I love Turner Classic Movies for programming old, less-than-classic movies like this nearly forgotten 1933 Warner Bros. chestnut. While channel surfing, I came across this one and was drawn in by the charming, natural performances of Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and the children. I won't rehash the plot because it's been done in other reviews. It's astonishing to see the familiar faces, sometimes unbilled, playing supporting roles in this one. I instantly recognized Aline MacMahon, Lyle Talbot, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee (excellent) and child stars Mickey Rooney, Anne Shirley and Allen "Farina" Hoskins. And then there's John Wayne in an early non-Western role as a boxer. Rooney and Hoskins were veterans by this time, effortless scene stealers who could wring tears as easily as laughs. I wasn't familiar with child actor David Durand and he's quietly charming as a crippled boy. It's amazing how satisfying a simple, beautifully-crafted movie made for pennies compared to today's CGI-laden millon-dollar blockbusters can be. I'm just grateful that the programmers at TCM refuse to allow little treasures like "The Life of Jimmy Dolan" to gather dust in a can on a vault shelf. And this was just one movie in a day filled with other early Thirties treasures from the Hollywood assembly line. Long live TCM!
23 Reviews
Nice Combination
ccthemovieman-16 January 2006
This was an entertaining film, right from the get-go, and it seemed to be divided into three segments.
Segment One was a crime story in which the leading character, "Jimmy Dolan" (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is shown as a heavyweight champion (at 170 pounds? Well, boxing stories weren't all that realistic on film for many years) who is nothing like his public image. (Hmm...sounds like something familiar, even today). Anyway, a reporter finds out Dolan is not as wholesome as he portrays himself, states he's going to blow the whistle on him and Dolan socks him in the face before he can divulge his "scoop." Unfortunately, the blow kills the man. Without going into other details to ruin it anyone who has not seen this, Dolan winds up on the lam out west in Salt Lake City.
Segment Two is a romance, human--interest story. Loretta Young and Ailine MacMahon are introduced into the film as a young woman-and-aunt who run a ranch for several disable kids who were rescued out of an institution. As things progress, Young falls for Fairbanks, and slowly takes the cynicism out of him. The kids are all pretty entertaining and among them is a very young Mickey Rooney who delivers his lines so naturally you can see why he became a big star at a young age. Anne Shirley is also among the kids.
Segment Three involves a boxing match in which Fairbanks is trying to earn money to help save the ranch for the women and kids. In that segment is a young John Wayne, with a greasy 1950s hairdo! The boxing scenes are almost laughable, but that's okay. We are more interested in what happens than how real it looks. This segment also involves Guy Kibbe, a detective who has been tracking down Fairbanks. I can't say more about him without risking spoiling the ending.
That mixture of crime, suspense, action, romance, drama, family and kids sentiment all make this 87-minute film worth your time.
Segment One was a crime story in which the leading character, "Jimmy Dolan" (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is shown as a heavyweight champion (at 170 pounds? Well, boxing stories weren't all that realistic on film for many years) who is nothing like his public image. (Hmm...sounds like something familiar, even today). Anyway, a reporter finds out Dolan is not as wholesome as he portrays himself, states he's going to blow the whistle on him and Dolan socks him in the face before he can divulge his "scoop." Unfortunately, the blow kills the man. Without going into other details to ruin it anyone who has not seen this, Dolan winds up on the lam out west in Salt Lake City.
Segment Two is a romance, human--interest story. Loretta Young and Ailine MacMahon are introduced into the film as a young woman-and-aunt who run a ranch for several disable kids who were rescued out of an institution. As things progress, Young falls for Fairbanks, and slowly takes the cynicism out of him. The kids are all pretty entertaining and among them is a very young Mickey Rooney who delivers his lines so naturally you can see why he became a big star at a young age. Anne Shirley is also among the kids.
Segment Three involves a boxing match in which Fairbanks is trying to earn money to help save the ranch for the women and kids. In that segment is a young John Wayne, with a greasy 1950s hairdo! The boxing scenes are almost laughable, but that's okay. We are more interested in what happens than how real it looks. This segment also involves Guy Kibbe, a detective who has been tracking down Fairbanks. I can't say more about him without risking spoiling the ending.
That mixture of crime, suspense, action, romance, drama, family and kids sentiment all make this 87-minute film worth your time.
Doug Fairbanks, Jr. shines in original version of Garfield film...
Doylenf2 December 2010
THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN is a thoroughly entertaining and absorbing little film about a fighter who accidentally kills a man and is advised to go on the run to avoid prison.
It features DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JR. in what is possibly one of his best early roles as the fighter who finds refuge in a country home for crippled children. He also finds romance in the form of LORETTA YOUNG, then in her early 20s and very lovely. The romantic moments between Fairbanks and Young are tender and charming, well-played by both who have good chemistry with each other.
In bit roles are MICKEY ROONEY (as one of the kids who worships the fighter), and JOHN WAYNE as an amateur boxer who needs the fight money for his wife. But the best support comes from ALINE MacMAHON as the feisty Scottish woman who bosses Fairbanks around while appreciating his manly charm as much as Loretta.
An interesting tale later remade in the '40s with John Garfield as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, told here with warmth and humor. If you're a fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. or Loretta Young, you can't afford to miss this little gem.
It features DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JR. in what is possibly one of his best early roles as the fighter who finds refuge in a country home for crippled children. He also finds romance in the form of LORETTA YOUNG, then in her early 20s and very lovely. The romantic moments between Fairbanks and Young are tender and charming, well-played by both who have good chemistry with each other.
In bit roles are MICKEY ROONEY (as one of the kids who worships the fighter), and JOHN WAYNE as an amateur boxer who needs the fight money for his wife. But the best support comes from ALINE MacMAHON as the feisty Scottish woman who bosses Fairbanks around while appreciating his manly charm as much as Loretta.
An interesting tale later remade in the '40s with John Garfield as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, told here with warmth and humor. If you're a fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. or Loretta Young, you can't afford to miss this little gem.
Good precode film, and another one where the water was spiked
blanche-230 May 2010
"The Life of Jimmy Dolan," made in 1933, was remade later as "They Made Me a Criminal." This precode version is a good film starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Loretta Young, Guy Kibbee, Lyle Talbot, and Aline McMahon, and is notable for its early appearances by John Wayne and Mickey Rooney (who already had seven years as an actor under his belt). The underrated Fairbanks, who doesn't look like a boxer, is the champ Jimmy Dolan, who gets drunk, accidentally kills a reporter, and takes off when his manager is mistaken for him in a burning car. He ends up on a farm for sick children run by the beautiful Young, who was about 20 when this was made, and Aline MacMahon. He becomes accustomed to the life there, falls for the Young character, and when the farm needs $2,000, he considers going back into the ring.
The nice thing about precode is you're never sure how a film will end. This movie has a toughness about it but also a poignancy.
"The Life of Jimmy Dolan" joins "The Emperor's Candlesticks" and "Remember Last Night" as having longevity water somewhere on the set. Fairbanks, Jr. lived to the age of 90; Loretta Young to 87; Aline MacMahon to 92; Lyle Talbot to 94, and Mickey Rooney, approaching 90, is still with us as of this writing. So you have your "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Blood & Sand," where everyone died young, and films like this. Go figure.
The nice thing about precode is you're never sure how a film will end. This movie has a toughness about it but also a poignancy.
"The Life of Jimmy Dolan" joins "The Emperor's Candlesticks" and "Remember Last Night" as having longevity water somewhere on the set. Fairbanks, Jr. lived to the age of 90; Loretta Young to 87; Aline MacMahon to 92; Lyle Talbot to 94, and Mickey Rooney, approaching 90, is still with us as of this writing. So you have your "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Blood & Sand," where everyone died young, and films like this. Go figure.
Punchy and poignant
Fred_Rap27 January 2010
Compulsively entertaining spiritual regeneration yarn with a surprising layer of sensitivity and depth to offset the mawkishness. The dapper Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is more than a mite improbable as the title character, a middleweight boxing champ, but delivers a charming and sympathetic portrait of a hard-luck cynic.
Framed for a murder and thought to be dead, an embittered Jimmy D. takes to the lonely road and winds up on a health ranch for invalid children. Run by sad-eyed earth mother Aline MacMahon and the winsome Loretta Young, and populated with the likes of such professional heart-tuggers as Mickey Rooney and Allen "Farina" Hoskins, you can bet that Jimmy's redemption is waiting around the bend. But the film is so sharply written and cunningly played that the shamelessly convenient finale still packs an emotional punch.
With Guy Kibbee as the myopic ex-detective, Lyle Talbot as the crooked manager, and a youthful John Wayne in the antithesis of his macho image as a diffident amateur boxer.
Framed for a murder and thought to be dead, an embittered Jimmy D. takes to the lonely road and winds up on a health ranch for invalid children. Run by sad-eyed earth mother Aline MacMahon and the winsome Loretta Young, and populated with the likes of such professional heart-tuggers as Mickey Rooney and Allen "Farina" Hoskins, you can bet that Jimmy's redemption is waiting around the bend. But the film is so sharply written and cunningly played that the shamelessly convenient finale still packs an emotional punch.
With Guy Kibbee as the myopic ex-detective, Lyle Talbot as the crooked manager, and a youthful John Wayne in the antithesis of his macho image as a diffident amateur boxer.
A Pre-Code Version of They Made Me a Criminal
bkoganbing6 January 2006
Despite the miscasting of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as prizefighter and Light Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Dolan, The Life of Jimmy Dolan makes for good entertainment. After all, a film where you can see Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Loretta Young, John Wayne, and Mickey Rooney in the same film is worth catching.
I'm a big fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. who to me always epitomized class and elegance. And because of that, try as he might, he just doesn't come across as a pugilist. John Garfield would have faired no better taking on Fairbanks's kind of roles.
In those early days John Wayne was starring in his own B westerns, but occasionally he would support in another film. The Life of Jimmy Dolan gives you a rare glimpse of the Duke, not as the Duke. He plays an amateur fighter who is with the on-the-run Fairbanks. His scene is in the arena dressing room with Fairbanks as he's trying to psyche himself up for the upcoming bout.
Mickey Rooney plays one of the kids at the ranch run by Loretta Young and her aunt Aline McMahon. In They Made Me a Criminal the ranch was a camp for city kids, in The Life of Jimmy Dolan it is for kids who have infantile paralysis. It was originally started by Young's father who was a doctor and he's passed on, leaving her with kids and a mortgage. Of course in seeking screen properties for the Dead End Kids while they were under Warner Brothers contract, someone had the good idea to dust this one off which they already owned. The Dead End Kids are a little older than the youths here.
Loretta Young does well in her part and I'm convinced she probably helped John Wayne get the part he got. She and her sisters were friendly with the Duke and his first wife. He did a couple of films with Loretta in their salad days. They never worked together once Wayne hit it big in Stagecoach.
Even with the Code restrictions that They Made Me a Criminal had to operate under, I think it is better than The Life of Jimmy Dolan, because of the casting. But they really should be viewed side by side for comparison.
I'm a big fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. who to me always epitomized class and elegance. And because of that, try as he might, he just doesn't come across as a pugilist. John Garfield would have faired no better taking on Fairbanks's kind of roles.
In those early days John Wayne was starring in his own B westerns, but occasionally he would support in another film. The Life of Jimmy Dolan gives you a rare glimpse of the Duke, not as the Duke. He plays an amateur fighter who is with the on-the-run Fairbanks. His scene is in the arena dressing room with Fairbanks as he's trying to psyche himself up for the upcoming bout.
Mickey Rooney plays one of the kids at the ranch run by Loretta Young and her aunt Aline McMahon. In They Made Me a Criminal the ranch was a camp for city kids, in The Life of Jimmy Dolan it is for kids who have infantile paralysis. It was originally started by Young's father who was a doctor and he's passed on, leaving her with kids and a mortgage. Of course in seeking screen properties for the Dead End Kids while they were under Warner Brothers contract, someone had the good idea to dust this one off which they already owned. The Dead End Kids are a little older than the youths here.
Loretta Young does well in her part and I'm convinced she probably helped John Wayne get the part he got. She and her sisters were friendly with the Duke and his first wife. He did a couple of films with Loretta in their salad days. They never worked together once Wayne hit it big in Stagecoach.
Even with the Code restrictions that They Made Me a Criminal had to operate under, I think it is better than The Life of Jimmy Dolan, because of the casting. But they really should be viewed side by side for comparison.
A Fugitive from the Boxing Ring
lugonian26 June 2011
THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN (Warner Brothers, 1933), directed by Archie L. Mayo, is not so much a life story in a biographical sense as Warners' later production of THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA (1937), but one about a boxer, unable to clear himself of a murder charge, hiding from the law. Taken from the play by Bertram Milhauser and Beulah Marie Dix, and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in a role tailor made for contract players as James Cagney or Richard Barthelmess, the movie assigns him opposite Loretta Young for the seventh and final time. Of their frequent pairing during their Warner years (1929-1933), this not only was their most televised on commercial television (notably on WPHL, Channel 17, in Philadelphia, where I first saw this film in 1973-74) but possibly their finest screen collaboration thus far.
With more Fairbanks than Young, the film, lifting the opening underscore from the classic prison drama, I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG (1932) for its first half of the opening credits, begins with Jimmy Dolan (Fairbanks Jr.) in the boxing ring winning his fight in the seventh round, earning his title as new world champion. Dolan, with a reputation of living the clean life ("no booze, no women") is next seen in his Riverside Drive New York City apartment drunk with his equally drunken baby-talking girlfriend, Goldie West (Shirley Grey) by his manager, "Doc" Wood (Lyle Talbot), and guests, Budgie (Fifi Dorsay) and Charlie Magee (George Meeker). When Magee turns out to be a reporter with enough information to write against Dolan, Dolan socks Magee as he passes out himself on the couch. With the reporter dead from head injury in the process, "Doc" and Goldie leave Budgie to assume the blame and drive the unconscious Jimmy to his upstate training camp where they leave him at his cottage. Taking both Jimmy's watch and Goldie with him, Doc drives away, leading the couple into a fatal car accident. The next morning, Jimmy awakens to find his name in a newspaper linked to his own death and a murder charge of a reporter. After Herman Malvin (Arthur Hohl), his lawyer friend, takes his savings for attorney's fee and leaving him with $250 to his name, Jimmy, now under the guise of Jack Dougherty, avoids recognition by traveling alone and "afraid." After being chased off a freight train in Salt Lake City's Pleasant Valley, "Jack" walks long distances until stumbling upon a home for crippled children where he's taken in by its founders, Peggy (Loretta Young) and her aunt, Mrs. Moore (Aline MacMahon). As Jimmy finds a newfound life, Detective John Phlazer (Guy Kibbee), known to all as "Screwy" for a long ago incident for unwittingly sending an innocent man to his execution, believes Jimmy Dolan is very much alive. To prove his theory, he takes a month off from the force to locate Jimmy's whereabouts and bring him to justice. Things prove complicated as Jack finds Phlazer closing in on him and not wanting to arouse suspicion on Peggy.
Well done in both boxing and "man on the run" departments, THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN is as entertaining as it is underrated. In fact, it's remake, THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL (Warners, 1939) starring John Garfield, Gloria Dickson and Claude Rains in the Fairbanks, Young and Kibbee roles, through its frequent TV revivals and availability to home video and DVD, is better known. While Garfield was ideally suited in the role originated by slightly miscast Fairbanks, THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN succeeds through its interesting list of players, especially future film stars in smaller roles as Mickey Rooney, Anne Shirley, Edward Arnold and the legendary John Wayne. Wayne's two brief scenes as Smith, a married man wanting to earn extra money of $500 per round in the ring to "box the ears off" King Cobra (Sammy Stein), comes as a bigger surprise considering how Wayne has appeared in numerous leading roles, particularly westerns, since his initial starring role in THE BIG TRAIL (Fox, 1930). Not actually a special guest appearance, but does come off that way. Fairbanks' performance, on the other hand, ranks a forerunner to the future screen rebels as John Garfield, James Dean or Marlon Brando, one with little or no friends and trusting no one. Considering his association with a crooked manager (Talbot) and lawyer (Hohl) indicates his reasoning. He does, however, find friendship and loyalty amongst the women (Young and MacMahon) and the orphaned children (Rooney, Shirley, David Durand and Allan "Farina" Hoskins) who grow fond of him and goes against his philosophy ("Anyone who does anything for anybody else is a "sucker") by trying to raise $2,000 to keep the ranch from closing.
Aside from the fine chemistry between Fairbanks and the beautiful Loretta Young, Guy Kibbee as the cigar smoking detective wearing thick glasses, comes off second best. Aline MacMahon assumes another wide range of characteristic roles, this time a middle-aged woman speaking with a Scottish accent. Basically a straight dramatic story, there's one amusing moment involving Fairbanks' attempt in milking a cow, a routine right out of vaudeville later handled famously by comedians as The Three Stooges and/or Abbott and Costello. Quite typical for its time using "Beyond the Blue Horizon" underscoring for a the train station sequence.
And so goes the life of Jimmy Dolan. Never distributed to home video, this and other Warner Brothers productons can be seen whenever shown on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (*** boxing gloves)
With more Fairbanks than Young, the film, lifting the opening underscore from the classic prison drama, I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG (1932) for its first half of the opening credits, begins with Jimmy Dolan (Fairbanks Jr.) in the boxing ring winning his fight in the seventh round, earning his title as new world champion. Dolan, with a reputation of living the clean life ("no booze, no women") is next seen in his Riverside Drive New York City apartment drunk with his equally drunken baby-talking girlfriend, Goldie West (Shirley Grey) by his manager, "Doc" Wood (Lyle Talbot), and guests, Budgie (Fifi Dorsay) and Charlie Magee (George Meeker). When Magee turns out to be a reporter with enough information to write against Dolan, Dolan socks Magee as he passes out himself on the couch. With the reporter dead from head injury in the process, "Doc" and Goldie leave Budgie to assume the blame and drive the unconscious Jimmy to his upstate training camp where they leave him at his cottage. Taking both Jimmy's watch and Goldie with him, Doc drives away, leading the couple into a fatal car accident. The next morning, Jimmy awakens to find his name in a newspaper linked to his own death and a murder charge of a reporter. After Herman Malvin (Arthur Hohl), his lawyer friend, takes his savings for attorney's fee and leaving him with $250 to his name, Jimmy, now under the guise of Jack Dougherty, avoids recognition by traveling alone and "afraid." After being chased off a freight train in Salt Lake City's Pleasant Valley, "Jack" walks long distances until stumbling upon a home for crippled children where he's taken in by its founders, Peggy (Loretta Young) and her aunt, Mrs. Moore (Aline MacMahon). As Jimmy finds a newfound life, Detective John Phlazer (Guy Kibbee), known to all as "Screwy" for a long ago incident for unwittingly sending an innocent man to his execution, believes Jimmy Dolan is very much alive. To prove his theory, he takes a month off from the force to locate Jimmy's whereabouts and bring him to justice. Things prove complicated as Jack finds Phlazer closing in on him and not wanting to arouse suspicion on Peggy.
Well done in both boxing and "man on the run" departments, THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN is as entertaining as it is underrated. In fact, it's remake, THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL (Warners, 1939) starring John Garfield, Gloria Dickson and Claude Rains in the Fairbanks, Young and Kibbee roles, through its frequent TV revivals and availability to home video and DVD, is better known. While Garfield was ideally suited in the role originated by slightly miscast Fairbanks, THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN succeeds through its interesting list of players, especially future film stars in smaller roles as Mickey Rooney, Anne Shirley, Edward Arnold and the legendary John Wayne. Wayne's two brief scenes as Smith, a married man wanting to earn extra money of $500 per round in the ring to "box the ears off" King Cobra (Sammy Stein), comes as a bigger surprise considering how Wayne has appeared in numerous leading roles, particularly westerns, since his initial starring role in THE BIG TRAIL (Fox, 1930). Not actually a special guest appearance, but does come off that way. Fairbanks' performance, on the other hand, ranks a forerunner to the future screen rebels as John Garfield, James Dean or Marlon Brando, one with little or no friends and trusting no one. Considering his association with a crooked manager (Talbot) and lawyer (Hohl) indicates his reasoning. He does, however, find friendship and loyalty amongst the women (Young and MacMahon) and the orphaned children (Rooney, Shirley, David Durand and Allan "Farina" Hoskins) who grow fond of him and goes against his philosophy ("Anyone who does anything for anybody else is a "sucker") by trying to raise $2,000 to keep the ranch from closing.
Aside from the fine chemistry between Fairbanks and the beautiful Loretta Young, Guy Kibbee as the cigar smoking detective wearing thick glasses, comes off second best. Aline MacMahon assumes another wide range of characteristic roles, this time a middle-aged woman speaking with a Scottish accent. Basically a straight dramatic story, there's one amusing moment involving Fairbanks' attempt in milking a cow, a routine right out of vaudeville later handled famously by comedians as The Three Stooges and/or Abbott and Costello. Quite typical for its time using "Beyond the Blue Horizon" underscoring for a the train station sequence.
And so goes the life of Jimmy Dolan. Never distributed to home video, this and other Warner Brothers productons can be seen whenever shown on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (*** boxing gloves)
Very good film with a flawed (but happy) ending
vincentlynch-moonoi28 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
As I began watching this film it seemed familiar...I had just seen the remake "They Made Me A Criminal" a few months earlier. I think this film -- the original -- is actually much better, and the reason is the absence of "The Dead End Kids" The plot is very similar. Here, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. plays the role of the boxer, which John Garfield had 6 years later. The slightly shady boxer, who has an undeservedly positive reputation (instead of living with his mother, as he projects to the public, he is carousing with a sleazy girlfriend), punches someone, and accidentally kills him. The girlfriend and the boxer's doctor speed away out of fear, crash their car, and are burned to death, and the police assume Fairbanks burned up in the car (due to circumstantial evidence). Fairbanks realizes he can be accused of murder, so he heads west on little money and ends up at a ranch where Loretta Young and Aline MacMahonin are helping child polio victims recover (so much better than the Dead End Kids working in a date grove). Of course, Fairbanks and Loretta Young fall in love, and Fairbanks has to fight a local match to earn money to save the ranch. But a washed up city detective sees a photo of the stance of the young boxer, and decides to travel west on a hunch it is Fairbanks. Fairbanks, nevertheless, goes through with the fight, and while he gets beaten up pretty bad, he lasts enough rounds to win enough prize money to save the ranch.
There are some real treats here: An uncredited role for Mickey Rooney as one of the little boys, although he sure didn't look 13 years old in the film! Also, an uncredited role for John Wayne as an amateur boxer (who is a little afraid and gets badly beaten).
I've never been a fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., but he does rather well here...although is clearly not in good enough physical shape to be a boxer. Loretta Young is simply wonderful as the love interest. Aline MacMahon is great as Young's colleague friend (although she would have been better without the accent. Guy Kibbee is outstanding as the washed up police detective, but therein lies the one problem with the film -- he's washed up on the police force, but if he brings Fairbanks back into custody he'll be redeemed...but he opts for the happy ending and let's Fairbanks go free. Just not logical at all.
I give high credit to this film for 2 numbers in the score -- "How Deep Is The Ocean" (Irving Berlin) and "Beyond The Blue Horizon".
A very watchable early-30s film...recommended.
There are some real treats here: An uncredited role for Mickey Rooney as one of the little boys, although he sure didn't look 13 years old in the film! Also, an uncredited role for John Wayne as an amateur boxer (who is a little afraid and gets badly beaten).
I've never been a fan of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., but he does rather well here...although is clearly not in good enough physical shape to be a boxer. Loretta Young is simply wonderful as the love interest. Aline MacMahon is great as Young's colleague friend (although she would have been better without the accent. Guy Kibbee is outstanding as the washed up police detective, but therein lies the one problem with the film -- he's washed up on the police force, but if he brings Fairbanks back into custody he'll be redeemed...but he opts for the happy ending and let's Fairbanks go free. Just not logical at all.
I give high credit to this film for 2 numbers in the score -- "How Deep Is The Ocean" (Irving Berlin) and "Beyond The Blue Horizon".
A very watchable early-30s film...recommended.
Real Good Pre-Code Movie, Much Better Than Its 1939 Remake
gerrythree19 March 2004
1933's The Life of Jimmy Dolan, a fine movie, is a good example of how the Motion Picture Production code of July 1934 changed movies, since, for comparison, you have the 1939 remake, They Made Me a Criminal. The big difference is that the remake turns a tough story into sentimental claptrap, making sure that crime does not pay. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. doesn't get the credit he deserves as a star in the Warner Bros. repertory company, but he looks too skinny and upper class for a champion boxer. John Garfield is better cast for the part, especially with his nervous energy. But the 1933 picture is way more realistic and cynical. In the 1933 version of a boxer's life, everyone has hard times, including John Wayne, who gets carried out after trying to go the distance in a boxing contest between amateurs and a pro fighter. Production Code Administrator Breen wouldn't allow crime to pay at all, liked a white bread world and would have stopped Warner Bros. from re-releasing The Life of Jimmy Dolan. That was not a problem, because of the remake. The better movie about the boxer on the lam is the one made in 1933. Gritty movies like The Life of Jimmy Dolan vanished until after the demise of the Production Code in the early 1960s. What movies Hollywood would have made if not for rigid censorship for over 25 years is an unanswerable question. Warner Bros. pre-code sound movies indicate that older movies made before censorship have dated a lot better than much of the drivel released during the Breen censorship period.
good triumph over cynicism
sturdley6 January 2000
Enjoyed the movie and it is obvious message.I was impressed by the clarity of the film from a technical sense.Why was the film so vivid compared with other movies from the early thirties? It must have something to do with the way they are kept in storage. Never heard"How deep is the ocean?"played with the violins quite that way.Great background for the more romantic scenes.You could see that Rooney had the stuff that made him a star.Wayne was ordinary.
Better Than the Re-Make
Maleejandra18 September 2007
The Life of Jimmy Dolan is a film about a boxer who gets into some trouble. Jimmy (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is a cocky, selfish, but famous boxer who has won himself a prestigious title in the sport. During a night of partying, he hauls off and punches a reporter, who falls and strikes his head on the fireplace, which kills him instantly. Dolan's friends are just as self-serving as he is, and they leave him passed out and penniless, set up as an intentional murderer. However, after a drunken high speed police chase, Dolan's manager and girlfriend are dead, causing police to believe that it was Dolan driving and that he was killed. This gives him a chance to run away, but an elderly cop (Guy Kibbee) is skeptical about Dolan's whereabouts.
Jimmy wanders to a farm away from the city, and telling the people there that his name is Jack, takes up residence. He soon has eyes for the beautiful Peggy (Loretta Young) who is under the watchful eye of her aunt (Aline MacMahon). The farm is a getaway for orphaned children (among them Mickey Rooney and Farina Hoskins), who quickly idolize Jack. They encourage him to participate in a local boxing match, which Jack greets skeptically.
Every actor is great in this film, especially character star Kibbee, whose character is appropriately sympathetic and menacing. Fairbanks is an excellent leading man; his good looks and charm make him lovable despite Dolan's selfish character.
This movie was remade with John Garfield and The Dead End Kids in 1939 as They Made Me a Criminal. This early version is better for many reasons, namely the cast, but this version is much more sentimental and less adult thanks to the choice in children. The Dead End Kids add a signature spin on the film, which enhances it greatly, but The Life of Jimmy Dolan is better overall.
Jimmy wanders to a farm away from the city, and telling the people there that his name is Jack, takes up residence. He soon has eyes for the beautiful Peggy (Loretta Young) who is under the watchful eye of her aunt (Aline MacMahon). The farm is a getaway for orphaned children (among them Mickey Rooney and Farina Hoskins), who quickly idolize Jack. They encourage him to participate in a local boxing match, which Jack greets skeptically.
Every actor is great in this film, especially character star Kibbee, whose character is appropriately sympathetic and menacing. Fairbanks is an excellent leading man; his good looks and charm make him lovable despite Dolan's selfish character.
This movie was remade with John Garfield and The Dead End Kids in 1939 as They Made Me a Criminal. This early version is better for many reasons, namely the cast, but this version is much more sentimental and less adult thanks to the choice in children. The Dead End Kids add a signature spin on the film, which enhances it greatly, but The Life of Jimmy Dolan is better overall.
Very Good
Michael_Elliott27 February 2008
Life of Jimmy Dolan, The (1933)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Original version of the film which would be remade in 1939 as They Made Me a Criminal with John Garfield and Claude Rains. In this version, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. plays the boxer who takes off after accidentally killing a man. He winds up on a farm for sick children where he soon falls for one of the women (Loretta Young) working there. When the farm is about to be lost due to taxes, the boxer must risk his freedom by fighting again. This is an extremely good movie but I think I marginally prefer the remake since I feel Garfield and Rains were a tad bit stronger plus that film had The Dead End Kids who added their own brand of humor to the film. Even with that said, there's a lot to enjoy here including a strong performance by Fairbanks and I'd say this is the best I've seen him in the few movies I've watched of his. Young is as charming as ever and adds a lot of warmth to the film and Guy Kibbee is good in the role of the detective looking for Fairbanks. Lyle Talbot, Mickey Rooney and John Wayne both have small roles here as well. What really hurts the film is the actual character being played by Fairbanks. He's such a mean spirited jerk to everyone that it's hard to really care about him in the end.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Original version of the film which would be remade in 1939 as They Made Me a Criminal with John Garfield and Claude Rains. In this version, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. plays the boxer who takes off after accidentally killing a man. He winds up on a farm for sick children where he soon falls for one of the women (Loretta Young) working there. When the farm is about to be lost due to taxes, the boxer must risk his freedom by fighting again. This is an extremely good movie but I think I marginally prefer the remake since I feel Garfield and Rains were a tad bit stronger plus that film had The Dead End Kids who added their own brand of humor to the film. Even with that said, there's a lot to enjoy here including a strong performance by Fairbanks and I'd say this is the best I've seen him in the few movies I've watched of his. Young is as charming as ever and adds a lot of warmth to the film and Guy Kibbee is good in the role of the detective looking for Fairbanks. Lyle Talbot, Mickey Rooney and John Wayne both have small roles here as well. What really hurts the film is the actual character being played by Fairbanks. He's such a mean spirited jerk to everyone that it's hard to really care about him in the end.
Fairbanks Jr.'s best role
alred-patrick15 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Very similar to the remake They Made Me A Criminal but the stories are not completely identical and although I rate John Garfield as one of the best actors in any era I must tip my hat to Fairbanks Jr.'s performance here. While it must have been hard to emerge from the shadow of his silent film mega star father, Jr really won me over with his performance in this film, seeing him without the moustache initially threw me off but then made sense as he became Jack Daugherty. Jr showed shades of being tough, romantic, selflessness to the point of surrender at one point but at the same time a desperate man who still finds nobility in his character despite losing his name and former life all while trying to avoid being a sucker. As a boxing historian myself it is interesting to note the uniqueness of being a southpaw whereas today a boxer fighting southpaw is much more common because it has been labeled as an advantage because orthodox fighters used to struggle to find sparring partners who are southpaws and so the 10% of the population that are left handed was also represented at about the same rate of southpaws in boxing until righties started seeing the advantage of going southpaw to throw their opponent off. I find it funny that John Wayne plays a cowardly reluctant boxer afraid to fight the behemoth King Cobra, before he goes into the ring Jr tries to comfort him and ease his mind about fighting, hardly ever something you see John Wayne doing is showing an inch of cowardice on film. The ultimate man's man Mr. Macho next to Clark Gable would never agree to something like this at the peak of their careers, they never sought to show their acting range they always strived to protect their manly persona to the point of Gable of taking hair growth treatments for his chest hair! The young cat eyed Loretta Young fits nicely into her role, the pre-code drinking, brawling, and efforts to avoid being a sucker are fun and thank God for that ending because that would've tanked my rating if Jr actually let Kibbee take him in.
Why do I keep expecting to see Cagney?
1930s_Time_Machine4 May 2023
Although ostensibly a boxing picture, it's more of a movie about the human spirit - about how there's good in all of us. Director Archie Mayo puts a lot of effort into this rising it above his usual production line style and making this a very entertaining piece of drama.
That Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Is this film's boxer not James Cagney says a lot of Fairbanks' acting skills. He doesn't look like your typical boxer but because he's so convincing you can totally believe he is.
Aline MacMahon also does a grand job playing a middle aged spinster - excellent work from the make-up department and excellent acting too. Loretta Young as always is faultless and although she's a bit too good to be true, again she's perfect as the young inexperienced woman living miles away from anyone else in an isolated farm who gets Fairbanks' testosterone filled virile manliness thrust into her quiet life. There is some boxing - it's not RAGING BULL standard but it's fine but this film is really about how the goodness in any of us prevails. It's all quite uplifting!
Comedy moment of the decade however is hidden in this otherwise very serious film. It's about 20 minutes in when two policemen attempt to extinguish a vehicle fire using what looks like cake icing guns. Did the props department not deliver the right stuff to set that morning? This could have been a scene from Will Hay's WHERE'S THAT FIRE.
That Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Is this film's boxer not James Cagney says a lot of Fairbanks' acting skills. He doesn't look like your typical boxer but because he's so convincing you can totally believe he is.
Aline MacMahon also does a grand job playing a middle aged spinster - excellent work from the make-up department and excellent acting too. Loretta Young as always is faultless and although she's a bit too good to be true, again she's perfect as the young inexperienced woman living miles away from anyone else in an isolated farm who gets Fairbanks' testosterone filled virile manliness thrust into her quiet life. There is some boxing - it's not RAGING BULL standard but it's fine but this film is really about how the goodness in any of us prevails. It's all quite uplifting!
Comedy moment of the decade however is hidden in this otherwise very serious film. It's about 20 minutes in when two policemen attempt to extinguish a vehicle fire using what looks like cake icing guns. Did the props department not deliver the right stuff to set that morning? This could have been a scene from Will Hay's WHERE'S THAT FIRE.
Later remade as "They Made Me a Criminal".
planktonrules3 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Early into this movie, I realized that this film was familiar. The John Garfield film "They Made Me a Criminal" is essentially a remake of "The Life of Jimmy Dolan".
The film begins with Jimmy Dolan (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) winning the light-heavyweight championship. We tells the reporters that he owes it all to clean living and credits his mother as his inspiration. But he's a total phony. In a drunken party later that night, he admits he doesn't even have a mother! Unfortunately, one of the guests is a reporter and when Jimmy finds out, he slugs him! The guy falls backwards--dead! And soon after, Jimmy falls down--drunk! Jimmy's two 'friends' make a getaway but are themselves killed, as the driver (Lyle Talbot) was drunk. When Jimmy awakens later, he learns that the man he hit has died AND the two who died in the fiery car wreck have been identified as Jimmy and his girlfriend! So, Jimmy decides to stay incognito--otherwise he might go to jail for the killing. The only person who thinks the charred man is NOT Dolan is an old cop--who everyone thinks is a nut (Guy Kibbee).
Broke and on the run, eventually Jimmy ends up in the middle of nowhere (Utah) and is taken in by Aline MacMahon and Loretta Young who live on a farm and take care of handicapped kids. It's all very tough to believe, but since it was made by Warner Brothers, it's also quite fun--and well worth seeing. Fairbanks does his usual excellent job and MacMahon is amusing as a pugnacious Scot!
By the way, one weakness that this film and the remake both have is that you'd think if someone is a champion boxer that some people would soon recognize him--even in the country. Also, the two films end VERY differently and in the remake the boxer did NOT actually kill the guy--he just thought he did!! Apparently the new Production Code required the leading man actually not be a killer!
look for the kids on MacMahon & Young's property--that's Mickey Rooney and Allen 'Farina' Hoskins (from the Little Rascals). Also, look closely for a bit part by Edward Arnold as a cop and John Wayne.
The film begins with Jimmy Dolan (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) winning the light-heavyweight championship. We tells the reporters that he owes it all to clean living and credits his mother as his inspiration. But he's a total phony. In a drunken party later that night, he admits he doesn't even have a mother! Unfortunately, one of the guests is a reporter and when Jimmy finds out, he slugs him! The guy falls backwards--dead! And soon after, Jimmy falls down--drunk! Jimmy's two 'friends' make a getaway but are themselves killed, as the driver (Lyle Talbot) was drunk. When Jimmy awakens later, he learns that the man he hit has died AND the two who died in the fiery car wreck have been identified as Jimmy and his girlfriend! So, Jimmy decides to stay incognito--otherwise he might go to jail for the killing. The only person who thinks the charred man is NOT Dolan is an old cop--who everyone thinks is a nut (Guy Kibbee).
Broke and on the run, eventually Jimmy ends up in the middle of nowhere (Utah) and is taken in by Aline MacMahon and Loretta Young who live on a farm and take care of handicapped kids. It's all very tough to believe, but since it was made by Warner Brothers, it's also quite fun--and well worth seeing. Fairbanks does his usual excellent job and MacMahon is amusing as a pugnacious Scot!
By the way, one weakness that this film and the remake both have is that you'd think if someone is a champion boxer that some people would soon recognize him--even in the country. Also, the two films end VERY differently and in the remake the boxer did NOT actually kill the guy--he just thought he did!! Apparently the new Production Code required the leading man actually not be a killer!
look for the kids on MacMahon & Young's property--that's Mickey Rooney and Allen 'Farina' Hoskins (from the Little Rascals). Also, look closely for a bit part by Edward Arnold as a cop and John Wayne.
They Remade Him a Criminal
wes-connors20 January 2013
After winning a championship fight, light-weight boxer Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Jimmy Dolan) celebrates with booze and a blonde. An impromptu party leads to the manslaughter of a sneaky reporter out to expose the champ's clean-cut image as a sham. When even sneakier manager Lyle Talbot (as Doc) expires in a car crash, wearing Garfield's stolen watch, authorities assume Mr. Fairbanks is dead. Escaping the murder rap, Fairbanks goes undercover as "Jack Dougherty". Now a homeless tramp, Fairbanks winds up at a farm for crippled children, run by Aline MacMahon (as "Auntie" Moore) and pretty niece Loretta Young (as Peggy). The women find Fairbanks attractive. Meanwhile, retiring detective Guy Kibbee (as Phlaxer) suspects the dead boxer is alive...
Debonair Doug is not convincing in the ring, but makes up for it by putting more effort into his acting; for example, he makes the scripted moment when the name "Jack Dougherty" pops into his head believable. Partly foreshadowing Agnes Moorhead, Ms. MacMahon's "Auntie" ventures a few degrees over the top. Otherwise, the direction by Archie Mayo is engaging...
Almost stealing the film, Mr. Kibbee's suspicious detective is perfect. In a small featured role, western star John Wayne is as yet unremarkable. Young is pretty. Not credited (but in substantial roles) are farm kids David Durand (as George), Allen "Farina" Hoskins (as Sam), Mickey Rooney (as Freckles) and Anne Shirley (as Mary Lou). "The Life of Jimmy Dolan" was re-made as "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939) with John Garfield and the "Dead End Kids". Young Durand (in this film, he's the kid on crutches) eventually joined the popular teenage gang, in their second incarnation as the "East Side Kids". While the revision is a better film, overall, both versions are entertaining and well produced. Those comparing should note a difference in the killer's identity.
******* The Life of Jimmy Dolan (6/3/33) Archie Mayo ~ Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Guy Kibbee, Loretta Young, Mickey Rooney
Debonair Doug is not convincing in the ring, but makes up for it by putting more effort into his acting; for example, he makes the scripted moment when the name "Jack Dougherty" pops into his head believable. Partly foreshadowing Agnes Moorhead, Ms. MacMahon's "Auntie" ventures a few degrees over the top. Otherwise, the direction by Archie Mayo is engaging...
Almost stealing the film, Mr. Kibbee's suspicious detective is perfect. In a small featured role, western star John Wayne is as yet unremarkable. Young is pretty. Not credited (but in substantial roles) are farm kids David Durand (as George), Allen "Farina" Hoskins (as Sam), Mickey Rooney (as Freckles) and Anne Shirley (as Mary Lou). "The Life of Jimmy Dolan" was re-made as "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939) with John Garfield and the "Dead End Kids". Young Durand (in this film, he's the kid on crutches) eventually joined the popular teenage gang, in their second incarnation as the "East Side Kids". While the revision is a better film, overall, both versions are entertaining and well produced. Those comparing should note a difference in the killer's identity.
******* The Life of Jimmy Dolan (6/3/33) Archie Mayo ~ Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Guy Kibbee, Loretta Young, Mickey Rooney
Compared to the remake
jarrodmcdonald-13 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Usually when Warner Brothers remade some of their earlier hit films, they were done as quick B films. The studio's B unit could save money by reusing stories the studio already owned. If they were remaking a precode, slight modifications to the original script might be necessary, to meet the moral criteria of the production code office.
Interestingly, when WB remade THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN six years later as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, it still had an "A" budget, with a top-notch cast and strong production values. The new title sounded a bit more sensational, but the story was now family friendly.
The original film features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who is slightly miscast as a rough boxer that accidentally kills a reporter with an angry blow to the head. Through a twist of fate that happens only in the movies, a thief (Lyle Talbot) who absconded with Fairbanks' watch is killed in a fiery car crash. Talbot's corpse, which is conveniently burned beyond recognition, is mistaken for Fairbanks.
In the next part, Fairbanks changes his name and legs it to the southwest. He soon settles at a ranch in Arizona, getting a fresh start. While working on the ranch, he falls in love with an attractive woman (Loretta Young).
The key plot difference in the remake, which has John Garfield and Gloria Dickson in the main roles, is as follows...Garfield is innocent and doesn't really kill anyone; he's just falsely accused. Thus, he will not have to go to prison in the end, per the code.
In the original, Fairbanks' character is indeed guilty of the killing, yet he is allowed to get away with it. Even though the charge would likely have been manslaughter, instead of murder.
In both versions, there is a detective on the trail. Character actor Guy Kibbee does the investigating in THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN. Claude Rains, who receives higher billing, handles these duties in THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.
Another significant difference is that the kids on the ranch in the first film are crippled children. One of them is played by a young Mickey Rooney. Whereas in the second film, the kids are juvenile delinquents trying to reform. They're played by the Dead End Kids.
The remake fell into the public domain, so it has become the more widely seen version. I do think Garfield is better suited to the role of a guy wronged by society, though these types of characterizations would quickly typecast the actor.
The remake also benefits from the inclusion of a feisty old grandma, portrayed by May Robson. She has a patent on these types of irascible old gals. Her gruffness is often undermined by a softer side that emerges when she and her family seem like they are down for the count.
Interestingly, when WB remade THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN six years later as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, it still had an "A" budget, with a top-notch cast and strong production values. The new title sounded a bit more sensational, but the story was now family friendly.
The original film features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who is slightly miscast as a rough boxer that accidentally kills a reporter with an angry blow to the head. Through a twist of fate that happens only in the movies, a thief (Lyle Talbot) who absconded with Fairbanks' watch is killed in a fiery car crash. Talbot's corpse, which is conveniently burned beyond recognition, is mistaken for Fairbanks.
In the next part, Fairbanks changes his name and legs it to the southwest. He soon settles at a ranch in Arizona, getting a fresh start. While working on the ranch, he falls in love with an attractive woman (Loretta Young).
The key plot difference in the remake, which has John Garfield and Gloria Dickson in the main roles, is as follows...Garfield is innocent and doesn't really kill anyone; he's just falsely accused. Thus, he will not have to go to prison in the end, per the code.
In the original, Fairbanks' character is indeed guilty of the killing, yet he is allowed to get away with it. Even though the charge would likely have been manslaughter, instead of murder.
In both versions, there is a detective on the trail. Character actor Guy Kibbee does the investigating in THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN. Claude Rains, who receives higher billing, handles these duties in THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.
Another significant difference is that the kids on the ranch in the first film are crippled children. One of them is played by a young Mickey Rooney. Whereas in the second film, the kids are juvenile delinquents trying to reform. They're played by the Dead End Kids.
The remake fell into the public domain, so it has become the more widely seen version. I do think Garfield is better suited to the role of a guy wronged by society, though these types of characterizations would quickly typecast the actor.
The remake also benefits from the inclusion of a feisty old grandma, portrayed by May Robson. She has a patent on these types of irascible old gals. Her gruffness is often undermined by a softer side that emerges when she and her family seem like they are down for the count.
good pairing
SnoopyStyle9 April 2023
Jimmy Dolan (Douglas Fairbank Jr.) is the new light heavyweight champ and claims to be clean living. He has an endorsement deal with a health company, but he does otherwise in his private life. He gets drunk with a group of friends. Unbeknownst to him, reporter Charles Magee has joined the group and threatens to expose him. Jimmy kills him with one drunken punch. After a car crash, he's presumed dead. While starving, he stumbles upon a charity farm run by Peggy (Loretta Young) for a group of children. Meanwhile, police detective Phlaxer is unconvinced of his death and continues his search.
This is a pre-Code drama based on a play and later remade into They Made Me a Criminal. I really like the premise and the overall story. The combination of Douglas Fairbank Jr. And Loretta Young is nice. Maybe they could get to this pairing a little sooner. Maybe he could be injured in the car crash and she nurses him back to health. All in all, it's a good story.
This is a pre-Code drama based on a play and later remade into They Made Me a Criminal. I really like the premise and the overall story. The combination of Douglas Fairbank Jr. And Loretta Young is nice. Maybe they could get to this pairing a little sooner. Maybe he could be injured in the car crash and she nurses him back to health. All in all, it's a good story.
Surpisingly moving
HotToastyRag5 November 2019
Isn't it funny when you figure out a movie's a remake? When I was watching The Life of Jimmy Dolan, I sensed it was familiar. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. plays a successful southpaw boxer who claims to have a squeaky-clean after-hours image for his fans. When asked if he's going to party after the fight by a reporter, he grins and says he doesn't drink but instead will be hanging out with his mother. When he's shown drinking with his arm around a blonde floozy in the next scene, I realized I'd seen it before. They Made Me a Criminal, starring John Garfield, is the 1939 remake!
I didn't like the John Garfield version and actually turned it off after half an hour, because the prominently featured Dead End kids were too irritating. So the rest of The Life of Jimmy Dolan was a nice surprise for me. After an accidental fatal beating at the after-party, Doug Jr. passes out, and his best friend runs off with his girl, his car, and his watch. They get in a car crash and explode, and the news reports Doug Jr.'s death instead. If he comes forward and says he's alive, he'll be arrested for murder, so his only option is to stay out of the limelight and start a new life. He hides out in an out-of-the-way farmhouse and falls in love with Loretta Young.
If you watch this movie, which is infinitely better than its remake, you'll see a very young, very handsome John Wayne for about ten minutes as a boxer preparing for a fight. You'd never believe he'd become one of the most popular movie stars of all time after seeing him in this, but he certainly is cute.
This was a surprisingly good movie. I expected to turn it off, but I ended up with tears in my eyes in the final scene. Doug Jr. gives a very strong, emotional performance, making you wonder why his career fizzled out. He does everything the character needs him to do, and since the movie was made in 1933, it's understandable that a little of his silent movie acting style still lingers. Guy Kibbee costars as an ambitious journalist who doesn't believe the famous boxer was killed in the car crash, and he's given a couple of great scenes to sink his teeth into. Check this one out if you've never seen Doug Jr. in a talkie. The ending will stick with you for a long time.
I didn't like the John Garfield version and actually turned it off after half an hour, because the prominently featured Dead End kids were too irritating. So the rest of The Life of Jimmy Dolan was a nice surprise for me. After an accidental fatal beating at the after-party, Doug Jr. passes out, and his best friend runs off with his girl, his car, and his watch. They get in a car crash and explode, and the news reports Doug Jr.'s death instead. If he comes forward and says he's alive, he'll be arrested for murder, so his only option is to stay out of the limelight and start a new life. He hides out in an out-of-the-way farmhouse and falls in love with Loretta Young.
If you watch this movie, which is infinitely better than its remake, you'll see a very young, very handsome John Wayne for about ten minutes as a boxer preparing for a fight. You'd never believe he'd become one of the most popular movie stars of all time after seeing him in this, but he certainly is cute.
This was a surprisingly good movie. I expected to turn it off, but I ended up with tears in my eyes in the final scene. Doug Jr. gives a very strong, emotional performance, making you wonder why his career fizzled out. He does everything the character needs him to do, and since the movie was made in 1933, it's understandable that a little of his silent movie acting style still lingers. Guy Kibbee costars as an ambitious journalist who doesn't believe the famous boxer was killed in the car crash, and he's given a couple of great scenes to sink his teeth into. Check this one out if you've never seen Doug Jr. in a talkie. The ending will stick with you for a long time.
This rollicking joyride is crafted to demonstrate that . . .
pixrox114 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
. . . Utah is the funniest place on Earth. THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOUGH LAND depicts the title character attempting to milk a bull--yuk, yuk! JIMMY also reveals Marion Mitchell "Duke-the-Family-Mutt" Morrison as the sort of dude who will slap a bun in the oven before realizing that he lacks a pat of butter to go with it. When push comes to shove, the Son of Zorro gets knocked out in the Fifth Round, which proves his true grit lasts four rounds longer than Duke's. JIMMY's ring fall just goes to show that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere--EXCEPT in the ludicrous environs of Utah. In the aforementioned backwater of buffoons, people try to cure polio with holy water, rather than using Science to work on a vaccine. So if you're in the market for gut-busting mirth, or at least a few good chuckles, why not spend a couple of hours with JIMMY?
Schmaltzy but smooth
shakercoola8 January 2022
An American romantic drama; A story about a light-heavyweight boxing champion who has cultivated a wholesome image for himself, which isn't entirely true. Tragic circumstances cause him to change his ways. Based on the play by Bertram Millhauser and Beulah Marie, this is a sentimental film with a theme on the lost-man-saved-by-good-woman story. It has good pace and enough to amuse despite a corny storyline. The production values are good with some good photography and a scale worthy of a main feature. Douglas Fairbanks Jr is handsome as the cynical prize fighter reassessing his life, and Loretta Young shines brightly.
Why is This A Fine Movie?
boblipton7 April 2023
Douglas Fairbanks Jr is a prizefighter. He accidentally kills a man at a party, and goes on the run, winding up at a farm run by Aline MacMahon and Loretta Young where they take care of crippled children.
The set-up of this movie is very similar to BORN TO FIGHT (1936) which I reviewed last month. It's instructive to consider why this is a near-classic, while the other movie is a tired B movie at best. The prime reason is, of course, the budget. This movie cost Warner Brothers just over $200,000 to produce, while BTF was a Poverty Row production which, if the producers spent $30,000 on it, was a generous budget. While people at Warner Brothers were more generously paid than their Gower Gulch equivalents, they also turned out a lusher product, with longer rehearsals and far more retakes. Even the score here is superior, quoting "Beyond The Blue Horizon" and "How Deep Is The Ocean?" Certainly the story here is a much fuller one, with not only the solution to Fairbanks problem, but his moral redemption.
With Guy Kibbee, Edward Arnold, Mickey Rooney, Anne Shirley, and Allen 'Farina' Hoskins.
The set-up of this movie is very similar to BORN TO FIGHT (1936) which I reviewed last month. It's instructive to consider why this is a near-classic, while the other movie is a tired B movie at best. The prime reason is, of course, the budget. This movie cost Warner Brothers just over $200,000 to produce, while BTF was a Poverty Row production which, if the producers spent $30,000 on it, was a generous budget. While people at Warner Brothers were more generously paid than their Gower Gulch equivalents, they also turned out a lusher product, with longer rehearsals and far more retakes. Even the score here is superior, quoting "Beyond The Blue Horizon" and "How Deep Is The Ocean?" Certainly the story here is a much fuller one, with not only the solution to Fairbanks problem, but his moral redemption.
With Guy Kibbee, Edward Arnold, Mickey Rooney, Anne Shirley, and Allen 'Farina' Hoskins.
Pre-Codes Inconsistent With Who Paid for Crimes
view_and_review30 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"The Life of Jimmy Dolan" was the second movie in a row I watched in which a celebrity had a public persona that was very different than his/her private persona. I just watched "Professional Sweetheart" in which Ginger Rogers's character was the "purity girl" for the public, but behind closed doors she wanted to "go to the devil." In TLoJD, Jimmy Dolan (Douglas Fairbanks) was all about sobriety and his mom in public, but behind closed doors he was a boozer with no mother at all.
One night after winning a title fight he was getting drunk with his female company for the night when a party of guests arrived at his home. In his inebriated state he began going on about how he had no mother and that all the public talk about his mother was an act. His manager, Reggie Newman (Harold Huber), couldn't shut him up in time because Jimmy didn't know that a reporter was among the guests.
The reporter had enough to get going and run a story. Jimmy tried a few tactics to prevent the reporter from printing what he said. When none worked he punched him in the face which made the reporter fall, hit his head, and die. Jimmy passed out from drunkenness immediately after punching the reporter. Reggie then jumped into action to make it look like someone else killed the reporter then he took Jimmy to his training camp.
At the training camp Reggie laid Jimmy down, took his watch, and then scrammed with Jimmy's girl, Goldie West (Shirley Grey). By the time Reggie and Goldie hit the road the police knew that Jimmy had killed the reporter and there was an APB on the car Reggie was driving. Both, he and Goldie, died in a fiery crash as they were trying to outrun the police. The only way to identify the male carcass was by the watch on his arm which belonged to Jimmy, hence they concluded that Jimmy was dead.
This was a very simpleminded way to advance the plot because I don't think that even in 1933 they were that presumptive in identifying burned bodies. I don't know how advanced crime scene investigation was at that time, but I doubt the police used jewelry as a definitive means of identification.
In any case, Jimmy had to split. His last act before leaving town was to visit his lawyer, Doc Woods (Lyle Talbot). He had his lawyer go to his lockbox for his money--$10,000--only for his lawyer to bilk him. Doc gave Jimmy $250 and told him to change his name and beat it. Jimmy went with the alias Jack Daughtery (I know, real original. Both initials are JD). He would only have to stay out of the papers and stay out of the ring.
Jimmy left the city with $250 in his pocket and a new name. He made that $250 stretch as far as possible. When it ran out he found himself staggering onto a school ground where he passed out. There to help revive him and tend to him were Mrs. Moore (Aline MacMahon) and Peggy (Loretta Young).
I knew that he and Peggy would fall in love. That was a given. I also knew that his identity would be revealed somehow because an old cagey detective named Phlaxer (Guy Kibbee) was not convinced that Jimmy Dolan was dead.
Phlaxer got a break in his one-man case when he saw Jimmy's picture in a paper for helping kids at the school he stumbled upon. Phlaxer chose to go to Utah to follow up on his new lead to see if this Jack Daugherty guy was really Jimmy Dolan.
Jack couldn't avoid his picture being printed in a newspaper, and apparently he couldn't avoid re-entering the boxing ring. Mrs. Moore's school for handicapped children was in financial straights and if they couldn't get money soon they'd have to close their doors. Fortuitously enough there was a chance for Jimmy to make a good sum of money by fighting King Cobra (Sammy Stein). He could earn $500 for every round he could last. It was just like the James Cagney movie "Winner Take All" (1932) when he fought for money in Arizona to help the woman he loved. Jimmy Dolan got in the ring to fight for money for his new love Peggy. Knowing that he could possibly get arrested and go to jail, Jimmy still fought for his woman and the kids.
It was enough for his redemption. Because of his selfless act Phlaxer let him go. I didn't agree.
Jimmy killed a man and not for any kind of noble reason. He didn't kill a man to protect his life or his honor, he didn't kill a man to protect another person's life or another person's honor--he killed a man because he was drunk and angry. Even if he didn't mean to kill the reporter, he did mean to punch him which resulted in the reporter's death. He doesn't get absolved from that because of love or because he helped some kids. Sure, the good deed goes a long way at establishing his humanity, but it doesn't absolve him of manslaughter.
Free on Odnoklassniki.
One night after winning a title fight he was getting drunk with his female company for the night when a party of guests arrived at his home. In his inebriated state he began going on about how he had no mother and that all the public talk about his mother was an act. His manager, Reggie Newman (Harold Huber), couldn't shut him up in time because Jimmy didn't know that a reporter was among the guests.
The reporter had enough to get going and run a story. Jimmy tried a few tactics to prevent the reporter from printing what he said. When none worked he punched him in the face which made the reporter fall, hit his head, and die. Jimmy passed out from drunkenness immediately after punching the reporter. Reggie then jumped into action to make it look like someone else killed the reporter then he took Jimmy to his training camp.
At the training camp Reggie laid Jimmy down, took his watch, and then scrammed with Jimmy's girl, Goldie West (Shirley Grey). By the time Reggie and Goldie hit the road the police knew that Jimmy had killed the reporter and there was an APB on the car Reggie was driving. Both, he and Goldie, died in a fiery crash as they were trying to outrun the police. The only way to identify the male carcass was by the watch on his arm which belonged to Jimmy, hence they concluded that Jimmy was dead.
This was a very simpleminded way to advance the plot because I don't think that even in 1933 they were that presumptive in identifying burned bodies. I don't know how advanced crime scene investigation was at that time, but I doubt the police used jewelry as a definitive means of identification.
In any case, Jimmy had to split. His last act before leaving town was to visit his lawyer, Doc Woods (Lyle Talbot). He had his lawyer go to his lockbox for his money--$10,000--only for his lawyer to bilk him. Doc gave Jimmy $250 and told him to change his name and beat it. Jimmy went with the alias Jack Daughtery (I know, real original. Both initials are JD). He would only have to stay out of the papers and stay out of the ring.
Jimmy left the city with $250 in his pocket and a new name. He made that $250 stretch as far as possible. When it ran out he found himself staggering onto a school ground where he passed out. There to help revive him and tend to him were Mrs. Moore (Aline MacMahon) and Peggy (Loretta Young).
I knew that he and Peggy would fall in love. That was a given. I also knew that his identity would be revealed somehow because an old cagey detective named Phlaxer (Guy Kibbee) was not convinced that Jimmy Dolan was dead.
Phlaxer got a break in his one-man case when he saw Jimmy's picture in a paper for helping kids at the school he stumbled upon. Phlaxer chose to go to Utah to follow up on his new lead to see if this Jack Daugherty guy was really Jimmy Dolan.
Jack couldn't avoid his picture being printed in a newspaper, and apparently he couldn't avoid re-entering the boxing ring. Mrs. Moore's school for handicapped children was in financial straights and if they couldn't get money soon they'd have to close their doors. Fortuitously enough there was a chance for Jimmy to make a good sum of money by fighting King Cobra (Sammy Stein). He could earn $500 for every round he could last. It was just like the James Cagney movie "Winner Take All" (1932) when he fought for money in Arizona to help the woman he loved. Jimmy Dolan got in the ring to fight for money for his new love Peggy. Knowing that he could possibly get arrested and go to jail, Jimmy still fought for his woman and the kids.
It was enough for his redemption. Because of his selfless act Phlaxer let him go. I didn't agree.
Jimmy killed a man and not for any kind of noble reason. He didn't kill a man to protect his life or his honor, he didn't kill a man to protect another person's life or another person's honor--he killed a man because he was drunk and angry. Even if he didn't mean to kill the reporter, he did mean to punch him which resulted in the reporter's death. He doesn't get absolved from that because of love or because he helped some kids. Sure, the good deed goes a long way at establishing his humanity, but it doesn't absolve him of manslaughter.
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