Between women and ropes

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Movie
German title Between women and ropes
Original title champion
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1949
length 96 minutes
Age rating FSK 16
Rod
Director Mark Robson
script Carl Foreman
production Stanley Kramer
music Dimitri Tiomkin
camera Franz Planner
cut Harry W. Gerstad
occupation

Between Women and Ropes (in the original Champion ) is an American drama from the film noir era by Mark Robson from 1949. The screenplay is based on the story of the same name by Ring Lardner and premiered on April 9, 1949. In Germany, the film first appeared in cinemas on December 18, 1951.

action

Michael Kelly and his brother Connie move as tramps from Chicago to California. They want to go there to take part in a restaurant. During their trip, they are taken by the professional boxer Johnny Dunne. Dunne is off to Kansas City for a fight with his girlfriend Grace Diamond.

Michael, in need of money, is offered a $ 35 fight. But after the fight, he is only paid ten dollars. Boxing trainer Tommy Haley becomes aware of Michael and offers him to train in his studio in Los Angeles. But Michael refuses, disinterested.

When the two brothers arrive in Los Angeles, they find out that they have been betrayed. The two hire themselves out as waiters and dish washers, whereby both fall in love with Margaret, the daughter of the owner. When Michael is discovered with her, the angry father forces him to marry. Shortly after the wedding, Michael leaves his wife and flies to Haley's studio with his brother.

Michael is skeptical at first, but after several victorious fights in the area, he tours the country. Soon he can challenge Johnny Dunne to a fight. However, cheaters try to persuade Michael to defeat, so he should be able to box for the championship next year. Michael accepts the cheat, but in the fight he defeats Dunne in the first round.

Grace Diamond now turns to Michael. She convinces him to hire Jerome Harris as a manager. Harris is working with the scammers, however. Michael sees this as the only way to be able to fight for the title and agrees. His brother Connie is outraged by Michael's decision. He leaves him and returns to start a new life with Michael's abandoned wife.

Michael wins the championship and becomes a popular boxing star. With the help of Harris' wife Palmer, he becomes a sports icon. Palmer falls in love with Michael, who tries to persuade Harris to divorce. Harris declines and offers Michael money in return if he doesn't see Palmer again. Michael takes the money and breaks Palmer's heart with it.

Michael's challengers are rather mediocre. But then Dunne challenges him, who wants to try a comeback. Michael sees Dunne's excellent form, he'll have to work hard to win the fight. He hires his old trainer Haley, and Connie also returns to the studio to support his brother. Connie married Michael's ex-wife, but Michael seduces her, also to prove something to himself.

The fight between Michael and Dunne is the sporting event of the year. Michael hits the ground in the first lap, but he manages to get back on his feet. The fight soon turns in Dunne's favor. Michael is hit harder and harder, so that Haley wants to throw in the towel. But Michael refuses and continues to fight. At the end of the fight he recovers a little, but his injuries from Dunne's hits are so severe that he dies from them.

Reviews

"A film that is critical in describing the boxing sport that is being marketed, with a dense description of the milieu and excellent design of the main role, but which remains too indecisive in the final phase of the story."

- Lexicon of international film

"Relentlessly realistic."

- Cinema

“A harsh but instructive picture of questionable methods in the boxing business, well designed in terms of film technology and performance. For adults only."

- Protestant film observer

Awards

Academy Awards 1950
Golden Globe 1950
  • Golden Globe in the former Best Cinematography category goes to Franz Planer
  • Nomination in the former Best Young Actress category goes to Ruth Roman

Further nominations

background

The film was the second production work of the later star director Stanley Kramer, for Lola Albright it was the first role in a feature film in which she is mentioned in the credits. Luis Van Rooten was born in Mexico. He portrayed Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler three times in his career .

The Austrian cameraman Franz Planer is listed as Frank Planer in the credits. Oscar winner Harry W. Gerstad won another Oscar three years later (for twelve noon ). For the same film Dimitri Tiomkin received two Oscars (music and song), two more Oscars followed in 1955 and 1959. The later Oscar winner Edward G. Boyle was responsible for the equipment. Clem Beauchamp, who was honored in the no longer existing category Best Assistant Director in 1936, worked as Production Manager . The film's athletic adviser was former middle welterweight boxing champion (now junior welterweight) Mushy Callahan.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Between women and ropes. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  2. ↑ http://www.cinema.de/kino/filmarchiv/film/ Zwischen-frauen-und-seilen,1334798, ApplicationMovie.html
  3. ↑ Ev. Munich Press Association, Review No. 112/191952