The Harder They Fall

First an historical fact that most may ignore. Primo Carnera, whose career supposedly inspired the movie, used to be Fascism's poster boy for boxe. I have no clue whether Carnera himself was a true believer in Fascism or just did what... Full review

Eddie Willis was once a top sports writer, but now he is down on his luck and searching for work. He gets a proposition from dodgy promoter Nick Benko, he is to write up sensationalist press for Benko's new discovery, the... Full review

You would simply not believe this movie was made in 1957. It features an intensely woven story that takes you aback. The movie theme could easily have been brought up today and it does feel as accurate as ever. I think... Full review

There is no secret that Bogart made a lot of bad movies throughout his career, such as, oh, lets say "Sirocco". He said it himself! But there is also no secret that he is one of the greatest actors ever in... Full review

It's quite possible that had he been given the choice Bogie would have selected this movie or one of the same quality for his swan song. His Eddie Willis embodies the qualities he'd been exhibiting for years but which first attracted... Full review

Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart at 56yo) is hired as a sportswriter by a boxing manager, Nick Benko (Rod Steiger), who wants to promote his protégé. Willis has been out of work, so he takes the assignment to put a story together... Full review

The story bursts right onto the screen, as if having been having shot there by a high tech rifle! The full volume blast of music is combined with the bright, almost annoying light of sunshine, the first sunlight of the day!... Full review

Although this movie is now 50 years old I think that it is more relevant now than it was then in 1956. Prize fighting has moved on leaps and bounds since then, some of it positive and some negative. Of course... Full review

Bogart is excellent as usual in this his last performance. There are times when his eyes are puddled up and it really makes you wonder: was he in pain or really that good? My answer is "yes" to both questions. Cancer... Full review

There is nice location photography in both N.Y. and L.A. From an historical perspective, The Harder They Fall had boxing dead to rights. He snaps off the crisp Philip Yordan/Budd Schulberg dialogue nicely. ... Full Review

In THE HARDER THEY FALL , Bogart portrays Eddie Willis, a respected sports writer who has had a turn of bad luck since his newspaper folded. Eddie's creative writing talents are put to the test when he has to build up Benko's latest discover- a new South American fighter named Toro Moreno (Mike Lane). ... Full Review

Jan Sterling costars as Willis' estranged wife, while real-life boxers Jersey Joe Walcott and Max Baer are suitably cast as Toro's trainer and ring opponent, respectively. ... Full Review

In this business, you lose your sense of awe of the people you cover and meet along the way with each passing day. Greatness is often compromised by either flaws or familiarity. ... Full Article

When I was a sports-crazed, fantasy-addled kid, I used to, on occasion, raise my hands triumphantly skyward and pronounce with hushed reverence: "The winner and new heavyweight champion of the world, Mark Starrrrrrrrrr." ... Full Article

To tell the truth, I would rather write about some of the fine new albums released since the first of this year-including Dr. John's In the Right Place (his best). ... Full Article