| Release Date: | Apr 1949 |
|---|---|
| Genres: | Drama / Film-Noir / Romance / Sport |
| Awards: | Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 9 nominations |
| Cast: | Kirk Douglas (Midge Kelly - a go-getting boxer), Marilyn Maxwell (Grace Diamond - a lovely young waitress), Arthur Kennedy (Connie Kelly - Midge's lame brother), Paul Stewart (Tommy Haley - Midge's manager), Ruth Roman (Emma Bruce), Lola Albright (Mrs. Harris aka Palmer), Luis Van Rooten (Jerome Harris), Harry Shannon (Lew Bryce), John Daheim (Dunne (as John Day)), Ralph Sanford (Hammond - Kansas City fight organizer), Esther Howard (Mrs. Kelly), Bill Baldwin (Bill Brown - Ringside Broadcaster...), Sam Balter (Championship Fight Announcer...), Polly Bergen (Radio and Jukebox Singer (voice)...), Don Brodie (Reporter (uncredited)), Ralph Brooks (Reporter at Benefit (uncredited)), Sayre Dearing (Reporter at Benefit (uncredited)), Paul Dubov (Gangster (uncredited)), Jimmie Dundee (Tough Tramp in Boxcar (uncredited)), Chuck Hamilton (Fight Stadium Guard (uncredited)), Mike Lally (Well-Wisher in Nightclub (uncredited)), Hal March (Mobster), George Meader (Fight Doctor (uncredited)), Ralph Montgomery (Reporter (uncredited)), Forbes Murray (Speaker at Benefit (uncredited)), Jack Perry (Referee (uncredited)), Tim Ryan (Al - Kansas City Manager (uncredited)), Court Shepard (Fighter (uncredited)), Charles Sherlock (Dunne's Cornerman (uncredited)), Charles Sullivan (Kansas City Referee (uncredited)) |
Midge Kelly, hitchhiking west with lame brother Connie, is hustled unprepared into a pro boxing match. Though he's severely beaten, manager Tommy Haley finds him promising. Arrived in California, Midge and Connie find nothing but a menial job from which Midge gets relief by seducing Emma, a lovely young waitress. One shotgun marriage later, ambitious Midge falls back on the only option he knows: boxing. Seduced by cheering crowds, money, and a succession of blondes, Midge becomes more and more of a hero in public...and a heel in private.
