(1954) Joe Palooka is an American comic strip about a heavyweight boxing champion, created by cartoonist Ham Fisher. The strip debuted on April 19, 1930 and was carried at its peak by 900 newspapers. It was cancelled in 1984.

The strip was adapted to a short-lived 15-minute CBS radio series, 12 feature-length films (chiefly from Monogram Pictures), nine Vitaphone film shorts, a 1954 syndicated television series (The Joe Palooka Story), comic books and merchandise, including a 1940s board game, a 1947 New Haven Clock & Watch Company wristwatch, a 1948 metal lunchbox featuring depictions of Joe, Humphrey and Little Max, and a 1946 Wheaties cereal box cut-out mask.

BELOW THE BORDER. While on a Nation-wide tour, Heavyweight champion Joe Palooka is asked to

fight the Mexican champ. This turns out to be a difficult task because subversive elements try to prevent the bout.

THE CLYDE NAPPERS. Clyde, Joe's trainer and friend, is kidnapped by gamblers who make a

deal with Joe for the return of their captive.

Directed by William Berke

Created by Ham Fisher

Starring Joe Kirkwood Jr., Cathy Downs, Maxie Rosenbloom

Cast

Joe Kirkwood Jr. as Joe Palooka

Cathy Downs as Ann Howe

Maxie Rosenbloom as Clyde

Luis Van Rooten as Knobby Walsh