The Crowd Roars (1938)

In it solely for the money, a rising prizefighter (Robert Taylor) finds his career in peril when his ne'er do well father (Frank Morgan) sells his contract to a shifty bookmaker (Edward Arnold). Complications ensue when he falls in love with the bookie's daughter (Maureen O'Sullivan), who is unaware of her father's shady career. Directed by Richard Thorpe (IVANHOE), this is a modestly enjoyable MGM programmer with Taylor trying to move away from his romantic "pretty boy" image (CAMILLE, MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION) into grittier material. Indeed, the movie feels more like a Warners film than an MGM and Taylor gives a solid performance. As far as boxing movies go, this isn't a ROCKY or RAGING BULL but it's unassuming in its narrative and moves quickly. Remade in 1947 with Mickey Rooney as KILLER MCCOY. With Jane Wyman, Lionel Stander, William Gargan and Nat Pendleton.