Joe Palooka, Champ

The first film in Monogram's series based on Ham Fisher's comic strip, JOE PALOOKA, CHAMP rehashes the old boxing story of a talented youngster who is discovered by an astute manager and trained for a big fight. It should come as no surprise that gangsters want to see the fighter put on the canvas or that a society girl falls for him despite differences in their social classes. Although rife with cliches, the film has several strong fight sequences. Joe Kirkwood, Jr., does a nice job as Joe Palooka, and Leon Errol gives a competent performance as his manager, Knobby Walsh--roles they would repeat as the series continued. Real-life fighters Lou Nova and Jimmy McLarn...