The Set-Up (1949 film)

The Set-Up is a 1949 American film noir about an aging boxer who always loses. Without telling him, his corrupt manager takes bribes from a betting gangster, to ensure a pre-arranged dive-loss in the next match.
 * Directed by Robert Wise. Written by Art Cohn, based on a 1928 narrative poem written by Joseph Moncure March.

I Want a Man... Not a Human Punching Bag! (taglines)

Bill "Stoker" Thompson

 * Well, that's the way it is. You're a fighter, you gotta fight.

Dialogue

 * Stoker: Yeah, top spot. And I'm just one punch away.
 * Julie: I remember the first time you told me that. You were just one punch away from the title shot then. Don't you see, Bill, you'll always be just one punch away.


 * Red: I tell you, Tiny, you gotta let him in on it.
 * Tiny: How many times I gotta say it? There's no percentage in smartenin' up a chump.

Taglines

 * I Want a Man... Not a Human Punching Bag!
 * The Sensational Picture You've Been Hearing and Reading About!

Cast

 * Robert Ryan - Bill "Stoker" Thompson
 * Audrey Totter - Julie Thompson
 * George Tobias - Tiny
 * Alan Baxter - Little Boy
 * Wallace Ford - Gus
 * Percy Helton - Red
 * Hal Fieberling - "Tiger" Nelson
 * Darryl Hickman - Shanley
 * Kenny O'Morrison - Moore
 * James Edwards - Luther Hawkins
 * David Clarke - "Gunboat" Johnson
 * Phillip Pine - Tony Souza