Wladek Zbyszko in Film

I recently discovered a 1932 film, Uptown New York (affiliate link), with Wladek Zbyszko playing himself. Zbyszko wrestled another wrestler named DeLonn, which I believe is a young Brother Jonathan. Brother Jonathan was the father of Don Leo Jonathan.

Director Victor Shertzinger placed the wrestling scene about thirty minutes into the film. To start the film, Shertzinger uses establishing shots to set the film in New York even though he filmed the movie in Los Angeles.

Max, a medical student, and his girlfriend Pat are eating dinner. Leon Ames plays Max, who walks Pat home. Max follows Pat to her apartment under the pretense of calling for a cab. Pat is intimate with Max in anticipation of their upcoming marriage.

However, Max’s parents arranged his marriage after Max graduates medical school. Max is unhappy but goes ahead with the marriage. Shirley Grey plays Pat, who struggles with her feelings for Max after his betrayal.

While Pat is sorting through her feelings, she meets Eddie Doyle. Jackie Oakie plays Eddie, who is an entrepreneur. Eddie currently owns a string of bubble gum machines but is always looking for ways to expand his business.

Eddie meets Pat, while installing one of his bubble gum machines. Pat has smitten Eddie, who starts dating Pat. Eddie takes Pat to the wrestling matches on one of their early dates. Pat is reluctant at first but quickly gets into the action.

Wladek Zbyszko is 40 to 41 years old in this movie. Wladek started to look more like Stanislaus as he got older. DeLonn does not have a beard but looking at Brother Jonathan’s picture it looks like he is the same person.

While Zbyszko and DeLonn wrestle, Eddie tries to propose to Pat. The wrestlers interrupt Eddie’s proposal when Zbyszko dumps De Lonn over the top rope onto Eddie in the front row of ringside. The wrestlers’ attendants carry an unconscious Eddie back to the dressing room.

Eddie’s proposal has Pat off-balance, but she is attracted to Eddie. Will Max show back up before Eddie can convince Pat to marry him?

Fortunately, Uptown New York is a pre-Motion Picture Code film, so Pat can still hope for a happy ending. After Hollywood censors started strictly enforcing the Motion Picture Code, the director would have to kill off Pat or at least confine her to a convent to atone for her sins. For thirty years, the Motion Picture Code saddled Hollywood films with enforced morality.

Check out a rare appearance of professional wrestling in classic Hollywood films. You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page.