Kid Galahad (1962)

After completing his military service, Walter Gulick takes a job as a sparring partner at a gym, the owner of which sees potential in Walter as a professional fighter and takes him under his wing.

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

William Fay (screenplay), Francis Wallace (story)

Stars:

Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Lola Albright

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Elvis Presley	...	Walter Gulick
Gig Young	...	Willy Grogan
Lola Albright	...	Dolly Fletcher
Joan Blackman	...	Rose Grogan
Charles Bronson	...	Lew Nyack
David Lewis	...	Otto Danzig
Robert Emhardt	...	Maynard
Liam Redmond	...	Father Higgins
Judson Pratt	...	Howie Zimmerman
Ned Glass	...	Max Lieberman
George Mitchell	...	Harry Sperling
Roy Roberts	...	Jerry Bathgate
Michael Dante	...	Joie Shakes
Richard Devon	...	Marvin
Jeff Morris	...	Ralphie (as Jeffrey Morris)

Storyline

When he completes his military service Walter Gulick returns to his birthplace, Cream Valley, New York. He was orphaned as an infant and grew up elsewhere but always wanted to return to where he was from. He hopes to be a mechanic but soon after his arrival finds himself working as a sparring partner at a boxing camp. Having lost all of his money in a crap game, Walter is happy to take any kind of work but a devastating right hook sends him down a different path. Willy Grogan thinks he has a winner in Walter who, after helping a lady out, is dubbed Kid Galahad. Willy is a likable man but gambles too much and may have been a witness to a mobster's conversation that would best be forgotten. As Walter gains more success, and falls in love with Willy's sister Rose, Willy Grogan finds himself coming under pressure from mobsters to make Walter takes a dive at his next big fight.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | bar fight | boxer | guitarist | training | 

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Taglines:

Elvis Comes Out Swingin' Like You've Never Seen Him Before!

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

29 August 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Harte Fäuste, heiße Liebe

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,750,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In its opening weekend, film reached place 9.

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Goofs

At about the 45 minute mark into the film and after the "first" professional fight. Galahad knocks out the more intimidating opponent. The ref's count was extremely fast...but as soon as he counted "...ten" and waved his hands signifying the bout was over, the defeated opponent was hurriedly getting up after being "knocked out"

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Quotes

Maynard: What's the matter?
Dolly Fletcher: Nothing. It's love in bloom.
Maynard: Goodbye. I've watched it bloom before.
Willy Grogan: Look, Dolly... this may seem funny to you but... the kid doesn't know about us.
Dolly Fletcher: I gathered that much. I can even quote you. "Rose, this is Miss What's-her-name. She just happened to drop by this morning." Were you so scared, you couldn't even remember my name?
Willy Grogan: Dolly...
Dolly Fletcher: What is there to know about us anyway? Am I a lady barber or something? They've got sex in the Bronx, too, so what's the mystery?
Willy Grogan: I'm only ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.89 (2010)

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Soundtracks

A Whistling Tune
Written by Sherman Edwards & Hal David
Performed by Elvis Presley (uncredited)

User Reviews

Kid Galahad Packs A Punch

As a big fan of Elvis Presley, Gig Young, and Charles Bronson, as well as the sport of boxing, I enjoyed this movie for those reasons alone. Elvis gives a decent performance, but is stereotyped by the script as a goofy, goo-natured, lug-head, who has a natural gift of a cast-iron chin and one-punch knockout power. Half the movie Elvis looks in a daze with his mouth open catching flies!

Charles Bronson has a surprise role as a trainer. Not once does his show off his impressive muscular build and even gets both his hands broken by gangsters. A truly different role for him. He too is stereotyped as the ex-boxer walking on his heels.

Gig Young gives his usual out-standing performance, but there is nothing to like at all about his character; he's a liar, a user, aback-stabber, and an over-all jerk.

The fight scenes are poorly done and considering they were advised by former World Light-welterweight boxing great Mushy Callahan, a big disappointment.

However, if you like Elvis, this will be an enjoyable film.