Cinderella Man Viewing Guide



1. In what year does the movie begin? November, 1928

2. How much is Braddock paid for his fight? Nearly $9,000

3. How would you describe James Braddock’s living conditions in 1928?

Middle class to upper middle class. He lives in a nice suburban house in New Jersey.

Based on the items on Braddock’s dresser, would you consider him to be well off? Why or why not?

Doing well. He has rings, jewelry, and a nice watch.

4. How have things changed by September of 1933?

Braddock and his family have lost everything financially and are living in a very cheap apartment in a slum

area of New York City. They cannot even afford to pay for milk, the parents have to give up food for their kids, and the food they eat is very cheap like bologna.

5. What evidence is there of great financial issues facing the family?

Way past due on electric bills and milk service has been cut off. The low quality apartment, lack of food, milk,

etc.

6. What does the mom (Mae) do to help increase the amount of milk?

Fills it with water to stretch it out.

7. Why did his son steal the salami? What did his dad promise him after he forces to take the salami back to the butcher?

He thinks that if his parents cannot afford to feed the kids, they will ship them off to relatives until they

can afford to bring them back.

8. After Braddock breaks his hand boxing, what is he forced to do to make money?

Work on the docks.

9. In addition to boxing, what other business did Braddock have before the Stock Market crashed?

He had invested all of his money in a taxi cab company.

10. What reason did the worker give for shutting off the electric despite Mae’s pleas?

He had a wife and kids and if he didn’t shut down the electricity he would lose his job and might not

be able to pay his bills either.

11. What does Mae see when she and the kids are collecting wood from the billboard for heat?

A man abandoning his wife and family because he can’t work and support them financially.

12. What factors motivate Mae to send the kids away?

It was freezing cold, they were getting very sick, and they couldn’t afford to take care of them properly.

13. Why does Braddock go on government assistance? Why do you think he was reluctant?

In order to get the electricity back on so the apartment would be heated and he could get his kids back. He was

reluctant to take aid because it would show that he had failed as a father to provide for his family.

14. What is unique about the birthday party in the movie?

The family throwing the party had enough money to pay for a large party with a lot of guests, cake and refreshments for everyone.

15. What is the cause of the argument between Mike and his wife at the birthday party? Is there more to it than the drinking?

Mike, Braddock’s friend was drunk at the party, embarrassing his wife and kids. She said he drank because

He couldn’t support his family.

16. Why is Jimmy given an opportunity for another boxing match? Why does he take it despite the odds against him?

Because the opponent for the number one heavyweight contender got hurt and couldn’t fight so they needed

someone to fight him without training.

17. According to Jimmy, why didn’t he eat the day of the fight?

The soup kitchen was closed.

18. What is the result of the match? What key factor is the difference in the fight compared to his last?

Braddock won in a knockout. His right hand had healed and he could fight effectively.

19. How much money does Jimmy have left after the boxing match? What does he do the morning after the fight?

He netted only $5 after boxing expenses and paying people back. He goes back to working on the docks.

20. What does Mae find when she goes to see Joe (Jimmy’s Trainer)? What does that tell you about the overall impact of the Great Depression?

That even though he had a very nice apartment, he had to sell off all their furnishings to survive. He was giving the impression that he was doing well when in fact he was barely getting by.

21. Who wins the rematch with John Henry Lewis?

Braddock

22. What images motivate Jimmy against Lasky?

His family dying, struggling after he dies.

23. After the Lasky fight, what does Jimmy return to the New Jersey Relief agency?

All of the money he got for relief/welfare.

24. What is the “Hooverville” Mike’s wife talks about? What is Mike doing there before he is killed?

The shantytown. Organizing a labor union movement.

25. What does Braddock say at the press conference about giving his relief money back?

That he lived in a great country, one which will help people when they are down and out. He just wanted

to repay the country that helped him.

26. Why does the promoter force Jimmy to watch Max Baer’s fight on tape?

Because Baer killed two people in the boxing ring and he wanted Jim to understand completely what he was

getting into before the fight.

27. What reasons does Jimmy give for accepting the fight?

He said he understands that boxing is dangerous, but that it is his “profession” and he accepts the risks.

28. According to sports writers, what impact is Jimmy Braddock’s comeback and success having on people?

It was giving people average people suffering during the Great Depression hope in the future. Jim was a common man, like the mythical “Cinderella..” If he could succeed, they too had hope to improve their situations.

29. Why doesn’t Mae want Jimmy to fight? Why does he go on with it?

He is afraid that he will get hurt badly or be killed and she would lose her husband and father to their children.

Jim says that he has to fight. That he has to have a say in their future. Let me handle things head on. At least with boxing he could see the trouble coming at him.

30. What does the priest say about the people who are praying in the church?

They were all praying for Jim to win. It was like they were fighting for them.

31. What does Mae say to Braddock in the dressing room?

That he was the “Bulldog of Bergen (NJ) and the champion of her heart. She loved him and was supporting him all the way.

32. Who wins the fight? Jim Braddock.

33. Which famous heavy weight does Braddock lose his title to eventually? Joe Louis

34. Why do you think Jimmy Braddock inspired so many people during the Depression?

It showed that despite their situation, there was hope and a way out.

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