The Harder They Fall

Synopsis

Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass jaw. Exploiting Willis' reputation for integrity and standing in the boxing community, Benko arranges a series of fixed fights that propel the unsophisticated Moreno to #1 contender for the championship. The reigning champ, the sadistic Buddy Brannen, harbors resentment at the publicity Toro has been receiving and vows to viciously punish him in the ring. Eddie must now decide whether or not to tell the naive Toro the truth.

Cast

• 

  Humphrey Bogart
  Eddie Willis

• 

  Rod Steiger
  Nick Benko

• 

  Jan Sterling
  Beth Willis

• 

  Mike Lane
  Toro Moreno

• 

  Max Baer
  Buddy Brannen

• 

  Jersey Joe Walcott
  George

• 

  Edward Andrews
  Jim Weyerhause

• 

  Harold J. Stone
  Art Leavitt, TV sportscaster

• 

  Carlos Montalbán
  Luís Agrandi

• 

  Nehemiah Persoff
  Leo

• 

  Felice Orlandi
  Vince Fawcett

• 

  Herbie Faye
  Max

• 

  Rusty Lane
  Danny McKeogh

• 

  Jack Albertson
  Pop

• 

  Paul Frees
  Priest (uncredited)

• 

  William Henry
  Fight Arena Locker Room Guard (uncredited)

• 

  Frank McLure
  Reporter at Hospital (uncredited)

• 

  William H. O'Brien
  Ringsider (uncredited)