Keep Punching (1939 film)
Keep Punching is a 1939 film about boxing. Its primary character is Henry Armstrong (born Henry Jackson).[1] Unlike most films of the era, its cast was composed entirely of African Americans.
Keep Punching | |
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Directed by | John Clein[1] |
Produced by |
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Screenplay by | Marcy Klauber[1] |
Story by | John Rosamond Johnson[1] |
Starring |
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Music by |
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Cinematography |
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Edited by | Al. Harburger[1] |
Production company | M. C. Pictures, Inc.[1] |
Distributed by | State Rights[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 81 minutes[1] |
Country | United States of America |
Language | American English |
The film includes Whitey's Lindy Hoppers (Lindy Hop) performing the much imitated Big Apple Routine.[2] A film clip of the dance scene was also released as the short “Jittering Jitterbugs” in 1943 showing the Big Apple routine choreographed by Frankie Manning and the a Jitterbug dance competition thatfollowed in the film.[3]
Plot
Cast
The film's cast was entirely composed of African-American people; this was highly unusual for its era.
It was directed by John Clein.[1] Performers in the film include Dooley Wilson and George Wiltshire. The film also features boxing champion Henry Armstrong.[1]
References
- "Keep Punching". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- "Big Apple Keep Punching Version". Lindy Hop Moves.
- Reporter, Lindy Hop (July 3, 2019). "The Big Apple / Keep Punching (1939)".