Kid Galahad

Kid Galahad

Year: 1937

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Curtiz

CrimeDramaRomanceCrime drugs and gangstersUnderdog fighting and boxing stories

Nick Donati, a shrewd fight promoter, spots a bellhop with raw talent and decides to mold him into a boxing champion. As training intensifies, the young fighter—dubbed “the Kid”—unexpectedly woos Nick’s sister, forcing Donati to question his ambitions and the romantic entanglements that follow.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kid Galahad (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kid Galahad (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Florida, New York City, Nick's mother's farm

The story is set primarily in Florida, where boxing promoter Nick Donati runs his operation and stages a long, money-fueled party. It also moves to New York City for a consequential title bout and the glare of the boxing world. A rural interlude at Nick's mother's farm provides a quieter backdrop that reveals family dynamics and aspirations beyond the ring.

🌴 Florida 🗽 New York City 🏡 Farm

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

Main Characters – Kid Galahad (1937)

Meet the key characters of Kid Galahad (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart)

A ruthless gangster and boxing promoter who manipulates events for his own gain. He orchestrates schemes, leverages bets, and uses fear to control fighters and managers alike. His double-crossing schemes propel the conflict that drives the climax and ultimately lead to violent consequences.

💼 Crime boss 💰 Power 🎭 Antagonist

Nick 'Nicky' Donati (Edward G. Robinson)

A savvy, money-minded boxing promoter who doubles down on schemes to control Ward and profit from fights. He is protective of his organization yet driven by ambition and greed, eventually placing high-stakes bets against his own fighter. His complex mix of loyalty to family and ruthlessness makes him a conflicted antagonist.

💰 Greed 🧭 Promoter 🎭 Complex

Louise 'Fluff' Phillips (Bette Davis)

Nick's girlfriend who becomes entangled in Ward's ascent. She helps Ward when he is inexperienced and navigates complicated love dynamics, ultimately choosing loyalty and love over money and status. Her actions propel key emotional turning points in the story.

❤️ Romance 🎭 Drama

Ward 'Kid Galahad' Guisenberry (Wayne Morris)

A naive young farmer turned hotel bellhop who discovers boxing talent and rises to prominence. He embodies determination and a quiet integrity, balancing loyalty to Nick with his own dreams of a better life. His ascent to heavyweight champion is the central arc of the film.

🥊 Underdog 💪 Determination

Marie Donati (Jane Bryan)

Nick's sister who is educated and independent, entering a complex love triangle with Ward and Fluff. She challenges Ward and Nick, adding emotional stakes to Ward's rise while sharing a mutual love with Ward.

❤️ Love Triangle 🎭 Drama

Silver Jackson (Harry Carey)

Ringside assistant and trusted ally to Ward, providing support and steadiness in the chaotic world of boxing promotions. His loyalty helps Ward navigate the dangers and pressures of the sport.

🤝 Ally 🥊 Support

Chuck McGraw (William Haade)

The veteran fighter and McGraw brother who faces Ward in early bouts. His experience and strength represent the old guard of boxing, challenging Ward to prove himself in the ring.

🥊 Rival 💥 Boxer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

Major Themes – Kid Galahad (1937)

Explore the central themes of Kid Galahad (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed drives much of the plot as Nick bets against Ward and schemes to control the boxing world. The tension escalates as money, power, and betrayal intersect with personal loyalties. The eventual deadly confrontation underscores how greed can corrupt relationships and derail lives.

❤️ Love

Romantic and familial ties complicate the story: Fluff's affection for Ward, Ward's love for Marie, and the friction between Fluff, Marie, and Nick. The women navigate loyalty, affection, and heartbreak as Ward rises, forcing painful choices. Love is both a motive and a casualty in the power plays surrounding the boxing world.

🥊 Underdog

Ward's transformation from a naive hotel bellhop to a world-class boxer is the core arc. His knockout wins and steadfast determination contrast with the chaos around him, showing how talent and grit can reshape a life. His journey culminates in becoming heavyweight champion, a vindication of perseverance against formidable odds.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

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Kid Galahad Summary

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Kid Galahad Summary

Kid Galahad Timeline

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Kid Galahad Timeline

More About Kid Galahad

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