Iron Man (1951 film)

Plot

Chandler plays a coal miner who is encouraged by his gambler brother (Stephen McNally) to become a boxer. The problem is when he boxes he is consumed by a murderous rage.

Cast

Background

Jeff Chandler trained as a boxer to play the role. "It's my chance to step right up there in a class with Kirk Douglas and Bob Ryan," said Chandler. "And that's pretty fast company."

Filming started 3 January 1951.

To promote the film, Jeff Chandler went two rounds with Jersey Joe Walcott at Polo Grounds in front of 25,000 spectators.

Critical response

When the film was released, the staff at The New York Times gave the film a mixed review. They wrote, "... this story of a fighter, scared and defeated by his own killer instinct, is merely standard for the course. The cast, director and scenarist are professional and take their assignments seriously, but they are not creating a champion in their class. One is reminded of such noted predecessors as Champion but Iron Man is not of that blue-blooded company ... It is not the portrayals, however, that make the film less than memorable. The bouts are exciting enough, but the punches, which are fairly hard and straight, are telegraphed."

Rock Hudson's appearance in the film attracted favorable publicity.