Max Baer in 1938 short "Fisticuffs"

This is a Pete Smith Specialty "2-reeler" or "short" (shorts were shown prior to the main event motion picture) which opened in theatres in 1938.

The film showcases Max Baer with his various real life sparring partners in the ring. Slow motion is used to illustrate how Baer uses his skills. Boxers who make an appearance include Hank Hankinson, Al Morro, Mickey MacAvoy, and Jack Roper.

An interesting article about the calisthenics Pete Smith went through to produce boxing sound effects follows:

Reno Evening Gazette
08.27.1938

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 27 (AP)—Pete Smith, film narrator, bared the black-and-blue details today of what he sacrificed for auditory realism.

Recently Max Baer made a short subject called "Fisticuffs" and yesterday Smith recorded the sound effects. Baer knocked out three opponents, so Smith had to imitate the noise of a variety of blows, followed by yells, groans and ouches.

As the film unreeled, he slapped himself vigorously from shoulder to stomach. Some slaps had deep, hollow tones, others were sharply staccato. In all, Smith slapped himself about 200 times. Then a studio nurse applied arnica.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Max
• Baer
• Fisticuffs

[MorayEel]

It's a little funny, I watched the video before looking at your username at the top, and one of the first thoughts to come to mind was "I should send this to that Max Baer fan from those boxing forums from way back, she would love it".

[MaxiesGal]

LOLOLOL, nice to hear my guys are looking out for me ... I actually got ahold of this from a fellow CBZ-member ... so uhhhh what's your forum name baby ? LOL ...

[XionComrade]

@MaxiesGal Hey Maxies gal do you have any footage of Baer hitting the heavybag?

[MaxiesGal]

@XionComrade You mean the one where he hits it so hard its bouncing around like it's filled with air ? I think one of my multi-subject clips of old newsreels has a quick clip.

[beatlejim64]

Baer had a BRUTAL right hand...he killed Frankie Campbell in 1930...

[MaxiesGal]

You can read an 18,500 word mini biography I researched and wrote about Frankie Campbell, including excruciating details about the days surrounding his fight with Baer at my site, listed underneath Max's image, on my channel main page.

[XionComrade]

@MaxiesGal I went through all of your videos but couldn't find it :( he and earnie Shavers are considered the hardest hitters in history, bar none, but their is no footage of either hitting the bag available :(

[KarinPluss]

Thanks so much for posting this! I love all the Pete Smith shorts and when you get a close look at Max Baer in addition - well, you can't go wrong! Loved Baer in The Lady and the Prizefighter. Pete Smith is always funny.

[gianca60]

Maybe you call it Philly Stance but it's the same thing.

[marcxopoco]

Baer was NOT using any cross armed defense there.