Keep Punching
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
John Clein
Henry Armstrong
Willie Bryant
Mae Johnson
Hamtree Harrington
Francine Everett
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
At the Lincoln Prep School graduation ceremony, Henry Jackson is the pride of the community. Although his teachers and girl friend, Fanny Singleton, want Henry to enter college to become a lawyer, Ed Watson and Speedy, who have noticed the young man's athletic prowess in school, want him to go to New York and box. Henry prefers to become a prizefighter, and he persuades his family to support his decision. With Watson as his manager, Henry goes to New York with Fanny and soon becomes a success. Henry is introduced to Hemingway, who backs him as he breaks into the big time and helps to arrange a championship bout with Pedro Lopez. As Henry trains with Speedy, he meets an old friend from his hometown, Frank Harrison, who has become a corrupt boxing operator. Frank takes Henry to Baron Skinner's Sunset Club and presents him to his associate, Miss Jerry Jordan, whom he calls the "most beautiful girl in New York." Henry also meets an honest friend, "Windy" Butler, who is now known as "Dynamite." Later, Henry is asked to present an award at the club's beauty contest while Windy wins a prize for his jitterbugging. When Watson learns that Henry is out when he should be quietly preparing for his fight, he argues with Henry and leaves him. Meanwhile, the Jacksons prepare to travel to New York to see Henry's fight with Pedro. Frank, who is betting against Henry, tries to lure him with Jerry, but Henry remains sincere and loyal and tells Jerry about his love for Fanny. Desperate, Frank forces Jerry to put a knockout drug into Henry's drink, but Windy sees the scheme and takes the drug himself to save his friend. At the fight, Watson reappears, but Henry is battered during the early rounds. Jerry, unaware of Windy's action, leaves the stadium and wanders into a church, where she prays for Henry and her own redemption. After overhearing the newspaper boys announce the headline that Henry has won in a knockout, Jerry returns to Frank's apartment to pack her things to leave. Meanwhile, Frank, who has lost all his money betting on Pedro, is killed by angry creditors. Everyone is proud of Henry, and with his family, Fanny and Windy, he returns to Frank's apartment for a party, unaware of what has happened to Windy, who has since recovered from drinking the poison. At the party, Fanny meets Jerry, and although at first she suspects the worst, she is soon relieved when Jerry tells her how lucky she is to have Henry. Fanny and Henry resolve never to be apart, and Henry says that he will probably go back to college.
Director
John Clein
Cast
Henry Armstrong
Willie Bryant
Mae Johnson
Hamtree Harrington
Francine Everett
Canada Lee
Lionel Monagos
Arthur "dooky" Wilson
Hilda Offley
Walter Robinson
J. Rosamund Johnson
George Wiltshire
Lee Norman's Orchestra
Whitey's Savoy Lindy Hoppers
Crew
John Clein
Bob Cole
N. Dean Cole
J. Burgi Contner
Herbert Goodwin
Al. Harburger
J. Rosamund Johnson
J. Rosamund Johnson
Marcy Klauber
Edward Mead
Lee Norman
Jay Rescher
James Weldon
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
According to the onscreen credits, this picture was copyrighted in 1939; however, no information concerning its registration for copyright has been located. Keep Punching marked the film debut of world welterweight champion Henry Armstrong. According to an article in the New York Age, the film was produced in Harlem. According to modern sources, the cast also included Alvin Childress, and the production company was Film Art Studios, Inc.
