Palooka – More Than Just Punches & Paparazzi

Alright, so Palooka, this flick directed by Benjamin Stoloff (you know, the guy who did a ton of fast-talking B-movies in the 30s), is a weird little mix of glitz’n’grime from the old days. Starring the absolute legend Jimmy Durante – who honestly can’t NOT make you giggle with that rubbery face – and Stuart Erwin as Joe Palooka himself, it all feels a bit like stumbling into a boxing match at Folkets Park after three cups of coffee and way too much sugar. And Mae Clarke! She just glows—I mean, she’s got that thing, you know?

I watched Palooka with my dad once, back in 1987 when Channel 1 had some boxing-themed Saturday. He used to box a bit at the local club, and I swear, every time Joe got smacked, dad would make that “oof”-sound (like he felt it in his own body). Still cracks me up.

But let’s be real, the movie is a weird cocktail. There’s sport, but almost more about the circus around it than the actual fighting. Swedes my age probably think of Ingo and Floyd rather than Palooka, but this film is like the Swedish smörgåsbord of cinema: you pick what you want. Sometimes it’s sour herring, sometimes cheese, and yes, sometimes just a limp salad.

Is it a “good” film? Eh, don’t ask me that on a Monday. It’s got heart. You see the old-school stardust thanks to producer Edward Small’s touch (he was everywhere back then). Not super deep stuff – but if you squint, you’ll find bits that sorta stick, like a jab right between the eyes. Grab a cinnamon bun and laugh at Durante, why not?

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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