Born to Fight

Born to Fight is a 1936 American drama film directed by Charles Hutchison from a screenplay by Stephen Norris, based on the short story, "To Him Who Dares" by Peter B. Kyne. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Jack LaRue. Cast Frankie Darro as "Baby Face" Madison Kane Richmond as Tom "Bomber" Brown/Tom Hayes Jack LaRue as "Smoothy" (billed as Jack La Rue) Frances Grant as Nan Howard Sheila Bromley as Sheila MannorsAda Monte F. Collins as "Gloomy Gus" (billed as Monty Collins) Eddie Phillips as Duffy Fred Toones as Snowflake (billed as Snowflake) Philo McCullough as Goodall Hal Price as Heckler Plot Tom Brown, known as "The Bomber", is a professional lightweight boxer. One night he is out at a nightclub when he gets involved in a fight with a local gangster, "Smoothy" Morgan, over fixing a fight. When Tom knocks Smoothy down, everyone believes the gangster to be dead. On the advice of his manager, Gloomy Gus, Tom flees New York City, heading to Chicago. On the way he meets a young unknown boxer, "Baby Face" Madison, and he agrees to train him, but uses the alias of Tom Hayes. He goes to a local gym in Chicago where he used to train, where he finds out that the former owner has died, and the gym is now run by his daughter, Nan Howard. Nan thinks she remembers Tom, but is not sure. As Tom trains Baby Face as a flyweight, he begins to have some success in the ring, winning his first fight. After the fight, the police arrive, looking for Tom Brown, and question Nan, but she does not tell the police that she thinks she recognizes Tom. After his initial successes, Baby Face is offered a shot at the title in Madison Square Garden. Tom warns him that he is not ready, but his hubris makes Baby Face ignore Tom's warning. He does not know that Baby Face's opponent has been paid off to take a fall. However, because he is so unprepared, Baby Face loses the fight and returns to Chicago in disgrace, finding it difficult to get bouts. Back in the ring, Baby Face, using Tom's tutelage and techniques, once again begins his ascent. He gets to the point where he is legitimately good enough to try to attempt the big time in Madison Square Garden once again. However, the press has become suspicious of the close resemblance between Baby Face's boxing style and that of Tom Brown. So as to not expose himself, Tom has Gus pose as Baby Face's manager. As the fight nears, Tom and Gus are approached by Morgan, who has faked his death.