Once upon a time, this adaptation of a Ring Lardner story about a boxer (Kirk Douglas) ruthlessly elbowing his way to the top was considered a low-budget classic—if only because the movie is so uncompromising about how mean its hero is. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with it—it’s gritty enough film noir—but time hasn’t exactly enhanced its virtues. Directed by Mark Robson; with Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy, Ruth Roman, Paul Stewart, and Lola Albright (1949).
