James J. Braddock - Guestbook

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

Nice site

As a playwright I love a good story, that is why I am very surprised I had never heard of the story of Mr. Braddock. I know more now that I have perused this website, and I am so glad that (even though I am sure it will be more than a bit "Hollywoody") this Great American Story will be actualized on the screen so that a whole new generation can learn about, and appreciate the life and times of this man.

I remember Mr Braddock well and the many times I shoveled snow for he and his wife while living in North Bergen (just one block away) from 1950 to 1958. He was a regular at baseball games and I believe his nephew played on my team. My dad would come home and tell me stories about James J and occassionally he would have a few pops with Mr. Braddock at the local pub a few blocks from our house. My wife and I can't wait to see the movie.

My husband and I saw this movie Sunday night on a sneak preview. I have to say, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I believe it will rank up there and be one of the great movies of all time. How long has it been since the audience applauded at the end of a movie? This movie is wonderful!!!!

I saw the movie on a sneak preview night a few days before the national opening. Excellent movie. Jim was a great role model for doing the right thing in life. An example was paying back the assistance money when his luck had changed for the better. After the movie I wanted to know more about the Cinderella man. Thanks for the website info.

I can't wait to see this movie! Since I am of Irish blood it will be great to see a real Irish boxer and role model. I was born in a boxing city Scranton, PA

A true American inspiration story! I attended the sneak preview with my wife and daughter and all agreed it is Oscar bound. We laughed, cried and cheered... best movie in a long time.

Hats off to the Braddock Family, Cinderella Man will be the Blockbuster Film of the Year!!! I'm so proud to have Uncle Howard & Aunt Elsie as part of my family!!! Hi, Cousin Timmy & Beverly, Cousin Nancy & Pete Kamorowoski, Cousin Susan and all the Braddock Kids....Hi, Jay..I'll see you all in August at the Family Reunion!!!!!

I saw a sneak preview showing of the movie cinderella man over the weekend and it was a great movie. As a former fighter and amatuer boxing historian i love the fact that they made a movie of Jimmy Braddock. It was great because it was not a fictional portrayal of guy likie Rocky but rather the "real thing" about a true champion.

It's a shame that today's champions and other professional athletes don't carry themselve's with the dignity of a Jimmy Braddock.

My wife and I saw a special screening of Cinderella Man Sunday night. Although the movie was great, I was more impressed with the man. I'm 30 years old and I've never heard of James Braddock or his story. What a great man of character! A man that alot of people could learn a great deal from!

Here's to you Jim!

I don't go to movies very often but when I watched Ron Howard on Larry King Saturday night and he talked about 'Cinderella Man', I knew it was a movie I wanted to see. There was to be a sneak preview the next night and I went straight to the Internet to see where it would be playing in our area. We went to the preview last night and I enjoyed the movie so very much. It was so moving. And so thrilling! I hope it wins lots of Oscars because it certainly is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

My wife and I had the privilege of seeing what has to be a "contender" in this year's Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor Oscar Awards. I was born in 1935 so I didn't have the good fortune to hear the radio broadcasts of any of Jimmy Braddock's fights, but I listened to many with my dad, including most of those of the Brown Bomber, who was the only World's Heavyweight Champion I knew of during my childhood, since he held the title most of this time. Later I did become a student of boxing and subscriber to Ring Magazine. Through these endeavors I became acquainted with James J. Braddock, but until watching the movie, I didn't realize what a man of character he was. A loving husband, father and friend, a real man. One that can teach a great number of lessons, which seem to have escaped the memories of many during these "ME" times. After attempting to put into practice, the intellectual pursuit of the art of boxing, I tried my luck in the "Golden Gloves" with 3 matches, of which I lost 2, so much for knowing the art of boxing but lacking the physical skills and character to put them into practice. Thanks to Ron Howard for his presentation, and the worderful cast for their meaningful protrayal of the characters to a grateful public of boxing fans, but even more of a public,
grateful to have had a glance into the tough life of our fathers and mothers, who lived the "Great Depression".

J. Don Miller

What a great story of a man and his family.Goes to show you should all ways keep the faith.. (= God bless the irish....

Cinderella Man was a wonderful movie. James Braddock was a good man. People of today could learn alot about character from him and his family.

Oh my! My name is Ron Merolli. I grew up at 17-78th Street in North Bergen, TWO doors from the Braddock residence at the corner of 78th and Park Ave. I knew him from 1956 as an 8 year old until 1971 when I moved to Wash DC for law school. Walked by hisd hopuse every day getting off the bus before it turned down 77th Street. I was in his home about 6 times or so and spoke to him numerous times outside. He was a very nice man who enjoyed kids. My one distinct memory was of his very large hands. He was also friends with Mrs Roberts across the street. I was very sad when he died in 74. Never had a chance to say good by. If any family members see this, please contact me. Id' love to reminis. I will see the move this week, although the Jim I knew was in his 50's and 60's. Best! Ron.

I live 10 blocks away from James Braddock's former home. I also attended the boxers old grade school, Saint Josephs elementary school. The home is located two blocks away from a park named after Braddock. I will snap a few photos of the school, home, park and post them in a future post.

WOW...what an incredible story of a man and a woman and family. The fact that this film was set in the backdrop of the Great Depression, and the ability to portray this era in such a bone chilling film was INCRDIBLE. I smelled the stench, felt the chill of no heat and was embraced by the love, warmth and strength of an incredible man and his family. This was a seamless movie made possible by some very talented movie industry people. Hollywood will honor them - I hpay honor to the story and give thanks to both.

I'm related on my Dad's side of the family to James (Jimmy) Braddock.

My Great Grandmother was called Mary Braddock. She and cousin Jimmy often wrote to each other.

My Great Aunt, (Hannah) is now in her 90's and living in Bristol, England.

She recalls how James Braddock (Jimmy's Dad) often invited them to leave England and go to join them in the USA. Years earlier, James Braddock (Jimmy's Dad) had gone to the US with his brothers to help rebuild San Fransisco after the great earthquake of 1906.

My Great Aunt must be the oldest surviving member of the Braddock family.

Saw the movie in a sneak preview last night. I found it very touching and admirable. I am not a huge fan of Russell Crowe as a person, but damn, he is quite the good actor as Jimmy Braddock. When Jimmy literally took his hat in his hand and had to ask for some loose change to keep his family and himself surviving, the desperation of the depression became palpable. It brought tears to my eyes to think my parents had to endure these incredible hardships. People today need to see this movie to appreciate what we have and see how much true grit the old-timers really had. Lots of good lessons in this really great movie. Ron Howard, you rule.

I was fascinated by the movie. It was amazing to see how bad the Great Depression really was. I give it THREE thumbs up

I just saw the movie on a sneak preview last night. American time period pieces fascinate me This true story of what can happen to a true and loyal heart when given a second chance will re-affirm your faith in mankind. I haven't felt that good when leaving a theatre since "Seabiscuit". It's about time this story was told. To the Braddock family: How blessed you are to have had such a man as the patriarch of your family. They don't make them like that anymore.

I'd heard my Dad taliking about the Baer-Braddock fight. I saw the movie preview last night (5-30-05). I now get the thrill of what my Dad was talking about. Great human interest story and hard hitting fight scenes. An A+ movie

Saw the movie yesterday at a sneak preview and loved it. While I am not a boxing fan, the movie just has so much heart, you can't help but love it. BRAVO to all involved in making this great movie!

We just add our bravo and applause and tears and joy and thanks to the Braddock family and all the film crew and actors who were a part of this masterpiece. I know it will be an Academy Award winner and a classic in the film industry. Thank you all.

What an outstanding movie about such a courageous and devoted, man, father, husband and boxer. The characters were casted perfectly and Ron Howard has done another wonderful job by director Ron Howard. I was moved and inspired by this story. This is a must see!