agree – a masterpiece of movie-making, with Errol in all his glory. A real treasure. I vividly remember seeing this a kid in Brooklyn. Being from a big Irish family in a big Irish neighborhood full of Corbett-like families, this movie was and still is one of my all-time favorites.
Along with Errol, Raoul Walsh again showed himself to a heavyweight champion, too. They were a magnificent combo. I think Raoul was able to capture Flynn’s wonderfully unique humor, charm and personality better than any other director.
youtu.be/8nrkf8MUG0g…
Here! Here! A great movie and Flynn’s performance was flawless. The footwork the persona everything was spot on
the iconic scene where he is dodging people on the side walk is memorable, the fact that we are still talking about it today seventy years plus after it was made is in itself testament to the enduring quality of the movie.
Absolutely, daringthorpe! Errol moved like Sugar Ray Robinson. He must have been really something to see in his Sydney days. He boxed much like he lived perhaps, a gracefully charming & fun-loving moving target, who was simultaneously provoking and entertaining, all on a level never seen before, or since.
And thank you for reminding us of that wonderful scene with Errol strolling down the streets of San Francisco, daringthorpe. Estaire couldn’t have done it any better than Flynn.
Sugar Ray Flynn: youtu.be/dDz7C3MD4Lc…
I agree with those above, it’s one of the best of Errol Flynn’s films, though comparatively little-known. Also, I know relatively little about boxing but I do know this is a perennial TCM Party favorite and draws a crowd whenever it airs. No one ever mentions that it’s unrealistic so I tend to think the latter assessment is more accurate. Just my $.02
Hey Hey Paula! Your “two-cents” are aways gold. Rory talked about GJ on TCM, too. It’s a shame more people don’t know or appreciate what a gem Gentleman Jim is. Flynn’s quick wit and fancy-footwork makes this a real crowd pleaser.
I still have this on my DVR! I love Rory Flynn’s intros. Also wish I knew YouTube user “aczilla” so I could thank her/him for what they’re doing.
Wallace Berry, Yes, yes, THAT Wallace Berry, emailed me from Hawaii saying, simply:
Errol said he liked this film …
Thanks, Wallace!
Aloha, Wallace! … And thank you for that inside info! Errol really excelled in this one. So good to hear he liked it. He was right to. Very few stars ever, if any, could have credibly made this film. No one could have done it as well.
Thank you Judges for your votes!
The Champion of the World is Gentlemannn Errollll Flynnnn!
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