MovieChat Forums > The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) Discussion > Archie Moore the runaway slave Jim

Archie Moore the runaway slave Jim

posted 15 years ago by Gorbo
3 replies | jump to latest

In 1960, Moore was chosen to play the role of the runaway slave Jim in Michael Curtiz's film adaptation of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opposite Eddie Hodges as Huck. Moore garnered positive reviews for his sympathetic portrayal of Jim, which some viewers still consider the best interpretation of this much-filmed role.

Archie Moore, Born Archibald Wright (December 13, 1913 – December 9, 1998), was light heavyweight world boxing champion between 1952 and 1959 (and again in 1961) and had one of the longest professional careers in the history of his sport.

"Without mercy, a man is not a human being." Sansho the Bailiff, 1954

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] wtl471629 13 years ago

Archie Moore was great in this movie. Of course the rest of the cast was very good which included Eddie Hodges and Tony Randall but Archie was the one that stole this movie and should have at least got a nomination as Best Supporting Actor. TV and the movies wasted his talent because he was a good actor as well as a good boxer and should have got more material for his talent. A lost opportunity by Hollywood here. He was excellent as Carlos the Chief in Breakheart Pass.

[–] digitaldiva 13 years ago

Hi wti471629,

I agree. I read the negative comments about his acting but have to disagree. Archie Moore was very good in this film and with more study, good scripts and directors, he would have turned into a firstrate actor.