William Holden's first starring role is in a fairly routine boxing drama that is competently made - as you'd expect from the studio system of the 30s - but which shows little in the way of flair or originality. Holden is good, although he's barely recognisable from the rugged leading man he would eventually become, and Stanwyck is at the top of her game as the woman who comes between him and his mentor (Adolphe Menjou). Menjou's character is a bit of a strange bird: multi-layered, but each layer is wafer thin and unformed. Lee J. Cobb, meanwhile is clearly where Joe Dolce got his inspiration from for his annoying hit single Shaddapa Ya Face. Cobb was only 27 when he played his role, 7 years older than Holden, whose father he plays.
The most glaring thing about Golden Boy, though, is how politically incorrect it would be considered today. Cobb's daughter, indignantly defends her husband when Cobb berates him for knocking him about ("He can hit me any time he likes!" she defiantly declares), and Holden finds himself in the ring with a coloured fighter named The Chocolate Drop.
The most glaring thing about Golden Boy, though, is how politically incorrect it would be considered today. Cobb's daughter, indignantly defends her husband when Cobb berates him for knocking him about ("He can hit me any time he likes!" she defiantly declares), and Holden finds himself in the ring with a coloured fighter named The Chocolate Drop.