Kid Galahad **** (1937, Edward G Robinson, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Harry Carey Sr, Jane Bryan, Veda Ann Borg) – Classic Movie Review 3370

Director Michael Curtiz’s 1937 movie is a top-of-the-class entry in Warner Bros’ Thirties boxing-movie cycle. Edward G Robinson gives a knockout turn as fight promoter Nick Donati, who turns a bellhop called Ward Guisenberry (Wayne Morris) into the prize-fighter Kid Galahad.

Humphrey Bogart and Harry Carey Sr get a look in as a crooked promoter called Turkey Morgan (!) and trainer named Silver Jackson, making strong impressions. But Bette Davis is wasted as Robinson’s lover Fluff, who falls for the Kid. Then the Kid falls for Nick’s young sister Marie, and Nick turns against his new fighter. And there’s little space for Jane Bryan as Marie or Veda Ann Borg as The Redhead either.

Curtiz directs with punch in the fight sequences and a contrasting tender sensitivity in the personal scenes.

Seton I Miller’s heavyweight screenplay is based on Francis Wallace’s story in the Saturday Evening Post.

Also in the cast are William Haade, Ben Welden, Joseph Crehan, Frank Faylen, Harland Tucker, Bob Evans, Horace MacMahon, Don DeFore, Lane Chandler, Eddie Chandler, John Ridgeley and Curtis Benton.

It was retitled for TV many years later as The Battling Bellhop to separate it from the 1962 Elvis Presley musical remake, Kid Galahad. And it was also remade as The Wagons Roll at Night (1941), again starring Bogart, but with a circus background.

Bogart went on to film Casablanca (1942) and We’re No Angels (1955) with Curtiz.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3370

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