Kid Monk Baroni

The movie's the sort of thing John Garfield at Warner Bros. did to more dramatic effect. Nimoy's a tough slum kid going nowhere until priest Rober takes an interest and teaches him boxing. The Kid's good with his fists, attracting the interest of professional gamblers who grease his upward career. Now he's got money and a fast-lane girlfriend. Trouble is he's losing the wholesome values that were emerging with the priest and neighborhood girlfriend Roberts.

I agree with another reviewer: the narrative is restrained in its drama and conflicts. The results don't play up either phase of Nimoy's life. Slum life and fast life are both characterized rather than dramatized. That's okay, but doesn't do much for overall impact. Nimoy shows acting flair even if his physical build is too spare for a professional fighter. Mona Knox impresses as the gold-digging counter girl. Too bad her career was brief. And I wish I knew the name of the Huntz Hall counterpart who threatens to turn the proceedings into a Bowery Boys farce. Anyway, I get the feeling the screenplay was influenced by the temper of its time, 1952. After all, the McCarthy years emphasized both societal and religious conformity, both of which are foremost in this feature. Nonetheless, fans of Nimoy should enjoy this early outing, with his ugly nose make- up or without.

In wintry New York City, crooked-nosed Italian teenager Leonard Nimoy (as Paul "Monk" Baroni) and "The Billy Goat Gang" decide to saw off the banister of a tenement staircase, for firewood. Coincidently, neighborhood priest Richard Rober (as Father Callahan) walks in the building; he reminds Mr. Nimoy and the gang that, although the place is condemned, stealing its stairway is illegal. The kindly priest advises the five attractive young men there's a better way to blow off steam…

"Listen boys, I've got a better way for you to keep warm. In the basement of the church, there's some gym equipment; boxing gloves, wrestling mats, punching bags - even shower baths…"

Wait - this is not a dirty movie. There is no showering or wrestling as "Father" Rober wants to teach Nimoy how to be a boxer. Good thing too, as the other dudes call Nimoy a "sissy" for getting connected with the church. Boy pal Jack Larson (as Angelo) remains Nimoy's close companion, though Nimoy tells him, "Someday, we get twin beds." Soon, Nimoy dates pretty Allene Roberts (as Emily Brooks). When Nimoy becomes a successful boxer, he gets his bent nose fixed…

As a handsome boxing star, Nimoy's personality changes; he makes time with well-shaped Mona Knox (as June Travers), and forgets his old friends. Of course, you could see this one coming…

Released just prior to Rober's death in a car accident, "Kid Monk Baroni" may be a silly low-budget update of "Winner Take All" (1932), but it's sure amusing. Most invaluable is the cast. Anyone familiar with Nimoy's later "Star Trek" will revel in seeing the young man in this early starring role; here, he gets to wear a fake nose instead of fake ears. Not only that, you get to see "Adventures of Superman" pal Jack Larson before making a name for himself in syndication heaven.

****** Kid Monk Baroni (5/1/52) Harold Schuster ~ Leonard Nimoy, Allene Roberts, Jack Larson, Richard Rober

This movie has aged well. It is realistic and has a message of good conquering evil. The acting is mostly average, sometimes good. The optimism and a belief in honesty in the fight against evil is the main message. It is well worth watching and is enjoyable, although a bit old fashioned.

Mild 50's era melodrama about pug faced boxer who finds his life changed after plastic surgery. Plays like a Bowery Boys movie with extra pathos. Notable only for being Leonard Nimoy's first starring role. He does reasonable enough job as title character. Also in the cast are TV's first Jimmy Olsen Jack Larson as Nimoy's best bud and Jerry Lewis second banana Kathleen Freeman in the unlikely role of Nimoy's mother. For fans of Nimoy and Bowery Boys only.

I bought this one dollar DVD that has 4 vintage mobster movies on it from echo bridge(platinum video)the big combo,port of new york,johnny one eye and the best one on the DVD kid monk baroni,first of all i never knew Leonard Nimoy made a movie this early,i just remember his small part in the brain eaters in 1958,but this is a pretty well made movie about an Italian street thug(Nimoy)who turns to boxing with the guidance of a priest.its sort of like a Bowery boys movie but without the laughs.as baronis sidekick friend Angelo is Jack Larson(jimmy Olsen on the TV superman series)i enjoyed this nostalgic fifties movie and unusual seeing Leonard Nimoy playing an Italian street thug in new york, as Spock would say logical.this one is from Jack Broder productions (bela Lugosi meets a brooking gorilla,bride of the gorilla)a good movie.