Mr. Dolan of New York

Summary

In a delightful subversion of social strata and the boxing ring's gritty realities, 'Mr. Dolan of New York' unfurls the tale of Jimmy Dolan, a pugilist whose recent defeat at the hands of 'Spider' Flynn leaves him and his trainer, Jones, financially destitute. Across the Atlantic, in the quaint, fictional principality of Konigstadt, a royal drama simmers: the elderly King plots to marry his ward, the beguiling Countess Alicia, to the visiting Prince Frederick, much to the chagrin of the King's conniving nephew, Count Conrad, who harbors his own designs on Alicia. When Prince Frederick, more enamored with Mlle. D'Orsay than royal duty, enlists Conrad to feign illness on his behalf, the Count seizes an opportunity for elaborate revenge against Alicia. Through a twist of fate, Dolan and Jones find themselves in the very Parisian café where Conrad conspires. The Count, observing Dolan's striking resemblance to the absent Prince, orchestrates a ludicrous proposition: twenty thousand francs for Dolan to impersonate Frederick, secure Alicia's hand, and thus publicly humiliate her. Urged by the ever-opportunistic Jones, who assumes the guise of an 'Arabian bodyguard,' Dolan reluctantly accepts, embarking on a crash course in courtly decorum. Their arrival in Konigstadt sets the stage for a charmingly awkward masquerade, with an undeniable spark igniting between the ostensibly royal Dolan and the spirited Alicia. The narrative takes an unexpected turn as news of 'Spider' Flynn's European championship reaches Dolan, reigniting his competitive fire. A challenge is issued, and an impromptu boxing match ensues, drawing the King himself into the unlikely spectacle. The monarch, captivated by the sport, transforms the palace into an unexpected gymnasium. The charade threatens to unravel with the real Prince Frederick's belated arrival, leading to a farcical attempt by Dolan and Jones to incapacitate him. Ultimately, the film culminates in a grand boxing match between Dolan and Flynn, witnessed by royalty and commoners alike, where Dolan reclaims his honor, wins the King's admiration, and, with a vacant Count's title suddenly available, secures a future with Alicia that transcends the initial deception.

Synopsis

Jimmy Dolan has just been defeated in a fight with "Spider" Flynn. Jones, Dolan's trainer, had bet their whole bank role on the battle. Twenty-four hours from Paris, in the little principality of Konigstadt, lived a king and his ward. Countess Alicia, a beautiful girl, was courted by Count Conrad, the King's nephew. Prince Frederick was to pay the King a visit, and the old King planned to wed him to Alicia. Count Conrad gets a message from the Prince asking him to come to a certain café. Conrad finds Frederick in company with a Mlle. D'Orsay. He begs Conrad to say he is stricken with scarlet fever. The Count consents, but plans to be revenged on Alicia. Jones and Jimmy enter the café. The Count calls Jimmy to his table, offers him twenty thousand francs to impersonate Prince Frederick, gain Alicia's consent to marriage and thus humiliate her. Urged by Jones, Jimmy accepts, and Conrad begins to teach him courtly manners. Jones is to play the role of an Arabian bodyguard. Jimmy and Jones are presented to the King and to Alicia.. Jimmy and Alicia are promptly interested in each other. Some days later, Jones and Jimmy read in the newspaper about "Spider" Flynn's being the champion of all Europe and are indignant. He sends Flynn an insulting message, challenging him to another battle, and Flynn immediately accepts. The King decides to call on Jimmy informally, and finds Jones and his friend boxing. The King takes up boxing and has a gymnasium built. Prince Frederick and Mlle. D'Orsay quarrel. He arrives at Konigstadt the evening of a dance given in honor of Jimmy. Jones sees him at the hotel, and with Jimmy's help ties him in a chair. The Prince escapes and tells the King of the outrage. The big fight is on between Jimmy and "Spider" Flynn. A great crowd has gathered, and among them the King, Alicia and the Prince. Jimmy defeats Flynn and the King is one of the first to congratulate him. The King looks from Alicia to Jimmy, saying there is a Count's title vacant in Konigstadt and that he hasn't had a good boxing match since Jimmy left.