The Harder They Fall

Coming, Danny.

We're late, George.

- Eddie's not here.

- You tell him 7:00?

- I told him.

- I'm not sure he's right for us.

- We need a top writer.

- Press agents are a dime a dozen.

I want an established sportswriter,

you understand?

He's a has-been.

He's equal to the big columnists.

The boys like and believe him.

- Why do you think he'll work for you?

- Because I think he's ready.

Now do you understand?

You understand? Fine.

You've cleaned the place

since I was here.

- I'm glad you made it.

- What are you hiding?

When I find a good thing,

I like to keep it quiet.

- Who is it this time?

- See what he's doing.

Eddie, you're a real, real big talent.

I read your column every day.

When the paper folded I missed it.

Skip the buildup.

Get to the main event.

I got a position. It's not

the usual press agent's routine.

It's a job for an important man.

It pays important money. Interested?

- I didn't come to work out.

- All right. Now, the fight...

- What's he doing?

- Getting ready, Mr. Benko.

- Tell him to hurry it up!

- Yes, sir.

The fight game is falling apart.

The boys are getting too smart.

They wanna go to college

and be doctors and lawyers.

My boys went abroad for new material,

and they came up with a winner.

- The guy's name is Toro Moreno.

- I never heard of him.

I told you he was new, didn't I?

Mr. Agrandi, Mr. Willis is a famous

sportswriter. He'll make Toro famous.

- A pleasure.

- Likewise.

- We shouldn't keep him waiting, right?

- No, no, Seor Benko.

That spic's Toro's manager. I brought

him because Toro's lost without him.

- What's this pay?

- Take a look first.

- Lf the money's bad, why waste time?

- All right, 250 a week.

- You'll have to up it.

- You'll have an open-end account.

Leo writes the checks, charges it off

to business. For you, it's tax-free.

All right. I'll take a look at him.

I can pick them, can't I?

You can pick the right people

for the right job.

I've been after you eight years.

You turned me down 20 times.

Did I get discouraged? No, sir.

You wait long enough,

everything falls in your lap.

Like rotten apples, huh?

- Danny, let's see what he can do.

- George.

Feel him out. Don't let

anything go till I tell you.

You get it like you want it,

Mr. McKeogh.

All right. Sit down and shut up!

- Come on, get down.

- Let's see if he can punch.

- Let him belt you one, George.

- Okay.

He can't hit.

He's a stiff, musclebound.

- Now, let's see if he can take it.

- Open up a little.

Once in the belly.

In the kidneys.

- On the button, George.

- Okay.

A powder-puff punch and a glass jaw.

That's a great combination.

It's just like I told you.

Toro is an amateur.

- He's strong as a bull.

- Take him to the shower.

- You too. You take a shower too.

- All right. Go on, move.

Vince, Frank, take a walk.

There's a million bucks in Toro.

How do we unlock it?

- You won't.

- Why do you think you're here?

I need a solid contact

with the working press.

- An in-between guy, and that's you.

- You told me I was a big talent.

- We're plain-talking people.

- It's a waste of time...

Did I ask you? Then shut up.

All right, Willis, you're on.

Even with a mediocre heavyweight

he'll get beat.

He's a giant!

You can't drum up copy on him?

- I can get him space.

- He is a natural.

I can get anyone to box,

but Toro can fill a stadium.

- Why am I in this business?

- To make a buck.

Me too.

But what happens in his first fight?

That's Max's department.

You'll hire a tank artist

to take a dive.

Right.

- You got the wrong man.

- See?

Shut up! He's old enough

to talk for himself.

The fight game today

is like show business.

They're not fighters, they're actors.

The best showman becomes champ.

You wouldn't hesitate

to publicize an actor.

You argue pretty good

and I like the money.

But what happens when he

fights a guy you can't fix?

- I won't let my investment get hurt.

- No one gets hurt.

Come on, Eddie.

Come up with something.

Well, come on, give me an idea.

Don't fight it! What are you trying

to do, hold on to your self-respect?

Did your self-respect hold your job

or give you a new column?

Eddie, if you help me, I'll help you.

- You can't kick him off in this town.

- Then where do we kick off?

California.

They like freak attractions.

Fine, fine. Leo, you get the tickets

ready by tomorrow morning.

Deal?

You've tried to get me for eight years.

All right, you got me. It's a deal.

Eddie.

You make me nervous.

How come I got you so easy?

Your timing's perfect. For 17 years

I wrote a newspaper column.

Never missed a deadline.

Suddenly I'm out in the street,

running again.

A good newspaperman like you

can't get a job?

A newspaper job only pays a living.

I want a bank account.

A man past his 40s

shouldn't have to run anymore.

Line up press conferences,

commercial tie-ins...

...personal appearances

on TV and radio.

- Who are you talking to?

- Art Leavitt in L.A.

- Hello, Art.

- That was Beth. Art says hello.

He's great. He's ready

for a crack at the title now.

I wanna build him up fast.

Of course I'm excited.

I got something to be excited about.

I'll see you tomorrow in L.A.

For dinner. Thanks.

- You leaving town?

- I'm back in business. Public relations.

- What firm are you going with?

- We're taking off tonight.

- I thought I'd go tomorrow.

- Nick says we go tonight.

- Who's the broad?

- My wife.

- What's the matter with you?

- We've wasted enough time.

You go when we go.

You're the press agent.

- I'll fly tomorrow. I haven't packed.

- You'll buy all you need on the coast.

This is your advance and your ticket.

Be at the airport at 10:00. Come on.

Who are those charming characters?

The board of directors.

Nick Benko's boxing club. The boys.

- A press agent for fighters?

- It pays 1000 a month and expenses.

- Why do you have to go to California?

- They wanna build up this fighter.

- He needs a buildup?

- Big one. He's a freak.

Strong as a bull

but green as a cucumber.

You could lick him.

I don't like thinking of you

as a fighter's press agent.

It's sad.

You sell a fighter or you sell soap.

It's all selling.

I guess so, but I think you're capable

of something more important.

Well, a little of this and a lot of this

will make you change your mind.

When we meet the press,

they'll ask questions.

Tell him to let me give all

the answers, that clear?

- No, no. Speak English.

- Yes, mister.

- You see, he understands.

- Do you?

Frankly, no. Everything

is going so fast that I cannot think.

But I trust you.

Just leave everything to me and

we'll come out smelling like a rose.

I do only like you say.

You are my friend.

I'll try to be.

Good. Now we are all friends.

I like.

I hope you freeloaders are enjoying

your drinks and the dollar cigars.

Been here for six weeks,

nobody's seen your boy train.

I looked up Toro in the book.

There's no record of him.

Knocked out 38 guys in a row,

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