Maxie "Slapsy Maxie" Rosenblum & Clark Gable Original B & W 3" x 5" Framed Photo

This original black and white was signed "Best Wishes to Joyce" by Maxie Rosenblum - over the years, the ink has been substantially faded but the impressions are present and discernible on the upper left side of the photograph. 

Slapsy Maxie (1906 - 1976) was a famous Jewish boxer inducted into the World and International Boxing Hall of Fame. His name, Slapsy Maxie was adopted by his open-gloved style of boxing. His fights usually went all the rounds, and after he retired from boxing, the deterioration in his motor skills was obvious.

Rosenblum won the light heavyweight title in 1930 and did not suffer a defeat until 1934 when he fought Bob Olin. His professional career stats of 298 fights included  223 wins, 29 draws, 44 losses and 2 no contests. In 1934, the National Boxing Association stripped him of all his titles after they ruled his slapping and flicking tactics violated the rules of boxing.

In 1927, Slapsy Maxie started his film career appearing in tough guy movies with James Cagney and George Raft. The producer-director Jules White (think 3 Stooges) paid Slapsy and Max Baer to produce slapstick short comedy reels.

In addition to appearances on the Fred Allen Show, a large and memorable role in the film "Requiem for a Heavyweight" - starring Jack Palance and Keenan & Ed Wynn and written by Rod Sterling - was the highlight of his film career. In 1943, he opened Slapsy Maxie's nightclub in Los Angeles. The club closed in 1947.