Directed by Robert Wise
1949/USA
RKO Radio Pictures
Repeat viewing
Stoker Thompson: Everybody makes book on something.
This superbly acted and utterly grim boxing film is a noir classic of the genre. The movie is one of the few to be told in real time. The action encompasses the 73 minutes it takes to tell the tale.
Stoker Thompson (Robert Ryan) is a washed-up fighter taking matches at the bottom of bills in regional clubs. His manager has so little faith in him that he takes a bribe for Stoker to throw a fight without bothering to tell his man. Stoker’s wife Julie (Audrey Totter) pleads with Stoker to give up the game and refuses to attend this night’s fight because she doesn’t want to see him beat up. Her absence eats away at Stoker and makes him more determined than ever to win his bout. Most of the last two-thirds of the film takes place either in the ring or in the dressing-room.
I think Robert Ryan is one of the great actors of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and he is phenomenal in this movie. He tells more with his eyes in a single close up than most actors can with pages of dialogue. Audrey Totter did not have a big career but is also excellent as are the supporting players. Both these actors may be better known for playing heavies but handle these sympathetic roles well.
The great noir cinematography is by Milton Krasner who won an award for his work here at Cannes. Robert Wise keeps everything flowing brilliantly. I especially liked the use of the bloodthirsty fans in the crowd, who are almost like a Greek chorus. Not an uplifting experience but highly recommended.
Clip – Robert Ryan and Audrey Totter
I recently revisited THE SET-UP and found it just as wonderful as the first time I saw it many years ago. Robert Ryan was one of our very best actors and he is magnificent in this. Robert Wise’s background as a editor is apparent in the film’s tension and timing.
There’s an excellent commentary by Wise and Martin Scorsese on the DVD. This was the last film where Wise helped out in the editing room. That fight is certainly something and shows a skilled editor’s hand. It didn’t hurt that Ryan boxed at Dartmouth. I just love Ryan. I think I have at least one more of his films coming up during noir month.
You were right about raving about somebody I like……the wonderful Robert Ryan. This film is excellent and of course,Rayan is perfect for the part of the down and outer. It is a depressing film but gives the viewer an insider look at the boxing game at its worst.. Ryan is intense as he was in most of the roles he played. But why was he never a “top” star? He made good films, was attractive, was a good actor; yet if you ask someone to name the greats of the 40s/50s/ era, he may not be mentioned.. Odd.
And if he wasn’t a “star” he certainly deserved an Oscar at some point. He is just so good.