The Mighty McGurk

The Mighty McGurk

Year: 1947

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: John Waters

AdventureComedyActionDrama

A retired prizefighter becomes the unlikely guardian of a young orphan boy recently arrived from England to New York’s Bowery District.

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Timeline & Setting – The Mighty McGurk (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Mighty McGurk (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Bowery, New York City, Ellis Island, Salvation Army Hall, New York

The story unfolds in the Bowery, a rough, crowded stretch of Manhattan known for saloons and tough crowds. Ellis Island appears as the entry point for new arrivals, framing Nipper's journey from Europe to America. The Salvation Army Hall serves as a beacon of order and charity, around which Johnny's mission and the protection of the vulnerable revolve.

🏙️ Gritty urban setting 🧭 Immigrant neighborhood 🏛️ Shelter and community center

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Main Characters – The Mighty McGurk (1947)

Meet the key characters of The Mighty McGurk (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Roy 'Slag' McGurk (Wallace Beery)

Former heavyweight champion turned saloon bouncer, rough around the edges but capable of loyalty. His arc swings between self-interest and protective action as he defies Mike's schemes to safeguard the Salvation Army and Nipper.

🥊 Ex-champion 🛡️ Protector 💔 Flawed hero

Mike Glenson (Edward Arnold)

Saloon owner pressuring to expand his empire; uses blackmail and manipulation to push Slag and to drive out the Salvation Army. He represents the corrosive lure of money and power in the Bowery.

💰 Power-hungry 🕴️ Manipulator 🗡️ Antagonist

Johnny Burden (Cameron Mitchell)

Salvation Army officer who guides Slag toward reform and leads the mission to protect vulnerable youths like Nipper. He stands as a moral counterweight to Mike's schemes.

🕊️ Mentor 🧭 Moral compass 🥇 Leader

Caroline Glenson (Dorothy Patrick)

Mike's daughter who becomes entangled in the family drama and Slag's decisions; she learns of her father's deceit and ultimately prepares to leave with her belongings.

💔 Family conflict 💃 Love and loyalty 🧭 Independent

Nipper (Dean Stockwell)

An orphan English boy brought to America to live with his uncle Milbane. He forms a bond with Slag and seeks belonging, eventually finding safety with the Salvation Army.

🧒 Orphan 🐶 Animal friend 🗽 Immigrant journey

Mamie Steeple (Aline MacMahon)

Pawnshop owner who lends money to Slag and becomes entangled in the fallout of his entanglements with Mike; her friendship with Slag is strained but pivotal.

🤝 Friend 🪙 Lending 🧭 Moral conflict

Milbane (Aubrey Mather)

Nipper's supposed relative who is revealed to be a crook; he manipulates the boy for money and exposes the darker side of the immigrant story.

🕵️‍♂️ Crook 💔 Deception 🧩 Family ties

First Brewer (Charles Judels)

One of the two brewers Mike trades with, a part of the scheme to control the Bowery's business and force out the Salvation Army.

🍺 Business partner 🕴️ Industry figure

Second Brewer (Torben Meyer)

The other brewer who completes the deal alongside the first, contributing to the pressure on the Salvation Army and the community.

🍺 Business partner 🕴️ Industry figure

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Major Themes – The Mighty McGurk (1947)

Explore the central themes of The Mighty McGurk (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

Roy Slag McGurk's arc moves from self-serving ex-champion to protector of the vulnerable, catalyzed by Johnny's leadership and the Salvation Army's mission. He confronts his past, including a rigged championship, and begins to take responsibility for his actions. The alliance with Nipper and Mamie marks a shift toward integrity and courage.

🗽 Immigrant Struggle

The arrival of Nipper through Ellis Island and his bond with the Salvation Army highlight the hopes and hazards faced by newcomers. The film contrasts exploitative recruiters with the sheltering, moral community that offers a second chance. Immigrant life and assimilation are central to the stakes of Slag's choices.

💰 Power and Corruption

Mike Glenson's drive to seize control of the Bowery's future—by ousting the Salvation Army and manipulating a championship—shows how money corrupts virtue. Slag's defiance and eventual stand against the mob reveal that wealth without conscience destroys communities. The climax dramatizes moral victory over greed.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

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The Mighty McGurk Summary

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The Mighty McGurk Summary

The Mighty McGurk Timeline

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The Mighty McGurk Timeline

More About The Mighty McGurk

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