Original subtitles

Thank you.

Hi, Mr. Roxborough.

Hey, how do you feel? I look great.

Hey, Chappie, you got him like a rock.

Hey, you know, Joe, I don't often give you advice. I'll leave that to Chappie.

But all he's talking in the paper is about Schmelding and how you're mad at

him because of all the things he's supposed to have said. You don't want to

pay any attention. That's all ballyhoo. Just part of the buildup.

Oh, I know.

I don't be getting mad.

Hey, that's fine.

What John means is this is just another fight.

Sure.

Time to take a shower, kid.

Okay.

Sure, he's good.

Joe Lewis.

That is the best I ever see.

But I think I beat him tonight, huh?

Lewis is just one step from what we really want.

A shot at the title.

A very hard step.

Paul, listen, you've been in Europe. You didn't see Max train for this one. He

couldn't be sharper.

The odds would be ten to one in his favor if it wasn't for them hoist

pampers behind Lewis, building him up as the brown bomber.

Call in Max, the Nazi superman.

Come on, you ought to take it.

Wow.

You tell me once, when we first meet in Germany,

A fighter is only as good as his opponent permits him to be.

Fair.

I think this Lewis gives me his permission.

Okay, Max.

So you have a plan, as usual.

Yeah. I see him fight Zabark, Paulino Uskadun.

I know to myself I can beat him.

You spotted something?

Uh-uh. Careful, Max.

Paul is the reason I'm here in America.

He watched me fight in Europe.

If he didn't write all those good things about me, nobody would know me over

here. I trust Paul.

What did you think, Max?

Lewis has a fault.

A weakness.

If I saw the right, it tops the left.

There.

I give you another Paul Gallico exclusive.

But you don't even call your office till after the fight, for Stace.

I think I can keep a secret for, what, just over three hours.

You have nothing besides Jimmy Lunstead's records.

Not even my Cosby.

I think there's some Armstrong in there.

You ought to get some Cosby.

He needs some relaxing music before a fight.

I'm relaxed, Shafi.

Hey, Stacey.

Don't crack your knuckles before a fight.

And when you're at the top, you won't be just a fighter anymore, Joe. You have to

understand, the champion is... a celebrity, a national hero, like a big

-time movie star.

Is that right?

A movie star, huh? You'll be making public appearances and giving

interviews. Oh, Joe, you're going to have to learn to talk good.

Oh, Marvin, no more of them elocution lessons.

They don't work on me no way.

Mama said I didn't say a word until I was six years old.

Here, pick me up.

Go up there, okay?

But, Joe!

You haven't made friends in the right places. You turned down a chance to get

into politics.

What are you going to do when it's time to quit?

Quit? Well, we got the restaurant, the chicken shack.

We may have a whole string of restaurants by then.

Oh, Lord. The country's in the middle of a depression, and here's a young fella

talking about opening a chicken joint for colored people. Mom, I done told you

there are other guys involved in this, and they be relying on me.

But you already taking care of your whole family.

of them. You're putting your sister's unis through college.

You just bought your mama an $11,000 brick house.

Joe, if you don't start putting something aside, you're going to end up

right back on the assembly line at Dearborn Ford.

But there's plenty of time to save money, Martha. I'm talking about real

money, too. And you can get your dress shop, and I can get that dude to raise

me some real fine horses, and we got all the time in the world.

As soon as I hook that Mr. Smellin.

But my wife and I, we are so pleased to see you. And we want to wish you good

luck for tonight.

That's very kind of you.

You're from Germany, yeah?

My name is Mendel Weissman.

We are from Cologne.

We saw you win the European Championship there.

Now we have just arrived in America.

In a few days, we go to live with my sister in Chicago.

Excuse me.

Two passlets, huh?

Hey, kiddo, you know the passlet is suspended.

Then charge them to me.

Mr. Wiseman, there will be two tickets waiting for you. You can pick them up at

the main office.

Wonderful. Thank you very much.

Oh,

thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. Schmeling, we will be cheering for you.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Good luck.

from the German-American boom.

Mr. Schmeling, our leader, Mr. Fritz Kuhn, assures you of the movement's full

support in the name of German-American friendship.

Thank you.

And thank Mr. Kuhn for me.

How's

the

script? More propaganda?

I have my leading man mouthing the Aryan theory in the middle of a love scene.

You are so pure, so Nordic, my darling.

The feminine embodiment of all that is superior in the Aryan race.

God Almighty.

And you're a Czechoslovakian.

Max, I don't think you realize...

What's been happening whilst you've been away in America.

So many of my friends are Jewish.

I know, Annie.

They are the political scapegoats right now.

But that will pass.

Do you remember Wolf Meierstein, the director?

Well, he wants to go to England or Hollywood.

The government won't give him a visa. I don't think they would let me leave

either.

That's nonsense, my dear.

Oh, Liebling.

I am a foreigner.

But married to a German.

And don't ever forget it.

How you doing, kid? You come to training camp once, didn't you? I said I would.

Yeah, you can't put him on your storage, too. When you're the champ, okay?

I'm gonna take you for your word. All right.

You know, that kid always looks half-asleep to me.

A whole lot of fighters made that mistake, Damon.

Yeah, but he's had a mighty long layoff this... Yeah, four months.

Long as he's been without a fight.

But, chap, he's got him in excellent condition and...

Wade's just right. Now all you two guys got to do is wake him up, right?

You know, I'll never forget the first time you two bozos brought him to the

gym to see Chappie.

He's a big dumb buck. He couldn't even lace up his own boots.

I remember Chappie looking him over and saying, a colored fighter that keeps on

winning and don't know when to lay down.

Take him away from me, please.

It's an old rule to judge a fighter's chances. You see what shape his

trainer's in.

My life is easy, Paul.

Max trains himself.

You know, I never know a man who loved his work more.

Like every really great poet, he's an amateur at heart.

Hey, I want to talk to you. You heard him. Heard my boy.

You've been printing distortions, libelisms.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. It's me, Paul.

managed newsboy Jackson.

For sure.

And a few other long-headed shock absorbers.

How you been, Tom?

Not so bad.

I'm retired now, you know. Are you?

I'd like to shake your boy's hand just.

Sure, Tom.

Appreciate it.

But don't pay him no mind, kid.

Joe, do you remember what I said to you the day you turned pro?

Yes, sir.

You told him about the time that Jack Johnson was champion of the world and

messed with white women, drinking, gambling.

White folks took a real dislike to him.

White people never wanted to see a colored man champion again.

Yeah, I don't envy you, kiddo.

But I sure do guess that's why the people have been so tough on you.

Well, I guess so, Mr. Runyon.

But I don't be messing with white women.

Even if they come and grab me.

But that's all right, because Marvin don't like to kind of mess no way.

But I stay out the clubs.

That's one thing Marvin don't go along with.

But that don't bother me. I ain't no nightbird.

I be respectful for everybody.

And I speak real nice about my opponents.

After I give them a good whooping.

Well, and you see that you speak specially nice about Schmellen, right,

Pally?

And you won't mind me saying this now, will you?

Don't underestimate his left hook.

Thank you, Mr. O'Rourke.

But I have medicine for that, too.

Yeah? Like, like?

Huh? Like?

That's the one.

If... He is still dropping his left.

Don't be too anxious, Max.

Don't be too anxious.

I mean, he is very tough.

He is young.

He can take a punch and he can come back again, yeah? Don't worry, my horn. I

will not be careless.

And I won't make mistake.

As we await the main event, a final elimination bout, the winner of

tonight's contest to fight Jim Braddock for the heavyweight championship of the

world. Let me introduce these gladiators to you. They could scarcely be more

different. Joseph Lewis Farrell. Joe Lewis, the Brown Bomber, is 22.

One of eight kids, born in an Alabama pine shanty. Grandson of a... slave,

great-great-grandson of a white man.

On his mother's side, he's the direct descendant of a full-blooded character.

In short, Joe Lewis couldn't be more.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you can hear, most of the booing is coming from the

Negro section, but some of the white fans are gearing back, too.

It's a great pity that a sporting event could be so affected by international

politics.

Now the great stadium comes with expectancy

as we wait for Joe Lewis, the young Negro contender, to make his entrance.

Sweet wine.

You can just sit right here beside me.

Tell me how it feels watching your husband fight.

Woman to woman.

They love him here in New York. They love him everywhere.

The only boosters coming from the members of the German-American Fund,

they're seated in a box wearing tech uniforms and waving Nazi flags.

Welcome to you.

It doesn't fit. You're supposed to be back at the hotel.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Boxing Cinderella Man,

the heavyweight champion.

I know you're doing a good job.

Now, you know I always go for a little walk.

Mama, you don't have to be afraid to listen.

Joe ain't gonna get hurt. Mama, he gonna win.

You can tell me about it later. Mama, he ain't even gonna work up a sweat.

I pray so.

See, Max, that's good.

You both got your cubs?

Yeah. You got your moppies?

Yeah. Good. Now, listen very carefully. You're both familiar with the move. I

expect a good kidney punch.

You can punch yourself.

Don't hit your kidney punches. Don't hit your hole.

Now, shake hands. Come out.

Protect yourself at the valve.

The theme is announced.

His left jab, my right cross.

Great, great, great.

Joe Lewis has started well, taking the fight to the Germans.

There's a stinking left jab from the brown bomber.

Very well.

So I go backwards and pull you along.

He want me to come to him.

Okay.

I'm coming.

You have my visiting card.

Where it come from?

Something about this man's style I ain't got figured out yet.

And so can you. And he is dropping his left hand after his jab. You see, yeah?

You gonna see it all right, Mr. Joe. Just say you woke up yet.

Here we are in the middle of round four. Joe Lewis has yet to really figure out

the German. Joe Lewis is on the attack, but he's not been able to set the German

up.

And yes, Lewis has opened up a cut under Schmeling's left eye. It's that left jab

again. Don't be serious.

It won't close the eye.

You are a very dangerous young man.

But I have you now.

Beautiful, Max. Beautiful.

Right. You've got to watch this right. It's right.

You're leaving yourself open every time you jam.

Lewis is dazed. The brown bomber's never been stopped, but Schelling's got him in

trouble. Lewis is covering up, holding on.

Lack of authority. The brown bomber appears mechanical, operating on reflex

rather than cunning. He hasn't gone this many rounds in a long, long time.

And he hasn't taken the kind of punches that Schmeling is dealing out. The

pattern seems to be clear.

Lewis, I can put itself off trying to reach Schmeling with a left jab and a

left hook. But Schmeling, able to take those punches, has gone right back with

an overhead right to Lewis' jaw.

Joe seems to have no defense against the right.

We note it here.

Max has been known to be a slow starter. He started slowly in the early rounds.

He's really rolling smoothly now.

There were many in this crowd, including this announcer, who felt he stole the

title from Jack Sharkey in 1935.

To remember his manager, Joe Jacobs, cried foul.

The Sandlers are shouting how to keep your guard up, but he can't defend

against the right. Joe Lewis doesn't seem to hear his...

I've won the title that way before, and I don't want it again that way. Four

rounds to go, you're ahead on points, so all you gotta do is pace yourself,

Maxie. Get on your bicycle, stay away from him.

No, not that way either.

Pick him.

We spend what we have left in the bank and knock him out now.

Brown's well, Penn's smelling, comes out fighting. He drives Lewis to the ropes

and all out of time.

I should have stuck with the violin lesson.

And this family would still be on relief.

Like this town ain't got enough unemployed black musicians hocking their

horns or hanging around bars in street corners playing for beer and pennies.

You know, Ma, when I first quit the music lesson, I didn't have a nerve to

tell you.

Because she may find out what I spend a good cent on instead.

Well, I sure know.

Wasn't no violin lesson sending you home with your lip all swole and one eye

closed.

Best investment I ever made, Joe.

You started making good money as a fighter in no time at all.

Why, you remember, we could even pay back the Michigan Relief Society.

Sure do.

It was $269.

I'll never forget the look on that white woman's face.

You walk in that place and put that cash money right there on the counter.

A proud day in my life.

Don't you never forget that day, Joe.

And don't you quit on me now, neither.

Just when I'm counting on becoming a big celebrity, the chance, Mama, gets

invited all kinds of fancy places, you know.

I don't believe they don't give me the shot, Mama. Not now.

That Mr. Smellin, you know, he all set to fight that Mr. Bradiron.

So, you got to wait a while, Mr. Smellin.

You younger than both of them.

So now you just stop feeling sorry for yourself, Joseph Barrow, and tell me

what went wrong.

Oh, all kind of things.

Looked like I slowed down.

I had that long layoff. Mr. Rockwell said I played too much golf.

Of course, you know, you'd be using different kind of muscles and

everything.

Your mind be relaxed.

Hogwash.

Chappy say you kept dropping your left after the jab.

You talk to Chappy? Sure.

I call him as soon as I get home and find you got yourself licked. He say

after the fourth, he's yelling at you all the time to keep your guard up.

I don't remember that.

Well, you just better work on it some before your next fight.

Because I don't need no oversized kid with a scrambled brain sitting around

the house.

You can start working out right now.

Where's that wife of yours?

Sure, Mr. Rockwell House.

They were discussing fashion and politics.

He had more of his soul raised.

That gal put her time to better you staying home, fixing you a proper meal

nights.

All that stoveball trash.

Even in restaurants.

Maybe that's what went wrong.

No, Mama. I was in training camp, remember?

And Bill Bottom, he did all the cooking.

And we had steaks every night, Mama.

have myself a big fall.

Like old Humpty Dumpty.

So, Mommy, just hush your mouth and put some of that table there, and I can put

me all back together again.

Are you telling me the match is off?

It's up to you. You're the champions manager.

But I'm telling you, these people are serious.

I mean, Jim Braddock would be putting his title up in a half-empty stadium.

for a few lousy grand.

Who the hell are these people?

They call themselves the Anti-Nazi League.

Schmeling's no Nazi.

He's a German.

And these days, to most people, that's the same thing.

And if he goes against your boy for the title, they're just going to boycott the

fight. They're going to stage demonstrations, pick at the garden. They

got clout.

250,000 Jewish war veterans, a lot of top politicians, even Mayor LaGuardia.

Mike, you promoted this fight. The contract is signed.

He's always out in the contract.

And I can guarantee the Hearst Papers will support you.

As long as we give a piece of the gate to Mrs. Hearst's milk fund.

Can you handle the athletic commissioner?

Mike, Jim needs a fight. You've got to get us another challenger.

I can get you Joe Lewis.

He's all washed up.

Paul Gallico says he may never recover.

Gallico?

Gallico is a Schmeling man.

And Damon Runyon doesn't agree.

Now look, why don't we wait?

Let's see how Joe comes along in the next few months.

Okay.

But let's make sure that Schmeling doesn't get wind of this.

Ford the Hindenborg matched Schmeling. He knocked out Joe Lewis in the 12th

round. That put his name in the news with a punch, especially in Germany.

At the town hall, Frankfurt on mine, round after round of applause.

His wife, the German actress, Annie Ornge.

Nobody thought he would win. Nobody thought he would return home to Germany

like this.

Mr. Schmelling, my office sent you a letter in February regarding Mr.

Jacobs. You did receive it, did you not?

Yeah, I did.

You were asked to take appropriate action within seven days.

I was asked to fire my manager.

Just when he got me the Lewis fight.

Now, I'm sorry, but I don't consider that particularly appropriate.

You don't seem to understand.

Joseph. Yussel Jacobs, born in New York, son of Samuel Jacobs, tailor, an

immigrant from Russia.

Ah, yeah, I know the whole family history.

I've been to his home many times.

And now he's a guest in yours.

Yeah, you want to see him? No, no. Why not?

Because he's a Jew.

Mr. Schmeling, what you do in the United States?

Whom you associate with is wanting. I know you have me watched.

But to bring this man here is quite another.

Don't you think it would be much better if you had a German manager?

I had one.

Arthur Boulot.

He couldn't get me a fight in America with anyone.

That was some time ago.

Now you are the leading contender.

Thanks to Yussel Jacobs.

Mr. Schmilling.

It is my duty to inform you that your conduct is causing great concern.

You and your lovely wife are public figures.

And you especially represent an ideal to the German people.

Now you listen to me.

I'm a professional sportsman.

That's all the German people know me as.

And it's all I want to be.

If they have some ideal in mind, it's the same as mine, to bring home the

world title.

Of course, the party wants that too, I assure you.

Then the party should stop trying to make me into some kind of political

symbol.

Let me run my own business and my own life with Yossel Jacobs as my manager

and my friend.

I must take care of my guests.

I do not wish to lecture.

But a German's first loyalty should be to his country.

And his first desire to prove to the world that we Germans are superior to

all other races.

That we don't need Jews to run our businesses.

I strongly advise you to reconsider your position.

Please convey my respects to Frau Schmilling.

And the games are on.

Here in the semi-final heat of the 100-meter dash, Movietone's camera

catches the blinding speed of Jesse Owens, cracking the world record in the

incredible time of 10 and 2 tenths seconds.

110,000 spectators acclaim the arrival of Chancellor Hitler, who pauses to

accept a floral tribute amid the reverberating roar of the crowd.

Sieg Heil!

Sieg Heil!

Sieg Heil! We're in Rome, kiddos, you know.

Mind you, just don't go in Hoboken.

Sieg Heil!

Sieg Heil!

Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!

Among the many distinguished guests here today is the man who recently defeated

the American brown bomber Joe Lewis, Max Schmeling.

And the crowd gives him a tremendous ovation.

In the final of the same event, Owens gallops down the clay track with

Ralph Metcalf, his only rival.

Owens this time steps off the distance in Olympic record time, and America

scores a first and second, while the flags announce the verdict.

Drew Owens, star of the squad, goes the laurel of a champion.

And now the German leader has turned his back.

Yes, he's definitely leaving the stadium.

Adolf Hitler refuses to shake hands with Jesse Owens, following the American

Negro's unprecedented four gold medals.

His friend says it's the only synagogue in Berlin still holding services.

Tell him thanks.

You can thank him yourself.

He'll watch out for you.

His name is Meierstein.

Meierstein?

Appreciate this, Max.

But, uh... Don't hang around, huh?

I'll grab a cab.

It's all right, Yussel.

I'll wait.

I want to see how it works when I ain't hitting just there.

He's not dropping it like he used to. You know?

Looks like

we're back in business, General.

Oh, that's right, Roxy. It looks like your Achilles just got himself a brand

new heel.

pretty sharp, Joe. You ready to go back to work?

Yes, sir. The sooner the better. All right, I'll line up a few dates for you.

Well, I want to fight a month.

I want to keep my edge.

I don't want no more long layoffs, Mr. Roxborough.

But I promise you one thing.

I'll just play one round of golf a week. Oh, sure, sure, sure.

Okay, I'll call Mike Jacobs in the morning, but don't expect top rankers

right off.

Well, don't give me no bunch of deadbeats.

I mean, every win, Mr. Roxborough's got to be a step back up that ladder.

First round, just 18 seconds.

That's got to be one of the shortest heavyweight bots in history, John. Four

fights, four knockouts. None later than the fifth.

I hear a rumor that the Anti-Nazi League is going to boycott the Schmeling title

match.

Could it be that you're thinking about giving Joe a shot at Braddock instead?

As it happens, that did cross my mind, Roxy.

When? Well, not right away. I mean, obviously, there are a few legal

problems to iron out. You understand?

Now, look.

us first. Black home.

Bob Pastor?

Pastor? That guy runs faster than Jesse Owens going backwards.

But the book says 20 out of 21.

He doesn't knock them out, he wears them out.

It'll be a good workout for your boy.

I mean, it's been a while since he went the distance.

Say the word, and I'll open negotiations with Braddock right now.

You got a deal, Mike.

I must have watched that film more than 50 times now.

I know everything that Barak can do.

He's good.

Very good.

But I can take him.

You know, every fight is like a little war, a campaign.

You study the opposition, his armament, tactics.

You probe for weak spots, consolidate breakthroughs.

And never outrun your supplies.

Tennis is no different.

Except that some of the times you don't know who your opposition is going to be.

Until the same day.

And maybe four hours before.

Especially those big tournaments like the Davis Cup, huh?

I believe I can predict the man I have to face this year.

If I get through to the final.

It's a Donald Budge.

Oh, the American.

I have an idea.

Max Schmeling takes on Budge.

And the barn von Kram tackles Pollock.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Provided we choose the weapons, old chap, yeah?

You know, Max, I think perhaps one of the reasons I wanted to meet you is that

I've often wondered, what makes someone get into boxing?

Oh.

I suppose you have to blame my father for that.

I do? Yeah.

In 1922, not long before he died, he took me to see the movie of

Jack Dempsey beating the Frenchman George Carpentier.

I simply made up my mind.

There and then.

Yeah, but for that film...

I'd probably still be with the circus sweeping out the cages.

He was almost fired from that job. He lost his lion.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, a lion got out of his cage.

They blame me.

Sir Max went after him and dragged him back.

That's how much he knew in those days.

This must have taken a great deal of courage on your part, yeah?

No good for it.

Just hunger.

Those times were very hard.

I needed that job.

Twelve years as a pro.

That's a pretty good record, huh?

I'm over 30 now, fighting on borrowed time.

This is my last chance.

So,

I intend to retire as champion.

What would you prefer, Madame Schmelle?

A tea, if you please.

Coffee, Herr Reich Chancellor.

Ah, Kugelhuf.

Ah, you know about Kugelhuf.

The best of Austrian baking.

My mother made a wonderful kugelhupf.

Where are you from, madame?

From Prague.

Prague. A beautiful city.

A glory.

You know, I've seen a great many of your films.

You have a fine talent.

Oh, you're very kind, sir. No, not at all.

Are you making a picture now?

I will be starting one next month.

For Ufa?

Yes.

I'm not a contractor.

Ufa.

Yes.

Well, Max is quite an actor, too. He's done some movies.

Oh?

Would I know any of your films?

Love in the Ring.

Dr. Goebbels is a great admirer of yours.

We've talked on several occasions about the industry.

He's very interested in motion pictures. He sees all kinds of possibilities.

Yes.

Yes, he has some interesting ideas.

Mr. Chancellor, about Mr. Jacobs.

Who? Mr. Jacobs, my manager.

As I mentioned on the phone, I wanted to talk to you about him.

Oh, yes, of course.

How much did you pay this man?

What percentage of your purses?

20%. Is that all?

Yeah.

It's only 5% more than I paid Mr. Boulot when he was handling me.

That is when he managed to get me a fight.

And why can't Braddock come here and fight you in Germany?

Mr. Chancellor, the American promoters control world boxing.

Well, that doesn't seem right to me.

But maybe we can change all that.

Then you become champion.

This man, Jacobs, has he ever cheated you?

Betrayed you?

Never, sir.

No.

But for him, I'd never have gotten this chance.

Never even have fought Sir Lewis.

Lewis, uh...

Oh, I saw the film of that fight.

Excellent.

Yes.

Some more kugelhupf, madame.

The champion says he won't be ready.

What?

Postponing again?

Well, he can't do that. We got a contract, damn it. And Braddock's got

medical reports.

I mean, there's trouble with his hands. That could be arthritis.

Arthritis, schmartritis.

Nobody's gonna swallow that.

It's the damn boycott threat. Them people that anti-Nazi League got to you.

What's the matter?

You like them Nazis or what?

I think they stink.

And so does Max.

You're trying to rob us and don't think I don't know why. Now listen, Yussel.

Yes, the money.

That's the real reason you gave in.

Yeah, if Max would win, you figure he takes his title back to Germany, right?

Does all this fighting there. And Mike Jacobs don't get to do the promotion.

Now, listen to me, Yussel.

This was Braddock's decision.

This wasn't mine.

I'm sorry.

Oh, well, you're both going to be a lot sorrier. See, I'm taking this to the

Athletic Commission and to the court. And Jim Braddock's going to take his

tail and the title to Long Island City Bowl June 3rd.

Mrs. Brooks, you've got to be a proud woman.

And you...

just when are you going to make it possible for me to tell folks how I

baptized the heavyweight champion of the world and that he still come to worship

right at my church?

Well, I'll be tending to that real soon, Reverend.

Fact is, I heard this yesterday.

I fight Mr.

Braddock. June 22nd.

I figured you had something on your mind, son.

Jockel, it is true, Max.

It's a lousy deal.

Max, sit down.

I don't know what to tell you.

The commission has been gone out, too.

They ruled against us.

Can I not speak to them?

Too late for that.

Jockel, once I let a lion escape from me.

But I go after him, and I keep after him until I get him back.

We still got the courts.

Braddock and Lewis have signed for June 22nd, Chicago.

And we got a legal contract with it right here in New York.

Let him break it, kiddo.

We're going to fulfill ours to the last letter.

Smelling, Joe.

You gotta be good and mad.

How come I got to be mad?

Smelling. Been bad-mouthing you again. He make all colored people mad.

I ain't fighting Mr. Smelling.

This brat, he ain't no different. Stands for the same thing.

Racism. White supremacy.

Slavery, Joe.

The only difference is Smelling, he come right out and say so. Come on, kid. Let

me get you to the shop.

Now, wait a minute. Hold this up. Hold it.

Now, what does Mr. Smelling been saying?

The black boy is afraid of me.

Black boy.

Or he would ask for a return match.

Since I beat him, he fought nobody with a real punch.

Braddock knows Lewis is a finished fighter.

But the champ better be careful Lewis doesn't catch him with a low blow.

Come on, kid, before you catch a champ.

Your people all counting on you, Joe.

Hey, hey, newspaper value.

Just like Roxy said. Must be something to it, little chappy.

They can't all be lies.

So are lies.

I never said any of these things.

Foul.

What am I to do now?

I don't know why it is. In a fight game more than in any other area, even

politics, there are always some writers who feel they've got a special license

to invent and provoke.

Why don't we sue these papers?

We ain't got enough legal bills in course already.

We want to make every sports writer our enemy, huh?

We could issue a statement.

A denial.

Sure. They'll print it and six-point back among the tire and truss ads.

Yes, that's right.

The damage is done. A denial now wouldn't repair it.

You've been fighting in this country almost ten years.

Have you ever thought about becoming an American citizen?

Jack Dempsey asked me that some years ago.

But I have a wife and my mother in Germany.

If I stay here, they would never be allowed to leave.

And I have a house.

And the money I save.

Everything I have in the world is there.

It's as if the ink from the international pages is soaking through,

smearing up the sports section.

Well, maybe best I go home.

Nobody wants me here.

That's simply not true.

A lot of Americans have watched you fight over the years, and you never sure

changed them. These people know that Braddock ducked out of his contract, and

all the commissioners did was fine him a lousy thousand bucks.

They know you deserve to shut up the title, and they'd like to see you get

it.

Thanks, Powell.

But there's no use kidding ourselves anymore.

I know to myself our case we have lost.

Nothing can stop Bardic from fighting Lewis now.

That's right.

So why don't you wish your challenge to the winner?

Craddock is hurt, but still he comes and does it.

There's another left in the body. And a right to the head of Craddock.

This is time to finish him off. The fighting circles. They're weary.

They're sparring. A right to the head.

Craddock is in trouble.

is a champion. Yes, honey, and you are his lady. He is the king and you are the

queen. Mama, he did it. He did it.

Mama, Mama, Joe won. He won. He won. Joe won.

Mama, he knocked him cold. Mama, he's the champ. I joined the champ in a whole

wide world, Mama.

Oh, my, my.

That's a big thing to be.

Oh, yeah, Mama.

I sure hope it makes him happy.

I don't feel like nothing special.

I guess it just hasn't dawned on you yet, young man. You're the champion.

That's right.

I ain't going to be like the real champion until I beat Mr. Smelly.

I know you challenged the winner, but the boycott, that's still on.

But listen, will you?

I've been thinking a lot about that.

I stood up nights, and I don't believe...

Louis Schmeling rematch?

Too many people want Louis to have his revenge.

I'm glad Max has gone home.

Maybe it would be better for everyone if he stayed there.

It could be a war.

Yes, I don't know about you, but I have relatives over in Germany.

So has Max.

And I swear to you, he don't like what's happening any more than you and me,

Mike. Well, maybe if he came out and said so. I mean, he attacked the Nazis,

Hitler. You crazy?

What happens to his wife?

And she's a Czech already. Come on, Mike.

All right, so the league boycotts the fight.

It's still going to be a sellout because you know it and I know it. It's a 14

-carat natural.

I tell you, Mike, we got here to fight it a century.

Let me think about it, Joseph.

Do that, Moshe.

But don't take too long.

The international situation ain't gonna get any better.

Tennis history in the making on Wimbledon's historic Thunder Court. That

vital encounter features Budge and Bun Cram in the singles final.

Amazing that this red-headed racketeer can maintain such superhuman pace.

Bud serves.

when cramps strive to blast him off the court, but to no avail as Don Budge

scores his magnificent five-set triumph, sending America into the town ground.

Thank you.

The number is no longer in service.

Then it's true.

There could be some other explanation.

Oh, Max, listen to me.

Nobody has heard a word from Godfrey since he came back from Wimbledon.

His house is locked up.

His family and servants gone without a word.

There's been nothing in the papers about him or on the radio since he lost the

match to the American.

So... Could have gone away for a while with the family.

To work things out.

Oh, Tony.

They say he's been arrested.

And put in one of those camps.

Who says?

A bunch of actors, riders.

They tend to dramatize everything anyway.

Half of them are Marxists and anarchists.

God in heaven.

This is a nation that gave the world Schubert, Beethoven, and Goethe.

We don't arrest a man for losing a tennis match.

take you the distance?

Oh, he's tough, man. He's a good fighter. You gotta give him that credit.

I'll tell you why Joe didn't put him away.

That happened in the fourth.

Yeah, it's broken.

Julie, get the doc.

Is that the Amos truth, Moe, or just official?

Yeah, I... Fine.

Thanks, sweetheart.

I owe you a big one.

Hands busted, definitely.

Lewis is going to be out, quote, at least four months, unquote.

Yeah, but a cable max.

Tell him to relax.

No.

I'll tell him he can start light training.

Training for what?

Lewis dropping out left some empty dates, Paul.

So, Max fights Harry Thomas in December.

Thomas?

He's not a top contender anymore, but he's no pushover either.

It's a fight.

Say, cowboy, where'd you learn about horses?

I don't rightly know.

Maybe when you were a little boy back in Alabama.

We didn't have no horses.

We didn't even have a mule.

We were dead poor.

I guess it must be all that Indian blood.

I guess it is.

You know, Marv, I knew that once I got you out here, you'd enjoy yourself just

fine.

Oh, really?

I'm going to have myself a whole string of horses just like you one day, boy.

Then when I quit the boxing, maybe I'll get myself a few head of cattle.

That's a long way off.

You're only 23 years old.

Yeah, but this spread's up for sale right now, baby.

What's the matter, baby? I mean, don't you want to live in a big old farm place

like this?

Sure, someday, but not right now.

I'd be alone most of the time, stuck out here in the middle of nowhere.

But, baby, you're just going to be 17 miles from downtown Detroit, and you

ain't going to be alone while there's going to be the paying guests to look

after and everything.

Joe, I don't want to wait on tables and run after guests.

Now, Marva, you know I love this place.

I can tell you exactly how it's going to be.

It's going to be a dude ranch where folks can come out from the city and

they can bring their kids and be out in the fresh air and have a good time and

everything. And I don't mind helping them have a good time.

Now, why should you?

You don't understand, Joe.

You can't take on all this in a chicken restaurant, too.

You're overdrawn at the bank, Joe, and you don't have another fight until next

February. Forgetting one thing, baby. I got myself a Hollywood contract.

They gonna make me a big movie star.

You get expenses, Joe. You never should have signed that dumb deal in the first

place.

It's no good, Joe. You can't keep walking away from it.

You've got to learn.

You've got to straighten out your life and make some practical plans now.

And stop giving handouts to all those no-goods.

Like buying uniforms and a bus, for heaven's sakes, for a backyard bar club.

Ball club won last week.

Hallelujah.

Marvin, you know, you're talking to me like I'm stupid or something.

You're not stupid, Joe.

It's just you don't want enough. You're too easygoing.

You're too contented with the simple things.

And sometimes they're the most expensive.

The champion of the world. He's the gentlest person I've ever known.

All I want for him is security.

And a future, so he'll stay somebody.

Martha, I just want to stay me.

Here, Max.

Oh, Max, that's Annie.

What's this?

Alcohol?

Alcohol and women are not permitted here, you know. Special dispensation.

This came from New York.

Yes, I did it.

Lewis is ready to sign for rape.

for our people want me to join all kinds of different groups don't talk with your

mouth full i just want to be a regular fight in the rain but it keeps getting

bigger white folks and colored folks mad at one another i mean the night i had my

title fight folks went crazy up in harlem and cleveland everywhere else

police come in to beat them in the head and beat them up throw them in jail

got nothing to do with you personal.

Things that go back a long, long way.

Things you never ever know about because you was too little.

And right after your daddy died, I brought you all up north here.

You talking about the way white people be treating colored folks?

I guess you're some kind of inspiration.

Lots of these uppity young'uns figure if you can lick all those white men, so can

they.

Well, maybe that ain't so bad, Mama.

I mean, times as I be wondering how come the colored folks always be in the cheap

seats? How come we always be in the back of the bus?

How come there ain't more of us up in that big fine house like where Mr.

Roxburgh be living and everything?

Mama tell me I should try to be like him someday.

She got me in the Black Elks.

trying to get me into Republican politics.

She said the only way to help colored people is to lift them up. And I want to

help them and lift them up if I can.

But you're doing that right now, son.

You, with no schooling to speak of, you're setting them a fine example.

You fight fair and square.

You never lose your temper and behave yourself like a gentleman in and out of

the ring.

Now, you know, I have buried two husbands.

Your daddy and Mr. Brooks.

God rest them both.

Good men.

But you have got something they never had.

Something they called dignity.

You saw Lewis take Thomas in five.

You still think you can beat him?

Why else am I here?

I have been very careful with my money.

I do not come way over here to fight him if I'm thinking he beats me. Yeah?

I stay home with my wife.

Your wife's from Czechoslovakia, isn't she?

How does she feel about the German occupation?

You know I can say nothing about that. Hi, Yussel.

Hello there.

How's everything in the rag trade?

Is it true that Hitler ordered you to fight for the title? That you really

wanted to retire?

Hey, lay off that bull, why don't you?

You must have good imaginations to be good riders. I know that.

But I do not answer questions like that.

Please.

Why must you riders make ballyhoo between Joe Lewis and me, the enemy

ship, huh?

I'm a sportsman.

Politics has nothing to do with sport.

There is much bad feeling in this country against the Nazis.

I never am a Nazi, but I am German.

So people see me as a representative,

but your writers should know me better.

All right, then. Do you knock out Joe Lewis?

You did not believe I could the last time. What round this time?

What do you expect me to say?

The fifth?

Sixth? That's an insane question, no? You'll have to agree, Max. Lewis is an

improved fighter since you met the last time. Oh, yeah, yeah, I think so.

He has matured.

He has corrected some of his faults.

Yeah, I think so.

Well, he's also the champion, you see.

I am improved as well.

I am in better shape than ever in my life.

Thank you.

Listen to this, honey bear.

I have all the money I need, Schmeling said.

I'd have stayed at home with my wife if I wasn't sure I could beat Lewis.

I shall knock him out in the fifth or sixth.

That's six rounds earlier than last time, you know.

The challenger refused to confirm or deny recent reports from our Berlin

correspondent that before leaving Germany... Wait till you hear this.

Before leaving Germany, he had been summoned to the chancellery and ordered

by Hitler to beat the American Negro again and thereby prove to the world the

superiority of the Aryan master race.

Do you believe that?

Hey, good morning, champ.

Morning. You know the honey bear, huh?

Good to see you, Joe.

Mr. Ryan tells me you're going to help me with my speed.

Yeah, that's the idea. Get you moving like a middleweight.

Yeah, so in case Schmelling gets on his bike and decides to run, you follow,

huh? Well...

He can run.

Can't hide.

Go ahead, Mr. Runyon. Tell me some more, then.

No, you don't want that bull to upset you now, young fella.

Well, nothing upsets me. You know me.

Yeah, I thought I did, but I'm not so sure anymore.

Well, I've never seen Joe get mad in or out of a ring.

Me either, but maybe this one's different, huh?

Well, I'd be waiting a long time.

That's what you mean.

Yeah, I heard you once say, Joe, you wouldn't really feel like you were champ

till you beat Schmelling. That right?

Well, he'd be special.

Yeah.

That man took a tech on me.

Hmm?

Hit me at the bell on the fifth.

Let's go, champ.

Seven miles this morning.

No, we gonna do ten.

We got two more rounds, Chappy.

You're not black, Lewis.

You're yellow.

All niggas are yellow!

Even if they printed, nobody would believe us.

So you're just going to have to get up in that ring, Max, and show them they're

wrong. Remind them you're a boxer, nothing else. A fine boxer will fight

fair.

And remember, Max, many Americans want to see a white champion again.

You've seen the letters, yeah?

Yeah, you showed me.

Did they show you all sorts of ones frightening my life?

It's all right, Mahon.

I found some of your tie to burn.

There were so many they put out to fire.

Sick.

Sick.

Kill the stinking Nazi, Joe.

I want to see you open him up so his liver hang out.

Yuck. Well, I guess that's better than saying we're going to get you, nigga.

You're going to burn unless you take a dive.

Probably some God-fearing white Democrat.

You want to bet?

I just had to shake your hand and wish you luck.

Say, that's quite a mitt, champ.

Which was the knuckle that Tommy Farr broke?

Oh, he didn't break it, sir. I broke it.

Giving you any trouble?

Oh, no, sir.

Thank you, sir.

I done had myself two fights since then.

Don't bother me now.

That's the kind of muscle we're going to need, Joe, to beat the Nazis.

Yes, sir.

I guess that's what we're going to have to do.

I'm afraid so.

Joe, I know you've taken a lot of insults lately, some of them way below

the belt.

Well, I get them, too, every day.

I've got my battles and you've got yours.

But I want you to know this. As far as the president is concerned, Joe Lewis is

a credit to his race, the human race.

The president went to visit with him at his camp.

I heard it on the radio.

Well, you met with Hitler.

That makes you even, doesn't it?

I wish the American press would look at it that way.

What?

Did I wake you?

No, no.

No, I have an early call.

How does it feel to be acting again?

Good. But I'd rather be with you, Max.

Dear God, I miss you.

What?

I never felt so lonely.

It won't be much longer now, my love.

You'll listen to the broadcast?

Oh, yes.

With the rest of Germany.

Half of the population will be staying up all night.

I'll call you right afterwards.

Yes, please.

I love you so much. What?

I love you so much.

You keep stealing my favorite line.

Go to work, woman.

Go to sleep, husband.

Uh-huh.

You get the same feeling, huh?

History repeating itself. Same ring, same referee.

Come on, Paul. It's a lot more than that. You know exactly what I mean.

Yeah, Damon.

This isn't going to be just another boxing match.

Not just two guys climbing through the ropes.

It'll be like the whole world's climbing out of that ring tonight.

Yeah. A world divided by hatred.

Hysteria. And you and I are supposed to write about that, huh?

I don't think I want to.

I stopped being a sports writer really when I was at Daily News.

You know, I used to believe that sport could have no bully human rights. Now I

see how I can degrade.

Listen, Pally.

Until today, I didn't believe there could be another war.

I mean a real war.

All three ring a pair, you understand?

From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, Paul, I just knew somehow,

somehow it's going to come.

And what happens here tonight, that's like the preliminary bout.

Hell, I don't want to write about it either.

I think I'll go back to Europe while I still have time, try to finish my novel.

Yeah, why not?

What about you?

Me?

What do I know about reality anyways?

I'm a comedy man these days.

Hollywood bought a couple of my short stories.

Yeah, they want me out there now.

What the hell? I think I'm going to go, Paul.

Fiddle in Tinseltown while the world burns. How's that?

You and I, Damon, we're lucky.

We can escape at least for a while, but gladiators, they can't turn their backs.

Two honest pros caught up in the surge of events being waved around like

badasses. Hey, Paulie.

Two fight buffs like you and me, damn it, we ought to have a bet on this. What

do you say?

On which fight, my friend?

Lewis versus Schmelling.

Or both of them against the whole wacky world.

Thank you.

Hey, Max.

What's this?

Rafferty's instructions.

Tonight they want you to go out with your gloves on.

Why?

They're afraid if there's a delay, there may be an incident.

He's upset.

You work him to heart.

That's how I want it, Chappie.

It's the first time in four years he's come close to speaking sharp to me.

What's feeding on him?

Can't keep him still.

Been like that ever since I woke him up.

That young fella doesn't know it yet, but for the first time in his life, he's

just plain angry.

Same ring where exactly two years, three days ago, he knocked out the Brown

Bomber in 12 rounds.

The crowd cheered the so-called Nazi Superman, who's reported to have voted

that tonight he'll defeat the champion in half that time. This is a disgraceful

display of bad sportsmanship.

They're going to heaven.

Do they hate me this much?

as fat like a soft beer.

Make sure your punches go in the proper direction.

Now let's go now and may the best man win.

The old boxing slogan, may the best man win. And Yankee Stadium, she's back to

the doors. There's not a single seat. Joe Louis dances in his corner.

My legs.

My legs.

Max.

Max.

You, as always, are a slow starter.

The pain will go.

Stay calm.

You must.

You must.

Show them.

Get up, Max.

to ask me that I'm really the champion.

There you go, sir.

He's got the best doctor's money can buy.

Where is he?

The Jewish hospital.

How bad is he, Yussel?

Two fractures of the vertebrae.

Damaged kidneys.

And a whole bunch of things I didn't understand.

Doc said it looked like he'd been in a car accident.

He's going to be out of boxing for a long while.

His legs, Yosel. What about his legs?

He was paralyzed from the waist down.

Paralyzed? But he got up twice.

Yeah.

That's Max, huh?

I want to make a long distance call to Germany.