Flesh (1932)

Gifted German wrestler Polokai falls in love with ex-con Laura, who persuades him to emigrate to America and gets him involved with crooked promoters.

Writers:

Edmund Goulding (story), Leonard Praskins (adaptation),

Stars:

Wallace Beery, Ricardo Cortez, Karen Morley

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wallace Beery	...	Polakai
Ricardo Cortez	...	Nicky
Karen Morley	...	Laura
Jean Hersholt	...	Mr. Herman
John Miljan	...	Willard
Herman Bing	...	Pepi - Headwaiter
Vince Barnett	...	A Waiter
Greta Meyer	...	Mrs. Herman
Edward Brophy	...	Dolan - a Referee

Storyline

Laura Nash is an ex-con who is befriended by Polakai, a waiter who is also a wrestler. Even though Polakai is kind to her, she pines for Nick, her old partner in crime. When she gets Nick out of jail, she tells him that she is pregnant and he leaves for America. Laura then marries Polakai, who adores her, and he becomes the wrestling champion of Germany. Laura makes Polakai move to America where she finds Nick and he becomes his manager. Polakai wants to wrestle fairly, but Nick and Joe are both crooked and are only in it for the money. Polakai does not know that Laura still desires Nick.

---

Plot Keywords:

ex con | promoter | crooked promoter | wrestling | waiter | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

8 December 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carne

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Laura: [On the phone] You got the dough, and we took the rap, so it's your turn to play cards.

---

Soundtracks

"Du, Du Liegst Mir im Herzen"
(uncredited)
Traditional German folksong
Played in the beer garden in Germany
Reprised in the beer garden in Hoboken, New Jersey

User Reviews

Soapy tale with disappointing lead performance

Wallace Beery gives an uncomfortably self-conscious performance as a simple-minded German wrestler with a good heart who falls in love with cynical Karen Motley, a self-described gypsy (cue: uh oh! what's she running away from?). Director John Ford doesn't give the proceedings any frills, but leaving this stage so bare doesn't do the audience any favors. Motley is an amusing tough cookie, but she and Beery struggle to play off each other convincingly. The pacing is slow and flaccid, the story predictable, which is too bad since it begins quite promisingly. Falls apart soon after, becoming a standard soap opera.

*1/2 from ****