Nimoy’s first truly starring role: Kid Monk Baroni (1952)

All in all, not a bad picture – and a fine performance by a young actor still (pardon the pun) learning the ropes!  (and a big step up from Zombies of the Stratosphere. Nimoy plays a young gangster in the streets, Paul Baroni, who’s called “Monk” by his pals, short for ‘Monkey’ for his facial deformity.  Paul feels an outcast for his looks, but the friendly priest from the local church  gets him into boxing and Paul finds himself an amateur welterweight.  He’s still shy and self conscious of his looks, but he meets a nice girl who loves him for himself. His nasty manager wants him to fight dirty.  Yet Paul is still insecure and wants to quit the ring.  Will he find happiness?  Stay tuned for next week’s installment!