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Monkey on My Back

Play trailer Poster for Monkey on My Back Released May 29, 1957 1h 33m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In this fact-based film, star prizefighter Barney Ross (Cameron Mitchell) puts his career on hold to fight in World War II. He soon distinguishes himself through his courageous service, but later becomes infected with malaria. He is sent home and treated with morphine, to which he soon becomes addicted. As he descends further into the throes of his deadly habit, his courageous wife, Cathy (Dianne Foster), vows to help her husband kick his addiction before it kills him.
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Monkey on My Back

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A well-intentioned but nevertheless unimaginative and dreary biopic on welterweight boxing champion Barney Ross. Rated: C+ Jun 11, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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delysid d kind of cool oldies drug addiction film Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/01/18 Full Review Audience Member Barney Ross wasn't a heavyweight but rather a welterweight, dumbo. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member (*** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member another boxing bio-pic Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member This is the true story of Barney Ross. A heavyweight boxer and World War II Veteran. After almost getting everything he needs in life he is shot in war and has to take Morphine to help stop the pain. He then can not stop his urge to use Morphine. It later tears his entire life apart and almost looses his wife and kids. I definitely recommend this movie because it has everything. Romance, War, Boxing, and a little bit of Comedy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Effective bio-pic from Andre De Toth. The direction is very energetic and the complex visuals make for an engaging film. The war scenes and the withdrawal scenes manage to be both gritty and proto-surreal. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Monkey on My Back

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Monkey on My Back

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this fact-based film, star prizefighter Barney Ross (Cameron Mitchell) puts his career on hold to fight in World War II. He soon distinguishes himself through his courageous service, but later becomes infected with malaria. He is sent home and treated with morphine, to which he soon becomes addicted. As he descends further into the throes of his deadly habit, his courageous wife, Cathy (Dianne Foster), vows to help her husband kick his addiction before it kills him.
Director
Andre de Toth
Producer
Edward Small
Screenwriter
Crane Wilbur, Anthony Veiller, Paul Dudley
Production Co
Imperial Pictures (II)
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 29, 1957, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 17, 2017
Runtime
1h 33m
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