Crossing the color-line.

[Willie Pep 229]

For those who think crossing the color-line in the 1920s was merely an issue of personal values, think about this tid-bit from 1957.

Yes, 1957, and the system was still hostile and crossing that line could still be career ending self- sabotage.

Do you really think in the 1920s it was just a simple matter, as signing a contract?


Alan Freed and The Big Beat

The Big Beat was abruptly canceled after one of its national broadcasts. The main reason, according to several sources, was a controversy over a black performer dancing with a white teenage girl on the show — specifically, Frankie Lymon of the Teenagers dancing with a white girl during a live performance. This was considered scandalous in much of the U.S. at the time, especially in the segregated South, where affiliates threatened to pull the program.

The Big Beat wasn't officially canceled for that stated reason, but the interracial dancing incident is widely understood to have directly led to the show's sudden cancellation, reflecting the racial tensions and broadcasting taboos of the 1950s.

PLEASE NOTE

Alan Freed was not investigated for 'payola' until after he offended the national censors with his interracial show.

[travestyny]

I'd wager a Black and White man boxing, even when the color-line was put up, has always been thought of very differently than a Black man/boy dancing with a White woman/girl.

Tommy Burns survived defending his title against a Black man.

[Mr Mitts]

Only slightly off topic here. I have really been enjoying a 2025 series I found on Hulu called A Thousand Blows. I don't know if it has been spoken of here yet. However, I feel that any boxing fan would watch it to the end. It takes place in late Victorian London and the main character is a black boxer. The changeover between London prize rules and Marquis of Queensbury is just underway. I cannot vouch for the historical accuracy of much of it. You know they will stretch some limits for the sake of we moderns, especially from the romantic angle. Be that as it may, I consider it easily worth watching. Obviously it deals with the color line, but without mentioning it directly so far.

I have watched the entire first season in one day. It is actually a TV series, so apparently there will be more. They left the viewer hanging. Don't know which country it came from. My only guarantee is you will watch it all if you watch any of it. Like an AI algorithm, I can predict what you want, boxing boys.

[Bronson66]

For those who think crossing the color-line in the 1920s was merely an issue of personal values, think about this tid-bit from 1957.

Yes, 1957, and the system was still hostile and crossing that line could still be career ending self- sabotage.

Do you really think in the 1920s it was just a simple matter, as signing a contract?


Alan Freed and The Big Beat

The Big Beat was abruptly canceled after one of its national broadcasts. The main reason, according to several sources, was a controversy over a black performer dancing with a white teenage girl on the show — specifically, Frankie Lymon of the Teenagers dancing with a white girl during a live performance. This was considered scandalous in much of the U.S. at the time, especially in the segregated South, where affiliates threatened to pull the program.

The Big Beat wasn't officially canceled for that stated reason, but the interracial dancing incident is widely understood to have directly led to the show's sudden cancellation, reflecting the racial tensions and broadcasting taboos of the 1950s.

PLEASE NOTE

Alan Freed was not investigated for 'payola' until after he offended the national censors with his interracial show.

Your Armed Forces were not desegregated until July 26th 1948, just a few months before I was born.
I didn't know that about Freed,interesting.

[QueensburyRules]

Only slightly off topic here. I have really been enjoying a 2025 series I found on Hulu called A Thousand Blows. I don't know if it has been spoken of here yet. However, I feel that any boxing fan would watch it to the end. It takes place in late Victorian London and the main character is a black boxer. The changeover between London prize rules and Marquis of Queensbury is just underway. I cannot vouch for the historical accuracy of much of it. You know they will stretch some limits for the sake of we moderns, especially from the romantic angle. Be that as it may, I consider it easily worth watching. Obviously it deals with the color line, but without mentioning it directly so far.

I have watched the entire first season in one day. It is actually a TV series, so apparently there will be more. They left the viewer hanging. Don't know which country it came from. My only guarantee is you will watch it all if you watch any of it. Like an AI algorithm, I can predict what you want, boxing boys.

- - I watch real boxing, not fake video boxing.

[Mr Mitts]

- - I watch real boxing, not fake video boxing.

You will not want to watch it then. Apparently you have never watched a movie with boxing in it, since all of it is fake. Sorry you missed Raging Bull, it was a hella movie.

[Willie Pep 229]

You will not want to watch it then. Apparently you have never watched a movie with boxing in it, since all of it is fake. Sorry you missed Raging Bull, it was a hella movie.

I told him . . . Winner Take All with Jimmy Gagney.

Stuntman Harvey Parry was a two time AAU LW Champion and taught Gagney how to fight.

Parry choreographed the fight scenes with him and Gagney actually sparring.

P.S. A Harvey Parry story . . . In a Tom Mix serial, Mix didn't pull his punch and sent Parry to the floor. Later in the afternoon it was Parry's turn to pull a punch and so he sent the Cowboy Star to floor.

Parry figured he was done, but Mix pulled himself off the floor and Parry still had a job. I guess Tom Mix wasn't a fake tough guy.

[QueensburyRules]

You will not want to watch it then. Apparently you have never watched a movie with boxing in it, since all of it is fake. Sorry you missed Raging Bull, it was a hella movie.

- - Never saw Raging Bull, but obviously every thing is choreographed and seems to have had an authentic feel because of the actors and directors.

The Muhammad Ali first movie was a hoot, but since it starred Ali hizself, I'd imagine it included legit Ali boxing footage. I still wouldn't go see it because a saw a scene filmed in downtown Houston where I might've been in a public scene walking across the street to see Ali up close, pure hokum.

Eastwood being a female boxer's trainer...nope, nor Thuggess Shields latest film disaster complimented by a local film critic's sniffy useless critique that was pure comedy.

"A man has to know his limits...Clint Eastwood""

[Mr Mitts]

- - Never saw Raging Bull, but obviously every thing is choreographed and seems to have had an authentic feel because of the actors and directors.

The Muhammad Ali first movie was a hoot, but since it starred Ali hizself, I'd imagine it included legit Ali boxing footage. I still wouldn't go see it because a saw a scene filmed in downtown Houston where I might've been in a public scene walking across the street to see Ali up close, pure hokum.

Eastwood being a female boxer's trainer...nope, nor Thuggess Shields latest film disaster complimented by a local film critic's sniffy useless critique that was pure comedy.

"A man has to know his limits...Clint Eastwood""

It outstrips my imagination that a man could write tens of thousands words on topics cogent to boxing over many years yet never see Raging Bull, or have enough interest to bother seeing a great film in and of itself, let alone one about his special subject of interest.

I will not even ask for an explanation. I just assume it is Hayden and Mozart corrupting you again. I told you about those guys--they're dangerous.

[Bronson66]

It outstrips my imagination that a man could write tens of thousands words on topics cogent to boxing over many years yet never see Raging Bull, or have enough interest to bother seeing a great film in and of itself, let alone one about his special subject of interest.

I will not even ask for an explanation. I just assume it is Hayden and Mozart corrupting you again. I told you about those guys--they're dangerous.

Great film!
C'mon Mitts you know its Haydn.