Paradise Alley

Yes, the Rockey movies are awesome, the first blood movies awesome, but this is truly unique and one many Stallone fans have never seen ---See it. In a way it is a type of wrestling movie with pro wrestlers in it, but not in the typical fashion. Shot is depression era New York Stallone is always on the hunt fora new way to make money. Ann Archer is great. If you are a Stallone fan and have never seen this, well, you are missing out on a key Stallone gem of a movie. Very funny scenes in it as well.

Before he wrote "Rocky" Sylvester Stallone wrote a novel that was based on where he was born in Manhattan, in the slums, that he called "Hell's Kitchen," and was re-named by him "Paradise Alley". He made it into a screenplay and sold it to someone who took advantage of him and put a freeze on it and left it to die on the shelf. So, Sly, who was out of work and very poor wrote "Rocky". But, "Paradise Alley" was his first. After "Rocky" was a success "Paradise Alley" was brought to the screen, but 40 minutes were chopped out of it. I liked it, BUT it could have been SO much better. For instance, a lot of things in the movie were left unanswered, --- what happened to the monkey, what happened to the older brother's redheaded girlfriend, did he eventually marry her? Did Cosmo stay with his girl Bunchie? Did the youngest bro marry Susan? Did the bros really get out of Hell's Kitchen, and how did they really do it? Sly sings the title song in a beautiful, sexy deep and soft bluesy voice. This was a good movie, BUT it could have been fabulous.

Seeing as iv'e been a fan of sylvester stallone since i was a kid you always apart from rocky expect his movies to be full of OTT action, good guy vs the usally over the top bad guy this movie was no exception you have Cosmo carboni (stallone)playing a low class bum in the heat that is hells kichen, he is accompaned by his two brothers armand assante and lee canalito who at present are stuck in a rut and dont know what do to witrh their lifes until sly comes up with the idea to turn his bother (canalito) into a wrestler, there are times in the movie when the screenplay drags a slight bit but its overshadowed by the great acting from sly and assante. Rember the OTT bit? this is played to perfection by franky the thumper who most pro wrestling fans will know as terry funk his crazy acting coupled with intimadating physique gave me the impression while i was wacthing that sly and co are in over their heads something you dont really feel when wacthing other stallone movies,the movie is directed by stallone and even the opening song is sung by him its not as bad as you think ...honest

Sly Stallone's directorial debut is a self-indulgent mess ripe with overwrought dialogue and broad characterizations. The film does not start out swimmingly with Stallone croaking the title song over the opening credits. Maybe Sly's intention was to make baby bro Frank, who makes an appearance here, look like a good singer. Those quibbles aside, this is an eminently likable film. Stallone may have been a little over his head here but it'a a nice try. You're never bored with this effort. His Cosmo Carboni is an affable schemer. He's ably supported by Armande Assante as the brainy Carboni brother and Lee Canalito as the brawn. A good supporting cast is assembled here with Anne Archer, Kevin Conway, Frank McRae, wrestler Terry Funk and singer Tom Waits. I wouldn't exactly call this a misfire because it is enjoyable. Nor is it your typical vanity project. Let's just call it an admirable endeavor on Stallone's part.

Excellent Rugged movie.

Light hearted film about tough times in Hell’s Kitchen. Action scenes are entertaining

Stallone has a way of telling his life story through his own movies. Sure, they're not all Academy Award winning films, but they deserve an award for how well they portray life on the other side of the fence. Life through the eyes of those we wish to not see for ourselves or see through. Not only does he do that, he's great at it. Not to mention, he does well at playing a character with a great sense of humor. Who'd have thought, eh?

Una joya poco conocida en esta generación. Ademas de excelente actor, Stallone se destaca por su talento desapercibido en la escritura.

really good film which I had not seen for over thirty years. good character build up and an excellent theme song, sung surprisingly well by stallone himself. not a very good quality bluray print, considering that some blurays of films a lot older than this one have been excellent, but this did not really distract from my enjoyment of the movie.

this dvd is well worth a look it is the story of three brothers who are trying to get into the world of wrestling to get out of their hum drum lives. the money at paradise alley for fighting is the big time and the brothers want a shot at it. stallone fans wont be disappointed with this dvd, a must for fans.well priced and again a good choise is on offer on this site.dvd delivered prompt too.

Great old film we love it!

Great film. Watched it last about 20 years ago, so it was good to see it again. Still great even after all these years.

Vary good film , some good performances