There's something about Gentleman Jim which makes the film uplifting, it has a real aura of celebration to it. There's nothing better than hearing Auld Lang Sang during the opening credits of a piece of classic Hollywood filmmaking. Compare this to the many bleak biopics which portray historical figures going through unprecedented amounts of suffering, Gentleman Jim really stands out with its combination of comedy and drama which never takes itself too seriously to create something unique; historical accuracy be dammed!Errol Flynn and Jack Carson make for a fun duo as a pair of part time con-men. Flynn's reaction at the film's beginning to the pickpocket currently in the act of robbing him, just a quick "get outta there" and a slap on the wrist as he continues himself to con other people, it's so brief you would almost miss it and if it doesn't show what a great actor he is then I don't know what will; such sly confidence.Gentleman Jim is a movie full of blink-and-you-miss-them moments of subtle comedy. One of my favourite of these is the moment in which a child asks his mother during a fight "why doesn't daddy look that like in his underwear" and her response of "shh, he did once". I love the child's reaction with his eye's rolling up as if he's saying"oh, I totally get it". The movie does also have its more overt moments of humour in the form of Corbett's entertaining family of screwballs led by a scenery chewing Alan Hale. Yet even Hale's chewing of the scenery is outdone by Ward Bond as the over the top, manly force of nature that is John L. Sullivan.Gentleman Jim differs from most boxing film partially due to its time period setting. The film acts as a piece of 1890's nostalgia when there would still have been people alive in 1942 to remember this period. It is easily apparent the filmmakers put great strides into recreating the time period with its lush sets and great attention to detail. However the other aspect which makes the movie stand out amongst boxing pictures is its presentation of boxing as a real gentleman's sport, making the movie really live up to its title. This isn't a story with Rocky Balboas nor does it take place in sweaty, gritty inner city gyms. I guess somewhere along the way the sport of boxing became less sophisticated and more middle to lower class.Classic Hollywood films are generally not known for their realistic boxing scenes with their use of sped up footage and not very convincing punches. Gentleman Jim does a better job than other boxing films of the era. Flynn learned to box for the role and no body doubles where used while the fights for the most part do come off as convincing. The meeting between Corbett and Sullivan after their fight is the film's real tearjerker moment: what true gentlemen. An acceptance that your time has come to an end and that it will happen to all of us eventually.

Beginning with "They Died with their Boots on" of the previous year, director Raoul Walsh began an association with Errol Flynn that lasted through the war years. "Gentleman Jim" was sandwiched between various WWII films for the duration of the war. After "They Died with their Boots on", Olivia de Havilland was never again Flynn's leading lady. Although a variety of leading ladies filled her shoes over the remainder of Flynn's career, Alexis Smith was the most frequent, costarring in 4 of Flynn's films from 1941-50. She looked especially striking in Technicolor, with her flaming hair and greenish eyes. Unfortunately, the present film was shot in B&W. To see Alexis in a Flynn Technicolor film, checkout the westerns "San Antonio" or "Montana".Although the present film is supposed to be a partial biopic of the pioneer progressive boxer "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, I'm sure Alexis's character is purely fictional. Corbett was married some years before the fight with heavyweight champion J.L. Sullivan. Alexis, as Victoria, keeps popping up in Corbett's life, and secretly puts up the $10,000. needed to stage the Corbett-Sullivan fight, mostly to hopefully see Corbett get beat by Sullivan. Of course, this backfires when Corbett wins. Victoria comes across as very confident of her place in Nob Hill society in San Francisco, but is very condescending toward Corbett, whom she sees as too ambitious and talented as a boxer and as too aggressive in seeking to be an accepted gentleman member of the Olympic Club. She alternatively encourages him toward a romantic relationship, then slaps him down when he oversteps her invisible bounds. Clearly, she's jealous of his overall talent and probably fears he would be too dominating in a relationship with her.Historically, Corbett's fame is based not just on his defeat of Sullivan, but in introducing a new style of boxing, largely imported from England, emphasizing fancy foot work and gloved hands, instead of bare knuckle slugging. Historically, Corbett also was a reasonably good actor, and after his boxing days were over, he made money in vaudeville.Ward Bond does a good job impersonating Sullivan, except that he overdoes the confusion in the ring due to Corbett's quickness and dancing. He is shown being gracious toward Corbett in his defeat. I don't know if this is historically correct. I viewed a 130 min. version of this film on You Tube. The standard version is 144 min. I didn't have the feeling that something important was missing.

Good boxing movie, the story of "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, one of the earliest world heavyweight champions under the Marquis of Queensbury rules.Shows very well how Corbett revolutionised the sport. Before it was pretty much a brawl or slugfest. He used his speed to dodge and wear down opponents, and made it more tactical.Reasonably accurate, historically. Some of the sub-plots are thrown in for entertainment value and can be a bit silly at times.Great performance by Errol Flynn in the lead role. Good support from Alexis Smith.

All through cinema history, it seems Boxing makes a great subject for movies. This Bio of Gentlemen Jim Corbett is no exception. Erroll Flynn is in top form in the title role despite health problems. Alexis Smith is solid as the love interest. William Frawley is not given a lot as his manager but does well with what he has.There's plenty of frolic around as Corbett fights his way through many to meet the great John L Sullivan in a fight considered the fight of the century when it happened. Alan Hale Sr. is Corbett's dad. This boxing epic directed by Raoul Walsh is as good as they come in this era.Warner Brothers was gearing up for war movies when they released this one and it is a solid effort all around. Well worth watching.