Fighting Mad
Date: 1957
Director: Denis Kavanagh
Production Company: Border Films - E.J.Fancey Productions
Stars: Joe Robison, Adrienne Scott, Beckett Bould, Jack Taylor, Colin Cleminson
Location(s): Chicago (Ill), Glasgow, Harrisburg (PA), Pennsylvania (PA)
Region(s): N. America, Scotland
Storyline:
‘Muscles Tanner’, a boxer, gives up the ring after two fatalities and immigrates to Canada and gets involved with crooked lumbermen.
Additional Information:
Screen Captures and text uploaded by Richard Lovejoy
The film lacked any production attributes when released and has gained none since. The boast that it was ‘Photographed Entirely On Location in Scotland’, portraying the action taking place in Canada, ignores the fact that all the lumbering activity is stock N. American/Canadian footage and the train transport is N. American stock footage. It is accepted that some N. American locomotives did operate on Scottish rail after WWll, but not in this film.
All the N. American railway footage comes from the film Broadway Limited (1941) that has been addressed separately, but as an associated film. Whilst recorded there, I would also like to record here, my sincere thanks to the members of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society (PRRTHS) who have provided invaluable information and detail with such readiness and support. In particular: Jack Schilling, Ken Briers, Jerry Vest, Bruce Smith, Pat McKinney and Rob McGonigal
I am also indebted to Norman Davidson of www.forestrymemories.org.uk for his help, guidance and knowledge so readily given with regard to the forestry footage within the film. It is hoped that location identification of Capture 21, posted by Norman on site will provide focus as to the location of Scottish filming, but as of now there has been no uptake.
Until resolved, the debate regarding the location of Capture 13 can be read by clicking here.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The film opens with a stated overview of Glasgow, looking north, likely from Hamilton Hill, soon capturing the start of the long housing terrace in Braeside Street, North Kelvinside G20 and then…
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
……….panning left to where it ends in Lyndhurst Gardens looking west.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Before reinforcing the Scottish location with a view across George Square to the City Chambers.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Following the death of Joe Spratling in the ring, the second such occurrence for the unlucky Mike Tanner (Joe Robinson), his reputation is shattered and the public and the media turn against him. He decides to move to Canada where he has an uncle, always eager that he should join him. Unidentified location.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Discussing the move with his girlfriend Paula (Adrienne Scott) he suggests that they should go there together as husband and wife. The camera prepares us for the area of subsequent action. Sauchiehall Street, C2 looking obliquely across Buchanan Street to Germinston Street. All now absorbed into ‘The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Mike and Paula leave their apartment to get married. 18 Sauchiehall Street with St John’s Church just to be seen to the left.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The Registrar says goodbye to them after the ceremony. Martha Street, C1 Now demolished.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
They appear to take a boat to their place of embarkation.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
And immediately step across to the ship that is bound for Montreal and look across the river as they await departure.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
They arrive in the films port of Montreal, Canada. Unidentified port.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
On berthing they step ashore. Presumably the same port as they departed.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
To catch a train. Pennsylvania (Penn) Station in Pittsburgh with the locomotive facing east. Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) K4 steam locomotive No: 3768, nicknamed “The Torpedo” with 5477 behind. Scene taken from 'Broadway Limited'.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
During night time travels they pass an engine backing on to waiting carriages. Showing the streamlined K4s 3768 being replaced by D16sb 1223. Further footage from 'Broadway Limited'. The debate regarding this location can be read via the link in the Header Section of the film.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
The progress of the journey is represented by a D16sb travelling over a short low bridge. Somewhere on the western part of the PRR ‘Middle Division’.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Passing an unidentified valley, presumed to be Scotland.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Felled logs are seen entering a river and travelling to their destination. A riverside building high above the river may aid location identification, but this is likely to be 'borrowed' American/Canadian footage.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
And over Rockville Bridge Railroad Stone Arch Bridge, Marysville, Pennsylvania looking east.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
They arrive at their destination station. The east end of Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, Pa., at the Mulberry Street bridge.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Collected at the station they are taken to somewhere near the home of Mike’s uncle. Land Rover Series 1 Registration RPX 932.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Meanwhile Uncle Jake (Beckett Bould) hands over a rock sample to Sgt. Platt (Bernard Walters) and his colleague Regan, of the mounted police, in support of his likely forthcoming oil claim. They are being watched by Danvers (Colin Cleminson). A likely Scottish location.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
On their back to their post the mounted police pass one of ‘Britain’s new forest villages’ built to house the workers in these remote places.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
The policemen arrive back at their station. The building looks original enough and not a prop but not necessarily connected with forestry.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
Attention is drawn to the operational unit centered in film. It is thought that this is another stock footage of an American/Canadian mill.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
Danvers tell his boss Walkers (Jack Taylor) what he has seen so they decide to call Jake and find out the location of his strike. Unidentified location.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
Eventually Mike and Paula arrive at where they are to be dropped off, the rest they walk. Land Rover Series 1
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
Meanwhile Digger (Ross Walters) does as he is told and with his gun goes to Jake’s cabin to ‘deter him from leaving’. As Capture 24.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required
Mike and Paula’s journey is interrupted when some timber knocks them over and after a brush with the treefellers they have their first encounter with Danvers and Walkers.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Danvers is instructed to take Mike and Paula to Uncle Jake by wagon, crash it with them in it, but jump clear himself. Needless to say, they easily survive, but not knowing Danvers and Walkers set off to raise the alarm.
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required
In recovery of the vehicle the workers see that it was not an accident and tell their leader Goldie (Geoff Roberts). Digger is captured and escapes. Mike is charged with going to the Mountie post telling them all that has happened and register his claim.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required
Walkers instructs Digger to head Mike off so he chases after him. Unidentified location.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required
The Mounties get Walkers and Mike goes after Danvers, each get their prey, and yes, they actually say it “The Mounties always get their man”.
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required
The happy ending is included for perhaps a location identification.