James J. Braddock - Guestbook

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

In the movie, Braddock was quoted as saying that if his family couldn't stay together, then it was all for nothing. He couldn't have said truer words. He understood what life was about. Thank you for sharing his story.

Ron Howard , you are a fantastic director, and human being, You have once again brought to the screen family values, and what people of our world need to see, and feel, and realize. I admire you, so much, and think the world of you, if it were all possible and I ever did get my story told, I would never want anyone else to do it but YOU...
Jim was a wonderful example of courage and the human spirit, and God thought so also, and blessed him, I was so taken back with the story, and my parents were in that era both deceased, I miss them terribly, and they always reminded me of such a time as the depression.
God Bless Jim, and his family, Happy Birthday Jim,I cry even as I type these words, as I was deeply touched by the story, as well as the fact how Ron Howard, directs so well, all the time. God Bless you Ron, and your family as well..Keep up the good work.

Love
Brokenhearted, Mama Joyce

I am a causal boxing fan. When I heard there were filming the movie THE CINDERLLA MAN this was one movie a was waiting to see the movie.
I saw the movie it was amazing about his life, a family man and a great boxer. I became a fan after seeing the movie. I am so glad I found this site. He was a true champ of the people during the hard time in American History of the Great Depression. LONG LIVE JAMES J.!!!!! BRADDOCK.

Too bad they don't make more films about people like this.
Very inspirational!

I have not seen the movie, but I am very happy that James Braddock is at last receiving his very well deserved recognition as a great human being. Congratulations.

Howard, your father is a true American Hero. It was men like him that has made our country what it is today. The life he led is a true inspiration to us all. Oh yeah, his wars in the ring were not bad either.

What an example of a man and a father in the times that we live in today. Im glad to see that Hollywood is finally starting to find the human spirit as engulfing as the almighty dollar and "thugs". James Braddock rest in peace. You were and always will be the embodiment of a "real man".

Great site for a great man, husband and father.Thanks

I loved the movie! For the first time I realized that we all have greatness in us. The story of Jim Braddock challenged me to find my own greatness. I can't stop talking about it, I am telling everyone I know to go and see the movie!

Several people have written to this site
asking if my father, James J. Braddock
paid back the relief money he received: YES, he really did pay it back. In fact, Russell Crowe recently purchased the "Paid Receipt" on line.
Some are asking about the family: My
father James died in 1974, my mother Mae died in 1985, my sister. Rosemarie died in 1995 and my brother, Jay in 2001. I am the sole surviving child. I am sure that if my
family were alive today they would
be as proud as I am about the movie. My parents have six grandchildren: Susan, Nancy, Timothy, Jay, Cathleen, and Rosemarie.
My father enlisted in the U. S. Army
along with Joe Gould in 1942. They
were made First Lieuts. Before the war ended, my father served in the
South Pacific on the island of Saipan.
Howard P. Braddock

I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THIS MOVIE AND ITS TRUE STORY OF SUCH A DEDICATED FAMILY. I CRIED, I LAUGHED AND EVEN FOUND MY SELF APPLAUDING AT THE END. WE REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE. THANK YOU

I have yet to see the movie, but I am confident that Jim Braddock was the kind of American that inspires all of us to leave a mark and a legacy for all to personify. A man who took care of his family at all costs and won a fortune in love, admiration, and courage from untold numbers of folks who get up yet another day with hope inside.

Kris Metzgar, Chesapeake, VA

I thank you for allowing the world to meet a true American hero. I was so moved by the struggles that your father and mother went through during the depression. It gave me a better understanding of the suffering that my parents experienced as young adults during that most horrific time in our history. If our country had more parents like yours and mine we would all live in a much better, and more moral world. Your parents love story was incredible - much like my parents who lived for the well being of their family and remained in love with each other til death parted them. I, too, found my self throwing punches and sitting on the edge of my seat; and hiding behind my hands because it hurt me to watch the blows. What a well acted and well directed film. kudos to mr. howard for recognizing what an inspirtational life your dad led. and though i have never been a russel crowe fan i have to say he once again transformed himself into his character! Excellent acting by all - and the actor who played max baer sure made the audience want to knock him on his a--themselves.
thanks for giving the country a much needed hero to be proud of in times when we are so brow beaten by the world.

Wow, what a wonderful man, husband,and father, full of character and what so many of us lack in this country today.........heart and determination. I wish my father was still alive to see it with me, he truly would have enjoyed it.As many have said.....well done to Mr. Howard and Mr. Crowe, A big thank you.

I just saw the movie. What a hero James Braddock was and will always be. What a hero.

My hat goes off to Mr. Braddock and what he stood for.

A true man... a true father... a true husband with heart, character and no quit.

The morals portrayed in the film were so refreshing to see. RON HOWARD and crew, THANK YOU!

I had been waiting eagerly to see this movie, I am a boxing fan and I am so inspired by many of their stories of courage and strength. This movie takes the cake, it is fantastic! I cried through most of it and my husband and myself kept catching ourselves throwing and dodging punches during the boxing scenes. We got a dose of reality and what true suffering was like for many. We thought we were struggling financially but after the movie we just hugged and thanked God for our good fortune and the opportunities that we have available to us. What a rare gem, what a man, what a life, thanks to the many men and women who made this film possible.

Because of the movie I was able to feel the emotion of this mans fine life. His story is a reality that serves to make our country and its citizens feel proud for their own quiet sucesses of raising a family with the difficulties of life that every generation feels.
Each of our lives has some of this greatness and dedicated effort that all of us common men can identify with from Mr. Braddocks well lived life.

My wife and I saw the movie tonight. The movie is truly inspiring and should be required viewing for our youth. Even though I was young at the time I can vividly remember my Grandfather talking about the Great Depression and its tragic impact on American families. The movie raised eyebrows between my wife and I and the common theme coming out of the theater was we need to take better care of our finances. Family is what is most important, not who has the biggest house or the biggest SUV. Thanks Jim Braddock for helping reinforce what is most important.

Just saw the movie , great ,I am 50 years old and knew Champs Son a Police Captain in North Bergen and his grandson Jimmy who I played little league baseball with , Two wonderful people, also spent much of my youth in North Hudson Park which has been changed to JAME J BRADDOCK PARK

Great movie! I liked the depiction of the Depression era. Reminds me of what my parents went through. They were the Greatest Generation!
Seabiscuit and Cinderella Man are inspiring stories. How fortunate to see it on Braddock's 100th birthday!

This movie was not only about a historic fighter with great will to overcome adversity, but a wonderful history lesson for us youngsters! James Braddock is the definition of honor, loyalty, and desire!
Great movie and very inspirational

I was on the edge of my seat--I forgot where I was and found myself standing up and screaming. This is the first movie since The Godfather that had me so stirred up. I closed my eyes on some of it. WHAT A MOVIE. I felt like I knew him. I was born in 1940 and had never heard of him. I'm going back and I've told all of my Senior Citizen friends to go.

I am inspired by the lives of Jim Braddock and his wife Mae. My son and I saw the movie this past weekend...amazing! I just feel that the example they set for their children should serve as a model for parents everywhere.

It was a wonderful movie that shows us where we came from in this country in regards to the greatest generation.
Being that I am somewhat young at 46 years old I am lucky to have grandparents and parents who testified to the value and family like Jim did. The value of food and the celebration of being fed can only be really understood by those folks of that generation who passed to some of us the realities and thankfulness of a full meal.
Jim and his family will never be forgotten and our prayers are always with him and those like him.

Robert