The Crooked Circle (1957 film)

This article is about the 1957 film. For the 1932 film of the same name, see The Crooked Circle (1932 film).

The Crooked Circle is a 1957 American drama film directed by Joseph Kane. The film was released in the wide-screen Naturama process by Republic Pictures.

The Crooked Circle
Film poster
Directed by	Joseph Kane
Written by	Jack Townley
Produced by	Rudy Ralston
Starring	Fay Spain Steve Brodie Don Kelly John Smith
Cinematography	Jack A. Marta
Production company	Ventura Pictures Corporation
Distributed by	Republic Pictures
Release date	November 11, 1957 (1957-11-11) (United States)
Running time	72 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Before a boxer dies in an accident, he mentions that he should "get lost like Joe Kelly" to sportswriter Ken Cooper. Now curious what became of Kelly, a former contender, Cooper locates him in a remote town where Joe runs a fishing lodge with his brother, Tommy.

Carol Smith, girlfriend of Tommy, immediately urges Cooper to help Tommy get into boxing. Joe is adamantly opposed to this, causing friction between the brothers. Joe finally relents, warning Tommy to change his name and avoid a criminal element.

Al Taylor, an honest trainer, handles the promising Tommy at first, until corrupt manager Larry Ellis, arena owner Max Maxwell and gambler Sam Lattimer sink their hooks into the kid. Tommy begins winning fights and making enough money to buy Carol an expensive engagement ring. He becomes disillusioned only after being told that all his fights were fixed, and that he is expected to deliberately lose the next.

Cooper helps the police expose the racket. When one crook double-crosses another, Lattimer loses $60,000 betting on Tommy to lose. His thugs beat up Joe and kidnap Tommy, preparing to kill him until Cooper and the cops arrive. Cooper's exposé in the newspaper clears Tommy's name, freeing him to marry Carol.

Cast

• John Smith as Tommy Kelly
• Fay Spain as Carol Smith
• Steve Brodie as Ken Cooper
• Don Kelly as Joe Kelly
• Robert Armstrong as Al Taylor
• John Doucette as Larry Ellis
• Philip Van Zandt as Max Maxwell
• Richard Karlan as Sam Lattimer
• Robert Swan as Carl (credited as Bob Swan)
• Don Haggerty as Adams
• Peter Mamakos as Nick
• Charles Sullivan as Bit Role (uncredited)
• Ben Welden as Ring Announcer (uncredited)

See also

• List of boxing films

External links

• The Crooked Circle at IMDb
• The Crooked Circle, at Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
• The Crooked Circle (1957) at Torrent Butler