Kid Galahad (1962)

Elvis Presley stars as Walter Gulick – Freshly discharged from the army and back in his hometown of Cream Valley, looking for a job,

He becomes a sparring partner at a fighter’s training camp run by indebted boxing trainer Willy Grogan (Gig Young).

Grogan initially wants to use the inexperienced Walter against the brutal boxer Shakes (Michael Dante). But in the training ring, the young firebrand knocks out the favourite with a well-aimed right hand, and Grogan sees Walter as his meal ticket for paying off a large gambling debt to gangster Otto Danzig (David Lewis).

Young’s sister, Rose (Joan Blackman), and his girlfriend, Dolly (Lola Albright), try to prevent the new boxing sensation from becoming involved with the criminal element in the sport.

Charles Bronson portrays Gulick’s trainer, Lew Nyack.

Elvis sings six songs, including King Of The Whole Wide World, Riding The Rainbow, and Home Is Where The Heart Is.

To prepare for his role in the film, Elvis began training with former world junior welterweight champion Mushy Callahan. After miles of road work each morning, Elvis worked out on light and heavy punching bags and boxed for hours with Callahan and several professionals hired to teach Elvis the ropes (no pun intended).

Ed Asner, who would later become known as Lou Grant, made his film debut here.

Based on the novel by Francis Wallace, Kid Galahad first appeared in movie form in 1937, with Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and Wayne Morris. It was remade in 1941 (also with Bogart) as The Wagons Roll at Night, with the setting moved from the boxing world to a carnival.

Walter Gulick
Elvis Presley
Willy Grogan
Gig Young
Dolly Fletcher
Lola Albright
Rose Grogan
Joan Blackman
Lew Nyack
Charles Bronson
Otto Danzig
David Lewis
Maynard
Robert Emhardt
Father Higgins
Liam Redmond
Howie Zimmerman
Judson Pratt
Max b
Ned Glass
Harry Sperling
George Mitchell
Jerry Bathgate
Roy Roberts
Joie Shakes
Michael Dante
Marvin
Richard Devon
Ralphie
Jeff Morris

Director
Phil Karlson

Video