Bat Nelson to "Act" in Moving Picture -- August 5, 2019

Seattle Star, 01-August-1919

Battling Nelson, the Durable Dane, was World Lightweight Boxing Champion from 1908 to 1910. Last month we saw the excitement about the Dempsey-Willard heavyweight championship fight. Because of restrictive laws, fight films could not be shipped across state lines. Nelson went to Pittsburgh to go to a vaudeville theater to talk about the fight "and then stage a boxing exhibition with a dummy."

Dempsey-Willard 100 Years -- July 4, 2019

Exhibitors' Herald, 04-February-1922

100 years ago today, on 04-July-1919, heavyweight champion Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, defended his title against Jack Dempsey, the Manassa Mauler. The smaller Dempsey launched a blitzkrieg and knocked Willard down seven times in the first round. Willard kept getting up, but failed to leave his corner for the fourth round. Stories say that Dempsey knocked out Willard's teeth and broke his ribs, but they are not verified. Dempsey held the title for seven years.

Nearly three years after the fight, Clyde E Elliott Amusement Enterprises offered a film of the fight.  I doubt it was "The Only Picture Showing a Championship Title Change Hands."

New York World, 03-July-1919

A Superman in a Superpicture -- June 3, 2019

Moving Picture World, 28-June-1919

This six page ad promoted current heavyweight champ Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, in a feature western, Challenge of Chance. Willard, a cowboy who didn't start boxing until he was 27, was, at the time he won the title from Jack Johnson in 1915, the oldest (33), tallest (6' 6 1/2") and heaviest (235 pounds) heavyweight champ. There was some suspicion that Johnson might have thrown the fight, but no firm evidence.

Moving Picture World, 14-June-1919

Stories and ads about Jess Willard often mentioned his superhuman strength.  There may have been some exaggeration involved.

Moving Picture World, 14-June-1919

"Champion divided his time between acting in studio and training for fight with Dempsey."  Perhaps Willard should have spent more time training and less acting.

Moving Picture World, 14-June-1919

The Mission Inn still operates in Riverside.

Moving Picture World, 21-June-1919

"Released before the fight in all big cities."  The fight took place in Toledo, Ohio on July 4.

Rialto Theatre Had to Call Out The Police! -- August 5, 2018

Film Daily, 15-May-1923

Millicent Hearst, wife of publisher William Randolph Hearst, founded the New York Free Milk Fund for Babies in 1921. On 12-May-1923, sportswriters Damon Runyon and Bill Farnsworth promoted a boxing fundraiser at Madison Square Garden.

Former heavyweight champion Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, defeated Floyd Johnson, the Auburn Bulldog, by TKO in the 11th.  Heavyweight contender Luis Ángel Firpo, the Wild Bull of the Pampas, defeated Jack McAuliffe by KO in the third.

Washington Times, 13-May-1923

The Only Picture Showing a Championship Title Change Hands -- July 7, 2018

Exhibitors' Herald, 04-February-1922

On 04-July-1919, heavyweight champion Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, defended his title against Jack Dempsey, the Manassa Mauler. The smaller Dempsey launched a blitzkrieg and knocked Willard down seven times in the first round. Willard kept getting up, but failed to leave his corner for the fourth round. Stories say that Dempsey knocked out Willard's teeth and broke his ribs, but they are not verified. Dempsey held the title for seven years.

Nearly three years after the fight, Clyde E Elliott Amusement Enterprises offered a film of the fight.  I doubt it was "The Only Picture Showing a Championship Title Change Hands."

New York World, 03-July-1919

Famous Fights -- August 13, 2017

Movie Makers, April, 1943

Mogulls Film Library offered many silent or sound films for  home viewing.  These included a series of films of famous fights.  Dempsey-Willard would be the 04-July-1919 fight in Toledo, Ohio where Jack Dempsey took the heavyweight title from Jess Willard.  Willard could not come out for the fourth round.  Louis vs Galento would be the 28-June-1939 fight where champ Joe Louis defended his title against Two Ton Tony Galento.  Louis won by a TKO in the fourth.  Nova vs Baer was one of two fights between Lou Nova and former heavyweight champ Max Baer.  Nova won both fights, in 1939 and 1941 by TKO.  Braddock vs Louis was the 22-June-1937 fight where James J Braddock lost the heavyweight title to Joe Louis.  Baer vs Galento could have been the 1940 fight against Max Baer or the 1941 fight against his brother Buddy Baer.  Galento lost both. 

Educational -- Inspiring -- Clean -- Thrilling -- Historical -- April 28, 2014

On 25-March-1916, heavyweight champion Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, defended his title against Frank Moran, the Fighting Dentist at Madison Square Garden.  Willard won in 10 lifeless rounds.  This ad is from the 08-April 1916 Moving Picture World. 

Willard, a cowboy who didn't start boxing until he was 27, was, at the time he won the title from Jack Johnson in 1915, the oldest (33), tallest (6' 6 1/2") and heaviest (235 pounds) heavyweight champ.  There was some suspicion that Johnson might have thrown the fight, but no firm evidence. 

Willard lost the title to Jack Dempsey in 1919.  After a short retirement, Willard returned to the ring and fought well until 1923. 

After Moran left the ring, he became an actor.  He was a member of Preston Sturges' stock company, appearing in most of his movies. 

From the New York Evening World, 27-March-1916.