After defeating a prominent, highly-ranked heavyweight fighter in convincing and sensational fashion, "Gunner" Malone hopes to get a shot at the world-champion title, but is foiled by the retirement by the fighter who holds it. Later, Russ Conway, a Texas cowboy "Gunner" has taken under his wing, becomes the leading contender for the title through the scheming of a newspaper sports writer; but Rush refuses to fight because he is in love with "Gunner's" sister, Mary, and has promised her he will quit the game–-and trickery follows. The low-number PCA certificate on this film is because the film set on a Warner Brothers' shelf for two years after it was made. Barton Maclane has been plugging away for years to become heavyweight champion. Along the way he notices that amateur Wayne Morris has a lot of potential, so he buys his contract and mentors him. Meanwhile, Morris and Maclane's sister, June Travis, fall in love. When Maclane gets the chance to be champion, he has to fight Morris for the title, but Travis wants them both out of the ring before their brains get destroyed.<br/><br/>It's a one-hour Warner B from the period when they were slick, fast and mostly rote efforts, but this one is carried on the charms of Maclane's dumb lug characterization, something that I always enjoy . While he was capable of some fine performances – he is wonderful in his supporting role in HIGH SIERRA – he spent a lot of time in the Bs as Warner's answer to George Bancroft. The result here is decent, and is bolstered by the always amusing Maxie Rosenbloom as a competing boxer.
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295 weeks ago