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.

Now hear me out... I have always hated boxing! Why? I love men and hate violence. I didn't know of Mr. Braddock and didn't know if he'd won that bout with Max Baer. But this movie of a man's purpose and determination in life not to give up....oh my....his values..his love for family and friends....it was like a 'real life' John Wayne-type. For the first time in my life I could see if it's what you do best, you should go for it...even if it's boxing :-). I cried and laughed, Paul was excellent, Russell brilliant, Ron, Brian Akiva...Thank You and may God bless you for you inspirational touch to your films. To the Braddock family, you have a lot to be proud of.

I made sure i knew nothing of Mr. Braddock before I saw the Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe, and it was like I was at the fight. How inspiring is this story!! It made me cry to realize what my parents went through in the Depression. I'm sure Mr. Braddock would be proud of Russel's portrayal..as usual, brilliant.

The movie was by far one of the best stories told. I'm only 18 and very lucky for the life my mom has provided for me. The story of this exceptional man is one of the most inspiring.

Another boxing allegory, but with such humanity.... Exceptional storytelling of an exceptional life....

I'm an avid movie watcher, and tho "sports films" are not my thing I enjoyed this movie immensely as it is a wonderful story of a faithful and dedicated life with integrity -- what a lesson still valuable today! Thanks for sharing your story.

The movie was excellent. Paul Giamatti does an excellent job as the manager of Mr. Braddock. Director Ron Howard does another outstanding job.

I saw Cinderella Man last Sunday night at a sneak preview. I was very surprised to see the theater packed with people my age and older (47). At the end of the movie, grown men stood up screaming BRAVO... many were crying throughout the movie. People around the United States will be reminded of what it means to be a man. Let's hope some of these men learn from Mr. Braddock's life and try to emulate what his life meaning was. To bring hope to those who need it, to bring faith to those that lost it, to bring humanity to those who've forgotten it.

BRAVO To a great hero, may he never be forgotten.

I just watched the movie tonight and was inspired my the determination that was portrayed by Ron Howard. I just wanted to see the real story behind the movie. This story will touch many hearts and, I know, will just let people look at the times we live in today and not take what we have for granted... Great Job and God Bless

What a movie! We just got back from the movie tonight. After an hour, we are still moved and touched. What a great father, a great husband, and a great man James Braddock was. He is such a gentleman off the ring and has great love for his wife and kids. Thank you Ron Howard for sharing the journey of this great hearted man.

I just got home from this wonderful movie and decided to find out more about James Braddock. Thank you for this site. What an inspiring story about a wonderful husband, father and courageous Irishman. I think it will give people courage to keep on reaching for the best in themselves. Russell Crowe shows once again what a talented actor he is--hopefully an Oscar for this and thanks to Ron Howard for another realistic look into peoples lives.

Just saw the movie - I was very inspired and think Jim was great man and a great influence to many people. God Bless him and his family.

This was definitely the best movie we have ever seen!...Russell Crowe and Renee portrayed James's life in a factual and amazing manner!!...This movie will by far win many oscars!!!!...The life of James Braddock was truly inspiring..We think that every man should emulate his values of family and love and devotion to life itself and achieveing your goals! We would also like to say that James Braddock's grandaughter, Rosemarie DeWitt did a wonderful job!!..May you always cherish achievements of this wonderful man, who has gone down in history!! And of course we would like to give a special thanks to Ron Howard for putting this wonderful masterpiece together!!!

That was the most incredible movie I've ever seen. I'd never heard about James Braddock, but I hope this movie wins Best Picture so he gets the publicity such a hero deserves. Amazing.

i just saw cinderella man tonight because it seemed like a interesting movie, but i was honestly touched by the story about the life of The Cinderella Man. It became much more than a movie, James Braddock was a wonderfull man who gave hope to so many. This is a great cite, very well done and informative :)

James J. Braddock was a fantastic human being ......... honest, hard working, decent & such an inspiration. I'm so glad that his story was brought to the big screen so people could know him. I'd never heard of him before, but you can bet I'll never forget him now. His family certainly has something to be proud of. Sincerely, Patricia Maureen O'Fallin McGill (I like the fact, too, that Mr. Braddock was Irish .......... ha ! Note my name.)

Fantastic movie !!! Thanks Mr. Howard for a superb movie & one that will long be remembered. My father passed away several yrs. ago, but he use to live in the northern states & he hired himself out as a sparring partner to boxers to make extra money during the depression. This wonderful, inspiring movie gave me an idea of what that era was like & what the people living during that time had to deal with. Thanks for a really unique movie .......... one that everyone ought to see. I give it total thumbs up.

this was one of the best movies i have
seen. it was inspirational and uplifting.
while watching this movie you really
feel like you are right there with this
wonderful man and his family

Just saw the movie. Best part was the love he had for his children and his wife. Seems to me, that is what really inspired Mr. Braddock. He fought for his family. What more can you say. A true man!

Wow.
Where do I start...
I lived just a stones throw away from him and never knew his story. I knew the Park on 90th street just short of Fairview as Hudson County Park, never paying attention to the name which so distinctively reads "James Braddock Park". I fished there and have taken my kids there and it was a part of our lives for a long time till we moved to Toms River.

Knowing a small part of who this man was has certainly been an emotional roller coaster. I am also a father, having 4 children I can relate to the feelings and drive that pushed him all the way back up the ladder to succeed and take the Belt as World Champion.
It's people like that who are the true unsung heroes and their stories need to be told. I give the movie a thousand stars x10...Truely Oscar thinks so too!

Thank you for making such a wonderful movie Mr.Howard. It has brought some dignity and honor back to the movie screens.

Personaly I would have kept the salami, but Mr Braddock is a better man than me.

Mark, Dawn (will take my kids to see this one later this week) Halpin

I, like so many others who have posted a note in this guestbook, have just come home from having seen 'The Cinderella Man' and am thoroughly impressed on how accurate a story this film tells. James J. Braddock is someone to be admired and respected for his will and determination. I knew nothing about this man until tonight and, again like many others, had to search online to learn more about him. I think we could all learn a thing or two from the real 'Cinderella Man'... truly, a man of unparalleled character and substance.

Wow! Saw "Cinderella Man" at the 9:55PM Show; place packed with Navy and young adults mainly. At the end of the show Applause. The values here are not just for older adults, the young recognize quality too. Thanks Mr. Howard!
Peace,
Bill

Like those who have written before me I also just returned home from the movie the Cinderella Man. I cannot really do justice to what has been said before--so many good words and thoughts. The movie or better the story is indeed an all-inspiring story and one all Americans (or for that matter all of us humans) should see or consider--these comments are a testimony to its inspiration. Its main themes (or at least the ideas that I will take away from it) which are set in the cauldron of real life, focus on the importance of the family through thick and thin and how significant it is to stay together and perservere through hardship whatever it may bring; and to maintain a sense of humanity always--no matter the adversity. Its true life story of overcoming all odds and of never quitting also reminds me of the movie and story of Seabiscuit (which as we all know is also based on historical fact and involves men (and a horse) down on their luck but who keep trying, never quitting and ultimately succeeding). Braddock's character, which somehow did not know the meaning of giving up also reminds me of the great movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest which similarly exhibited a theme of never giving up--of fighting the big guy (the authority, or the obstacle whatever it be) to preserve one's basic human dignity and hope for scratching out at least a basic existence. The Cinderella Man movie ultimately is full of lessons (but it is not pedagogic in my view) if we want to pay attention. To me it provides a lesson or reminder that in this country if we are given a CHANCE to live and have a decent life (no guarantees) we shan't squander it--for in the final analysis it is each of us who have to make the chance appear; it is each of us who must find and decide which road to take; and it is each of us who will have to decide whether humanity to man will be our beacon along the road we have chosen and ultimately it is each of us who will have to find the right balance of everything we face in life.

What a man, What a husband, What a father, What an American, What a hero and what a movie. There are no more James J. Braddocks in the world today. Russell Crow can dust off the shelf. I will see it again and buy the DVD. Thank you Ron Howard for showing the world James J. Braddock.
God Bless the Braddock family.

My husband and I just saw the movie. It was wonderful... Definately the best movie we've seen. James Braddock was a very inspiring man.

I just wanted to say thank you to the family of Jimmy Braddock. I'm sure you must have collaborated on the story and assisted it its telling. My eyes filled with tears of gratitude for a story of such inspiration. You must all be very proud to have been a part of his legacy and to have his story inspire you in times of trial. I hope their is little bit of Jimmy Braddock in all of us. And I hope that I can leave a legacy for my family that too will inspire generations. Again, thank you for sharing the wonderful story of the heart and the drive to win of your father.