The Ring (1927) – full review!

Written & directed by Alfred Hitchcock (and adapted by his wife Alma Reville uncredited) this silent boxing drama features a love triangle between two fighters ‘One-Round’ Jack (Carl Brisson) & Australian champion Bob Corby (Ian Hunter his fourth film) and Mabel (Lillian Hall Davis). I can only assume that the transfer to DVD was poorly done since many of the shots cut off the actors’ heads otherwise the film’s story is only slightly above average and somewhat predictable. Plus there are some scenes which would be deemed racist today: the ridiculing of a black man at the carnival’s dunking booth and even the use of the n-word on one placard. The film’s title is a ‘triple’ entendre referring to the boxing ring the wedding ring and a golden bracelet given by Corby to Mabel.

Jack (Brisson) is a carnival fighter who takes all comers so says the barker (Harry Terry) who promises if you can beat ‘One-Round’ Jack you’ll win a prize. Though he means money Bob Corby (Hunter) is interested in the ticket seller Mabel (Hall-Davis) who just so happens to be Jack’s fiancée. Corby who’s with his promoter James Ware (Forrester Harvey) is the Australian boxing champion though he doesn’t let this be known when he accepts the barker’s offer. Naturally Corby wins the bout with Jack in Round 4 upsetting Jack’s trainer (Gordon Harker). However after the fight Ware offers Jack the opportunity to be Corby’s training partner which Jack and his trainer readily accept. Meanwhile unbeknownst to Jack his fiancée Mabel has been kissing Corby. But after Jack wins a tuneup fight to earn the right to be Corby’s training partner he and Mabel are married. The charming playboy Corby who’s in attendance doesn’t seem to mind.

Their marriage is a sham though with Mabel spending all her time in the company of the champ Corby. After preventing a scene a premature fight in a restaurant between his two fighters Ware promises Jack the opportunity to fight for his wife provided he can climb the rankings and earn a title fight with Corby. So in typical boxing film fashion Jack’s name moves up the boxing card until he finally wins the bout which secures his shot at Corby. When he returns home to celebrate with his old friends including the barker and his trainer Jack is surprised (for some reason) that Mabel isn’t there to congratulate him. Eventually while they all wait for her return Jack’s friends leave. When Mabel finally does return the couple finally has a falling out with Mabel leaving Jack to stay with friends.

*** SPOILERS ***

The bout between Jack and Corby dominates the film’s final scenes. Naturally Mabel is there to watch. The fight goes several rounds and it appears as if Jack is down and out. However Mabel rushes to his corner between rounds and tells her husband that she’s on his side. This of course inspires Jack to beat Corby and win the fight. After the bout is over though Mabel and Corby exchange a knowing wink.

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