Blu ray review: New Film Noir Set Concentrates on Boxing
Three strong prizefight films make up a new Film Noir set from Kino Lorber. Boxing movies usually responded well to the darkness and mystery of noir and these Universal classics are good examples. The movies in this three-disc set will each be discussed separately.
FLESH AND FURY (1952)
One of Tony Curtis’s finest and most nuanced performances from fairly early in his screen career. He plays Paul Callan, a deaf boxer with real skill whose career is guided by seasoned trainer Pop Richardson (a perfectly cast Wallace Ford). Pop is currently overcoming the emotion of having one of his fighters killed in the ring. Paul begins a romance with the ambitious Sonya (Jan Sterling) until he meets understanding reporter Ann (Mona Freeman) who is able to communicate with him in sign language. An operation restores his hearing but an upcoming fight may challenge its effectiveness. Joseph Pevney’s direction enhances the screenplay by Bernard Gordon. Kino’s blu ray is restored from a new 2K Master and features a commentary track by Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer.
THE SQUARE JUNGLE (1955)
Another great boxing noir feature Tony Curtis, this time as a fitfully employed grocery clerk who longs for greater success and enters the boxing world. Dealing with an alcoholic father, he is financially supported by a cop (Paul Kelly) and trained by an ex-con (Ernest Borgnine). Romantic conflict rears up as he heads toward a world title opportunity. The supporting cast includes Jim Backus, Pat Crowley, Leigh Snowden, David Janssen, and a cameo by Joe Louis. Kino’s blu ray is restored from a new 2K Master and features a commentary track by ilm Historian Eddy Von Mueller.
WORLD IN MY CORNER (1956)
Audie Murphy stars in this boxing noir as a young fighter who is invited to train at a wealthy man’s estate. He falls for his daughter, but she is an expensive catch so he dumps his honest manager and hires a crooked one to make big money quickly. On the eve of a big fight, he starts to second guess his decisions. Audie Murphy is best known for his westerns and the semi-autobiographical war drama To Hell and Back. This boxing movie is an exceptional part of Murphy’s filmography and features one of his career-best performances. Kino’s blu ray is restored from a new 2K Master and features a commentary track by ilm Historian Eddy Von Mueller.
This is one of the best of Kino’s outstanding Film Noir sets and the fact that it is thematic makes it even more significant. One of the best blu ray sets to be released this year. It is available at this link: NOIR 10