Director Allan Dwan’s excellent use of New York locations enlivens a rags-to-riches tale that fully exploits star George O’Brien’s championship boxing prowess.
Practical Effects
O'Brien's real boxing — no doubles, all sweat.
Cinematography
1927 NYC locations feel stolen from time.
Direction
Dwan crafts emotion without a single spoken word.

Director
Allan Dwan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
O'Brien was a real amateur boxing champion before Fox made him a western star.
Dwan shot guerrilla-style through actual Lower East Side streets, capturing immigrant NYC before redevelopment erased it.
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