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.

WOW! What a story, what a great man.
Truly inspirational. If there were more people like James Braddock the world would be a better place.

I went to see the movie yesterday (June 3/05) and was so impressed by Jim Braddock and the principles that he stood for, He was honest, a wonderful husband, father and friend. He deserved all the blessings that he received and I wish his family all the best in the future. What a wonderful legacy!

They don't make movies like this anymore. Instant classic!

Hi Braddock Family (and all),

My wife and I went to see Cinderella Man last night on opening night. It was so very powerful, that I was caught by surprise. Tears flowed easily as I came to admire the determination of this couple and their commitment to family – to each other. This was such a well written, expertly constructed, and beautifully portrayed film – one like it I have not seen for a long time. The music score is perfect. And with the sure-to-be Oscar-winning performances by Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger, you will be propelled back in time and learn of this great hero that united the hearts of thousands (if not millions) across the U.S. at a time when moral was low, and people were truly struggling. And the wonderful thing to me is that the story is true! I hear that Jimmy’s granddaughter plays in the film, and as always Ron Howard gets his brother in there in a role – this time as the boxing referee. I understand Ron's father also plays a role in the movie. This movie is absolutely true to the events that transpired – not like other films made by directors who feel they have to embellish and enhance.

This movie transports you vividly right into the ring—you will feel the punches and the pain, the deep despair, and because of they do that so well, you will experience the exquisite joy of victory all the more. Ron Howard is a true craftsman in every sense.

This is a must-see movie!

Take your significant other and enjoy the evening.

BTW, I had never heard of James Braddock before seeing the movie. What a wonderful man he was--a truly meek man -- as strong family man -- an example to us all.

Thank you, Braddock Family!

All the best to you all!

--Kent

Saw the movie last nite an loved it ! Had to find more about James Braddock because his life an the life of his family touched my heart. Ron Howard is truely the best director that has ever come along !!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw the movie and his family must be very proud. I played and fished in James J Braddock Park many times, but never knew what a hero he was to all. A truly wonderful father, husband and American.

My husband & I went to see the movie yesterday. It was great!! I knew the name sounded familiar & when I heard North Bergen, N.J. I knew where I heard it. I spent my first 21 yr growing up in North Bergen and proud of it. I think every 9th grader should be required to see it. Most children now adays get too much handed to them & don't have any respect. We can all learn something from seeing this movie.

"Big dream. Bigger action"

Jim is a family-man for the ages!

Proud to call him my Irish NY-cousin...

As a life long fight fan and growing up just a couple of miles from Mr. Braddock's North Bergen home, I was well aware of Mr. Braddock's career, what I was not aware of was the man and his family...a truly inspirational tale of the ages....we all can learn from Mr. Braddock's life, example and values!

Did not know much about James J.,only knew that he was a boxer.But after seeing the movie last night,it was refreshing to see a man love his wife and children the way he did.In this day and age we need more fathers and husbands like that.He went to all extremes to keep them encouraged and elevated.

What an incredible movie showing how determination and the human will can triumph! It was also a great glimpse of the Depression. I grew up listening to stories my parents had of that era but I think my teenagers really now understand that life was not always a bed of roses by the depiction of the movie. Kudos to Ron Howard for bringing this incredible story to the screen!

Amazing story...Truly a great man..He put his family first and did what he had to do..

James Braddock is what America is all about. What a great man he was. Thanks to the Braddocks God bless.

I knew a little about Braddock, but was truly inspired by the great film by Ron Howard to find out more. I discovered to my shock that Braddock has yet to be included in our New Jersey Athletes hall of fame. Here is a guy who truly deserves the accolade. He was not only( against all odds) world heavyweight champion, but more importantly a man of real character and integrity who is an inspiration to anyone who is down on their luck.

We are in our mid eighties and vaguely remember Jim Braddock. Saw the movie yesterday and must say it was wonderful. Really brought back many memories of a sad and trying time in our country, but we came out on top just like Jim Braddock did. .

We are in our mid eighties and vaguely remember Jim Braddock. Saw the movie yesterday and must say it was wonderful. Really brought back many memories of a sad and trying time in our country, but we came out on top just like Jim Braddock did. .

I absolutely loved the movie. I am an avid movie goer, and have a major in drama from college. We saw the movie last night and it was incredible from start to finish. What an amazing story. Cinderella Man is the best movie I have ever seen.

This was a Great movie!!! Thanks for Telling us His Story.

I never heard of James Braddock/Cinderella Man before this week. We don't go to movies often as there are not many good ones out there. My husband called from work and said, "let's go see a movie, Star Wars". I said no maybe tomorrow night, however my sister saw Cinderella Man and said it was good. I called him back and asked if we could go see Cinderalla Man, he said yes.

It was wonderful. I don't like boxing or violence of any kind and must admit that I had closed my eyes during most of the fight senes. This story truly is an inspiration to all who see it of a man who remained courages during adversity. He remained focused on what he had to do and did it in a gentlemanly way. Thank you for sharing this story, thank you Ron Howard and all the others involved in the production....Yes Virginia, there still are good things coming out of Hollywood.

The story of James J. Braddock was truly a Fairy Tale come true. The movie was inspiring and to know that it was a "true story" makes it even more remarkable. This story is coming out at the right time for our Country. Thank You!

My late husband Merlin "Curly" Braddock was a boxer in the 40's until he had his eye injured. For the last 48 years of his life he was involved in the Golden Gloves in Toledo Ohio. His main purpose was to help kids achieve a better outlook on life through sportsmanship.
We had always heard that he was related to James Braddock. I have been attempting to see if there is a family connection. If there is a connection I believe it would be a great legacy to leave to our children.
Incidentally, there is a strong physical resemblance to our Braddock family.

Incredible, wonderful story. Saw the movie last night -- best movie I've seen in many years. Feel like crying as I think about how tough life was for so many people during the depression and how lucky we all are to have had such courageous and decent Americans to look up, to give us hope.

What a wonderful movie and inspiring story. James Braddock was a true American hero. This movie was an inspiration to my husband and I. I have always said that hardship makes you a stronger and better person if you don't wallow in self-pity and James Braddock refused to wallow in self-pity and look to blame other people for his misfortune. It goes to show that there is hope even when the darkness is so thick.

The name James Braddock WAS a distant childhood memory, untill last night that is. My family and I went to watch Cinderella Man. Together, along with everyone else in the theater, we cried, laughed and cheared for the man named James and his family.
I can remember my Dad mentioning, a boxer named James Braddock during the very first ROCKY movie. He said the story reminded him of THE REAL LIFE IRISH AMERICAN HERO, James Braddock. My own father, as a child, suffered through the great depression. It's heartbreaking to think of the suffering my own family, along with many other american families, endured during those dark years. My Dad remembered reading everything he could get his hands on that refered to the "Bulldog". He told us how The Cinderella man became a bright light in a dark time. Mr Braddock inspired my Dad along with the other boys he knew to become involved in boxing. Golden Gloves and CYO boxing became the lifeblood many, a reason to greet another day.
Last night while watching this amazing story a conection with the past was made. A connection of what we as family, as a country have come throug and what we still have to get through. This snippet of James Braddock's life that we have so graciously been aloud to share can inspire us now, as it did then.
Thank you Braddock Family and peace be with you.

Dear Braddock Family, What an honor to have seen your families story last night in the movie Cinderella Man. Mr.Braddock is a role model for all of us. I grew up in New Jersey and listened to boxing on the radio and watched the friday night fights, with my father, on early tv. I am so sorry to have missed this wonderful mans career, because, I was born in 1940. I will read everything I can find on James J. Braddock. Thank you for this website. and thanks to Russell Crowe for the human portrait of a real Champion