Reviews

Pride of the Bowery The film opens on a view of the city, a river in the background. [Anyone recognize the neighborhood?] The "Vassey Street Boys Club" is now upstairs. Muggs wants to train in the outdoors, Danny has a plan. When will Muggs find out about this place? The CCC workers send $22 a month to parents. Why does Muggs have his delusions? The bell rings for chow. Table manners? Roadwork in the morning. Just what the Doctor ordered! Muggs saves Alan from a falling tree. Will Muggs find himself? [Note how the spectators at the boxing ring are dressed for cold weather.] Everyone watches the fight. [Were non-actors used for the spectators?] It's a draw. Muggs is shunned for his poor sportsmanship. The Captain's daughter Elaine arrives. Muggs dresses up to talk to her. Willy avoids Muggs, and we learn the reason. Muggs will raise $100 by boxing. Can Muggs correct Willy's mistake? Can he defend himself? [Is this a warning about false friends?] Danny figures out what happened and tells the Captain. Will he get Willy to talk? Is he a villain like Iago? The lesson is there are the right times to talk, and it isn't squealing. "Here we go again, boys." This is better that the average story for this series. It warns against the foolish trust of a friend, and, you have to know your limits.

Reviews

"BOXING'S BEST: Muhammad Ali" was originally a free gift offered with a subscription to a popular sports magazine. It's a clean HiFi dub of a 1981 HBO documentary on the boxer that his trainer Angelo Dundee freely admits here to being the greatest heavyweight of all time. Mostly brief, often low-contrast fight clips are interspersed with commentary or equally short excerpts of training, press conferences and news reports. Little of Muhammad Ali's life beyond the usual anecdotes is revealed. Missing is the thrashing Ali gave former champ Floyd Patterson, who insisted on calling him "Clay." Also no mention of the famous simulated 1969 battle with Rocky Marciano Non-fight CONTENTS: Host Barry Tompkins speaks with Joe Martini, Columbus Gym owner (Louisville) who was first to train 12-year-old Cassius Clay | Angelo Dundee admits to tearing Clay's glove in the Henry Cooper bout | Prefight publicity, Clay vs. Liston | Sonny trains for rematch | Ali's draft status changed after Williams match | Out of boxing 3 yrs. 8 mos., Ali speaks at colleges | Bonavena calls Ali a chicken during mutual news event, Muhammad promises he'll pay | Frazier press conference | Pre-fight comments on Foreman's "dirty" style | Media event, 3rd Frazier bout | Both boxers comment after Spinks wins title | Dundee's closing remarks include "greatest" assessment FIGHT CLIPS: Rome, 1960: defeats Polish boxer for light heavyweight gold medal 10/29/60: First pro fight, decision over Tunney Hunsacker 11/15/62: KO of 48-year-old Archie Moore 2/25/64: TKO of Sonny Liston, who didn't answer 7th round bell (narrator blames Liston's corner), Clay new champ 5/25/65: Self-renamed Ali's "phantom punch" that KO's challenger Liston in Round 1 11/14/66: 3rd round TKO of Cleveland Williams 3/22/67: Zora Folley KOed in 7th round 12/7/70: In his ring comeback, Ali punishes Oscar Bonavena; 3 knockdown TKO in 15th round 3/8/71: First Frazier fight; decision for Joe 3/31/73: 12 round loss to Ken Norton after Ken fractures Ali's jaw 9/10/73: Ali wins Norton rematch by decision 1/28/74: Unanimous decision over Joe Frazier 10/30/74: "Rumble in the jungle" 8th round KO of George Foreman 9/30/75: In "Thrilla in Manila," Joe Frazier's corner stops fight in 14th round 2/15/78: Loses split decision and title to challenger Leon Spinks 9/15/78: Belt regained in unanimous decision over Spinks 10/2/80: 11 round TKO defeat to Larry Holmes, the new champ* *(This is called Ali's swan song, but he fought once more, a 12/11/81 loss to Trevor Berbick.) TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 57 minutes

Reviews

A very inspiring movie glorifying the one who joyfully overcomes obstacles, doesn't complain: is a victor and not a victim. Excellent.

I love sappy love stories. Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Titanic are magnificent films. But, this story is special to me. Cagney's undying devotion and love for Sheridan melts my heart. Ah what can I say but "You'll always be my girl". I've searched for over 25 years to find a copy of Steiner's magnificent New York Rhapsody, and just got it. I'm listening to it as I write this. Great, romantic movie. One of my favorites.

City for Conquest is an ambitious film about New York City, based on a novel written in the late 30s. James Cagney is the quintessential New Yorker here, playing his characterization to the hilt, and to great affect. Ann Sheridan is his "goil," who learns the meaning of love too late, but just in time. Though a decent hoofer (and a great cryer), Sheridan is saddled by her dance partner in the film, Anthony Quinn, who couldn't dance a lick. Thus, dance shots were at a distance or closeups of "stand-in" feet. Otherwise, Quinn was great as a greaseball "villain." Cagney's portrayal of a (for the most part) blind man (near the end) is very well actualized. Could have done without the "Old Timer" narrator/character, played by Frank Craven, who annoyed more than informed, but he had his purpose. Cagney does his own fight scenes. Extras include an interesting commentary, cartoons, and trailers

James Cagney plays a fighter who's trying to impress his squeeze (Ann Sheridan) with his boxing ability, though she has some ambitions of her own, mainly a dancing career that partners her with the oily Anthony Quinn. Arthur Kennedy also appears (his debut in movies) as Cagney's brother, who dreams of writing long-hair symphonies one day but is busy now churning out pop tunes. When Cagney has success in the ring, he refuses to take back Sheridan, who also has success in her dancing career. Then the tide turns and Cagney is blinded in one of his fights and Sheridan also hits the skids. Only Kennedy has his dream come true: the final scene has Cagney and Sheridan listening to one of Kennedy's symphonies playing on the radio. The script by John Wexley is excellent, and Anatole Litvak's direction is right on target. Cagney worked hard to get himself fighting trim, and he knows how to handle himself in the ring. As a sincere, emotionally forceful actor, Cagney is at his best in this picture. He is a true Hollywood craftsman. And, of course, Max Steiner's musical score adds points to the movies final production value. It's a winner all the way.

For me, "City For Conquest" is so honest in its emotion that I totally accept what others might call over-the-top melodramatics. It mirrors, on the outside, what most of us feel on the inside, especially in the dynamics of relationships. Think about those times when you were in love with someone and all the positives and negatives that were part of it; remember the emotional level you felt. Then see if you can feel that in the outward expression of this movie. The Max Steiner score is almost non-stop and punctuates each scene with an added flair of romanticism. The acting, especially by Ann Sheridan, is heartfelt. My problem with the dvd version is that it's restored. Most of Frank Craven's "Greek Chorus" comments, though well placed in the context of the film, slows the rhythm and is totally superfluous. It adds nothing. The version, according to literature I have read, which we see on TCM or vhs tape, is the 1948 re-release edition which removed almost all of Frank Craven's scenes. I much prefer that version to the restored original although Craven's added scenes don't really hurt the heart of the movie. If you are not afraid to feel and you embrace the unabashed romanticism of that era, "City For Conquest" is a must-see.

Reviews

This product arrived defective. One of the pink gloves had a ripped seam. They were thinner than we expected and therefore you could actually feel the hand with very little pressure of the person wearing the glove. I wouldn't suggest these for the couple that likes to play long and hard.

I didn't have high expectations, as I was only trying to purchase an inexpensive set of inflatable boxing gloves to highlight a gag that had started between my girlfriend and I. Well, I'm pleased that we've played with these boxing gloves several times and they've held up perfectly. Initially, there was a brief mix-up with my order, but the Customer Service department of Cosmetic Solutions was quick in responses and even faster with the right solution. Overall I'm extremely pleased with this product and all transactions with the Cosmetic Solutions. I definitely recommend buying anything (especially inflatable boxing gloves) from Cosmetic Solutions.