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've seen "Cinderella Man" twice and it is true to the real life story of Braddock. The reason I know is that I've got a book entitled "The Heavyweight Champions" which goes through Joe Frasier and after reading about Braddock, the movie does a great job of not exagerrating. I loved the scene where he explains to his son about not stealing. He talked to him like a man and the kid understood...no need to spank or overstate what happened. You just know the kid loves his dad and would do nothing to disappoint. It's a great movie with great acting. Too bad Russel Crowe isn't half the man in real life that he was in the movie. You know who looks like Braddock? Shaun Hannity on Fox News. Too bad he doesn't act. Russel Crowe should have beefed up for the role like Stallone did. Braddock was a fairly big man at 6-2 and 180 pounds. One last thought: My Mom always talked about the "Hoovervilles" outside of Dubuque, Iowa and they looked just like she described them in the movie.

I love the movie Russel Crowe made for the part. I was in tears just a very great movie.

I saw this movie tonight and it was wonderful! My 12 yr old daughter said it as the best movie we have seen yet. I agree.

I was a kid growing up in the Great Depression. Jim Braddock was an ordinary guy who showed that things could change, a miracle could happen. But you had to get in there and fight. My father used to say, "You can't tell a champion by how hard he hits. You can only tell a champion by how hard he comes back after he's been hit." Jimmy Braddock - they used to call me "Jimmy" then too - Jimmy Braddock showed how hard he could come back after he'd been hit. He was a true champion. He was a model for us all when times are tough.

James J. Braddock official site:

I recently had the chance to watch the movie Cinderella Man. Not knowing anything about James J. Braddock I took that chance. And I am glad I did. From now on when i think about a blue collar American and a great family man and a boxer i will think about James J. Braddock. He stood for everything that is right about our country. It is always said that in sports the heart is truly the biggest muscle... And that is a true statement when it comes to james and the movie cinderella man. I m glad i saw this movie and i will watch it a dozen more time.. but i also im glad i got to see the real side of braddock through this website.... James J. Braddock is now my favorite boxer of all time..

Great movie about a great man and his wonderful family.

My husband & I went to see "Cinderella Man" two nights ago only because I'm hearing impaired and it was playing with open captions. I had no idea what it was supposed to be about. We were MORE than pleasantly surprised to find this the most incredible movie Hollywood has released in a LONG time! James Braddock the fighter may have been great, but James the man was exceptional. The values he and his wife lived by are hard to find today: hard work, honesty, loyalty, courage, sacrifice, and above all, family. My husband & I are originally from Jersey, so we enjoyed the Jersey jokes. The apartment complex looked unbelievably like some apartments that my uncle lived in when I was a kid. But, what we found most compelling was the vivid portrayal of the poverty and destitution of the Great Depression. Skipping a meal so your daughter can eat, ripping wood from the bottom of a billboard for some semblence of heat, the shacks in "Hooverville" all were haunting, heartbreaking scenes. This movie was terribly enlightening as to why people who lived through that time are the way they are today. This is a film EVERYONE should see. It is a needed reminder that courage in the face of adversity is the foundation that made this country great - a lesson most of us born in the generations after Mr. & Mrs. James J. Braddock have forgotten.

I have nothing to add to all these kind and deserved words on James Braddock.

I share all your love to him, and admire such a wonderful human being he seemed to be.

I guess I just wanted to express the fact his legacy is broader than just the US.

What a wonderful film by Director Ron Howard. I don't know if it was the mis-marketing, or what, but more people should have gone to see this film. Goodness, decency, faith and steely determination are displayed in the lives of Mr. Braddock and his wife, Mae. They appeared to be extremely good people.

What great role models and what great object and life lessons for all those facing hard times. Hat's off to Ron Howard for having the courage to make this great film.

Once again Ron Howard has amaized us all with this wonderful, heart warming story of a true and honest hero James J. Braddock. This is by far the best movie I have seen in along time. My parents grew up in the depression and stories of them eating fried bologna brought memories of how hard times really were during the depression. To the entire Braddock family, Ron Howard, and cast thank-you for making a movie that brings tears to the eyes of not only woman but also grown men and for making it worth the while to once again enjoy going to the movies and coming out with great pride of being an American and saying to yourself that is what makes a great movie when it touches you deep in your heart.

My girlfriend and I saw the movie yesterday. Afterwards we both were questioning my husband who was around nine years old when Jim and Max had their fight. He remembers every detail and we were so impressed. We are both returning to see the movie again with our husbands this time. What an inspiration the family values protrayed. Thanks Ron Howard for another wonderful strong movie worth going to and recommending to others.

cinderella man is a triple A movie. i'm planning to buy original dvd movie of the film!

After seeing the movie “Cinderella Man” I understand why my father, born in 1900, always spoke so highly of James Braddock and admired him as a boxer and outstanding citizen. I am seventy-five and recall listening to heavy weight boxing bouts on our old battery powered Atwater Kent radio. I can attest to the phrase “I saw it on the radio.” If my father were alive he would have been thrilled at the performance of Russell Crowe in the role of James Braddock.

i saw the film and loved the story so much. my husband and i just named our baby boy Braddock.

In a society largely void of character, integrity and accountability, we need heroes. JJB has provided us with exactly that. The Great Depression taught important lessons to millions of Americans and helped to solidify the backbone of our great country. Unfortunately, over the past few generations, we've lost sight of the humility, work ethic and pride that kept people alive when life was at its absoulte worst. I myself have suffered my own professional depression over the past several years and can, in a small way, relate to what Jimmy did in his life. The man is a must study for anyone who values integrity and determination. I just saw the movie and have felt a profound sense of confidence that I, too, will prevail. Thank you to the Braddock family for allowing his story to be told and for creating such a humble, meaningful website for those of us who need to know more about this truly great American Hero. God bless your family.

Wow! If my grandfather were alive he would be telling me of the Baer fight and how listening to the fights helped get many a man through the depression. I had to research J.J. Braddock after seeing the movie. I am not much for fight movies, but this one was so inspiring that it gave me goose bumps. What a tribute to the endurance of good men. Something we lack today.

Just saw the movie- it is a must for everyone. James Braddock was such a fine man. An inspiration for everyone. Thank you so much for the web site. After seeing the movie, I just had to know more about JJ Braddock. It is wonderful to get the info from a family member. Bless you.

Growing up in the 50's my father and I watched almost every friday night fight card. My father was a depression era fight fan and new all the guys. But I never understood the era or Mr. Braddock more clearly than after seeing the film last night.The depression was brought to reality and Mr. Braddock a "hero " to any dad today. Great job!!

Awesome movie..Talk about overcoming trials...Definitely a man who loved his family...He also had a wonderful woman behind him at all times..Through the good and the bad, the rich and the poor..That is something you don't see today..His story is truly an inspiration for today..

just saw the movie whit my wife.What a great Man JJB was.Beside all the tribulation he had, he always was honest and a great father. certainly we don't see much people like that nowadays. what a lesson for us all.God bless you JJB

Just saw the movie with my 21 year old daughter. We both loved the movie. As a man who has fought to provide for his family during very challenging times, I walked away inspired and encouraged by JJB's story.

Alas, at 70 I'm not old enough to have any recollections of Jimmy Braddock, other than to know his name. Joe Louis is the first heavyweight fighter I can recall, but Ron Howard and Russell Crowe captured the a capsule of the champ that showed his sterling character. As a child of the depression, I have heard stories like those Braddock faced, and he met the challenges with spirit and grace. God how we need heroes like him today.

I just saw the movie and all I can say is, WOW! Mr. Braddock is an idividual to be emulated and commended for his integrity, honesty and humility. He was not only an exceptionally devoted family man, but truly an inspriational individual. Russell Crowe was phenominal and hopefully, will be honored for his portrayal of this wonderful man.

I am a third cousin of Rocky Graziano. This film is the Seabiscuit of great boxing stories - and I have seen Seabiscuit five times and never get tired of it because of the heart and soul and spirit of the story that reveals a winner overcoming the most difficult of hardships. In his time, James J. Braddock gave countless Depression Era survivors a chance to believe in something better for their lives through a hero with integrity and bravado. It would be a gift for the world to have a gentleman of his force and honorable charisma today.

I don't know what I expected, but Cinderella Man was absolutely WONDERFUL. I was inspired by the story of James J Braddock and truly impressed at the character of the man. They don't make them like that anymore. Now THAT was a MAN! Great website too. The Braddock family has much to be proud of. Congratulations on a fitting tribute to your grandfather.