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Palooka is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Stuart Erwin, Jimmy Durante, and Lupe Velez. The film is based on the comic strip of the same name created by Ham Fisher. Joe Palooka (Erwin) is a simple-minded young man from the country who dreams of becoming a prizefighter. His father (Robert Armstrong) disapproves of his ambition and wants him to settle down and work on the family farm, but Joe is determined to make something of himself in the boxing ring.

The film opens with Joe winning a fight at a local fair, which catches the eye of a boxing promoter named Knobby Walsh (Durante). Knobby sees potential in Joe and offers to train him for a big fight in the city. Despite his father's objections, Joe leaves the farm to pursue his dream of becoming a champion boxer.

In the city, Joe meets his love interest, Anne Howe (Velez), a fiery newspaper reporter who is investigating corruption in the boxing world. Anne is initially put off by Joe's simple-mindedness, but she soon comes to admire his honest and humble nature. Joe's rise in the boxing world is complicated by the machinations of crooked promoters and rival fighters, who try to sabotage his career at every turn.

The film is a classic underdog story, with Joe facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles on his way to the top. His innocence and naivete are contrasted with the cutthroat world of professional boxing, where everyone is looking out for their own interests. Joe's integrity and determination win him many admirers, but also make him a target for those who want to exploit him.

Jimmy Durante provides comic relief as Joe's eccentric trainer, Knobby. Durante's trademark humor and antics add a lighthearted touch to the film, and his chemistry with Erwin is delightful to watch. Lupe Velez is also excellent as Anne, bringing a spunky energy to her role as the no-nonsense reporter who falls for Joe.

The film's boxing sequences are well-staged and exciting, with Erwin's clumsy athleticism adding to the realism of the fights. The film's climax is a tense and dramatic showdown between Joe and a ruthless boxer named Al McSwatt (played by actor Richard Cramer), with the fate of Joe's career hanging in the balance.

Overall, Palooka is an enjoyable and entertaining film, with a charming cast of characters and a heartwarming story of perseverance and triumph. While it may be simplistic by today's standards, the film's message of staying true to oneself and never giving up on one's dreams remains timeless.

Palooka is a 1934 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.