Monkey on My Back
“SHOCK by SHOCK...It Jabs Like a Hopped-Up Needle!”
Synopsis
The painfully true story of welterweight boxing champion Barney Ross is detailed in Monkey on My Back. Cameron Mitchell stars as Ross, whose meteoric ring career is interrupted when he joins the Marines at the outset of WWII. A highly decorated hero, Ross contracts malaria oversees and is given morphine to assuage the pain. By the time he returns to the states, Ross is a confirmed drug addict. Before he can rise to the top again, he must hit rock bottom and his descent into the hell of narcotics dependency is graphically illustrated (so much so that the film was almost denied a Production Code seal). Though a cured Barney Ross served as technical advisor for Monkey on My Back, he ended up suing the producers for defamation of character -- and lost.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Monkey On My Back 1957 Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2016-06-02
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
May 29, 1957
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- André de Toth
- Screenplay & Story
- Crane Wilbur, Paul Dudley, Anthony Veiller
- Original Title
- Monkey on My Back
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 34m
- Production Studios
- Edward Small Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
André de Toth
Crane Wilbur, Paul Dudley, Anthony Veiller
Edward Small
Department Leadership Roster
André de Toth
Director
Crane Wilbur
Screenplay
Paul Dudley
Screenplay
Anthony Veiller
Screenplay
Edward Small
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Monkey on My Back.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About Monkey on My Back
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Monkey on My Back about?
The painfully true story of welterweight boxing champion Barney Ross is detailed in Monkey on My Back. Cameron Mitchell stars as Ross, whose meteoric ring career is interrupted when he joins the Marines at the outset of WWII. A highly decorated hero, Ross contracts malaria oversees and is given morphine to assuage the pain. By the time he returns to the states, Ross is a confirmed drug addict. Before he can rise to the top again, he must hit rock bottom and his descent into the hell of narcotics dependency is graphically illustrated (so much so that the film was almost denied a Production Code seal). Though a cured Barney Ross served as technical advisor for Monkey on My Back, he ended up suing the producers for defamation of character -- and lost.
Who directed Monkey on My Back?
Monkey on My Back was directed by André de Toth.
Who stars in Monkey on My Back?
The principal cast of Monkey on My Back includes Cameron Mitchell, Dianne Foster, Paul Richards, Jack Albertson, Kathy Garver.
When was Monkey on My Back released and how long is it?
Monkey on My Back was released in 1957 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Monkey on My Back?
Monkey on My Back holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).