The movie's the sort of thing John Garfield at Warner Bros. did to more dramatic effect. Nimoy's a tough slum kid going nowhere until priest Rober takes an interest and teaches him boxing. The Kid's good with his fists, attracting the interest of professional gamblers who grease his upward career. Now he's got money and a fast-lane girlfriend. Trouble is he's losing the wholesome values that were emerging with the priest and neighborhood girlfriend Roberts.
I agree with another reviewer: the narrative is restrained in its drama and conflicts. The results don't play up either phase of Nimoy's life. Slum life and fast life are both characterized rather than dramatized. That's okay, but doesn't do much for overall impact. Nimoy shows acting flair even if his physical build is too spare for a professional fighter. Mona Knox impresses as the gold-digging counter girl. Too bad her career was brief. And I wish I knew the name of the Huntz Hall counterpart who threatens to turn the proceedings into a Bowery Boys farce. Anyway, I get the feeling the screenplay was influenced by the temper of its time, 1952. After all, the McCarthy years emphasized both societal and religious conformity, both of which are foremost in this feature. Nonetheless, fans of Nimoy should enjoy this early outing, with his ugly nose make- up or without.
