MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 150, 22 December 1938, Page 14

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"The Crowd Boars."

The central character of "The Crowd Roars," starring Robert Taylor, with Edward Arnold, Maureen O'Sullivan. and Jane Wyman. which commences tomorrow at the Majestic Theatre, is a composite character, combining the characteristics of many champions, and enacting incidents in the careers of others. He it credited with a "lucky punch," with which he knocks opponents out, after being well behind on points. His famous namesake, Al McCoy, won the middleweight title of the worU from George -Chip, with what was universally believed to be a very lucky ounch. a wild right swing to the jaw. Maureen O'Sullivan once more shows herself the ideal romantic foil, sincere, appealing, and forthright. And for competition there is her school chum, Jane Wyman, admirable as the blonde rival for Taylor's affections. If\ anyone could "steal" t ve picture from Taylor, which is well-nigh impossible, it would be Frank Morgan as his father. As Brian McCoy, Morgan is superb not only in his comedy, but in his dramatic delineation of all the character's potentialities. It is an acting gem. Edward Arnold as the big-shot gambler who pulls the behind-the-arena strings, William Gargan in a memorable role as Johnny Martin, ex-light-heayyweight champion, who is killed by his former pupil, Taylor, in a come-back bout, Isabel t.ewel as Gargan's wife, Lionel Stander. typical as "Happy," Taylor's trainer, Nat Pendleton as Arnold's racketeering rival, and young Gene Reynolds, outstanding as Tommy McCoy as a boy, vie so closely for supporting honours that a host of other character players can but follow in their footsteps. To the director, Richard Thorpe, goes credit for the amazingly fast action, the breathless suspense, and che warm romance of George Bruce's story; to the producer, Sam Zimbalist, plaudits for investing his picture with the most authentic flavour of any fight film ever to come out of Hollywood