Kid Galahad

Kid Galahad

Year: 1962

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Phil Karlson

MusicDramaSong and danceUnderdog fighting and boxing storiesShow All…

Presley brings the screen’s biggest wallop—girls, gloves, and guitar alike. After completing his military service, Walter Gulick takes a job as a sparring partner at a gym. The gym’s owner sees his potential, mentors him, and pushes Walter toward a career as a professional boxer.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kid Galahad (1962)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kid Galahad (1962). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1960s

The events unfold in the early 1960s, a rural upstate New York milieu where postwar American values rub against the temptations of gambling and debt. The boxing camp and town life reflect a transitional era, blending old-school charm with new fame pressures. Relationships and ambitions are tested against a backdrop of live fights and community scrutiny.

Location

Cream Valley, Catskills hills resort region, upper Hudson River Valley, New York

Cream Valley sits in the forested Catskills hills along the upper Hudson River, a quiet resort village that hosts Grogan's Gardens boxing camp. The area is known for rustic lodgings, small-town charm, and a backdrop that amplifies the drama of a local boxing world. Its scenic setting frames the story of a hard-edged promoter and a young fighter striving for dignity.

🏞️ Catskills resort town 🌲 Forested region 🏨 Inn community

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Main Characters – Kid Galahad (1962)

Meet the key characters of Kid Galahad (1962), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Walter Gulick (Elvis Presley)

A young Army veteran who loves restoring cars and working as a mechanic. He arrives in Cream Valley with a quiet, chivalrous demeanor and quickly becomes a rising boxing talent, earning the nickname 'Kid Galahad.' His integrity and skill push him to fight for more than money, balancing romance and responsibility.

🥇 Rising star 🛠️ Mechanic 🥊 Boxer ❤️ Romance

Rose Grogan (Joan Blackman)

Willy Grogan’s sister, a smart and independent woman who becomes fascinated with Walter. Her presence introduces a hopeful romance that stirs tension with her brother and Dolly. She represents a bridge between the boxing world and a gentler, more loyal heart.

💞 Love interest 🏡 Small-town girl 🎶 Hopeful spirit

Willy Grogan (Gig Young)

A small-time boxing promoter and innkeeper who runs Grogan's Gardens. He is in debt and morally compromised, often putting his ambitions ahead of the people he loves. His protective stance over his fighters clashes with his own financial desperation.

💼 Promoter 🥊 Trainer 💸 Debt

Lew Nyack (Charles Bronson)

Willy’s veteran trainer and coach, a stern but insightful figure who teaches Walter the craft of boxing. Nyack's experienced perspective anchors Walter’s development, balancing technique with a moral framework. He is pivotal in guiding Walter through the threats surrounding the sport.

🥋 Mentor 🧭 Coach 🥊 Veteran

Otto Danzig (David Lewis)

A New York loan-shark and fight-fixer who wants Walter to take a dive for gambling odds. He represents the corrupt underworld that can taint sports and ruin lives through intimidation and manipulation. His menace drives the central conflict of the story.

💰 Gangster 🕵️‍♂️ Antagonist 🕳️ Fixer

Frank Gerson (Ed Asner)

Assistant District Attorney who becomes involved in investigating the betting scheme. He represents the legal system and the possibility of justice confronting organized crime. His presence adds a procedural dimension to the climactic fight.

⚖️ Prosecutor 🗂️ Investigator 🕴️ Lawful force

Max Lieberman (Bert Remsen)

A supporting figure in the boxing world, part of the Cream Valley community that surrounds Grogan’s Gardens. He contributes to the town’s atmosphere and the sense of a close-knit, watchful community.

👤 Supporting 🏘️ Community member 🗺️ Local

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Major Themes – Kid Galahad (1962)

Explore the central themes of Kid Galahad (1962), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🥊 Integrity

Walter's rise in the ring is framed by a fight for personal integrity against fixers and underworld pressure. The story centers on choosing honorable competition over easy winnings. The boxer’s courage is tested as he refuses to take a dive, risking his own safety for Willy and Rose.

❤️ Love & loyalty

Walter's romance with Rose sits at the heart of the drama, challenging loyalties with Dolly and Willy. The relationships in the boxing camp reveal how affection and pride shape decisions under pressure. Loyalty to friends and lovers becomes a compass in a world seeking to corrupt them.

💰 Gambling & corruption

The criminal underworld, led by Otto Danzig, tries to fix the title fight for profit, threatening the community’s integrity. The plot shows how debts and greed can pervert sport and endanger innocent people. A legal investigation and the prosecutor’s presence bring a contrast between crime and justice.

🧭 Mentorship

Lew Nyack’s coaching provides mentorship and discipline in a volatile environment. Walter learns technical skills, strategy, and moral courage under Nyack’s guidance. The mentor-mentee dynamic anchors the protagonist’s growth beyond mere physical prowess.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

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Kid Galahad Summary

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Kid Galahad Summary

Kid Galahad Timeline

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Kid Galahad (1962) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Kid Galahad (1962) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow