Mountain Rivera is a veteran heavyweight and near-champion who suddenly finds himself washed up in the only trade he knows—prizefighting. Yet, threatened by gangsters for welshing on a gambling debt, Mountain’s opportunistic manager, Maish Rennick, schemes to get the ex-boxer into a phony wrestling match to make some quick money. Although he and his loyal trainer, Army, oppose the degrading proposition, the disillusioned Mountain begins to wonder if he has any options left.
Anthony Quinn
as Lewis 'Mountain' Rivera
Jackie Gleason
as Maish Rennick
Mickey Rooney
as Army
Julie Harris
as Grace Miller
Stanley Adams
as Perelli (as Stan Adams)
Madame Spivy
as Ma Greeny
Val Avery
as Young fighter's promoter
Herbie Faye
as Charlie, the Bartender
Jack Dempsey
as Himself
Muhammad Ali
as Himself (as Cassius Clay)
Lou Gilbert
as Dr. Gilbert
Michael Conrad
as Ma Greeny's Thug
