The Square Ring (1953 film)
| The Square Ring | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Basil Dearden |
| Written by | Robert Westerby additional dialogue Peter Myers Alec Grahame |
| Produced by | Michael Relph executive Michael Balcon |
| Starring | Jack Warner Robert Beatty Joan Collins Maxwell Reed Kay Kendall Bernadette O'Farrell Bill Owen |
| Cinematography | Otto Heller |
| Edited by | Peter Bezencenet |
| Music by | Dock Mathieson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | GFD (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Square Ring is a 1953 British film produced by Michael Relph, directed by Basil Dearden and made at Ealing Studios. It stars Jack Warner, Robert Beatty and Bill Owen. The film, based on a stage play by Ralph Peterson, centres on one night at a fairly seedy boxing venue and tells the different stories of the various fighters and spectators.
Premise
Five stories that take place mainly in the locker room prior to and after various bouts during a single evening at a cheap boxing stadium: an ex champion, Docker Starkie, trying to make a comeback; Eddie Burke, a new boxer on the way up; Harry Coombes, a future champion; Rick Martell, a crooked fighter planning to throw a fight; Sailor Johnson, a punch drunk ‘has-been’; and Rowdie Rawlings, a black boxer. Danny Felton is the dressing room attendant who has seen fighters come and go.
Cast
- Jack Warner as Danny Felton
- Robert Beatty as Jim 'Kid' Curtis
- Maxwell Reed as Rick Martell
- Joan Collins as Frankie
- Kay Kendall as Eve Lewis
- Bernadette O'Farrell as Peg Curtis
- Bill Owen as Happy Burns
- George Rose as Whitey Johnson
- Bill Travers as Rowdie Rawlings
- Alfie Bass as Frank Forbes
- Ronald Lewis as Eddie Lloyd
- Sid James as Adams
- Eddie Byrne as Lou Lewis
- Michael Golden as Warren
- Joan Sims as Bunty
- Sydney Tafler as 1st Wiseacre
- Alexander Gauge as 2nd Wiseacre
Production
Film rights were bought by Michael Balcon at Ealing and John Mills was announced as star, with Basil Dearden to direct and Michael Relph to produce.[1]
Eventually Mills dropped out and was replaced by Canadian actor Robert Beatty.[2] He had no boxing experience so he trained for two weeks in preparation for the role.[3]
Reception
Critical reception was mixed.[4] One review called the film "uneven", accusing it of "veering between comedy and tragedy".[5]
References
- ^ "Adelaide man's play to be filmed – John Mills to star". The News. Vol. 59, no. 9, 142. South Australia. 26 November 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 8 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Robert Beatty in boxing picture". The Mail. Vol. 42, no. 2, 121. South Australia. 31 January 1953. p. 3 (SUNDAY MAGAZINE). Retrieved 8 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Film May End A 50-Year Jinx". The Sunday Herald. Sydney. 21 June 1953. p. 14. Retrieved 10 July 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Boxing Film With A Punch". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). New South Wales, Australia. 5 July 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 19 May 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ Radio Times. Guide to Films (2004). p.1328