When the film begins, Pop Baldwin is a successful boxing manager. However, when he is unexpectedly killed, his daughter (Constance Cummings) thinks she can continue running the business. However, only one of Pop's boxers will agree to keep her as a manager--Cooky Bradford. This isn't such a big sacrifice on Bradford's part, as he's never fought professionally and worked for Pop as a sparing partner--his real job was working as a fry cook.
Like you'd see only in the movies, Cooky ends up winning his first fight--though frankly, Ben Lyon looks less athletic than Jerry Lewis and imagining him beating up anyone--even Cummings--a bit of a stretch. In fact, when you see him fight, he punches and swings CONSTANTLY--a style which looked pretty silly and would result in the boxer having a heart attack in the first or second round!! I really think they sped up the film to create this effect.
In a bit of s surprising twist, Cooky cannot find a fight after this first win. This is made worse by the fact that in the interim, he married his manager--and they are really, really struggling. They only make it out of the poorhouse when a chance meeting between Cooky's wife/manager and a socialite (Thelma Todd) results in him getting some matches for charity shows. His performances are so good, that he's spotted by the 'big boys' and soon shoots up the professional ranks. Apparently, in addition to the usual weight classes, there must be one for dorky spastic guys, as Lyons is a success!
Not at all surprising is what happens next. Todd turns out to be a home-wrecker and Lyon is a jerk-face pig who runs around with her--leaving his sweet life at home. The reason this isn't surprising is that this is a standard fight film cliché and because Todd DID play the role of bad-girl when she wasn't playing in comedies. This role was hers in many films--including the great Marx Brothers film "Horse Feathers". And, you know that by the end of the film Lyon will not only get his comeuppance but will come back to his long-suffering wife--who takes him back because she's just plain stupid!
The overall effect is watchable but also immanently forgettable. Nothing about this film is exciting or special--making it just another B-movie about boxing.
Like you'd see only in the movies, Cooky ends up winning his first fight--though frankly, Ben Lyon looks less athletic than Jerry Lewis and imagining him beating up anyone--even Cummings--a bit of a stretch. In fact, when you see him fight, he punches and swings CONSTANTLY--a style which looked pretty silly and would result in the boxer having a heart attack in the first or second round!! I really think they sped up the film to create this effect.
In a bit of s surprising twist, Cooky cannot find a fight after this first win. This is made worse by the fact that in the interim, he married his manager--and they are really, really struggling. They only make it out of the poorhouse when a chance meeting between Cooky's wife/manager and a socialite (Thelma Todd) results in him getting some matches for charity shows. His performances are so good, that he's spotted by the 'big boys' and soon shoots up the professional ranks. Apparently, in addition to the usual weight classes, there must be one for dorky spastic guys, as Lyons is a success!
Not at all surprising is what happens next. Todd turns out to be a home-wrecker and Lyon is a jerk-face pig who runs around with her--leaving his sweet life at home. The reason this isn't surprising is that this is a standard fight film cliché and because Todd DID play the role of bad-girl when she wasn't playing in comedies. This role was hers in many films--including the great Marx Brothers film "Horse Feathers". And, you know that by the end of the film Lyon will not only get his comeuppance but will come back to his long-suffering wife--who takes him back because she's just plain stupid!
The overall effect is watchable but also immanently forgettable. Nothing about this film is exciting or special--making it just another B-movie about boxing.