Talk:Kid Galahad (1937 film)

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The following was in the Cast section. The tone of the text doesn't seem appropriate, and it certainly isn't cast related, but it's otherwise not bad.

At first glance, Kid Galahad seems typical of the fight films of the 30's. There is the up and coming fighter, Wayne Morris, who has a tough talking manager, Edward G. Robinson. There is the girlfriend who falls for him (both Bette Davis and Jane Bryan), and finally there is the rackets guy, Bogie, who sets up a fixed championship bout.

When I first saw Kid Galahad, I enjoyed it on a surface level, vicariously enjoying Wayne Morris' rise to glory. But as I watched it again, I paid more attention to the subtle interplay between the two female leads, the then superstar Bette Davis, and the newcomer Jane Bryan. It became clear to me that though the ostensible focus was on the rise to the championship of Morris, there was a subplot that gradually loomed as at least as interesting. Early in the film, Bette Davis makes it clear to the audience (but not to the green as grass Morris), that she has fallen in love with him, but because of her role as Edgar G. Robinson's girlfriend, she must keep her feelings to herself. Enter Jane Bryan, who falls in love too, but Morris returns her love. As Bryan gets to know Morris, he keeps telling her how 'swell' Bette Davis is. Naturally, Bryan grows increasingly jealous. Ditto for Bette Davis when she learns that Morris prefers Bryan to her.

For most of the movie, the two women never meet. Near the end they do meet, and for me, the emotional climax is their meeting. Morris and Bryan visit the nightclub where Davis is singing. Davis sees them and approaches their table. As they meet, you can see the two women sizing each other up. Jane Bryan says, "You know,when I first heard about you, I thought that I wouldn't like you, but I do, very much." Davis thanks her, and then responds with an emotional wallop that seems even more powerful when she adds softly, "And you know,don't you?" Naturally, the obtuse Morris is confused. "Know what?" he asks.

The women look at each other and their faces indicate the subtle undertow of the conversation.

Kid Galahad stands out from its competition for all the often quoted reasons,but for me what made the movie click was the understated battle between the ladies that was as least as significant as the punches thrown by the men in the ring.

I've used some of it as a plot section but the rest might be adapted for something as well.

I don't get it. Just seen this film now. What is it that they know? Are you implying the ridiculous subtext the usual suspects always claim about old movies, to make themselves feel better about their now trendy inadequacies?< — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.34.118.177 (talk)