Right Cross (1950)

Despite being in love with the WASP daughter (June Allyson) of his fight promoter (Lionel Barrymore), a Mexican-American boxer (Ricardo Montalban) feels paranoid that "gringos" have it out for him. When his right hand becomes damaged and his fighting days seem numbered, he plots to get out of his contract with his promoter and sign with another promoter (Barry Kelley) who can do more for him financially. Directed by John Sturges (BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK), this is a well done programmer with three appealing leads (Dick Powell as a sports reporter is the third) and a solid screenplay by Charles Schnee. The race angle is handled well without the Krameresque heavy handedness. Allyson may be top billed but the film really belongs to Powell and Montalban who establish a believable bond of friendship, a genuine "bromance". The film's big boxing sequence toward the end is excellent though this is coming from someone who is not a fan of the sport. There's no real underscore to speak of but David Raksin composed a corker of a main title. With Kenneth Tobey, Larry Keating and in a bit part as a model Powell tries to pick up ... Marilyn Monroe.