Monkey on My Back (1957)

About Monkey on My Back

The painfully true story of welterweight boxing champion Barney Ross is detailed in Monkey on My Back. Cameron Mitchell stars as Ross, whose meteoric ring career is interrupted when he joins the Marines at the outset of WWII. A highly decorated hero, Ross contracts malaria oversees and is given morphine to assuage the pain. By the time he returns to the states, Ross is a confirmed drug addict. Before he can rise to the top again, he must hit rock bottom and his descent into the hell of narcotics dependency is graphically illustrated (so much so that the film was almost denied a Production Code seal). Though a cured Barney Ross served as technical advisor for Monkey on My Back, he ended up suing the producers for defamation of character -- and lost.

Monkey on My Back release dates in Australia

First release (worldwide)

29 May 1957

Release dates: TMDB.

Cast and crew of Monkey on My Back

• Cameron Mitchellas Barney Ross
• Dianne Fosteras Cathy Holland
• Paul Richardsas Rico, Drug Pusher (as Paul E. Richards)
• Jack Albertsonas Sam Pian
• Kathy Garveras Noreen
• Lisa Golmas Barney's Mother
• Barry Kelleyas Big Ralph
• Scotty Beckettas Corpsman (uncredited)

Director

André de Toth

Screenplay

Paul Dudley, Anthony Veiller, Crane Wilbur

Producer

Edward Small

Cast and crew: TMDB.

Monkey on My Back trailer

Play video: Monkey on My Back trailer