Flynn's infamous statutory rape trial took place in the midst of filming Gentleman Jim". Very sadly, things went slowly downhill for his career from here on in. I have to wonder if Warner Brothers weren't already letting go of him, in a way. The production is beautiful, Raoul Walsh is the perfect director for this manly picture, and yet... it's just not the same as the pictures done during Flynn's halcyon days, from Captain Blood through Dodge City.
Perhaps it's partly the unfortunate casting of Alexis Smith as the leading lady. Of course, the love story is very incidental in this picture, and that's probably a good thing because there is zero chemistry between Flynn and Smith. She may be pretty, but she's not much of an actress. Every scene with her made me long for Olivia de Havilland.
On the bright side, there's no denying Flynn's a treat to watch in the ring -- not a waste of time by any means. Just don't expect the love story to amount to much.
Perhaps it's partly the unfortunate casting of Alexis Smith as the leading lady. Of course, the love story is very incidental in this picture, and that's probably a good thing because there is zero chemistry between Flynn and Smith. She may be pretty, but she's not much of an actress. Every scene with her made me long for Olivia de Havilland.
On the bright side, there's no denying Flynn's a treat to watch in the ring -- not a waste of time by any means. Just don't expect the love story to amount to much.