 |
| Jeff Chandler |
IRON MAN (1951). Director: Joseph Pevney.
Coke Mason (Jeff Chandler) is a coal miner with a girlfriend named Rose (Evelyn Keyes of
Dangerous Blondes) and a brother named George (Stephen McNally of
The Black Castle). Coke is generally a nice guy, but when he gets riled up he can really go after a guy with his fists, and George thinks his "killer instincts" may turn him into an excellent boxer and get him out of the mines. Initially disenchanted with this notion, Rose eventually thinks of all the money he can make and what it might mean for their future happiness. But as Coke embarks on his career and becomes successful, he is seen not as an athlete but a dirty fighter who will do anything, hit any low blow, to win a match. He may become the heavyweight champion of the world but will he lose everything else, including Rose?
 |
| Hudson, Keyes, McNally |
Iron Man is an absorbing well-acted drama that may not get points for originality but is nevertheless very well-done and well-directed by Joseph Pevney, who includes several exciting fight scenes. Chandler is on top of things throughout the movie and gives a very good performance, as does Evelyn Keyes. McNally, who is usually solid, strangely plays his role in one note throughout. A young Rock Hudson makes a better impression as "Speed," a fellow miner and friend of Coke's who assists him and then becomes his rival in the ring. Jim Backus is merely okay as a sports writer who doesn't think much of Coke's tactics but eventually becomes his manager. At one point a woman looks at Rock Hudson and says, "
You are divine," to which he replies "I know -- but I'm in training." James Arness has a small role as a nasty co-worker of Coke's who nearly gets his head handed to him; he's fine. Pevney also directed Chandler in
Foxfire.
Verdict: Memorable boxing film with some good acting. ***.
2 comments:
Chandler was an unusual leading man of the time, very masculine and attractive, somewhat menacing. Have not seen him in this one; will check it out.
-C
In her memoirs Esther Williams, who co-starred with Chandler at least once and had a fling with him, claimed that he appeared to her in drag one night and she implied he was a genuine transvestite. Maybe, but as I read that section I thought he might have just thought this was a good way of getting rid of her!
Post a Comment