Kid Galahad (1937)

When you bring together such talent as the peerless Edward Robinson, beautiful Bette Davis and dashing Humphrey Bogart, the result has to be good. Michael Curtiz, who made the classic Casablanca (1942) with Boogey, Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) with Jimmy Cagney, Mildred Pierce (1945) with Joan Crawford and the terrific Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) (better than Russel Crow's and Kevin Costner put together), is among the pantheon of great directors from Classic Hollywood. This A-team has come together for Kid Galahad, in what would be another sweet performance from the little giant, Ed G.

Edward Robinson, once again proves that he has no match when it comes to playing snarling, vicious gangster roles. Time and again, he donned such a role with panache, verve and chutzpah. Wayne Morris, plays the affable farm-boy bellhop, Galahad, who accidentally turns into a prize fighter. Ed G's character Nicky, a mobster/boxing operator, runs a successful racket of fixing boxing matches. Bogart's Morgan, is a fellow racketeer and a thorn in the flesh of Nicky. Nicky's arm-candy Fluff, (Bette Davis) takes an instant liking to the chivalrous Galahad, who turns violent at the sight of women being mistreated. Galahad has the looks, the physique and the charm to ace any girl he likes but he does not fall for Fluff. Instead he goes for Nicky's baby sister Marie, much to the chagrin of Nicky. On contract with Nicky, Galahad keeps winning title after title until the final countdown for World Championship begins. Morgan, who is obviously pissed that Nicky's boy is winning everything pits his ace fighter against Galahad. Upset with his own protegee for falling in love with his sister, Nicky fixes this match and tries to makes Galahad lose the the fight. He even gives wrong suggestion to Galahad putting him in peril. Fluff, who by this times falls knee-deep for Galahad cannot bear this. She ropes in Marie and together they try to change Nicky's heart. What ensues is a slightly predictable yet satisfying finale when we understand that Nicky may not be the bad fellow we thought him to be.

I did not let my little giant bias come in the way of this review. I have seen scores of Edward Robinson's movies, recently bought his autobiography and am an active member of his fan-site on FaceBook. While Kid Galahad might not be up there with his other notable works, it is still a fine film. True Edward Robinson fans, should not miss this. There are various classic scenes of the little giant in this trademark gangster role. But the look on his face when Galahad is getting beaten to pulp is priceless. It shows the shock he feels at his own evil self. Bogart paired up with Ed G for a total of 5 films, of which a majority were made before Bogart became a bigger star than Edward Robinson. To watch Edward Robinson, Bette Davies and Bogart together is a treat in itself. This is a straight-up classic drama with some great moments. Although not as fine as some other movies of Curtiz, this has to be in his top quartile. 8 uppercuts out of 10.