Kid Monk Baroni

In wintry New York City, crooked-nosed Italian teenager Leonard Nimoy (as Paul "Monk" Baroni) and "The Billy Goat Gang" decide to saw off the banister of a tenement staircase, for firewood. Coincidently, neighborhood priest Richard Rober (as Father Callahan) walks in the building; he reminds Mr. Nimoy and the gang that, although the place is condemned, stealing its stairway is illegal. The kindly priest advises the five attractive young men there's a better way to blow off steam…

"Listen boys, I've got a better way for you to keep warm. In the basement of the church, there's some gym equipment; boxing gloves, wrestling mats, punching bags - even shower baths…"

Wait - this is not a dirty movie. There is no showering or wrestling as "Father" Rober wants to teach Nimoy how to be a boxer. Good thing too, as the other dudes call Nimoy a "sissy" for getting connected with the church. Boy pal Jack Larson (as Angelo) remains Nimoy's close companion, though Nimoy tells him, "Someday, we get twin beds." Soon, Nimoy dates pretty Allene Roberts (as Emily Brooks). When Nimoy becomes a successful boxer, he gets his bent nose fixed…

As a handsome boxing star, Nimoy's personality changes; he makes time with well-shaped Mona Knox (as June Travers), and forgets his old friends. Of course, you could see this one coming…

Released just prior to Rober's death in a car accident, "Kid Monk Baroni" may be a silly low-budget update of "Winner Take All" (1932), but it's sure amusing. Most invaluable is the cast. Anyone familiar with Nimoy's later "Star Trek" will revel in seeing the young man in this early starring role; here, he gets to wear a fake nose instead of fake ears. Not only that, you get to see "Adventures of Superman" pal Jack Larson before making a name for himself in syndication heaven.

****** Kid Monk Baroni (5/1/52) Harold Schuster ~ Leonard Nimoy, Allene Roberts, Jack Larson, Richard Rober

The most amusing part of this little movie is the fact that Nimoy plays a young man so ugly women make fun of him. By 1966 they were kicking and screaming to get to their Vulcan during his amok time. I fell off the sofa when I accidentally caught this modest offering on daytime tv back in the 70's. Life is funny.

The movie itself? I remember enjoying it because I was such a Trekker at the time. Another fan of a multi-talented actor like Nimoy (did you ever hear him sing?) might be similarly disposed.

Oddity from the church basement with Leonard Nimoy who actually can act and gay Jack Larsen.

It's an odd film which I initially thought was made for TV, but it's not. Not especially original. Nimoy goes from tough goon to choir singer in 10 seconds flat

Interesting that in 1954 East 103rd street in Manhattan was still Italian and not a dump.

This movie has aged well. It is realistic and has a message of good conquering evil. The acting is mostly average, sometimes good. The optimism and a belief in honesty in the fight against evil is the main message. It is well worth watching and is enjoyable, although a bit old fashioned.

The chief apostle of calm and logic as an approach to life made a screen debut in this film Kid Monk Baroni. Leonard Nimoy who became famous as Mr. Spock of Star Trek played many a tough guy like the title role in this film.

Nimoy is a kid with a real chip on his shoulder and it's about his looks. Not exactly blessed with the looks Tyrone Power, Nimoy learns the manly art of pugilism courtesy of the neighborhood priest Richard Rober. What to do but make his temper and his new boxing skills pay off. He goes to Bruce Cabot as a manager and soon enough gets into the big time.

For all the years of being teased and ridiculed about his looks, Nimoy makes it all pay in the ring. He even gets himself a fast stepping new girlfriend in Mona Knox to the consternation of Allene Roberts from the old neighborhood.

And then he gets some plastic surgery courtesy of all the money he's made in the ring he hasn't spent on Knox. That leads to quite a change of attitude and style.

Elements of Champion are very much present in the plot of Kid Monk Baroni. Jack Larson is in the film as well in the Arthur Kennedy role as opposed to Nimoy's Kirk Douglas.

Kid Monk Baroni is a no frills independent B picture. It is a nice boxing story however and Nimoy makes an impressive debut.