Night and the City (1950) - Fight Scene

[@musicalrich1]

The best wrestling sequence in a motion picture, this features two absolute greats: Zbyscko, a legit champ. from the 1920's & '30's, when the sport was more genuine, and Mazurki, who knew wrestling but here needs to ham it up. He typifies how the sport has changed. Mike was one of a few grapplers to make a living as an actor. Stanislaus was the old Greco Champ who actually turns in quite a nice performance in this film. Mazurki, despite his moronic speech, really had a degree in chemistry!

[@grawakendream8980]

zbyszko was wrestling dating back to the turn of the century

[@jakemeehan]

And my great uncle Kenneth Richmond with the broken wrist. Look him up...

[@troutslayer3510]

He actually had a law degree and said he could make ten times the money by wrestling over practicing law....but I get your main point that he was not a tool....he was educated

[@mda1218]

old bull was still ALL man here... was filmed, but still took those gut shots like a champ... built to fight and balls of steel at 70 still...

[@lawrencebittke8478]

As a boy I really loved it when my uncles would visit with Dad and talked about sports. I remember them talking about Stanislaus Zsbyszko, Mazurski, Frank Gotch, Gus Sonnenburg, et al when they discussed wrestling, which was a legitimate, contested sport back then. A young Richard Widmark was staking his claim in the movies back then. He does a great acting job first trying to stop the fight, then rooting for Zsybszko to beat Mazurski. A powerful, emotional scene in this movie.

[@eslubin]

Zbyszko bearhug make him humble "that's what I do to your clowns" great scene and great movie

[@ShHeMiLeRe]

I read about his fights in the newspapers from early 1910s. It's insane. He was among the most popular athletes too.

[@billyclub56]

Mike's ear is the logo, for the Calliflower Alley Club. He was a very good friend of my father's. Got to spend time with him as kid. Looked like a giant. Also Archie Moore, Gene LeBell & Freddie Beshore. Dad was a wrestler. Went by The Great John L. '25- '05 ♥️

[@HAM-sb2ns]

Was your father the one who sang the great John Ls challenge, I love that song.

[@billyclub56]

@@HAM-sb2ns As a matter of fact, yes I had forgotten about that

[@billyclub56]

We lived in Westminster, CA. We also had some pet mtn lions

[@HAM-sb2ns]

@@billyclub56 very cool, thanks for the information 👍🏻

[@hutchmusician]

What a great scene! I just learned about Zbyszko today, amazing to see the old legend in action, gives us a glimpse of what the sport must have looked like in the early 20th and even late 19th century. Thanks for uploading!

[@WolfMoon351]

The bearhug was a very useful submission move back in the days but now we rarely see that. The bearhug can really be very effective if done right

[@Kfowlkes09]

Brock ko'ed Hogan with it.

[@larrybrown3218]

Possibly the most realistic and brutal fight scene in cinema. Wonder how long it took to film? If only Harry Fabian would have gotten this fight in front of the sold out arena he dreamt of? Instead, this after hours ballyhoo combined with Nicolas' broken wrist signals Harry's downfall.

[@Tsuruta1]

I only read about Stanislaus Zbyszko, this is a treat to see.

[@tornmask1]

excellent classic b&w crime, drama, wrestling movie flick!

[@tangocash7304]

I love this scene. It had me on the edge of my seat.

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

@docmalthus Legendary actor Christopher Lee was in his early 80s when playing Sith Lord Count Dooku in two Star Wars films. He was 80 in Attack of the Clones, and he was 83 in Revenge of the Sith. He kicked ass as an old man, even with digital special effects (which weren't available or invented decades such as the 40s and 50s). A better situation for an elderly man like Lee to be in than Zbyszko.

[@grabit1]

@Richard Freeman: Mike Mazurki was also a graduate of Manhattan College. A rare thing in the old days.

[@ziaakbar2535]

Stanislaus Zbysko is one of the all time greats. Its such a shame that people don't talk about wrestlers from the very past.

[@musicalrich1]

@joethecabdriver - Zbyscko was about 74, according to one source! He looked out-of shape, but still knew the ropes, so to speak, LOL...I still say this is the best pro wrestling sequence in any film. The story was based on a book written by a disgruntled British wrestler, who felt the pro game had become a "squalid, rigged sport"...

[@mda1218]

over 70 , but still solid muscle under that fat layer : 3:05… took those 👊🏼s to midsection with just low grunts : leaned in , but never bent over ! returned the favor … aged. beef 🐂

[@88hyperman]

Reminds me of Georgie the animal steel. Anyways I picked up some good fight tips watching this.

[@joethecabdriver]

An old fashioned wrestling movie. Zybyskco (an old school wrestler from the days when wrestling was still legit) must have been over 70 at this point, but was still built like a tank. Good stuff.

[@shikat2371]

I have to agree with the other poster. Zbyszko was the real deal who could actually wrestle, if necessary. He, at one time, wrestled Wayne "Big" Munn for the championship belt in one of the greatest double-crosses in wrestling history. The match was supposed to be a "work" and it was predetermined that Munn would win it, but it turned into a shoot match with Zbyszko repeatedly pinning Munn for the 3-count. Zybszko also took the championship belt away from Strangler Lewis during their heyday.

[@bettydaw1970]

@jityr2 yes..he is 70 years old here!!!! and was a pro wrestler at the turn of the century, when it was actually REAL..like ufc today.. back then he had massive muscles all over, (obviously steroid free).. a true legend!!!!

[@wrestlingconnoisseur]

I had the opportunity to buy this at HMV last year. I passed it up, and now I can't find it there. I'm sorry I let the moment pass.

[@MrPunkforlife]

Been there, done that. .... :'(

[@AngloSaxon1]

What a great fight

[@Sungkawa]

Zybysko was the true Wrestling legend Larry Zybysko got his ring name out of respect for him

[@piker3000]

better than every mma fight movie ever! CACC!

[@leeinvegas]

Great fight between two muscled guys . The bear hug was great as he was breaking his back

[@willieholmes1483]

I saw that fight scene when I was a boy. One of the most intense scenes I ever saw until then. Is there a comparable scene in the remake?

[@TheLukeMonster]

Wrestling the way it should be: no steel chairs, no ladders, no steroids... half the wrestlers in the world today might not even live to be 70 with all the injuries and drugs, let alone able to move like Stanislaus Zbysko. Mazurki has the body type that all wrestlers should aspire to have - carved, fit, healthy and toned but natural. I wonder why Tor Johnson never got to do a fight scene like this. That I would have loved to see.

[@musicalrich1]

Mike Mazurki went on to be one of Hollywood's best "heavies." It was amazing how he had to lose fights to the likes of Fess Parker in the 2nd Davy Crockett episode (1955), which would never occur in reality. Fess was nowhere near strong enough to handle the former pro grappler. Even John Wayne would not have been able to best Mike, but he did, in a film in 1945...Mike died at age 82, in 1990.

[@The_Isaiahnator]

And got the cauliflower ear to go along with his skill.

[@tampajep]

Awesome scene! The old man is a bad-ass! Loved it!

[@MasterDonny1]

Mike Mazurki was in the movie "Challenge to be free". But I can't find that movie on You Tube.

[@bhug3996]

Nice bearhug 2:10

[@wrestlingconnoisseur]

To clarify, Zbyszko was the only wrestler that Thesz acknowledged as making "Strangler" Lewis nervous.

[@Kfowlkes09]

Thesz would have said that, but of course there were some others. Stecher, Browning, and of course John Pesek come to mind.

[@superlyger]

Wrestling Scholar Bernkastel Pesek was in his camp as a policeman.

[@Kfowlkes09]

Yes, and the Lewis troupe paid Pesek very good money to essentially stay out of the Strangler's way.

[@bettydaw1970]

zybsko was 70 or 71 here depending on the month it was filmed!!!!

[@eslubin]

Mike Mazurki vs Stan Zbyszko. And Zbyszko was around 72 at this time.

[@halfmanhalfmetal]

Jeeze. Even back in the 50s wrestlers didn't ever want to give it up. So this was Larry Zybsko's old man? I wondered if he retired 10 times like Terry Funk and Ric Flair and Verne Gagne?

[@johnboone8639]

Don't you love Zbyscko's cauliflower ears? That's the sign of a real grappler, thousands of hours spent on the mat scrapping.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Zbyscko was a wrestler but he was also interested in culture.

[@docmalthus]

@loeza3176 He was definitely over 70!

[@ewahorodyska4178]

if you know Zbyszko maybe you know more about Wladyslaw Talun - if so plese let me know

[@cool0000999]

Tribute to Zbysko. Gama the great wrestler Once had a draw with him and the second time Zbysko dint show up but the third time Gama won in few seconds or Minutes.

[@jityr2]

Is Zbyszko the bald guy?

[@Guppieboi3]

the two old boys wanted to scrap - settle an old score

[@loeza3176]

how old is stanislaus here???

[@eslubin]

@cnhatton forget prime, how about seeing them at all lol

[@8761109manuel]

maestro del maestro heney awed

[@romanchomenko2912]

Richard Widemark was slapped up by Jack Palance in the film Panic in the Streets and seeing him being slapped up Mike Marzurky ha ha both actors from Ukrainian immigrants.

[@morgall]

showing some MMA moves:p

[@phillipmarlowe0525]

Lol. How convenient that they would get into a fight in the ring.

[@killertim922]

the guys s built like a house, carrying 260 pounds of chiseled muscle

[@Frottussle]

Would like to know who the wrestler that got knocked out of the ring was. He certainly was no slouch. He may not have been a wrestler but he looked like one. If anyone knows his name get back to me.

[@loliH9]

That's Nikolas, Gregorious' protegee and apprentice.

[@FreemanHuman]

Kenneth Richmond, he won the bronze in free style at the 1952 Olympics 2 years after this movie was made. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Richmond Funny how there is more wrestling in this one scene then in the last 30 years of WWE entertainment crap.

[@Frottussle]

Thank you.

[@Sungkawa]

Typically early 20th century wrestlers allot of mussle strengh but no brains But amazing action

[@RhythmKid6]

Check out 'The Deets - Charlie' this band have re-done the night and the city greatness in their new music video. It's awesome!

[@simontaylor4145]

The young guy who got the broken wrist is Bill Richmond - he later became 'The Gong Man', seen at the beginning of each of the Rank Film in the 40's. In his final years he became a Jehovah's Witness (jw.org)

[@MrNYCman530]

"POOH"

[@grawakendream8980]

poland vs ukraine cyganiewicz vs mazurkevich :)

[@josephvitielo1693]

Usually Mazurki manhandles people in his movie roles not here