Kid Galahad (1937)

A racketeer and fight promoter (Edward G. Robinson) discovers a bellhop (Wayne Morris) fresh off the farm with a knock out punch and decides to turn him into a professional prizefighter. Complications ensue when the promoter's girl (Bette Davis) and his sister (Jane Bryan) both fall for the upcoming boxer. Based on a magazine story by Francis Wallace and directed by Michael Curtiz. A superior example of Warner Brothers 1930s gritty style with top notch performances and solid direction by Curtiz. I'm not a fan of boxing movies but boxing takes a backseat to romance, betrayal and corruption which results in a tight engrossing drama. Robinson is terrific and Morris brings a sweet sincerity to his farm boy turned fighter but the movie belongs to Bette Davis. In the hands of a lesser actress, this could have been a generic "the girl" role but Davis infuses the part with nuance and clarity. Tellingly, the film's last shot is of Davis rather than Robinson or Morris. Remade in 1962 with Elvis Presley. With Humphrey Bogart, Harry Carey and Veda Ann Borg.