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 thought that "Cinderella Man" was an AWESOME movies. It is the best movie I've ever seen in my life. It even made me cry. I thought that James J. Braddock had a sensational story and was a brave, courageous man. He was and is an inspriration to all.
Love,
Hailee

I thought the movie was phenominal! I like the way it wasn't just a sports movie, but also a history lesson for the younger generation. Braddock should be remembered for his accomplishiments outside the ring as well as in it. Great man, great movie, can't say enough about it. Oh Yeah, and we share the same birthday.

I saw the movie yesterday on what would have been Jim's 100th birthday. It was a wonderful movie, but I'm sure Jim himself would have been embarrassed from all the publicity he is getting from it. I wish I could have known the man and his family. The love for his wife and kids is so clearly defined by the sacrifices he made for their well-being. I can only hope people in this day and age can learn from his example.
Thank you for setting up this website. After the movie, I wanted to find out all I could about this great and legendary person.

Without the movie to pique my inteamirests I would have never found out about this interesting man. I especiallywant to believe that what the movie depicted about his family was true. My father was not so lucky in the Depression, he like many children were forced for sur vival reasons to leave their families and live with distant relatives or orphanages. Kudo's to Mr. Braddock for keeping the family together despite the unfortunate luck.

I have long been a fan of boxing. I am so happy your Father finally got the recognition he deserved!

Pat Urscheler

I have not seen Cinderella Man yet, but will definitely do so in the near future; I've heard such good things about it. I recently saw a picture of Russell Crowe wearing a jacket that said "North Bergen" on the front. I thought, "couldn't be THAT North Bergen", so I did a little research. I didn't know that the movie Cinderella Man is about James J. Braddock. So then I thought, "THAT James J. Braddock, the one the park was named after?!?" Well, sure enough, it IS! I grew up in North Bergen, lived there from 1970 until 1986 when I moved to CA. I spent many winters ice skating on the lake in that park, which at that time was called Hudson County Park. Imagine, THE North Bergen where I grew up. Mr. Braddock has bought back many fond memories!

To the Braddock Family:
Beyond boxing, Jim and Mae leave us a lasting image of a truly heroic family and an inspiration to us all. Thank you.

I went to see this movie only because I am a fan of Ron Howards work, I never even heard of Jimmy Braddock, and never been a boxing fan, but this was the best movie ever. I recommend it to everyone. I am glad to have been introduced to the life of Jimmy Braddock, a true American hero!

We were so happy to find this website!
We saw the movie last night. Jim's love for his children and Mae and his determination and positive attitude exemplifies true courage.
Thank you for sharing his story with the world!

The movie triggered some memories of my own. THe squaller in which they lived. The want for utilities. The want for food. My mother and father both worked so they wouldn't have to go on relief back in Brooklyn, N.Y. I was born in 1931. So I remember many of the things the family went through. My sister said that this should garner a few awards. It may and may not, because Hollywood does not like family pictures. This is the reason it came out in June instead of December. Now with Crowe facing misdemeanor charges he'll not get anything. Everyone in the cast were excellent. I felt the pain and I felt the hurt. A very moving movie.

Being born in New Jersey and having family from Hudson County, it was a pleasure to see a true champion get his due. If the world had more Jimmy Braddock's this world would be far better off. It's sad to see what has become of boxing in today's world.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.My father lived through the great depression.What a wonderful story.My father told us about it ut most people today have no idea how bad it was.

I just saw the movie Cinderella Man..I was truly moved by the movie...I never knew about the man..but I'm glad I do now..I enjoyed your website..This man was had determination that I cannot comprehend..His life is an inspiration.

After seeing the movie, even though I am currently unemployed, I have nothing to claim about, more importantly, I now have been inspired to continue moving forward in my job search, prior to this movie, I had given up.

Hey Jay, Great movie I'll never forget being in your basement seeing all the wonderful photos of you grandfather. Dont forget St Phillip's too Ha Ha!!

It's a pleasure to see movies that elevate faith, conviction, selflessness, commitment to marriage and family, and self-sufficiency to their rightful place in any society: the pedestal and the forefront. Mr. Braddock's biopic illustrates this beautifully, and he did so with great humility. Ron Howard and the crew who put this epic together deserve great thanks for showing us a real-life Rocky that can inspire us all. Cheers!!

I went to see the movie the day after the opening. Once again Ron Howard you made a wonderful movie. I am 54 yrs old and never heard of James J Braddock until this movie and what fine example of a man he must have been. It was a story of a champion, both in and out of the ring.

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.

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.

I was born in 1971....never heard or knew about this man .i loved the fact that throught out the movie the husband and wife refer to each other as "baby" ....Lot to be said in the ways husband and wives relate to each other .....havin lost both my parents seeing the essence of this love brought home the heart of the movie to me not boxing--family

After seeing the movie, it was nice to see such a great website to learn more about James Braddock. Great job, what a nice way to keep his memory alive.

the only problem with this movie is it makes Max Bauer out to be a evil. He wasn't. Even Braddock said as much:

And for those of you willing to cut the filmmakers some dramatic slack as they crafted their movie villain, consider what Braddock himself said.

"You see, Max, he was a nice fellow, but never should've been a fighter," Braddock said in the 1972 book In This Corner. "I always said that Max should have been an actor instead of a fighter."
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/3671852?GT1=6555
See:

I went to see Cinderella Man last night, June 7, on my birthday. Reading this website I found out it was also James J. Braddock's birthday. I loved this movie. It was great. I was so impressed with the life of this man. I would have rathered the movie to have less cursing, but I am grateful the cursing was kept down to a minimum. I was also glad to see that the movie had no sex scenes, which made it possible for my kids to enjoy this movie, too. It was great that the movie emphasized his love and devotion to his wife and family. We need more movies portraying the lives of great Americans like Mr. Braddock. This movie has been added to my list of favorite movies.

From all the hype, I was expecting to see a good movie, but never expected it to be this good. it was far more than I could have ever imagined. Exciting and emotional, what wonderful casting, hats off to Ron Howard and the cast for a solid movie.

I saw the movie, great movie, its great to see he is finally getting the recognition he deserves, he is definatly a legend and will live in the hearts of many and many, forever.