I just caught this incredible classic movie for the second time this morning on MPIX and it didn't disapoint. Anthony Quinn plays "Mountain Rivera" a boxer at the end of his career after a knock out by Cassius Clay in the seventh round. His left eye is one punch from permanent trauma, his ears turned to cauliflower, his speech slurred from "being hit a million times," and he slings punches anytime he hears a bell, but his trainer and 'cutman' Army (Mickey Rooney), and Miss Miller(Julie Harris), a manipulative social worker, support his illusion that he could be a movie usher, a camp counselor, or a romantic partner for Miller. But his manager Maish Rennick(Jackie Gleason), knowing the truth, can't admit that he's bet everything he had that Rivera wouldn't go four rounds against Clay. Maish will pay with his life when the goon squad comes to collect if he can't persuade Rivera to abandon his pride ("I fought 111 fights and never took a dive") and agree to a wrestling contract of which he's ashamed. When Maish blurts out his secret, Rivera realizes that walking out on the deal is not an option. To save the neck of the man who's betrayed him, he embraces the humiliating role of wrestling as "Big Chief Mountain Rivera," and the illusion of comeraderie among the three men is gone forever.
Adapted from Rod Serling's earlier `Playhouse 90' TV drama, it improved greatly on the original which I saw about five years ago, by taking full advantage of the film medium, including moody film-noir lighting, an excellent music score, and superb direction. Anthony Quinn is excellent, squeezing every once of melodrama into the role without overdoing it. Mickey Rooney and Jackie Gleason, neither of whom is renowned for subtlety and restraint, hit just the right note in their performances, as does Julie Harris.
The movie also offers great cameos from the boxers and of the past, as mentioned Cassius Clay (later Mohamad Ali) plays himself. Others include greats Willie Pepp and Jack Dempsey, mid 1930s welterweight champion Barney Ross, Gus Lesnevich who held the light heavyweight boxing championship from 1941-1948, Rory Calhoun II who boxed as a middleweight from 1954 to 1962. Abraman Simon, the last Jewish fighter to fight for the heavyweight championship in 1942. As a side note Simon knocked out future heavyweight champ Jersey Joe Walcott in 6 rounds. The great announcer Arthur Mercante and ledgendary wrestling character William 'Haystacks' Calhoun add uncredited performances.
A couple of memorable character actors lend their talents to this film in a scene near the end of the film a mob boss and "her" goon pay a visit to Mountain in his dressing room before his debut as a wrestler. Madame Spivy is truly memorable as Ma Greeny as her hulking figure almost overshadows Gleasons and Michael Conrad playes the heavy as he did all his career including Requium and a three year stint on Hill Street Blues as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus. His face maybe not the most recognizable but his slow and deliberate cadance will surly bring back memories expecially fans of Bugs Bunny, as he delivers his line "Now back away see, that's it, nice and slow".
If you like boxing movies than I definetly believe this and Raging Bull should be in your collection. I spent a long time as an extra on the set of Cinderella Man and I couldn't help notice how much Ron Howard pays homage to these great classics. The camera angles, use of differing film speeds and the characters, including the brooding but likable heel (Crowe), the sympathetic trainer(Giamatti)and the leeches who prayed of the unfortunate all show up in the film, which is also noteworthy as a good boxing film but a better human drama.
Later,
Kenaz
Sunday, September 04, 2005
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