Following his poorly received film debut in The Silver Chalice (Victor Saville, 1954), a film the actor himself called “the worst motion picture produced during the 1950s”, Newman was given an opportunity to redeem himself with the lead role in this biopic of boxing legend Rocky Graziano. The part became available after the tragic death of James Dean, for whom it was originally intended. Somebody Up There Likes Me follows Graziano’s trajectory from a troubled childhood that led to reform school (where he met Jake LaMotta) to a stint in the army, from which he deserted, to the discovery of an aptitude for boxing that saw him become World Middleweight champion. Newman’s commanding performance put his career back on track.

Screening as part of the Paul Newman: American Icon season.