The Great John L.

The Great John L. is a 1945 American biographical drama film directed by Frank Tuttle and written by James Edward Grant. The film stars Linda Darnell, Barbara Britton, Greg McClure, Otto Kruger, Wallace Ford and George Mathews. The film was released on May 25, 1945, by United Artists.[2][3]

The Great John L.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrank Tuttle
Produced byJames Edward Grant
Frank R. Mastroly
Screenplay byJames Edward Grant
StarringLinda Darnell
Barbara Britton
Greg McClure
Otto Kruger
Wallace Ford
George Mathews
Music byVictor Young
CinematographyJames Van Trees
Edited byTed Bellinger
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • May 25, 1945 (1945-05-25)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budgetapprox $900,000[1]

Plot

In 1880, when bareknuckle fighting is still condoned. John L. Sullivan chooses boxing over baseball and becomes known as "the Boston Strong Boy" after his victory over established prizefighter John Flood.

Sullivan's sweetheart, Kathy Harkness, refuses his marriage proposal, unhappy about how he has chosen to make a living. After he wins the heavyweight championship, Sullivan buys a tavern and begins drinking too much of his own product. He also meets New York singer Anne Livingston, marrying her on the rebound from Kathy and traveling the world, meeting British royalty while fighting abroad.

Sullivan's ego and alcoholism grow out of control. Anne realizes he still loves Kathy and leaves him, but Kathy still disapproves of his life. Sullivan is defeated by "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, loses the heavyweight crown and also loses his saloon, due to growing debts. Anne, too, becomes bankrupt as well as terminally ill. Sullivan vows to turn his life around, speaking on behalf of temperance unions as Kathy sees a glimmer of hope for their future.

Cast

Critical response

"A curious mixture of excitement and tedious drama make up the picture The Great John L, which arrived at the Globe on Saturday, a promising augury for the newly launched Bing Crosby Productions ... It is only after he loses to Corbett and his wife dies that “Honest John” marries his boyhood sweetheart and turns to the better life. But the process is overlong and occasionally boring."[4]

"In his first independent production, Bing Crosby comes out with both fists swinging through a dramatization of the life of John L. Sullivan. When the pic is released, it should be a great day all around, for the Irish, as well as for the houses that run it. It’s straight boff from start to finish."[5]

References
  1. "Indies $70,000,000 Pix Output". Variety: 3. 3 November 1944. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  2. "The Great John L. (1945) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  3. "The Great John L." TV Guide. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. "The New York Times". July 9, 1945. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "Variety". June 6, 1945. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)


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