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.

We just saw the wonderful movie "Cinderella Man" tonight. His spirit and integrity was very moving. The love and devotion to his family was so admirable. His honor certainly made him a great man in many ways. Thank you for sharing this website. God bless and keep you.

Having grown up in North Bergen, I had certainly heard the name James J. Braddock, but only that a park was named after him. I had always assumed he was some sort of politician. When Cinderella Man was being advertised a friend of mine, who is also from North Bergen, told me it was about Jimmy Braddock...it took me a few minutes to conjure up that name from the back of my memory..I said, James J. Braddock? Like the park? She said YES...at that moment I knew I had to see this movie. I went to see it the other night and, let me tell you, never was I so proud to be from a place, and never so ashamed that I didn't know who this great man was. Thank you Ron Howard for bringing this incredible human being to the world's attention once again. Hopefully everyone will now know who James J. Braddock was and is.

I grew up in North Bergen and Hung out in Guttenberg. I met Jimmy at Wolf's Bar and Grill on 70th and Jackson in Guttenberg. My Grandfather was the bartender/Manager there and was friendly with him. I believe my Uncle Bill who was the Chief of Police in Guttenberg was one of his sparring partners at one time. I also was a batboy for a softball team that JayJay played on with my father. The movie was great and when we were in New Jersey recently we drove through the Park and along the street where he used to live. Again great movie, not just the boxing but the depiction of the depression. Should get Oscars!!!!!

Fred Brunner
Moundsville, WV

I do remember Jimmy Braddock and the shock that was felt by many that he could defeat the great Max Baer. I am 85 years old and during those times we all knew who the top boxers in the country were no matter what their weight. The heavyweights of course were the cream of the crop. The movie was just great.

Sadly, I had never heard of James J Braddock until I saw the movie. What an inspirational story, not just about his athletic accomplishments, more importantly how he displayed dignity in difficult times. The most impressive scene in the movie is where he tells his son, "We don't steal, ever." His love of family and devotion to them is sadly lacking in today's society.

After seeing the movie Cinderella Man I wanted to get up and go work out at the gym. During the fights, I could watch as long as Braddock was dishing it out... once he was getting it I had to turn away. I found the movie not only inspiring, but emotionally charged as well. As a girl, I am among the few in my group who loved the movie... Waaaay to go Jimmy Braddock!

After seeing the movie last night "Cinderella Man" I felt like I had been in the ring with Mr. Braddock - all worn out. During the fight scenes my hands were up trying to help him win - great movie!!! Should be up for academy award!!!

Being of Irish descent,I remember listening to old radio
broadcasts here in savannah,many years ago. I remeber
Gene Tunney,Rocky Marciano,etc. I remember the Baer
fight with Braddock and pulled for him because he was Irish.
Until now,I didn't know much about him.Boy does America
need more men like him today.The old re-run broadcasts that I listened to as a boy,came flooding back to me as I
watched The Cinderella Man. He is everything I look for in men today,and seldom find.He was a great man as well as
a great american.I'd love to meet up with one day.

Have seen this wonderful movie twice now in the last week and also listened to my father in law (fight fan from the 30's) talk about how Jim Braddock was his first hero! I can see why! His life and this story is a classic for the ages. Congratulations to the Braddock family

Andy Roettger Chester, NJ

What a strong and courageous man. He is an example of what determination means. Thank you for this great movie!

Just saw the movie with my sister. What a wonderful inspiration!!! Incredible story and life. Thank you to both the family & Ron Howard for sharing it with us all. This movie not only opens our eyes to the life and story of James Braddock but also reminds us just how horrible the great depression actually was.. Which sometimes is so forgotten.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL MAN WIHT US ALL....

Seeing pieces of Braddock's life, seeing his determination and drive to overcome odds is a tremendous inspiration. I admire the kind of man he was and the legend he is today. Thank you James Braddock.

Having grown up in North Bergen and now living accross from the county park named for James J Braddock, I was always curious about his life. This movie was so moving, it made me proud to be from his howetown.

I often heard my parents speak of Jim Braddock. They lived in North Bergen for over fifty years and had St, James parties and would often get together.
It moved me to think of my parents growing up in the Depression and being so poor. My mom had 12 childen in her family. Suzanne Agresti

Growing up I had heard of James J. Braddock but seeing the movie made me realize what a real man he was, and how the Depression forged The Greatest Generation. It was truly a moving experience!

Jim Braddock was trully one of America's greatest heros! His love for family shows that he trully knew what Gods plan was for him in his life. I admire him deeply. Thank you.

My wife and I went to see this movie and were very moved with what this man did to support his family. This man is a true HERO in every sence of the word. I felt pride being from N.J.

Great to see the history of this man and his family. He was in the generation of my grandfather and grandmother who lived in northern Jersey. His family values and ethics reflected that generation. You must be very proud of him. It was an honor to be able to see his story.

never before in my life have i EVER heard the name, james j. braddock. i guess growing up on the west coast or being that much of a boxing fan can do that to a person. to NOT hear of this remarkable man's story is not only tragic, but in my mind- it's sinful!
one of THE best ever films i've ever seen and a glimpse of a man whom now i've come to admire. renee zelwigger is AWESOME as mae. she deserves an oscar for her performance HANDS DOWN! i certainly hope more young people see this movie and learn what it takes to be a "real man." certainly james j braddock was that and a WHOLE lot more

Thanks for such a wonderful movie about Jimmy Braddock. I had never heard of this guy and after I saw the movie, I wanted to know more about him, as well. If there were more people like Jimmy Braddock today, this world would be a better place. What a great man, husband, father and fighter! May God Bless all his generations!

I too was taken out by my daughter for a father's day outing. This was the perfect film to see on this day. My father told me amazing stories of will and stamina during his childhood in the great depression. Your Grandfather was one of the great survivor's. I hope his devotion to family that was shown in this film will set an example for many young people who will see it, and will inspire those young people to raise their future families based on fidelity and love. Thank you for sharing this site with all of us.

My son and I went to see this movie. I am a retired football coach and I had tears in my eyes when we left the theater. This was the best movie that I have ever seen and I only wish that the people in Hollywood would make more movies like this. This movie will probably help our younger generation in learning how we should live and how we should conduct ourselves. It was a fantastic movie about a fantastic man.

I was an amateur boxer and won a Golden Gloves Boxing tournament in 1988. I consider the movie "Cinderella Man" as a must own movie to teach all human beings how to behave in the world. James J. Braddock was a great person who inspired many people by his behavior. He was a fantastic "role model" to be looked up to. I think the this movie would be great for teachers to use in a history class to teach about how hard the depression was and to show a man who really had great character.

the film was tremendously moving....what a tribute to a great spirit and man

This movie was one of the best I have ever seen. It was sad at times to realise how life was for so many people during the depression. However, I was so uplifted to see how much the human spirit can endure and what great sacrifices people make for the love of their family. I couldn't wait to find our more about this great man.