Own it:
|
Search for streaming:
    
|
With: Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Lola Albright, Joan Blackman, Charles Bronson, David Lewis, Robert Emhardt, Liam Redmond, Judson Pratt, Ned Glass, George Mitchell, Roy Roberts, Michael Dante, Richard Devon, Jeff Morris
|
Written by: William Fay, based on a story by Francis Wallace
|
Directed by: Phil Karlson
|
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
|
Running Time: 95
|
|
Date: 08/11/1962
|
|
|
|
Ringside Singing
By Jeffrey M. Anderson Phil Karlson, Charles Bronson, Elvis and boxing... who wouldn't want to see this? Unfortunately, as directed by former B-movie master Karlson, Kid Galahad is a real mixed bag, with some half-baked ideas and some unwanted detours. To start, Elvis's Walter Gulick isn't even the main character; he's just a genuinely good soul who leaves the army and comes home to his small town birthplace. He wants to become a mechanic, but instead he gets a job as a sparring partner, which leads to a series of big-time fights. He's sweet and good-natured. He meets a nice girl and wants to settle down with her. He doesn't have much in the way of a character arc or conflict. The main character is actually Willy Grogan (Gig Young), a total sleaze who exploits fighters, gambles, and strings along his girlfriend (Lola Albright). The movie just dies while focused on him; he's so awful that we begin to root against him. Karlson seems most comfortable in the fight sequences; they're a bit ridiculous, but they have a lot of energy. And Charles Bronson anchors the movie with a gut-level performance as a crusty, but kindly trainer. Joan Blackman co-stars as Willy's pretty sister; she starts the movie as a tough little broad but turns to mush as soon as Elvis bats his eyes at her. Elvis sings about half-a-dozen songs, including "King of the Whole Wide World" and "I Got Lucky."
|
