TCM’s Errol Flynn Star of the Month concludes Monday Night through Tuesday Afternoon with a Series of Films, Including (the Best) Raoul Walsh’s Gentleman Jim (1942), Which was Flynn’s Favorite Role, and Which Features Ward Bond’s Most Famous Performance, as Flynn’s Heavyweight Boxing Opponent, John L. Sullivan

By David in TN
Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:39:00 A.M. EDT

TCM’s Errol Flynn Star of the Month concludes Monday Night though Tuesday afternoon with a series of films. The best is Raoul Walsh’s Gentleman Jim (1942) with Alexis Smith, and Bond along with Flynn, at 8 p.m. ET Monday night.

Gentleman Jim was supposedly Flynn's favorite role, as Heavyweight Champion James J. Corbett. Alexis Smith plays his love interest and Ward Bond his rival John L. Sullivan, whom he defeats in the climax.

Flynn shows off his boxing skill, far better than other Hollywood actors who play boxers.

In Gentleman Jim, Bond “gave what is arguably his best performance, as John L. Sullivan, an egotistical hulk who shows honor and humility in defeat. Bond so loved the role that he bought the rights to a Sullivan biography, hoping to play him again with Walsh directing.”

Tuesday Morning at 9:45 ET, TCM shows Peter Godfrey’s Cry Wolf (1947) with Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Basehart and Geraldine Brooks. This is Errol Flynn’s only venture into film noir.

Film Noir Guide: “The talented Stanwyck manages to make this tedious melodrama somewhat enjoyable, but swashbuckler Flynn is cast badly against type.”