Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(2,180 ratings)

Once you get past the fact that handsome Paul Newman could never pass for plug-ugly boxer Rocky Graziano in real life, you will be able to accept Somebody Up Their Likes Me as one of the more accomplished movie biopics of the 1950s. Based on Graziano's autobiography (co-written with Rowland Barber),… More Once you get past the fact that handsome Paul Newman could never pass for plug-ugly boxer Rocky Graziano in real life, you will be able to accept Somebody Up Their Likes Me as one of the more accomplished movie biopics of the 1950s. Based on Graziano's autobiography (co-written with Rowland Barber), the film accurately depicts the teen-aged Rocky as an unregenerate punk, evidently doomed by his slum environment, and his own lousy attitude, to a life of petty crime. Determining that the only way he'll make a living is with his fists, Rocky becomes a boxer, at first willing to participate in a series of fixed fights. Eventually, Rocky develops a conscience and sense of self-respect, no small thanks to his sweetheart (and later wife) Norma (Pier Angeli). The film ends on an optimistic note after Rocky wins a "clean" bout with Tony Zale (playing himself). Training extensively with Graziano prior to and during production, Newman is quite impressive in his first worthwhile film role (this was only his third film, following the execrable The Silver Chalice and the forgettable outing The Rack). The title song in Somebody Up There Likes Me was written by Bronislau Kaper and Sammy Cahn, and performed by Perry Como. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Written By: Ernest Lehman
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 3, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Nov 14, 2006
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Paul Newman brings to awesome life the jungle qualities implicit in a slum childhood...
Variety Staff, Variety
Paul Newman's talent is large and flexible, revealing an approach to the Graziano character that scores tremendously.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Robert Wise's direction is fast, aggressive and bright, and the picture is edited to give it a tremendous crispness and pace.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Robert Wise's sports biopic of Rocky Graziano deservedly catapulted Paul Newman to major stardom; you can spot in small parts Steve McQueen, before he became a star, and Sal Mineo.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
[Newman] worked himself into peak condition for the role, lifting weights and sparring with top professionals, and his portrayal of the scrappy, often tongue-tied, but wholly likable boxer is superb.
Diana Saenger, About.com
While I liked the story, the cinematography and seeing some of these new actors before they were seasoned, I found the story too long.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
A disappointing biopic of Rocky Graziano, East Side delinquent turned World Middleweight Champion.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Straightforward and simplistic.
, Film4
Director Wise keeps the action fresh and lively, drawing excellent performances from Newman, Angeli as Mrs Graziano and Mineo in a small but significant role.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

A flawless movie on all accounts, it's one of the best boxing movies to ever be made. Its longstanding reputation is well warranted and I feel like it should be praised even more. Paul Newman is both charming and determined, he plays a character that has truly had nothing to his… More
A flawless movie on all accounts, it's one of the best boxing movies to ever be made. Its longstanding reputation is well warranted and I feel like it should be praised even more. Paul Newman is both charming and determined, he plays a character that has truly had nothing to his name since he was born and been treated as though he is worthless and stupid. It's so powerful and inspiring when he turns his whole life around and gets everything he goes for. The visual style of this is downright scary, there is not one shot that doesn't look hand crafted and meticulously planned out. Robert Wise created a film that is both a great piece of entertainment and an unforgettable piece of cinema.
Stella D

dunno what took me so long to see this. now i know where sly stallone got his rocky character. this part was meant for james dean before he was killed, giving newman the break that made him a star. with sal mineo and steve mcqueen as his street gang buddies. very entertaining if… More
dunno what took me so long to see this. now i know where sly stallone got his rocky character. this part was meant for james dean before he was killed, giving newman the break that made him a star. with sal mineo and steve mcqueen as his street gang buddies. very entertaining if somewhat predictable story. well what can u do, it's all true :P the only lame part was perry como's theme song
Byron B

Early in the movie when Rocky is running around with a street gang, including Sal Mineo and Steve McQueen, you can see why Robert Wise was later given the job of directing West Side Story. I recently read an informative biography about Paul Newman. I didn't realize that he came… More
Early in the movie when Rocky is running around with a street gang, including Sal Mineo and Steve McQueen, you can see why Robert Wise was later given the job of directing West Side Story. I recently read an informative biography about Paul Newman. I didn't realize that he came out of the Actor's Studio, the same method school as Brando, Dean and many others. Newman observed the real Rocky Graziano, saw the neighborhoods where he lived, trained in the gym where he trained. Incidentally, Brando based his manner and voice for Stanley and Terry on Rocky too. Newman embodies a character who seems so different from the ones I've seen him play a later in life. He is excellent. I don't think I've seen any other movies in which Pier Angeli plays a role. Her role here is not the normal doting girlfriend/wife who fades into the background of the story. True she is doting on Rocky, but she shows a strength and a vulnerability that is usually not explored in a supporting part in a biopic like this. The circle of friends and family who surround Rocky through his life are played by a great cast of character actors. Parts of this movie were filmed on location in New York, when that was still a fairly new practice. So it has a realistic feel that doesn't often shrink from the tougher issues in Rocky's life. The big boxing match near the end must have been an inspiration to Scorsese and De Niro for Raging Bull. The movies of course share black and white cinematography. While Scorsese played with the camera speed more, here Wise keeps things at realistic speeds. The makeup work done on Newman as he gets pummeled and swollen looks quite similar to De Niro's makeup. This is a lifelike biopic that covers many years in Rocky Graziano life. The worst part about it is Perry Como's rendition of the title song over both sets of credits.
cody f

I have not seen this one in awhile and still enjoyed it. Newman is great and Wise shooting on location in NYC looks great. I agree with Keith where I couldn't see Jimmy Dean pulling this off, especially with Deans unique fighting style.
Keith M

Could Never had seen James Dean doing this after Giant

Cast

            Paul Newman as Rocky Graziano

            Anna Maria Pier Angeli as Norma Graziano

            Everett Sloane as Irving Cohen

            Eileen Heckart as Ma Barbella

            Sal Mineo as Romolo

            Robert Loggia as Frankie Peppo

            Harold J. Stone as Nick Barbella

            Joseph Buloff as Benny

            Sammy White as Whitey Bimstein

            Arch Johnson as Heldon

            Robert P. Lieb as Questioner

            Theodore Newton as Commissioner Eddie Eagan

            Patty Duke
            
            Frank Campanella as Detective

            Angela Cartwright as Audrey at Age 3

            Russ Conway as Capt. Grifton

            Clancy Cooper as Capt. Lancheck

            Michael Dante as Shorty

            Robert Easton as Corporal

            John Eldredge as Warden Niles

            Donna Jo Gribble as Yolanda Barbella

            Jackie Kelk as George

            David Leonard as Mr. Mueller

            Steve McQueen as Fidel

            Billy Nelson as Commissioner

            Judson Pratt as Johnny Hyland

            Ray Stricklyn as Bryson

            James Todd as Colonel

            Ray Walker as Ring Announcer

            Mart Crowley as Lou Stillman

            Dean Jones as Private

            Courtland Shepard as Tony Zale

            Terry Rangno as Rocky at Age 8

            John Rosser
            
            Harry Wismer as Himself

            Charles Green as Curtis Hughtower
See full cast