Mountain Rivera is a veteran heavyweight and near-champion who suddenly finds himself washed up in the only trade he knows—prizefighting. Yet, threatened by gangsters for welshing on a gambling debt, Mountain’s opportunistic manager, Maish Rennick, schemes to get the ex-boxer into a phony wrestling match to make some quick money. Although he and his loyal trainer, Army, oppose the degrading proposition, the disillusioned Mountain begins to wonder if he has any options left.
Cast and Crew
Anthony Quinn
Lewis 'Mountain' Rivera
Jackie Gleason
Maish Rennick
Mickey Rooney
Army
Julie Harris
Grace Miller
Stanley Adams
Perelli (as Stan Adams)
Madame Spivy
Ma Greeny
Val Avery
Young fighter's promoter
Herbie Faye
Charlie, the Bartender
Jack Dempsey
Himself
Muhammad Ali
Himself (as Cassius Clay)
Lou Gilbert
Dr. Gilbert
Michael Conrad
Ma Greeny's Thug
Rory Calhoun
Himself
Barney Ross
Willie Pep
Steve Belloise
Hotel Desk Clerk
Abe Simon
Stan Ross
J.J. Ballargeon
Paolo Rosi
Alex Miteff
Gus Lesnevich
Al Bain
Police Officer (uncredited)
William Calhoun
Self - Rivera's wrestling opponent (uncredited)
Nancy Cushman
Woman on Elevator (uncredited)
Sig Frohlich
Diner Patron (uncredited)
John Indrisano
Barfly Watching TV (uncredited)
Arthur M. Mercante
Referee (uncredited)
Angelo Rossitto
Midget Wrestler Outside Wrestling Ring (uncredited)