WORLD IN MY CORNER

(director: Jesse Hibbs; screenwriters: story by Joseph Stone & Jack Sher, Jack Sher; cinematographer: Maury Gertsman; editor: Milton Carruth; music: Henry Mancini, Heinz Roemheld; cast: Audie Murphy (Tommy Shea), Barbara Rush (Dorothy Mallinson), Jeff Morrow (Robert T. Mallinson), John McIntire (Dave Bernstein), Howard St. John (Harry Cram), Tommy Rall (Ray Kacsmerek), Art Aragon (Fighter), Sheila Bromley (Mrs. Mallinson); Runtime: 82; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Aaron Rosenberg; Kino Lorbo blu-ray/Universal; 1956-B/W)

“Audie Murphy, in one of his rare non-Westerns.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Jesse Hibbs (“To Hell and Back”/”All American”) directs this B/W photographed boxing film noir that stars Audie Murphy, in one of his rare non-Westerns. Audie was the most decorated combat soldier of WWII, receiving the Medal of Honor and awards for bravery. I love Audie as an actor in Westerns, but the Texan failed to convince me he was a slum-dwelling factory worker turned boxer from Jersey City, New Jersey. The drama is based on a story by Joseph Stone & Jack Sher, and is scripted by Sher.

Tommy Shea (Audie Murphy) is promoted in his boxing career by the controlling, wealthy Robert T. Mallinson (Jeff Morrow). The boxer falls for his boss’s daughter Dorothy (Barbara Rush), as he trains at his Long Island estate.

The ambitious boxer wants to get rich so he can move up the social ladder and marry Dorothy. So he signs with the crooked promoter Harry Cram (Howard St. John). This upsets his honest manager Dave Bernstein (John McIntire).

Tommy, under Cram’s backing, is in a moral dilemma, as before his first fight he’s unsure if he should take a dive.

Audie’s character is too arrogant to be likeable, and Rush is just too whiny. I didn’t find the film had enough fight in it to go the distance.

REVIEWED ON 9/9/2024  GRADE: C+
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