Sweet Sixteen

[Raven]

While reading Hard Boiled Rick’s earlier post of birthday wishes to Sterling Hayden, a thought lounged itself in my brain in connection with the current NCAA Basketball tournament.

I’m thinking if noir tough guys ever held a single round elimination pugilist contest similar to the current NCAA Basketball tournament format Hayden would surely make the “Final Four.”

So, without taking into consideration such trivial details as weight classes, age, etc, I’ve come up with my “Sweet Sixteen?” For my money, others in addition to Hayden would be, in no particular order:

Steve Cochran
Robert Mitchum
Robert Ryan
Burt Lancaster
Jack Palance
Cornel Wilde
John Garfield
Lawrence Tierney
Kirk Douglas
Stanley Baker
Stephen McNally
Ralph Meeker
Broderick Crawford

Rounding out the field are Tom Neal, and Frank Sinatra, neither of who can be left out of any discussion when fist fights are involved.

To keep it simple I stuck to strictly leading men, otherwise I’d have certainly put in Mike Mazurki, Bill Bendix and Lou Nova!

So any other contenders come to mind or thoughts on “brackets” for the matchups?

[slimdundee62]

You can't forget Charles McGraw and Dennis O'Keefe

[HJ]

Let's not neglect Dana Andrews, and let's also not neglect the 3 Noir-type films that featured Alan Ladd!

[Raven]

No doubt McGraw and O'Keeke could go a few rounds, and perhaps win a bout but Andrews and Ladd (sadly) would both be flat on their backs soon after the first bell rang. Think I've have to place them both in the "mid-major" division and seed them in the NIT.

[Mark]

Ryan and Palance, both of whom actually knew how to fight would KO anyone on that list.

Interesting bit about Ryan:

He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1932, having held the school's heavyweight boxing title all four years of his attendance. Ryan also served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton. Impressive guy indeed.

Another one to add to this list would be Victor McLaglen, who also fought professionally.

Mark

[spress]

Dan Duryea
Richard Widmark
Richard Boone
Richard Conte
Brian Donlevy
Victor Mature

[Raven]

Truth be known, I toyed with the idea of both Dan Duryea and Richard Widmark but came to the quick realization that not only would they both look ridiculous in boxing trunks but a strong breeze would probably knock either one down.

The others though are all strong contenders IMHO.

[Brian]

I would add John Payne. He was plenty tough in 99 River Street, and apparently was a wrestler in his younger days.

[Keith]

Mickey Rooney would take them all.

[Mark]

Mickey Rooney would take them all.

Well, he certainly wins the category of bed'n the babes.

[Raven]

I think Frank would have won that one. Mickey just made the mistake of marrying them all.