The Heart Punch Explained

Director:	B. Reeves Eason
Producer:	Ralph M. Like Fanchon Royer George W. Weeks
Screenplay:	John T. Neville
Starring:	Lloyd Hughes Marion Shilling George J. Lewis
Cinematography:	George Meehan
Editing:	Jeanne Spencer
Studio:	Ralph M. Like Productions
Distributor:	Mayfair Pictures
Runtime:	70 minutes
Country:	United States
Language:	English

The Heart Punch is a 1932 American pre-Code melodrama film directed by B. Reeves Eason, and starring Lloyd Hughes, Marion Shilling and Mae Busch. It was one of the first films from Mayfair Pictures.^[1] The film's sets were designed by the art director Paul Palmentola.

Plot

A prizefighter named Jimmy Milligan (aka the Cyclone Kid) meets his sweetheart's brother in the ring and accidentally kills him.^[2] She forgives him after he promises not to fight again. After his sweetheart goes to jail, however, he is compelled to set up one more fight in order to raise funds for her trial.

Cast

• Lloyd Hughes as Jimmy Milligan
• Marion Shilling as Kitty Doyle
• George J. Lewis as Lefty Doyle
• Mae Busch as Goldie Zenius
• Wheeler Oakman as Spike Patterson
• Walter Miller as Joe Zenias
• James B. Leong as Wong
• Gordon De Main as Defense Attorney Benton
• Hal Price as Mr. Webster
• Edward Peil Sr. as Prosecutor
• Tammany Young as Benny, the Waiter
• Henry Hall as Judge
• Kit Guard as Man Outside Gym

Reception

Critics called the film "swell entertainment,"^[3] lauding the picture for its "two realistic fights."

Bibliography

• Pitts, Michael R. Poverty Row Studios, 1929–1940: An Illustrated History of 55 Independent Film Companies, with a Filmography for Each. McFarland & Company, 2005.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Roth-Strand, Summit Offers a Good Program. November 26, 1932. The Chatham Press. en. May 19, 2019.
2. Web site: Current Attractions at Iowa City Theaters. November 26, 1932. Iowa City Press-Citizen. en. May 19, 2019.
3. Web site: Amusements. November 15, 1932. The Morning Call. en. May 19, 2019.