I watched this movie tonight on Turner Classic Movies just to see the man who bore the handsome Max Baer, Jr., star of TV's "The Beverly Hillbillies." I don't know anything about "Cinderella Man" or the violent sport of boxing that so many people seem to be drawn to. So this was a film I wasn't sure was even going to be worth my time. But I love pre-code films of the early 1930s and I do like Myrna Loy, so I figured there might be a chance I'd enjoy the movie somewhat. Well, it was one of the best films I've ever seen and for those who are wincing or gagging at that, let me say it's all a matter of opinion, folks.
I've been reading the reviews here (I did not know Max Baer "killed" anyone in his boxing career) and I just have to laugh at some of the comments from those who couldn't get anything out of this.
For example. Someone said that a real actor should have been used for the role of the prizefighter. Okay. How about Clark Gable who was just coming in to his own at the time? Needless to say, Gable would have been perfect, as he was and always will be "The King." Actors today should bow to the man, and simply step aside. But, they went with a real athlete and, to my surprise, he pulled it off and then some! If you want to get technical and start nit-picking on Baer's acting then you'll find exactly what you're looking for. But as far as I was concerned I was thoroughly entertained by a man who had never acted in his life before and then to sing, and tap dance in a musical number midway through the film? My gosh, why haven't we heard about this film before?
Someone also said that Walter Huston's performance wasn't believable. Gee. I've never seen any film work of Huston before, but I not only found him believable but I walked away a fan, looking forward to seeing more films of his. He definitely deserved a nomination for Best Supporting Actor had the category existed in those days.
I also walked away appreciating Myrna Loy more than I ever have. What a beautiful woman, and what star presence! This might have been a good role for Claudette Colbert, once a grand star of her time and much forgotten today, but I think Miss Loy probably has the edge here.
At the end I had tears in my eyes. All was forgiven, everybody reunited and walked away happy, ain't love grand?
I've been reading the reviews here (I did not know Max Baer "killed" anyone in his boxing career) and I just have to laugh at some of the comments from those who couldn't get anything out of this.
For example. Someone said that a real actor should have been used for the role of the prizefighter. Okay. How about Clark Gable who was just coming in to his own at the time? Needless to say, Gable would have been perfect, as he was and always will be "The King." Actors today should bow to the man, and simply step aside. But, they went with a real athlete and, to my surprise, he pulled it off and then some! If you want to get technical and start nit-picking on Baer's acting then you'll find exactly what you're looking for. But as far as I was concerned I was thoroughly entertained by a man who had never acted in his life before and then to sing, and tap dance in a musical number midway through the film? My gosh, why haven't we heard about this film before?
Someone also said that Walter Huston's performance wasn't believable. Gee. I've never seen any film work of Huston before, but I not only found him believable but I walked away a fan, looking forward to seeing more films of his. He definitely deserved a nomination for Best Supporting Actor had the category existed in those days.
I also walked away appreciating Myrna Loy more than I ever have. What a beautiful woman, and what star presence! This might have been a good role for Claudette Colbert, once a grand star of her time and much forgotten today, but I think Miss Loy probably has the edge here.
At the end I had tears in my eyes. All was forgiven, everybody reunited and walked away happy, ain't love grand?