Tuesday, October 8, 2013

TCM Catch-Up: Kid Galahad

This is Bette Davis' only on-screen pairing with Edward G. Robinson, and one of a handful of Bette's with Humphrey Bogart and Jane Bryan (separately.)

Bette is second-billed as Louise aka Fluff, Nick Donati's (Robinson's) mistress. Nick is a boxing promoter. Wayne Morris plays Kid Galahad, Fluff's nickname for bellhop Ward Guisenberry. When a boxer shoves Fluff aside at a party, the Kid knocks him out; the boxer just happens to be the heavyweight champ.

Nick decides to manage Kid Galahad to help him get revenge against rival promoter Turkey Morgan (Bogart). Turkey had paid off Nick's fighter to take a dive and also manages the champ.

The Kid and Nick's sister Marie (Bryan) fall in love, which infuriates Nick. Fluff has also fallen for the Kid and leaves Nick. Will Nick take revenge on Turkey as planned or on Kid Galahad?

I was happy to get the chance to see this movie again; it's been years. It's not a great film, but I enjoyed it.

A few things stand out. After the champ shoves Fluff, the Kid says he never saw anyone treat a lady that way. Bette's wistful expression at being called a lady is touching.

I like the scenes between Fluff and Marie. They know they are both in love with the same man, but there is no rivalry and no catfights.

It was fun to see Ben Welden as one of Turkey's henchmen. He appeared in another Bette Davis--Humphrey Bogart film of 1937, making Bette the "Marked Woman" of the title.

I like a few silhouette shots near the end of the film and the final shot itself as Bette walks down the dark alley from the arena after the big fight.

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