Keep Punching

Clearly, any film starring a sports hero is designed to exploit the fame and celebrity of that athlete. If we expect a convincing performance by an amateur (actor) among professionals, we are perhaps asking for too much - even if, ironically, the actor is playing himself, or something close to it. The once-in-a-century exception was, of course, Muhammad Ali - a natural performer in any venue.

This picture, an obviously low-budget production without major studio backing, lets us see the legendary Henry Armstrong in the most hackneyed of boxing stories. Yet he does not embarrass himself, and the picture has genuine entertainment value. The story plays "around" him, with some effective acting by several members of the cast, moments of comedy consistent with the tone of the story, and even two musical numbers. Especially moving is the sequence late in the picture which repeatedly cuts from the boxing arena to the church, and back.

Be prepared to make allowances, and you are likely to enjoy this film. It compares very favorably to a similar picture made a year earlier, "Spirit of Youth," starring Joe Louis.