ROSENBLOOM, MAXIE WIRE PHOTO (1940)

Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie (November 1, 1907 – March 6, 1976) was an American boxer, actor, and television personality. Born in Leonard's Bridge, Connecticut, Rosenbloom was nicknamed "Slapsie Maxie" by a journalist due to his open gloved style of boxing. In 1930, he won the New York light heavyweight title. In 1932, he won the Light Heavyweight Championship of the World. He held and defended the title until November 1934, when he lost it to Bob Olin. As a professional boxer, Rosenbloom relied on hitting and moving to score points. He was very difficult to hit cleanly with a power punch and his fights often went the full number of required rounds. In his boxing matches he suffered thousands of head punches, which eventually led to the deterioration of his motor functions. In 1937, he accepted a role in a Hollywood film. He became a character actor, portraying comical "big guys," in movies that included Each Dawn I Die. Slapsy Maxie's, the first comedy club, opened in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Maxie retired from boxing permanently in 1939. He continued acting on radio, television, and in a number of films, usually playing comedy roles as a big, clumsy, punch-drunk—but lovable—character. He appeared in a number of episodes (playing himself)of the Fred Allen Radio Show - including a skit with Marlene Dietrich. Rosenbloom played an important part in television's first 90-minute drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight, written by Rod Serling, and starring Jack Palance as a boxer at the end of his career. The show also starred Jackie Gleason who was very good friends with Maxie. Rosenbloom played an ex pug, whose life revolved around retelling old boxing stories night after night to other ex-pugs in a down and out bar. It is the fate that looms for Palance (as "Mountain McClintock") if he cannot adjust to a new life outside the ring. Rosenbloom died of Paget's disease of bone in 1976 at the age of 68, and was interred in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California. Offered here is an original photograph of Maxie Rosenbloom appearing in 1940 at the New York World's Fair Aquacade.
This is an original ACME wire photo with their stamp and caption on the back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. Minor edge wear. 7" x 9."