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.

This is not a movie about boxing; it's a movie about family, love, faith and great courage. It is however; a truely amazing movie. I see many Oscars in it's future.

I'm almost totally convinced that I met Mr. Braddock and his family when he lived in North Bergern. I lived in Guttenberg and Margaret Fox was a really close friend of mine and I believe we visited his house when we were kids. I can't remember Margaret's mother's name but her dad was a cop in Guttenberg and his name was Mr. Fox. If you get a chance please e-mail me and confirm or not. All I can remember is my father telling me he was a really special, important person, a great boxer.

Great website and stats!

The new movie was excellent.

We need people like the the bulldog to lift our spirits in tough times. Mr. Braddock left a good legacy.

Vaya con Dios, Thorson's

I posted here yesterday after seeing the movie but now find myself with something else to add. One of the cynical New York film reviewers indicated that the scene in which Jim pays back his "relief" money was most likely the invention of a sportswriter.

Earlier today, in an amazing coincidence, I was browsing in a local antiquarian book store and came across a 1936 issue of LIBERTY magazine containing an interview with Mae Braddock. In this contemporaneous account she confirms that Jim did indeed pay back the relief money out of his earnings from the Baer fight. (She also confirms some of the movie's harrowing details about how they lived during those dark days.)

Isn't it remarkable that today's cynical journalists feel obliged to sow the seeds of doubt whenever there's the slightest bit of evidence that somebody has done something selfless and altruistic?

Now more than ever, I wish I had spent more time talking to Jim Braddock when I worked on the same construction job with him during those few short weeks in the summer of 1970.

A truly great movie. My wife and I saw this movie today and we were truly moved by the story,the man and the family. New Jersey was truly blessed to have this man as one of their own. Hopefully everyone will be moved as much as my wife and I. Bravo to Ron Howard, Great Movie.

My wife and I just saw the film, what an inspirational film about a man whose values need to instilled in many of our youth today. I say this as an educator for 36 years, hollywood needs to make more films like this. As a fight fan I knew of his career but to learn about him and his life and his values is something I will never forget. I can only hope he will serve as a role model in the future.

There aren't enough words to describe how the movie moved me...James was a wonderful man...a complete man at that...the way the movie portrayed his love for his family and his passion for fighting to help his family was amazing...I only wish everyone had the heart of James Braddock...i will never forget this movie and the man James Braddock was...

I was familiar with the story from reading about James Braddock in Ring Magazine duing the 1980's. The movie accurately dippicted the most compelling human interest story in boxing history. My wife, who hates boxing, loved the movie. Thumbs up!

My wife and I just saw the film, what an inspirational film about a man whose values need to instilled in many of our youth today. I say this as an educator for 36 years, hollywood needs to make more films like this. As a fight fan I knew of his career but to learn about him and his life and his values is something I will never forget. I can only hope he will serve as a role model in the future.

Saw the movie last night... terrific!!! I am not a fighting fan, but remember many hours as a kid watching my grandpa avidly enjoy the fights. I never heard of Jim Braddock and was not paying too much attention to the the movie ads, except that Ron Howard as director caught my attention and his name is always attached to superb quality. So... I dragged my husband to the show and we both were bowled over by the story. Jim Braddock is simply an inspirational American Hero in my opinion. His story is uplifting to say the least. Bravo to both he and the makers of this film. I am so glad I went!!

Bravo! Bravo!

As a long time fan of the fight game and a avid movie-goer, I was extremely moved by both the story of James J. Braddock and the acting of all the parties to portray such a wonderfull man. My hat is off to Ron Howard and his crew as well as Mr. Braddock's family. Hollywood should take note of this kind of family oriented story-line and the man's values.

I've read a couple of articles on James Braddock and I was deeply touched. After seeing the movie last night I was just blown away. What an inspiration. Such love for his family and country. Such courage. It was truly a wonderful movie based on an unforgettable person.

I just saw the movie. It was one of the greatest movies of the man as I have ever saw. It was an inspiration to us all that if you work hard enough, have faith in God and have values in your life, and that you have a never say die attitude, you can achieve your dream against the odds. Terrific movie and cudos for Ron Howard, another academy winner.

My wife and I just saw the movie this afternoon. I knew nothing about Jimmy Braddock, but I sure wished I could have known him. "Rocky" (the original, not the sequels) has always been an inspiration for me. Jimmy Braddock's story, which must have inspired Sylvester Stallone, moved me and my wife. She cried through much of it and I wasn't that far off. Thanks.

Saw the film last night. Amazing! It made me laugh, cry, and cheer. Jim's courage and heart are an inspiration to us all.

I just saw this great movie yesterday! What true courage this man had! He was willing to truly give all he had for his family. Every now and then Hollywood outdoes itself. This movie is indeed one for the ages.

Just saw the movie. What an inspiring man. Wish I had known him. The first time I'v been in a movie, where the audience applauded. He epitimized what it means to be an American.

Just saw the movie. What an inspiring man. Wish I had known him. The first time I'v been in a movie, where the audience applauded. He epitimized what it means to be an American.

We saw the movie this morning,what a great man James was & an inspiration to all.

The movie, Cinderella Man, brought to life the remarkable life of this great boxer. As a kid in Brooklyn, NY, I visited Joe Chappie's Gym and also Stillman's. My dad was a heavyweight called Sailor Bill Serres who trained with Joe Louis at Pompton Lakes, NJ. His boxing prowess came to an end when he was KO'd by Louis while in training. He woke up in the locker room with two teeth missing and a bus ticket back to New York.

I saw the movie Cinderella Man and was absoulutely blown away. As great a fighter as he was, what was most impressive was his determination and heart. He overcame great obstacles for resons greater than himself. James Braddock is a true American Legend.

Cinderella Man is one of the finest movies ever made. The fact that it depicts, as accurately as possible, the life of a real man and his family overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds in seemingly overwhelming circumstances qualifies this movie as a true classic of real American heroes, Mr. & Mrs. James J. Braddock. The story made us laugh, cry, applaud and cheer. This is one for the ages. When it becomes available it will become part of our family's permanent library. America would return to greatness if more Americans lived with the character, honor and courage displayed by James J. Braddock.

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time! (Not too surprising since Russell Crowe is such a great actor) I truly felt the Braddock's stuggles and pain yet was inspired by Jim's determination and decent humanity through it all. Very well done.

How come no mention of Jethro Bodine?