Keep Punching (1939 film)

Keep Punching
Directed byJohn Clein
Screenplay byMarcy Klauber
Story byJohn Rosamond Johnson
Produced by
  • John Clein
  • Edward Mead
Starring
Cinematography
  • J. Burgi Contner
  • Jay Rescher
Edited byAl. Harburger
Music by
  • Lee Norman (music score)
  • Dean Cole (sound engineer)
Production
companies
M. C. Pictures, Inc.
Distributed byState Rights
Release dates
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$28,000

Keep Punching is a 1939 film about boxing. Its primary character is Henry Armstrong (born Henry Jackson). Unlike most films of the era, its cast was composed entirely of African Americans.

The film includes Whitey's Lindy Hoppers (Lindy Hop) performing the much imitated Big Apple Routine. A film clip of the dance scene was also released as the short “Jittering Jitterbugs” in 1943 showing the Big Apple routine choreographed by Frankie Manning and the a Jitterbug dance competition that followed in the film.