The Square Ring

The Square Ring is a 1953 British film produced by Michael Relph, directed by Basil Dearden and made at Ealing Studios. It stars Jack Warner, Robert Beatty and Bill Owen. The film, based on a stage play by Ralph Peterson, centres on one night at a fairly seedy boxing venue and tells the different stories of the various fighters and spectators.

Premise
Five stories that take place mainly in the locker room prior to and after various bouts during a single evening at a cheap boxing stadium: an ex champion, Docker Starkie, trying to make a comeback; Eddie Burke, a new boxer on the way up; Harry Coombes, a future champion; Rick Martell, a crooked fighter planning to throw a fight; Sailor Johnson, a punch drunk ‘has-been’; and Rowdie Rawlings, a black boxer. Danny Felton is the dressing room attendant who has seen fighters come and go.

Cast
 Jack Warner as Danny Felton  
 Robert Beatty as Jim 'Kid' Curtis   
 Maxwell Reed as Rick Martell
 Joan Collins as Frankie  
 Kay Kendall as Eve Lewis  
 Bernadette O'Farrell as Peg Curtis   
 Bill Owen as Happy Burns
 George Rose as Whitey Johnson  
 Bill Travers as Rowdie Rawlings  
 Alfie Bass as Frank Forbes  
 Ronald Lewis as Eddie Lloyd  
 Sid James as Adams   
 Eddie Byrne as Lou Lewis  
 Michael Golden as Warren  
 Joan Sims as Bunty
 Sydney Tafler as 1st Wiseacre 
 Alexander Gauge as 2nd Wiseacre

Original 1952 Play
The film was based on a 1952 play with the same name by Sydney-born radio writer Ralph Peterson who arrived in London only the year before.

Background
He wrote it over a three-month period. Peterson was inspired by material he had learned from writing the 1950 radio play Come Out Fighting, set in the world of boxing.

He sent the play to Anthony Quayle, who he had met in Sydney, who agreed to put it on.

Production
Film rights were bought by Michael Balcon at Ealing and John Mills was announced as star, with Basil Dearden to direct and Michael Relph to produce.

Eventually Mills dropped out and was replaced by Canadian actor Robert Beatty. He had no boxing experience so he trained for two weeks in preparation for the role.

Reception
Critical reception was mixed. One review called the film "uneven", accusing it of "veering between comedy and tragedy".

1954 Novel
Peterson adapted the play into a 1954 novel.

1959 TV Adaptation
The play was adapted for British TV in 1959 with Sean Connery.

1960 Australian TV adaptation

The play was also adapted for Australian television in 1960. It was recorded live in Sydney. Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.

Sydney boxing trainer Ern McQuillan was the technical advisor for the story. Joe Jenkins, who appeared often on television as a dancer, makes his acting debut as Rowdie Rawlings.

Cast
Don Barkham as Eddie Burke
Guy Doleman as Harry Coombes
Jack Fegan as Docker Starkie
Ken Goodlet as Sailor Johnson
Joe Jenkins as Rowdie Rawling
Owen Weingott as Rick Martell
Edward Hepple as Danny Felton
Al Thomas as the stadium manager
Ben Gabriel
Louis Wishart
Max Osbiston

1965 Radio Adaptation
The play was adapted for radio in 1965.

Cast
Dan Crosby
Max Osbiston
John Gray
Edward Hepple
John Armstrong
Robert MacDara
Alastair Duncan
Richard Meikle
Ben Gabriel
James Congdon.

See also
List of television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1960s)

References

External links 
 

Square Ring Australian Theatre performances at Ausstage
1952 play at AustLit
Information from 1960 TV production at National Archives of Australia

Category:1953 films
Category:1950s drama films
Category:English-language films
Category:British films
Category:British sports films
Category:British boxing films
Category:Ealing Studios films
Category:Films directed by Basil Dearden
Category:British drama films
Category:1960 television plays
Category:Films set in England
Category:British films based on plays
Category:1960s Australian television plays