Kid Galahad (1962)

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This is truly one of the best from Elvis! Not only is the story great, but the songs are all terrific. Elvis shines in his portrayal of Walter Gulick, a now former soldier who becomes a boxer.In Kid Galahad, you will see the true actor in Elvis...from the very first time i saw this film, i've been convinced that Elvis can act as well as sing. Unfortunately, he was not given too many chances to do so. His performance is credible, noteworthy, and unforgettable. The scenery is beautiful, the veteran actors also in the movie- GIG YOUNG, CHARLES BRONSON, ED ASNER, all give outstanding performances.This movie could have been a breakout role for Elvis, but he was not allowed to show his full dramatic range. His image as a happy-go- lucky, safe entertainer had to be maintained at the expense of a strong dramatic performance. In short, Elvis was not allowed to develop and explore the dramatic depths of his character. Compared to ROCKY, the movie falls way short. Nevertheless, Elvis gives a good, convincing performance as the rising boxing star.The songs might only be a few, KING OF THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, I GOT LUCKY, etc, but still Elvis gives it his best. This movie is one of my personal favorites. Worth Watching...

Released in 1962, "Kid Galahad" stars Elvis as an ex-GI who returns to his rustic home town in upstate New York looking for employment as a mechanic. He's roped into becoming a boxer by a dubious manager-turned-innkeeper (Gig Young) while catching the eye of his kid sister (Joan Blackman). With the mentorship of his trainer (Charles Bronson), he quickly becomes the top-drawing champion "Kid Galahad." Then the mob tries to muscle in on the action. Lola Albright plays the innkeeper's significant other and assistant.I prefer the more serious Elvis flicks (1964's "Roustabout") to the silly farces (1966's "Spinout") and "Kid Galahad" falls into the former bracket. While boxing is a big part of the plot, don't expect the urban-situated "Rocky" films or "Southpaw" (2015). What sets "Kid Galahad" apart is the setting – the awesome lodge in the mountains. In the story it's supposed to be either the Catskills or Adirondack Mountains, but it's obvious that it was shot out west. Regardless, the locations are exemplary. Beyond that, the story is dramatic and compelling.The movie runs 95 minutes and was shot in Idyllwild, California, with studio work done in Culver City.GRADE: B

Elvis Presley is a mechanic turned fighter in "Kid Galahad," a 1962 film with Presley playing the role originally essayed by Wayne Morris in the '30s. He has strong support from Gig Young, Lola Albright, Joan Blackman and Charles Bronson.Elvis plays an ex-GI named Walter Grogan, who is taken on as a fighter by a man (Gig Young) who runs a resort but owes money to mobsters due to gambling debts. What he doesn't count on is the Kid falling for his sister (Joan Blackman, Bette Davis in the original).This is early Elvis, when the production values were high and the songs fresh. Later on, Colonel Parker would tighten up on the budgets, since the cheaper he could get the films made, the more money he made for himself and Elvis. And Elvis' parents had naively signed a contract giving Parker 50%. I think Elvis would have been happier with better movies, such as "King Creole," and less money."Kid Galahad" is quite good, though, with fine music and a relaxed performance by Elvis, who looks great. He doesn't have the jet black hair and while he's not as thin as he would eventually get from using amphetamines, he's still in great shape.It became more and more difficult for Elvis to be Elvis, but here, he's a boyish, mellow guy who seemed to be enjoying what he was doing. Unfortunately, he didn't stay that way.

A very different Elvis movie. Only a very few, but quite good songs can be found in this one. Elvis as a recently discharged G.I. is looking for work, but ends up as a fighter after taking a job as a sparring partner for an up and coming fighter. This movie has a lot of heart and features a number of great actors including Charles Bronson and Oscar winner Gig Young. It also features Joan Blackman, Elvis' co-star in BLUE HAWAII. She is totally gorgeous and very sexy in this movie. A very earthy movie for its times, especially for Elvis. I have seen it plenty of times over the years but always remember sitting in my local theater in 1962 with some of my buddies watching it on a summer afternoon. At that time, it was only the second Elvis movie I had ever seen. A very good movie. Watch it whether you are an Elvis fan or not. Elvis shows some real acting chops in this one.