Gentleman Jim (1942)

lighthearted good time

So great to have this to add to our collection of solidly entertaining movies that we can watch many times and not get tired of. We're Ward Bond fans. He beefed-up and buffed-up for his role of John L. Sullivan, with all that swagger and commanding Irish pride he does so masterfully. A blustering,larger-than-life, unforgetable character.
Errol Flynn is top-drawer- seems just an extension of himself. Lively and polished as he plays an over-confidant charmer that gets a lot of lucky breaks but never seems to notice. His humility with the beaten Sullivan is the balance. Are those actually his dancing feet in the ring? This is only our second Flynn movie to own. We'll be looking for more.
The supporting characters really make the movie more fun and endearing- like Jack Carson and Alan Hale. Mr. Hale is a great characature and, again, over-the-top, but it's just that kind of license to take to keep the movie humming along. He's the kind of guy everyone wants at holiday parties.
Alexis Smith is a beautiful balance to all this male animation. She's keeping her cool head, but chimes in with her own willful and emotion-driven replies. Again, all the characters keep the movie moving with a lighthearted flow.
Just a great, enjoyable evening's entertainment.
October 27, 2008

Oldie but goody

You don't need me to tell you about this movie. The did a good job on it. April 28, 2008

Gentlemen Jim - Fun, Charming, and Cunning.

When I was given this movie I did not know what to expect. As a fairly young guy I had never even heard of Errol Flynn let alone had any desire to watch the film itself.

As soon as I started watching though I instantly was drawn into the movie. Errol plays Gentlemen Jim Corbett, a fighter who turned boxing from its roots of brutish fights into an art. You watch as he grows in his career until the match with John L. Sullivan the toughest competition around.

The movie was exciting to watch and Errol's character's charm is easily seen on the screen. The only piece of the movie that really hurts it is the fact that many members of the audience today will not adapt well with the movie. While very fun to watch it doesn't have the flair of movies today. What's worse is it also seems to lack any form of real plot twist --- while it's fun to watch Errol win fights you never really see anything that makes you feel like he'll have trouble outside of his fight with John L.

Either way, the movie is a gem and while most people will not enjoy it today if you're into fun exciting movies and can put up with some inability to adapt to the times then this is the sort of movie for you. April 7, 2008

Fantastic! Errol Flynn at his best!

Great man's fight movie! Lots of action. But a good story for the women too! Something for everyone! Well made! March 19, 2008

"Shake the hand that shook the world".

Flynn seized upon his strongest attributes as a Hollywood icon and very quietly applied them to this role, It is one of my favorite films. January 9, 2008

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