The role of Tommy 'Killer' McCoy is a far cry from Andy Hardy, and it proves what sort of range Mickey Rooney had as an actor. There are some excellent scenes in this story about a kid who becomes a well-known boxer, despite the many obstacles in his way. One of those obstacles is his drunken father (James Dunn) who seems to gamble all their money away. Dunn had previously played an incorrigible alcoholic in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN and took home an Oscar for it. Personally, I think Dunn is even better here; he gets to sing and dance; he gets to play tipsy several times; and he has a heartbreaking scene with Rooney when he reads a telegram in a bar that his wife has died.
The production is bolstered by many standout performances in addition to the ones offered by Rooney and Dunn. Brian Donlevy plays a racketeer who guides Rooney's career, and he's tough yet vulnerable. Ann Blyth, not long after her performance in MILDRED PIERCE, plays Donlevy's innocent daughter who becomes romantically involved with the young fighter. Theirs will not be a conventional courtship.
Mostly what impresses me about KILLER MCCOY is the way the director, Roy Rowland, keeps the action going. There are breaks in the story for more character-driven moments; but the drama's overall momentum is always sustained and the ringside scenes have a lot of energy. The film did very well for MGM, and it's easy to see why.
The production is bolstered by many standout performances in addition to the ones offered by Rooney and Dunn. Brian Donlevy plays a racketeer who guides Rooney's career, and he's tough yet vulnerable. Ann Blyth, not long after her performance in MILDRED PIERCE, plays Donlevy's innocent daughter who becomes romantically involved with the young fighter. Theirs will not be a conventional courtship.
Mostly what impresses me about KILLER MCCOY is the way the director, Roy Rowland, keeps the action going. There are breaks in the story for more character-driven moments; but the drama's overall momentum is always sustained and the ringside scenes have a lot of energy. The film did very well for MGM, and it's easy to see why.