The late 1940's and early 1950's Hollywood output had a fascinating with prize-fighting with such all-time classics as "Body and Soul", "The Set- Up" and "Champion". Even funny movies got into the punch with pretty much every comic taking their turn, either in the ring or as a prize- fighting manager. For this obscure comedy, a cast of already well known actors got together at the second-string Eagle Lion for a film that takes on both the world of prize-fighting and body-building, and turning its hero (Vince Edwards) into a force to be reckoned with, pairing him opposite some of the real life prize-fighting favorites of the time.
It all starts because Jack Carson, on the run from the police, happens to hide inside a Mr. Universe body building contest where he spots Edwards and decides to become his manager as a prize-fighter. Along with "Cowardly Lion" Bert Lahr, they turn him into a show-case, complete with chorus girl companions and outrageous costumes. His success in the ring gets the attention of mobster Robert Alda and begins to cause all sorts of problems between Carson and his girl, the perky Janis Paige.
Practically everybody in this film had been employed at some point by Warner Brothers, where Carson and Paige were paired in several films. It is almost like this was a film Warner Brothers made, shelved, and finally sold to Eagle Lion. Alda and Lahr, too, had both recently worked at Warners, giving more credence to these possibilities. Another irony is that Carson, Paige, Alda and Lahr were all on Broadway around the time this movie came out: Carson in a revival of "Of Thee I Sing!", Paige in the comedy "Remains to Be Seen", Alda in "Guys and Dolls" (as the original Sky Masterson) and Lahr in the musical revue "Two on the Aisle".
It doesn't take much to realize that this is a take-off on the type of stories that Damon Runyeon had been writing about Broadway guys and dolls for decades, and toss in Maxie Rosenbloom for good measure as a typical Runyeon type no-brain sidekick, you've got enough "Lemon Drop Kid", "Sorrowful Jones" and "The Big Street" comparisons to make, not to mention "Guys and Dolls". Rosenbloom is particularly funny as he keeps tabs on Edwards to prevent Alda from getting his hands on the kid and passes out because of strong cologne Paige is wearing that he happens to be allergic to. Lahr steps away from cowardly roles to play the type of part Jimmy Durante often took, and he is quite funny.
Obviously made on a shoe-string budget, but filled with enough laughs and references to prize-fighting history, this is a sleeper of a little comedy which never lacks in its ability to amuse. I only wish that there was more of Ms. Paige who started off strong at Warner Brothers and would score highly on Broadway but never made it to the ranks of top stardom, yet always was a fan favorite because of her likability in a career that lasted for decades through film, T.V. (nighttime and daytime!) and stage, and still continues with her west coast cabaret show.
It all starts because Jack Carson, on the run from the police, happens to hide inside a Mr. Universe body building contest where he spots Edwards and decides to become his manager as a prize-fighter. Along with "Cowardly Lion" Bert Lahr, they turn him into a show-case, complete with chorus girl companions and outrageous costumes. His success in the ring gets the attention of mobster Robert Alda and begins to cause all sorts of problems between Carson and his girl, the perky Janis Paige.
Practically everybody in this film had been employed at some point by Warner Brothers, where Carson and Paige were paired in several films. It is almost like this was a film Warner Brothers made, shelved, and finally sold to Eagle Lion. Alda and Lahr, too, had both recently worked at Warners, giving more credence to these possibilities. Another irony is that Carson, Paige, Alda and Lahr were all on Broadway around the time this movie came out: Carson in a revival of "Of Thee I Sing!", Paige in the comedy "Remains to Be Seen", Alda in "Guys and Dolls" (as the original Sky Masterson) and Lahr in the musical revue "Two on the Aisle".
It doesn't take much to realize that this is a take-off on the type of stories that Damon Runyeon had been writing about Broadway guys and dolls for decades, and toss in Maxie Rosenbloom for good measure as a typical Runyeon type no-brain sidekick, you've got enough "Lemon Drop Kid", "Sorrowful Jones" and "The Big Street" comparisons to make, not to mention "Guys and Dolls". Rosenbloom is particularly funny as he keeps tabs on Edwards to prevent Alda from getting his hands on the kid and passes out because of strong cologne Paige is wearing that he happens to be allergic to. Lahr steps away from cowardly roles to play the type of part Jimmy Durante often took, and he is quite funny.
Obviously made on a shoe-string budget, but filled with enough laughs and references to prize-fighting history, this is a sleeper of a little comedy which never lacks in its ability to amuse. I only wish that there was more of Ms. Paige who started off strong at Warner Brothers and would score highly on Broadway but never made it to the ranks of top stardom, yet always was a fan favorite because of her likability in a career that lasted for decades through film, T.V. (nighttime and daytime!) and stage, and still continues with her west coast cabaret show.
