Joe Palooka, Champ is a 1946 American film featuring the comic-strip boxer Joe Palooka. This film from Monogram Pictures is the beginning of a series with eleven total entries:
Gentleman Joe Palooka (1946)
Joe Palooka in the Knockout (1947)
Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad (1948)
Joe Palooka in Winner Take All (1948)
Joe Palooka in the Big Fight (1949)
Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch (1949)
Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey (1950)
Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance (1950)
Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle (1950)
Joe Palooka in Triple Cross (1951)
Leon Errol as Palooka's manager Knobby actually receives top billing in each of the first nine entries. James Gleason replaced Errol in the role for the last two films. Elyse Knox as girlfriend Ann Howe is replaced by various actresses in the role after the first eight films. Also debuting as series regulars in this film (seen in about half the series) were Sarah Padden and Michael Mark as Joe's Mom and Pop. Joe Kirkwood Jr. plays Joe Palooka in all eleven films.
Cast
Leon Errol as Knobby Walsh
Joe Kirkwood, Jr. as Joe Palooka
Elyse Knox as Anne Howe
Eduardo Ciannelli as Florini
Joe Sawyer as Lefty
Elisha Cook, Jr. as Eugene
Warren Hymer as Ira Eyler
Robert Kent as Ronnie Brewster
Sam McDaniel as Smoky
Sarah Padden as Mom Palooka
Joe Louis as Joe Louis
Manuel Ortiz as Manuel Ortiz
Michael Mark as Pop Palooka
Dave Willock as Mr. Rodney
Lou Nova as Al Costa
Eddie Gribbon as Louie the Louisiana Lion
J. Farrell MacDonald as Long-Count Bowman
Philip Van Zandt as Freddie Wells
Betty Blythe as Mrs. Stafford
Carol Hughes as Mrs. Van Pragg
Dewey Robinson as Police Captain