Jack Doyle
Encyclopedia
Jack Doyle known as "The Gorgeous Gael" was at one time or another a contender for the British Boxing Championship, a Hollywood actor and an accomplished tenor.
, in County Cork
, Ireland in 1913. At 6 foot 3 Doyle was always good with his fists and in 1929 he joined the forces of the Irish Guards
based in Wales
.
There he quickly excelled at boxing and was famed for his strong hooks that won him the British Army Championship. A sensational record of 28 straight victories, 27 by knockout, brought him to the attention of promoter Dan Sullivan. He turned pro and notched up 10 victories on the trot all inside 2 rounds, making him the hottest thing in the sport.
In July 1933, at the age of 19 he missed out on the British Heavyweight title to the holder, Welshman, Jack Petersen
. Witnesses claim that he had done most of his warming up in a pub not far from the bout. Within the opening seconds he knew he was in trouble and decided to take the easy way out. He was disqualified for repeatedly punching low.
Shortly after, his singing voice was discovered by Dr. Vincent O'Brien, teacher to Count John McCormack and soon his soft tenor voice and handsome looks were selling out the London Palladium and the Royal in Dublin. Jack was subsequebtly signed up by Decca and several 78 records
were produced including the popular "South of the Border
" a duet recorded with his then wife Movita. But his love for the drink and generous nature soon started to take its toll on his health.
(1934) and Navy Spy (1937).
While in the States he continued to box, taking on one Buddy Baer
in August 1935. Like his fight against Jack Peterson it is said that Doyle had consumed the best part of a bottle of brandy before the bell rang and was in no fit state to stand. He was knocked down loaded in the first round.
He returned to Ireland with this new girlfriend Movita Castaneda
(having recently split from his wife Judith Allan), a member of the Mexican aristocracy and Hollywood starlet. Following a celebrity wedding in Dublin's Westland Row Church
they toured both sides of the Irish Sea, selling out music halls and opera houses.
Around this time Jack fought his last professional fight, against a journeyman called Chris Cole in front of 23,000 in Dublin's Dalymount Park
. Arriving late for the bout after a stop at The Clarence Hotel for refreshments, the inebriated Doyle went down in the first. Movita packed up and moved back to Hollywood where she married Marlon Brando
.
Shortly after Doyle found himself residing at Mountjoy Jail in Dublin for knocking out a Garda
Detective in a Ranelagh pub. He moved to England and his spiral downwards into alcoholism and bankruptcy continued. He found his friends had deserted him as fast as his bank balance, spent in his own words on "slow horses and fast women". He odd-jobbed for while but when he couldn't afford the rent on his humble flat he took to sleeping at the homes of friends, in Pimlico, London, SW1. His only source of income during this time was an allowance he received from Movita.
He died in 1978 at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was buried in his native Cobh in the Old Church Cemetery.
Shortly before his death, he was interviewed by a journalist who asked him had he any regrets about not spending his money more wisely. "None at all," he said, "twas never a generous man went to hell."
around 1983, and performed by many including Finbar Wright
, Christy Moore
and Tommy Fleming, was a song about Jack Doyle.
The Contender
by Jimmy McCarthy
When I was young and I was in my day
I could steal what woman's heart there was away
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
Long before I was the man you see today
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could have lived my life between Cork
, Cobh
and Youghal
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle live by the bottle I shall fall
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
He will count me out to ten in clear defeat
Wrap the Starry Plough around me
Let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
, the Irish broadcaster, featured Jack Doyle in their series True Lives in a programme called Jack Doyle, a legend lost in September 2007. A book to accompany the programme called Jack Doyle: The Gorgeous Gael ISBN 1843511231 was released in late 2007 http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story/?trs=gbqlaucw&cat=entertainment.
Early years
He was born into a working class family in CobhCobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
, in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland in 1913. At 6 foot 3 Doyle was always good with his fists and in 1929 he joined the forces of the Irish Guards
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards , part of the Guards Division, is a Foot Guards regiment of the British Army.Along with the Royal Irish Regiment, it is one of the two Irish regiments remaining in the British Army. The Irish Guards recruit in Northern Ireland and the Irish neighbourhoods of major British cities...
based in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
There he quickly excelled at boxing and was famed for his strong hooks that won him the British Army Championship. A sensational record of 28 straight victories, 27 by knockout, brought him to the attention of promoter Dan Sullivan. He turned pro and notched up 10 victories on the trot all inside 2 rounds, making him the hottest thing in the sport.
In July 1933, at the age of 19 he missed out on the British Heavyweight title to the holder, Welshman, Jack Petersen
Jack Petersen
Jack Petersen was a Welsh boxer, who held the British heavyweight boxing title on two separate occasions.-Early life and career:...
. Witnesses claim that he had done most of his warming up in a pub not far from the bout. Within the opening seconds he knew he was in trouble and decided to take the easy way out. He was disqualified for repeatedly punching low.
Shortly after, his singing voice was discovered by Dr. Vincent O'Brien, teacher to Count John McCormack and soon his soft tenor voice and handsome looks were selling out the London Palladium and the Royal in Dublin. Jack was subsequebtly signed up by Decca and several 78 records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
were produced including the popular "South of the Border
South of the Border (1939 song)
"South of the Border" is a popular song describing a trip to Mexico, written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr and published in 1939 for the film of the same name starring country star Gene Autry....
" a duet recorded with his then wife Movita. But his love for the drink and generous nature soon started to take its toll on his health.
America
He travelled to America in 1934 and soon carried on his high living of gambling, ladies and drink. His good looks and deep pockets opened up the party circuit to him and he even managed to land the starring role in two movies, McGlusky the Sea RoverMcGlusky the Sea Rover
McGlusky the Sea Rover is a 1935 British comedy action film directed by Walter Summers and starring Jack Doyle, Tamara Desni and Henry Mollison. It was based on a novel by A.G. Hales. A stowaway becomes mixed up with gunrunners...
(1934) and Navy Spy (1937).
While in the States he continued to box, taking on one Buddy Baer
Buddy Baer
Jacob Henry "Buddy" Baer was an American boxer. In 2003, Baer was chosen for the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time...
in August 1935. Like his fight against Jack Peterson it is said that Doyle had consumed the best part of a bottle of brandy before the bell rang and was in no fit state to stand. He was knocked down loaded in the first round.
Return to Ireland
Movita Castaneda
Maria "Movita" Castaneda is an American actress best known for being the second wife of actor Marlon Brando. She was six years older than Brando. In films, she played exotic women/singers, such as in Flying Down to Rio and Mutiny on the Bounty , of which she is the last surviving cast member....
(having recently split from his wife Judith Allan), a member of the Mexican aristocracy and Hollywood starlet. Following a celebrity wedding in Dublin's Westland Row Church
St. Andrew's Church, Westland Row, Dublin
St. Andrew's Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Westland Row, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Construction started in 1832, it opened for public worship in 1834 but was not completed until 1837.-History:...
they toured both sides of the Irish Sea, selling out music halls and opera houses.
Around this time Jack fought his last professional fight, against a journeyman called Chris Cole in front of 23,000 in Dublin's Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. Arriving late for the bout after a stop at The Clarence Hotel for refreshments, the inebriated Doyle went down in the first. Movita packed up and moved back to Hollywood where she married Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
.
Shortly after Doyle found himself residing at Mountjoy Jail in Dublin for knocking out a Garda
Garda
Garda may refer to:* An Garda Síochána, the national police of the Republic of Ireland* Lake Garda, a lake in northern Italy.* Garda , a commune on the shores of the Italian Lake Garda in the province of Verona....
Detective in a Ranelagh pub. He moved to England and his spiral downwards into alcoholism and bankruptcy continued. He found his friends had deserted him as fast as his bank balance, spent in his own words on "slow horses and fast women". He odd-jobbed for while but when he couldn't afford the rent on his humble flat he took to sleeping at the homes of friends, in Pimlico, London, SW1. His only source of income during this time was an allowance he received from Movita.
He died in 1978 at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was buried in his native Cobh in the Old Church Cemetery.
Shortly before his death, he was interviewed by a journalist who asked him had he any regrets about not spending his money more wisely. "None at all," he said, "twas never a generous man went to hell."
Song about Doyle
The popular Irish song "The Contender" written by Jimmy McCarthyJimmy McCarthy
James "Jimmy" MacCarthy is a singer/songwriter born in Macroom, County Cork, Ireland.- Early life and career :Jimmy MacCarthy was born in 1953 to Ted and Betty MacCarthy . He has 11 siblings. The family had a business distributing newspapers and magazines all over Munster. However the family soon...
around 1983, and performed by many including Finbar Wright
Finbar Wright
Edward Finbar Wright , known popularly as Finbar Wright, is a popular music singer, songwriter, poet from County Cork, Ireland....
, Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
and Tommy Fleming, was a song about Jack Doyle.
The Contender
by Jimmy McCarthy
When I was young and I was in my day
I could steal what woman's heart there was away
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
Long before I was the man you see today
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could have lived my life between Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Cobh
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
and Youghal
Youghal
Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle live by the bottle I shall fall
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
He will count me out to ten in clear defeat
Wrap the Starry Plough around me
Let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
Legacy
RTÉRTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
, the Irish broadcaster, featured Jack Doyle in their series True Lives in a programme called Jack Doyle, a legend lost in September 2007. A book to accompany the programme called Jack Doyle: The Gorgeous Gael ISBN 1843511231 was released in late 2007 http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story/?trs=gbqlaucw&cat=entertainment.
External links
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR2vvBekteo