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A Girl Can Lift A Fellow To The Skies!
The story of boxer Rocky Graziano's rise from juvenile delinquent to world champ.
John Chard
Apr 23, 2020 · via TMDB
Ma, I tried to turn the leaf but I can't make it. It's something inside me. I try but I can't make it. Directed by multi genre supremo Robert Wise, the screenplay is adapted by Ernest Lehman from the Rocky Graziano biography of the same name. Music is by Bronislau Kaper and cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg. It stars Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Everett Sloane, Eileen Heckart and Sal Mineo. This film really hits the spot to me as a portent of just what a great career Paul Newman was to have, not only that but it stands up as one of the better sports biographies I have seen. Fine story as we follow Rocky Graziano (Newman) from his wild youth into a man on the verge of destroying his life and then on to becoming the World Middleweight Champion (the final fight with Tony Zale is superbly choreographed). It's weird because during Graziano's wild antics one can't help but like the guy because Newman makes the character so charming. The time he spent with the real Graziano pays off in spades as he captures his mannerisms and style impressively. One has to wonder what sort of performance original choice James Dean would have done with the role?. A big shout up to Pier Angeli as the main Female lead as she turns in a wonderful performance in view of Newman's barn storming show. Ruttenberg won the Academy Award for his pin sharp Black-and-White cinematography, the art department won for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, while a certain Steve McQueen can be seen as one of Rocky's gang members - Fidel a knife wielding thug. 9/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Paul Newman
Rocky Graziano
Pier Angeli
Norma Graziano
Everett Sloane
Irving Cohen
Eileen Heckart
Ma Barbella
Sal Mineo
Romolo
Harold J. Stone
Nick Barbella
Joseph Buloff
Benny
Arch Johnson
Heldon
Sammy White
Whitey Bimstein
Theodore Newton
Edward Eagan
Steve McQueen
Fidel (uncredited)
Stanley Adams
Romolo's Attorney (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich
Ringside Photographer (uncredited)
William Boyett
Military Policeman (uncredited)
Bart Braverman
Boy (uncredited)
Frank Campanella
Detective (uncredited)
Angela Cartwright
Audrey at Age 3 (uncredited)
George Cisar
Fence (uncredited)
Russ Conway
Captain Grifton (uncredited)
Gene Coogan
Bookie (uncredited)
Clancy Cooper
Captain Lancheck (uncredited)
Matt Crowley
Lou Stillman (uncredited)
Michael Dante
Shorty (uncredited)
Ray Danton
Reporter (voice) (uncredited)
Jimmy Dime
Training Spectator (uncredited)
Robert Easton
Corporal Quinbury (uncredited)
John Eldredge
George Niles (uncredited)
Sam Gilman
Detective Arresting Rocky (uncredited)
Kit Guard
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Don Haggerty
Prison Guard (uncredited)
Bern Hoffman
Fat Man at Hijacking Attempt (uncredited)
Allen Jaffe
Radio Listener (uncredited)
Dean Jones
Private in Rocky's Tent (uncredited)
Byron Kane
Reporter (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp
Commissioner's Assistant (uncredited)
Jack Kenney
Reformatory Guard (uncredited)
Len Lesser
Reporter at Sparring Session (uncredited)
Robert Loggia
Frankie Peppo (uncredited)
Wilbur Mack
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Philo McCullough
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Frank McLure
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Gregg Martell
Guard (uncredited)
Joe McGuinn
Guard (uncredited)
Tyler McVey
Reporter (uncredited)
Frank Mills
Counterman at Gym (uncredited)
Sol Murgi
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Monty O'Grady
Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Jimmy Murphy
Young Fighter at Gym (uncredited)
James O'Rear
Judge (uncredited)
Jack Perry
Man in Bar (uncredited)
Judson Pratt
Johnny Hyland (uncredited)
Sid Raymond
Subway Guard (uncredited)
Michael Ross
Subway Guard (uncredited)
Dick Rich
Geezer (uncredited)
Christopher Riordan
Rocky's Friend (uncredited)
Benny Rubin
Fight Promoter (uncredited)
Eddie Ryder
Prisoner (uncredited)
Willard Sage
Earl Woodhope (uncredited)
Scott Seaton
Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
Don Shelton
Captain at Court Martial (uncredited)
Al Silvani
Rocky's Second (uncredited)
Buster Slaven
Sidekick (uncredited)
Ray Stricklyn
Bryson (uncredited)
Ray Walker
Zale Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Anne Caprile
Norma (french voice)
Cedric Gibbons
Art Direction
Edwin B. Willis
Set Decoration
Joseph Ruttenberg
Director of Photography
William Tuttle
Makeup Artist
William Tuttle
Makeup Designer
Robert Wise
Director
Charles Schnee
Producer
Johnny Green
Music Director
Miklós Rózsa
Music Director
Bronislau Kaper
Original Music Composer
Ernest Lehman
Screenplay
Jul 3, 1956
San Francisco, California
Jul 4, 1956
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Versus
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
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Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
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