Max Baer in 1938 short

This is a Pete Smith Specialty "2-reeler" or "short" (shorts were shown prior to the main event motion picture) which opened in theatres in 1938.

The film showcases Max Baer with his various real life sparring partners in the ring. Slow motion is used to illustrate how Baer uses his skills. Boxers who make an appearance include Hank Hankinson, Al Morro, Mickey MacAvoy, and Jack Roper.

An interesting article about the calisthenics Pete Smith went through to produce boxing sound effects follows:

Reno Evening Gazette
08.27.1938

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 27 (AP)—Pete Smith, film narrator, bared the black-and-blue details today of what he sacrificed for auditory realism.

Recently Max Baer made a short subject called "Fisticuffs" and yesterday Smith recorded the sound effects. Baer knocked out three opponents, so Smith had to imitate the noise of a variety of blows, followed by yells, groans and ouches.

As the film unreeled, he slapped himself vigorously from shoulder to stomach. Some slaps had deep, hollow tones, others were sharply staccato. In all, Smith slapped himself about 200 times. Then a studio nurse applied arnica.

by MaxiesGal