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.

I am not a boxing fan. I first heard of Jim Braddock in the movie 'Quiz Show'. i must say that 'Cinderella man' is very well-played by Russell Crowe. I only hope he is accurate in his portrayal of your grandfather.

I LEFT YOU ALL AN EMAIL MESSAGE BEFORE SEEING THIS GUESTBOOK. I WILL REPEAT WHAT I SAID IN THE MESSAGE. I AM NOT A BOXING FAN, BUT THE MOVIE AND PORTRAYAL OF "GENTLEMAN JIM" WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC. I ENTERED THE MOVIE KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT HIM, AS DID ROGER EBERT, WHO PRAISED THE FILM. CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME AUSSIE WROTE ON HERE, RUSSELL CROWE WAS SENSATIONAL, ACADEMY AWARD MATERIAL. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR WHOLE FAMILY. WHAT A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE YOUR DAD, GRANDAD, ETC., WAS. HE WAS ESPECIALLY GREAT TO LEARN ABOUT IN THIS ERA OF UNCARING PARENTS AND SPOUSES AND CASUAL DIVORCES. SUCH A CONTRAST HIS LIFE AND BEHAVIOR MAKES WITH THEM! GREG

I find myself on this site researching Joe Louis, after having just watched a documentary about him. What a character. He's going on my wall.

I similarly researched Braddock earlier this year when the movie came out - which I'm looking forward to seeing - and am now doing again. I even found the location of that park last time I was looking. Off to Google Maps...

As an Australian, let me say that Ron Howard is good, but Russel Crowe should confine his fights to Coffs Harbour.

I don't particularly like boxing, and I have some serious ethical issues with the "sport" and its management, but I find the stories of Louis, Braddock, Baer and Schmeling quite inspirational in the sense that they not only had to fight in the ring, but they had to fight through those tough years.

They hurt each other in the ring but turned the world on its head outside.

Thanks for a good site. May you be googled into eternity.

Last night my husband (Bill Schmeling) and I saw the movie, Cinderella Man. I have always liked boxing, perhaps more than any other sport. My husband is a very distant relative of the late Max Schmeling and I was very intrigued by seeing that Mr. Braddock had a bout scheduled with Max Schmeling that was cancelled. Was it cancelled because of Hitler's activities? I appreciate very much learning the story of Mr. Braddock's life and career. He is an American Hero.

I just saw the film and after that i went straight to computer to find out more about J.J.Braddock and discovered this web sait.Now i know what a great man J.J.Braddock was and he learns me that most important thing in our lives is the family.Thanks to all the Braddocks family who made this web sait impossible and all good to them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Not only was it entertaining but it peaked my interest in James. Upon leaving the movie I wanted to find out more about him...thank you for putting up such a wonderful website.

Being a boxing fan all of my life as well as a some what historian on the fight game, the picture "Cinderella Man" was probably the most acurate and touching fight movie I have ever seen. I know someone (Mr. Nuccio and son) who knew Jay and also met the champ himself and it is a pleasure to have shaken the hand who shook the hand of the Champ. I have as a keepsake, a Braddock rookie card that stays in mint condition. I hope the family was as pleased about the movie as the fans were. Thanks for sharing his life onscreen.

I was born and raised in North Bergen NJ and my father was very active in the town. He knew James J and visited him in his training camp. He was proud to introduce me , as a boy, to the former heavyweight champ. I am happy to say that I shook his hand. Like my dad, James J was a gentleman and well respected in North Bergen. My dad would like to have seen this piece of history on the screen.
The county saw fit to rename one of it's parks in honor of him.

We just saw the movie and wanted to say we loved this man's determination and love of his family. Thank you.

Growing up in Hudson County my entire live, I am embaressed to say that I have never heard of James J. Braddock, except for the park bearing the name.
Cinderella Man has been one of the most emotionally moving films I can ever remember seeing. It reminded me of the stories from a time that were told to me by my parents and grandparents.

did the movie do good in the box offices?

Cindrella Man is an awesome movie.
It will be a gross injustice if Russell
Crowe does not win the Academy Award for it.
He has been compared to Richard Burton. If Hollywood made more movies like Cindrella Man box office
receipts would soar.

My entire family went to see the movie last night and loved it! It should receive great recognition at the Academy Awards. It is a rare experience today to see a movie like this that displays morals, values, and inspiration. It was so moving that I had to research more about Jim and ended up at your website. I'm glad that his family members have been able to share the story of this great man. The most important thing about Jim to me was his attitude of gratitude and that when times got better for him he actually paid back the relief money so others could be helped. What a true humanitarian effort that was! Thanks for sharing his story!

We saw the movie last night at a small town theatre on an island in the Florida Keys. What a movie! The entire Braddock family must be very proud. Too bad it took so long for Jimmy's story to be told.

Jim's story is not just about boxing. The movie teaches us about love, honesty, and commitment. What a beautiful story for young and old to see. The Braddock story should be told in schools and churches across the country.

My wife and I were deeply moved by this film. Braddock's dedication and love of family and country truly is a testament to all ages, young and old.

My church mens group (Christ Our Hope, Wake Forest, NC) went to the movie as a group last night and we enjoyed our time. James Braddock was an amazing man, and my impressions of him are that he had a strong moral backbone and firm belief that his family was the most important thing. Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about him.

Robert

THE BEST movie watching experience i've ever had. Thanks to RON for making this incredible movie and presenting it today to all of us... James... hatsoff to you! I'm sure this movie is gonna win atleast FOUR academy awards!

This movie is great tribute to the heart
of the working class, those who build,
grow and make real things everyday
without fuss or complaint.
One of them is worth a hundred yuppies. God Bless them all !

I'm originally from N.J. and met Jim's son, Jay, while working on a construction job in Newark. He was a classy man. I didn't know his father's story until today watching the "Cinderella Man". Thanks, RON H.

I JUST READ THE BOOK CINDERELLA MAN....NOW THIS IS ONE PERSON ..ONE NAMED JAMES J BRADDOCK WHO DEFINITELY HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT FROM BEGINNING OF CAREER RIGHT THROUGH THE DEPRESSION,AND RIGHT UNTIL RETIREMENT AND AFTER...THE MAN FOUGHT AND WORKED TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY THROUGH THE HARD TIMES.IN MY OPINION JAMES J BRADDOCK IS ONE TRUE BLUE COLLARED WORKING CHAMPION.

A wonderful movie about a courageous man who loved his family. We need more role models like Jimmy Braddock in the world of sports today.

We went to see this a film as a"Mystery Movie"; where nobody knows what picture the cinema is showing.
We were delighted to have seen such an enjoyable, gripping and honest movie.

Saw the movie last Saturday. Wonderful story and amazing family. Thanks for sharing the story and what a great website.

Steve

Just saw the movie...What an amazing man Jim Braddock was. I appreciate his great example.

Bob