Il messicano

A great example of movies made in an era where innocence was valued and innuendo was cleverly used to convey steamier topics which couldn't be given a thorough treatment outright. Using boxing as a vehicle, the movie deals with fidelity, racism, and the struggle in post WWII USA between those achieving the American Dream and those blocked out by class and ethnicity.

But forget all of that - June Allyson is simply beautiful as the strong-willed and spunky daughter of an Irish boxing promoter, and her real-life husband Dick Powell is uniquely sublime playing a "wannabe" beau with alacrity.

Great flick - just watch it and look at June's beautiful baby-face. There just aren't any actresses with those particular beautiful and innocent youthful charms today!

Pat O'Malley (June Allyson) loves Johnny Monterex (Ricardo Montalban), a temperamental boxer with a deteriorating body. His fame has gone to his head and he attempts to change managers despite his weak condition. Pat acts as a mediator between Johnny's impulses and his best interests. She relies on the advice of Rick Garvey (Dick Powell), an older man who is interested in more than just friendship from Pat. Lionel Barrymore appears as Pat's father and Marilyn Monroe makes an early minor appearance.

Right Cross is an exceptional film because of the cast, but the story makes it strictly a b-film. It is no wonder it is so difficult to find. However, for die-hard Monroe fans and fans of the Allyson-Powell coupling, this is a must-see. Catch it sporadically on TCM.