Gentleman Jim (1942) coming from Warner Archive

[whiteberry]

Gentleman Jim Blu-ray

Coming to Blu-ray December 12th!

NEW 2023 1080p HD Master from 4K Scan of Original nitrate camera negative.

GENTLEMAN JIM (1942)
Run Time: 104 Minutes
Subtitles: ENGLISH SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-MA 2.0
Aspect Ratio 16x9 1.37:1 with Side Mattes
Product color: B&W
Disc Configuration-BD 50
Directed by Raoul Walsh

Cast: Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Ward Bond

Special Features: Classic Warner Bros. Cartoons: “THE DOVER BOYS AT PIMENTO UNIVERSITY” (HD), “FONEY FABLES” (HD), “HOBBY HORSE-LAFFS” (HD), Audio-only Lady Esther Screen Guild Playhouse (2/14/1944) Radio Broadcast with Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith; Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)

Looking lithe and lean, and more handsome than should be allowed by law, Errol Flynn was never better suited to a role than the legendary boxer James J. “Gentleman Jim“ Corbett. Indeed, this rousing screen biography captures the essence of two colorful personalities – Flynn and Corbett – at the height of their careers. Set primarily against the backdrop of the 1880’s San Francisco, the film follows Corbett’s rise from bank clerk to world champion. With his lightning quick punches and dance-like footwork, the glib, cocky Irishman revolutionized the heretofore illegal prizefighting game, elevating it from the bare knuckle brawling to the sport of skill it is today. An excellent supporting cast of Warner Bros. favorites features the lovely Alexis Smith, the always hearty Alan Hale, and the irresistible bluster of Ward Bond, whose unforgettable portrayal of the great John L Sullivan will touch your heart. For Flynn at his best and an arousing, sometimes wistful look back at professional boxing early days, Gentleman Jim ranks as one of the finest of many biographical classics to come out of the golden age at Warner Bros.

Gentleman Jim (Official Trailer 1942) - YouTube

[SpiderNerd09]

I don’t know why my brain read this thread as; Earthworm Jim.

Either way cool news!

[fred25_Ca]

Oh wow awesome! Been waiting for this, Captain blood and Desperate journey to hit blu ray. One of the best Flynn movie, no doubt about it!

[Dave Bannion]

Masterpiece, the scene near the end after the fight with Ward Bond and Flynn is one of the greatest of the studio era.

[Doomhunter]

Nice! Cover art could use work though, this is a boxing film after all and the dvd at least had Flynn hitting someone on the front cover. But here’s an even better suggestion

IMG_1432.jpg

[Majin Blu]

The Corbetts are finally in HD!! THE CORBETTS ARE FINALLY IN HD!

This movie is awesome.

[javi92]

They keep trolling us for Captain Blood

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by javi92

They keep trolling us for Captain Blood

And every announcement that doesn't have CAPTAIN BLOOD in it makes it all the more conceivable that the oft mentioned rumor about it being a Criterion title may just be valid.

[xochipilli]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

And every announcement that doesn't have CAPTAIN BLOOD in it makes it all the more conceivable that the oft mentioned rumor about it being a Criterion title may just be valid.

It's not a rumor. The founder of HTF has all but confirmed that's the case, responding to those inquiring about the film's absence with phrases like "Don't look to WAC as being the problem". Since he has at least some contact with George Feltenstein, who himself has cryptically stated that "it's coming, but not from us" it's obvious he means Criterion are the ones holding it back. And unless the eventual release either has some phenomenal extras or the earlier silent version is included, I will consider Warner licensing out this title a waste, as we'd almost certainly have gotten an as good if not better release from WAC by this point, doubly so if Criterion botches the compression like they did with Arsenic and Old Lace.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by xochipilli

It's not a rumor. The founder of HTF has all but confirmed that's the case, responding to those inquiring about the film's absence with phrases like "Don't look to WAC as being the problem". Since he has at least some contact with George Feltenstein, who himself has cryptically stated that "it's coming, but not from us" it's obvious he means Criterion are the ones holding it back. And unless the eventual release either has some phenomenal extras or the earlier silent version is included, I will consider Warner licensing out this title a waste, as we'd almost certainly have gotten an as good if not better release from WAC by this point, doubly so if Criterion botches the compression like they did with Arsenic and Old Lace.

The most quintessential Criterion release after all these years should be:

[Show spoiler]

[GrouchoFan]

My copy of Gentleman Jim DVD, from Errol Flynn Sig. Collection Vol. 2 started freezing up/skipping around Chapter 20 (layer change issue perhaps?), so this is welcome news!

Looks like not all the DVD bonus features are porting over though.

[Ned Brainard]

Originally Posted by GrouchoFan

My copy of Gentleman Jim DVD, from Errol Flynn Sig. Collection Vol. 2 started freezing up/skipping around Chapter 20 (layer change issue perhaps?), so this is welcome news!

Looks like not all the DVD bonus features are porting over though.

Let me join the Gentleman Jim support group as my copy also "went the way all flesh" along with the rest of the titles from Vol. 2. WB DVDs from the 2006 to 2008 era are notorious for rotting. Anyway, I'm glad to be getting one of my all time favorite films upgraded on blu-ray and from the original nitrate negative no less.

[PatLT95]

Originally Posted by SpiderNerd09

I don’t know why my brain read this thread as; Earthworm Jim.

Either way cool news!

Same. Disappointed that wasn't the case.

[Deciazulado]

Gentleman Jim Blu-ray

[calikid]

My copy is set to arrive Friday, shipped yesterday from Amazon. Great movie

[tama]

What an awesome film. Also had me cracking up every so often. Excellent picture quality and one of the best blind buys in recent memory.

[cs2341]

Warner put a warning that the movie contains biases, and other stuff that may be offensive and a disclaimer. This is so not necessary. I wish they would stop but it’s better than editing/chopping the movie based on someone’s opinion on what is and is not offensive.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by cs2341

Warner put a warning that the movie contains biases, and other stuff that may be offensive and a disclaimer. This is so not necessary. I wish they would stop but it’s better than editing/chopping the movie based on someone’s opinion on what is and is not offensive.

Then what's the problem? Everyone wins.

[The-Cinema-Upstairs]

Originally Posted by cs2341

Warner put a warning that the movie contains biases, and other stuff that may be offensive and a disclaimer. This is so not necessary. I wish they would stop but it’s better than editing/chopping the movie based on someone’s opinion on what is and is not offensive.

Agree; the disclaimers are annoying, ridiculous and unnecessary. Appears this might be a new norm for WA releases going forward.

[Randy Miller III]

I hate that this one ended up being my final one of the key December titles to review, but best for last and all that. It's a great movie and the new restoration is, unsurprisingly, phenomenal.

Enjoy!

Gentleman Jim Blu-ray Review