Beautiful Constance Cummings was discovered by Goldwyn who was looking for an actress to co-star with Ronald Colman. Unfortunately, her inexperience showed but he (Colman) offered her advice, not to go back home licked but to be herself. About the same time as she took his advice she was offered a Columbia contract as well as being named a Wampas Baby Star of 1931. For every interesting part ("The Guilty Generation", "Movie Crazy" etc) there was a so-so one. "The Big Timer" gave Constance an unusual role - she plays "Honey", a female fight promoter who inherits her father's stable of fighters, among which is Ben Lyon, a hamburger stand operator who aspires to boxing heights. "Cooky" Bradford is a big talker who also wants to be a big timer but only Honey believes in him and when all the fighters desert her after her father's death, "Cooky" becomes her protégé. And with the fighting know how that Honey has learned from hanging around her pop's gym "Cooky" is going to the top!!
Of course this wouldn't be a proper boxing movie without the "hero gets a swelled head and becomes a down and out" plot. In this one - enter slinky society girl Kay (luscious Thelma Todd) who shows "Cooky" that if you play your cards right in this game (throwing a few fights, only fighting mugs etc) riches and Park Avenue apartments can be yours for the asking.
Ben Lyon is good but Constance Cummings really elevates this movie with her few emotional scenes. That includes the old "let's give him a surprise birthday party" but, unfortunately, "Cooky" is dancing the night away at Kay's penthouse. Very similar to a plot line from "The Broadway Melody"(1929). Best scene by far is the fight scene at the very end - but it's not in the ring. "Cooky", really down and out by this time, is lured to the city's top fight manager (Honey just happens to run the promotions) - she realises that "Cooky" is outside and talks up his yellow streak and the fact that he has gone to seed!! Of course he comes in fighting and together with burly Nat Pendleton they put on a real smasheroo!! demolishing the office but regaining Honey's love and respect at the fade out!!
Recommended.
Of course this wouldn't be a proper boxing movie without the "hero gets a swelled head and becomes a down and out" plot. In this one - enter slinky society girl Kay (luscious Thelma Todd) who shows "Cooky" that if you play your cards right in this game (throwing a few fights, only fighting mugs etc) riches and Park Avenue apartments can be yours for the asking.
Ben Lyon is good but Constance Cummings really elevates this movie with her few emotional scenes. That includes the old "let's give him a surprise birthday party" but, unfortunately, "Cooky" is dancing the night away at Kay's penthouse. Very similar to a plot line from "The Broadway Melody"(1929). Best scene by far is the fight scene at the very end - but it's not in the ring. "Cooky", really down and out by this time, is lured to the city's top fight manager (Honey just happens to run the promotions) - she realises that "Cooky" is outside and talks up his yellow streak and the fact that he has gone to seed!! Of course he comes in fighting and together with burly Nat Pendleton they put on a real smasheroo!! demolishing the office but regaining Honey's love and respect at the fade out!!
Recommended.