Cinderella Man, was he a good Catholic?

[Jasny]

I just saw the movie Cinderella Man. It was a great film but I sensed that it may not be accurate in some details. Was his trainer so committed to using Jesus’ name at any chance? It also seemed to insinuate that he lost his faith and no longer went to church . But in that generation not to be a decent Catholic would seem un-heard of. He seemed to have exhibited all the virtues of a devote Catholic.

It isn’t that I don’t trust Hollywood ; they would do it if it wasn’t true.

Could anyone help me with some details about his devotion? I live in Europe and there isn’t much here or on the net either.

 

[decn2b]

I think its pretty accurate on him. I think your view of that generation being devout is a little generous. I come from Irish American immigrants. My father told me that his father Never went to Mass. In fact My grandmother has a picture of the front yard of their church. The picture was taken during Mass. The front steps was covered with husbands and fathers standing outside smoking. I asked her what the deal was and she said the men just didn’t do the mass thing.It blew me away. My dad confirmed this by saying that the working class men of his fathers generation left the women in charge of “religion”. I don’t know if it was like that everywhere but it was where they grew up. I found it odd that the men would get dressed up in suits only to go and stand on the steps of the church to smoke. Weird.

 

[Jasny]

decn2b:

I think its pretty accurate on him. I think your view of that generation being devout is a little generous. I come from Irish American immigrants. My father told me that his father Never went to Mass. In fact My grandmother has a picture of the front yard of their church. The picture was taken during Mass. The front steps was covered with husbands and fathers standing outside smoking. I asked her what the deal was and she said the men just didn’t do the mass thing.It blew me away. My dad confirmed this by saying that the working class men of his fathers generation left the women in charge of “religion”. I don’t know if it was like that everywhere but it was where they grew up. I found it odd that the men would get dressed up in suits only to go and stand on the steps of the church to smoke. Weird.

That is still the custome in cental Europe too. They smoke until consecration then they take out their hankercheif and kneel on one knee. But it isn’t the magority. These men also have been known not to be too honest. Which goes against what Jim seemed to be in the exteme.

But do you have any facts about the real man to support/against the movie?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I didn’t see the movie, but the lyrics to the song by Rush pretty much kept me with hope when I was in a particularly troubled situation in 1983.

lyricsdomain.com/18/rush/cinderella_man.html

Alan

 

[Toni]

Today we rented this movie. I can not believe how much like Rocky it was. I wonder if Rocky stold the Braddock story. A good movie and I enjoyed it.

 

[Fitz]

I rented it last night and saw it. It was a great movie. Braddock was a faithful husband and loving father. He provided for his children. He took relief money when he was desparate and then paid it back. His family went to church and he did miss mass when he worked on Sunday, but he told the priest he needed the shift time on Sunday. For the most part he was a hopeful person even during adversity.

I heard today that the woman who played Sarah (widowed during the movie) was his real life granddaughter. Her mom was his only daughter.

I think it was a great movie and wonder why I hadn’t heard more about it.

I just found another interesting piece of info on him:
After his retirement, Jim and manager Joe Gould enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1942 where they became 1st Lieutenants. Before the war ended, Jim served on the island of Saipan. Upon return, he helped construct the Verrazano Bridge and worked as a marine equipment surplus supplier, running generators and welding equipment. Jim and his wife Mae raised their three children, Jay, Howard and Rosemarie in a house they bought in North Bergen NJ.

Here is the official web site:
jamesjbraddock.com/theman/

 

[Toni]

Thanks for posting this. Very informative about his life. As the rest of my family finished watching the movie I could give them the great stats.

 

[RLT]

Toni:

I can not believe how much like Rocky it was. I wonder if Rocky stold the Braddock story.

Rocky was inspired by the career of Chuck “The Bayonne Bleeder” Wepner.

 

[Jasny]

Fitz:

I rented it last night and saw it. It was a great movie…
I just found another interesting piece of info on him:
…
Here is the official web site:
jamesjbraddock.com/theman/

Thanks for the info but what I’m curious about is his spiritual life. How good a Catholic was he? I got the impression that Ron Howard was spinning the story to imply that he lost his faith. Though that isn’t clear from the movie. Any way thanks for the help. Is there anyone from New Jersy out there that may have more intamate info?

 

[Fitz]

Jasny:

Thanks for the info but what I’m curious about is his spiritual life. How good a Catholic was he? I got the impression that Ron Howard was spinning the story to imply that he lost his faith. Though that isn’t clear from the movie. Any way thanks for the help. Is there anyone from New Jersy out there that may have more intamate info?

I don’t have any way of knowing this except by his actions. They indicate that he did not lose hope or despair. I am assuming he remained a God fearing man.

 

[Jasny]

Fitz:

I don’t have any way of knowing this except by his actions. They indicate that he did not lose hope or despair. I am assuming he remained a God fearing man.

That’s my guess too.

But the movie hints in another direction.

The reason Im interested is Im working on an article that would be illistrated by this film perfectly. How Hollywood changes history so that secularism/secularist is the hero; not the God fearing man. It occures often in films but if I could get some concreat details then this would be a great example.

Secularist propaganda is very subtle it works slowy. Like water dripping on a rock in time eats away the rock.

 

[Fitz]

Jasny:

But the movie hints in another direction.

The reason Im interested is Im working on an article that would be illistrated by this film perfectly. How Hollywood changes history so that secularism/secularist is the hero; not the God fearing man. It occures often in films but if I could get some concreat details then this would be a great example.

Secularist propaganda is very subtle it works slowy. Like water dripping on a rock in time eats away the rock.

OK, now I see your need to know. I really think that if Hollywood wanted to keep his faith a distance, then they would not have had Mae go to church to pray (where half the neighborhood gathered to pray also) for his safetly during the fight. I did think it was fitting that Hollywood showed some men in the bar for the event- for I can believe that really happened too. They were blue collar workers joined in poverty and they wanted one of their own to succeed.

I happen to think that his answer to the priest about why he missed mass on Sunday was very good. He needed to support his family. It was a fact. They did not have Saturday evening mass back then. He was not disrespectful to the priest, but matter of fact. I think he was still around the church and his family, meaning that he still wanted this to be part of his life. This is my opinion only. Good luck with your writing.

Go to the web site I posted. You can actually find a spot to ask the family questions. The grandchildren may answer you. Who knows.

 

[Shaheen]

I loved the movie. I found it to be very inspiring and moving. I didn’t get the gist that he lost faith personally and I think he was a very good man because he put his family first and was willing to sacrifice for them. The scene where he went begging his former “friends” for money was heartbreaking and made me cry.