THE IRON MAN

US, 1951, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Jeff Chandler, Evelyn Keyes, Stephen Mc Nally, Rock Hudson, Joyce Holden, Jim Backus, James Arness.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.

The Iron Man is a small-budget Universal feature from the early '50s. It was a showcase for some emerging stars at Universal: Jeff Chandler who was to make his mark in many action films, Stephen Mc Nally established himself as a character actor, Joyce Holden a starlet of some films of the time and Rock Hudson in one of his earliest roles. Veteran Evelyn Keyes is the heroine and there is a good performance by Jim Backus as a reporter-boxing manager.

The film is a portrait of a heavyweight who emerges from the Pennsylvania coal mines, finds that he has a drive for vengeance in his boxing. He is used by brother, wife and friends. He ultimately has to face the fact that he will not win audience acclamation by his tactics - but in losing and fighting, though he is rewarded by acclaim. The film, moves briskly - though not entirely fast enough to make one wonder how two world heavyweight contenders could emerge from the save coal mine. Direction is by Joseph Pevney who was to direct a number of films at Universal during the '50s.

1. Interesting and entertaining boxing film? In comparison with boxing films of its time (The Set-Up?, Champion), of other times?

2. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of the mines and the mining town, the world of boxing? A piece of Americana?

3. The title and the focus on Coke? The flashback technique: the announcing of the bout, Coke and the audience booing him, Rose and her anxiety? Her memories? The return to the final bout? The audience appreciating what had happened to each of the characters? Audience sympathies? The image of the iron man, the heavyweight boxer, the dirty tactics, the drive to win by violence? The contrast with the man of strong character at the end who loses but who fights cleanly?

4. Jeff Chandler as Coke: appearance, style? His work in the mine, the clash with Alex and the fight? His relationship with his brother Herbie and his complaints in the shop, George and his wheeler-dealings? His love for Rose, her work in the shop, the ambitions for the shop? His skill in boxing? The drama in the mines, the cave-in and his response, injuries? His beginning to fight, his victories? Making money? Rose and her support, George managing him? Max Watkins and the journalists? The arrangements, his not knowing that fights were fixed? his reaction? Clash with Rose, breaking with George? Going on his own? Asking Max to be his manager? His lack of popularity with the crowds? His violent reactions - even to George and hitting Rose? Going on his own? The clash with Tommy? The basis of their friendship in the mines, in the town? Tommy’s emerging as a heavyweight contender? The build-up to the bout, the reaction of the people? The fight, the gruelling number of rounds, the collage of the boxing? his defeat - and his being cheered in defeat? Rose's support of him?

5. Rose and her flashback memories, comment on what she had-done, concern for Coke? Her work in the shop, dates with him? The drabness of the town and her wanting to get out of it? Marriage, giving the money for the fixing of the fight? The falling out with Coke? His hitting her? The happy ending?

6. George and his wheeler-dealing, managing the fun parlour? Managing Coke? Encouragement? Deals? The facing of the truth, the clash?

7. Tommy and his work in the mines, study? His skill as a boxer? Loyalty towards Coke? The friendship with the journalist? The clashes with Coke, hitting him? Their falling out? His training, the bout with Coke, the challenge and the final victory?

8. Max Watkins as journalist, getting the truth, managing Coke, the deals with George?

9. The gallery of minor characters - the miners, Alex and his confronting Coke, the fight? Herbie and his running of the shop? The outing at the flash restaurant with Rose? George and the good life with the goodtime girls? The journalist and her scoops, hanging ground Tommy and Coke?

10. An interesting boxing story? A moral fable about the true iron man?