Fisticuffs

Fisticuffs (1938)

*** (out of 4)

This Pete Smith Specialty from MGM takes a look at one-time heavyweight champion Max Baer who shows us his moves inside the ring as well as those outside the ring with a cute lady. Like many of the Smith shorts from this period, this one here tries to not only educate on various boxing moves but there's also bits of humor thrown in. Overall I'd say this here is one of the better films in the series for a number of reasons. For starters, Baer is such a likable fellow you really can't help but enjoy watching him "act" here for the camera. This includes some slow-motion shots of him inside the ring teaching you how to hit but there's also that comic style of his where he's constantly trying to hit up on a young woman who wants none of it. This comic charm is something classic film buffs will notice from some of Baer's other film roles. Smith is also quite funny here with him comments on the boxing action. Baer's reputation has pretty much been ruined due to a very popular film out there but this film certainly shows him in a different light and in a light most people said was more like him.

MGM presents A Pete Smith Specialty. Pete Smith narrates this showcase of former heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer. He and various sparring partners show different boxing techniques in slow-motion. Finally he has an actual fight with one newcomers. Meanwhile, a wannabe boxer square off against a beautiful babe outside the ring.

I don't know if it's the slow-motion. Some of this leaves me to question Max Baer. He probably hits like a ton of bricks. I just question his speed. In that vein, I don't know if they sped up the final fight. It looks like it's at least 1.5x faster. The slow-motion is cool to see the impacts and that's fun.

A Smith called Pete narrates this short about boxing in the person of Max Baer. Max had spent 364 days as World Heavyweight Boxing champion until beaten by James Braddock -- if you haven't seen CINDERELLA MAN, you should. Smith is more arch than comical; this is one of his shorts in which the audience is expected to learn something, rather than just laugh.

Cameraman Lester White uses simple set-ups to make sure you can see what's going on.