Jump to content

Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch
Theatrical poster
Directed byReginald LeBorg
Screenplay byHenry Blankfort
Cyril Endfield
Based onJoe Palooka
by Ham Fisher
Produced byHal E. Chester
StarringJoe Kirkwood, Jr.
Knobby Walsh
Elyse Knox
Marcel Journet
Edited byOtho Lovering
Music byEdward J. Kay
Release date
  • 1949 (1949)
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch is a 1949 American film directed by Reginald Le Borg. It was one in the series of Joe Palooka films for Monogram starring Leon Errol. It was co-written by Cy Endfield.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Joe heads for South America to fight the Latin champ and defend his title. Shipboard, he helps federal agents fight counterfeiters. He also spars with love interest Anne Howe [2]

Cast

[edit]

Retrospective appraisal

[edit]
Marcel Journet (actor) [fr] and Elyse Knox in Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch (publicity still)

In a “departure from for the series” this Joe Palooka’s adventure is set in the tropics of South America. As such, the film resembles the “jungle”-themed serials produced by Universal and Republic studios.[3]

Film historian Wheeler W. Dixon surmises that “Monogram was running out of purely pugilistic situations for Palooka character” and accordingly moved the story “out of the locker room.”[4] Dixon registers praise for LeBorg’s adroit direction:

LeBorg staged the film with great attention to lighting and set details, while relying mostly on stock footage and back-lot sets for what little “South American” ambiance the film could afford.[5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 145-146: Directorial Credits
  2. ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 30
  3. ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 30
  4. ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 30
  5. ^ Dixon, 1992 p. 30

References

[edit]
  • Dixon, Wheeler Winston. 1992. The Films of Reginald LeBorg: Interviews, Essays, and Filmography. Filmmakers No. 31 The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, New Jersey. ISBN 0-8108-2550-3
[edit]