When they made this film, the film makers had no idea that years later the star, Leonard Nimoy, would become an iconic figure and as a result this small movie would become much more fascinating. All they probably thought was that they were making a passable low-budget B-movie and nothing more. Now if you are young and don't really know who Nimoy is or have any sort of connection to him, then it's not a film I'd recommend. But for folks like me who grew up with "Star Trek", it's well worth your time.
The film begins with a new priest coming to the Parrish. He convinces some of the local gang to give up their sordid ways and take up boxing. The most promising of these young thugs is Monk Baroni (Nimoy)--a guy with a lot of anger, an ugly face (thanks to some makeup) and a heart of gold that is hidden quite deep inside. Through the course of the film, Baroni is a man pulled in opposite directions and he can't seem to decide if he's a jerk or a saint. The scales are tipped towards him becoming a jerk when he gets reconstructive surgery and goes from ape-man to a guy who isn't all that ugly any more (though the film goes overboard--and has Nimoy acting like he looked like a matinée idol--which he really wasn't'). Can Baroni somehow redeem himself and by the end of the film return to the straight and narrow? Aside from being predictable and clichéd here and there, the film is moderately entertaining. In addition, you'll get to see Baroni's buddy (Jack Larson from TV's "Superman") in one of his earliest roles. Not bad, not great--but very, very interesting due to the casting.
By the way, this is NOT at all a criticism but I did find it ironic that the church-loving Baroni was played by Nimoy--a man who is Jewish. Now that's acting! hilarious boxing style
The film begins with a new priest coming to the Parrish. He convinces some of the local gang to give up their sordid ways and take up boxing. The most promising of these young thugs is Monk Baroni (Nimoy)--a guy with a lot of anger, an ugly face (thanks to some makeup) and a heart of gold that is hidden quite deep inside. Through the course of the film, Baroni is a man pulled in opposite directions and he can't seem to decide if he's a jerk or a saint. The scales are tipped towards him becoming a jerk when he gets reconstructive surgery and goes from ape-man to a guy who isn't all that ugly any more (though the film goes overboard--and has Nimoy acting like he looked like a matinée idol--which he really wasn't'). Can Baroni somehow redeem himself and by the end of the film return to the straight and narrow? Aside from being predictable and clichéd here and there, the film is moderately entertaining. In addition, you'll get to see Baroni's buddy (Jack Larson from TV's "Superman") in one of his earliest roles. Not bad, not great--but very, very interesting due to the casting.
By the way, this is NOT at all a criticism but I did find it ironic that the church-loving Baroni was played by Nimoy--a man who is Jewish. Now that's acting! hilarious boxing style