The Set-Up (1949 film)

• Robert Ryan: Stoker Thompson
• Audrey Totter: Julie Thompson
• George Tobias: Tiny
• Alan Baxter: Little Boy
• Percy Helton: Red
• Wallace Ford: Gus
• Hal Baylor: Tiger Nelson
• Darryl Hickman: Shanley
• David Clarke: Johnson
• James Edwards: Luther Hawkins

Ring for Stoker Thompson ( Original Title: The Set-Up ) is a twisted black and white American drama film from 1949, which is counted to the genre of film noir. Robert Wise directed the film from a poem by Joseph Moncure 1928 entstandenem March.

Action

The aging heavyweight boxer Stoker Thompson will compete against the newcomer Tiger Nelson. His manager Tiny is persuaded to fight manipulation by the gangster Little Boy. Stoker to go in the second round to the ground and lose the fight. Since Tiny is certain that Stoker is subject anyway, he tells him nothing of the planned fraud.

At the same time his wife Julie Stoker tries to convince a continuation of his career, as he feels fit enough despite his age. Julie, who has been supporting her husband wants him to stop. You do not want to look at the fight that night. In the dressing room Stoker is thoughtfully. Other boxers are preparing for their fights, and Shanley, a young and timid man before his first pro fight. Stoker noted that the light has gone out in the hotel room next door and thinks Julie had changed their minds and come to fight. Julie is actually on the way to the arena. But the cheers of the audience disgust them.

Shanley returns to the locker room, he defeated his opponent. The middleweights Johnson, however, loses the round. Meanwhile, clips the restless Julie through the streets of the city. Stoker enters the ring and noticed to his dismay Julie's empty seat Little Boy and his girlfriend place bets against Stoker. Stoker, who knows nothing of the manipulation, Reds ignored instructions to keep their distance. At the end of the second round Stoker pushes the surprised Nelson against the ropes. In the third round Stoker covers his opponent with a hard hitting, but also threatens him the KO Tiny will have to deal with the fear and told him in the rest of the business with Little Boy. He implores Stoker to lie down for broadcast on the boards.

Despite his exhaustion Stoker Nelson suggests unconscious. After the fight Stoker tried Little Boy dodge, but lured by his men into a trap. You beat the boxer, but can beat Little Boy in the face. Furious breaks the crook Stoker's hand with a brick, so his career is over. The injured Stoker meets Julie, who takes him in his arms and assured him that they had both won tonight.

Background

Ring for Stoker Thompson was premiered in New York City on March 29, 1949. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the film did not run in theaters, but was first broadcast on ARD on 22 May 1965.

As in the poem, a black boxer should take the lead role in the film. The plan was James Edwards, who was not well enough known, however, as a film debutant. Since there were no black movie stars at the time the script was rewritten. Robert Ryan, who had boxed in college, got the role, Edwards had to settle for a supporting role. Hal Baylor, a successful amateur boxer who came here under the name Hal fever Ling.

The film is shot in real time, i.e. the duration of the film is the same as the time elapsing in the film. The famous photographer Arthur Fellig aka Weegee has a small role.

Reviews

Thomas M. Pryor of the New York Times wrote after the premiere: " The great expectations and shattered dreams [ ... ] awaken to vigorous, vibrant life thanks to the clever, directed by Robert Wise, sensitive and colloquial dialogues, with which kind Cohn the script knew [ ... ] The small cast [ ... ] delivers fresh, credible interpretive services. "

The Time Out Film Guide praised the film in later years as "one of the Top 10 list ", with impeccable Robert Ryan in the title role, and added, never "The film burns with the humanity, the Raging Bull completely attained. "

The lexicon of the International film about the film: "What is remarkable critical denunciation of the excesses of American professional sports and the ruthless reaction of the audience; masterfully especially the observations before the fight. "

Awards

At the International Film Festival of Cannes 1949, the cinematography by Milton R. Krasner Award. In addition, the film won the FIPRESCI Prize. 1950 ring was free nominated for Stoker Thompson Best Film for the British Film Academy Award.