Monkey on My Back (1957)

The true story of Barney Ross, a World War II hero and champion professional boxer, who became addicted to morphine.

Director:

André De Toth

Writers:

Paul Dudley, Barney Ross (book),

Stars:

Cameron Mitchell, Dianne Foster, Paul Richards

Cast

Credited cast:
Cameron Mitchell	...	Barney Ross
Dianne Foster	...	Cathy Holland
Paul Richards	...	Rico, Drug Pusher (as Paul E. Richards)
Jack Albertson	...	Sam Pian
Kathy Garver	...	Noreen
Lisa Golm	...	Barney's Mother
Barry Kelley	...	Big Ralph
Dayton Lummis	...	J.L. McAvoy
Lewis Charles	...	Lew Surati
Raymond Greenleaf	...	Dr. A.J. Latham
Richard Benedict	...	Art Winch
Brad Harris	...	Spike McAvoy
Robert Holton	...	Dr. Sullivan
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eric Morris	...	Soldier

Storyline

The true story of Barney Ross, a World War II hero and champion professional boxer, who became addicted to morphine.

---

Plot Keywords:

boxing | drug addict | drug addiction | drugs | based on book

---

Taglines:

SHOCK by SHOCK...It Jabs Like a Hopped-Up Needle!

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 1958 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Teufel im Nacken

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Former "Our Gang" child star 'Scotty Beckett (I)' makes his final film appearance as a medic who helps Ross get hooked on morphine. Sadly, Beckett himself would die of a drug overdose ten years after this film was released.

---

Goofs

When Barney leaves the hospital in the closing scene, there is clearly an open courtyard between the hospital and the gate. As Barney and Cathy run toward each other, they appear to be on a tree lined lane. When the camera shows them exiting the gate, the open courtyard appears again.

---

Crazy Credits

"The Beginning" is shown in the closing credits.

---

Connections

Edited into Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 9 (2002)

User Reviews

Great Movies

I saw this movie when I was a little Boy I'm now a pensioner and this movie has stayed with me my whole life As I was so young it set me on course with my life.

I promised myself that I would never go near drugs as it kind of scared the hell out of me being so young it left a big impression on me. I came across your site and just for fun typed Monkey On My Back And there it was wow memories ........How great but so sad they are.

It was a long time ago. Only one other movie made such a impression On me called Home Of the Brave it taught me to see a person for who he is And not the color of their skin I lived by this and it was because I was so young that these two movies made me the way I am I will take them to my final resting place