Nimoy and the Kid

[Gal XE Questr]

From the vaults; 'thought you guys might enjoy it.

BEFORE HE WAS SPOCK
Leonard Nimoy remembers his first major role as “Kid Monk Baroni”
by Gloria Rodriguez March 9, 2006.

A 20-year-old Leonard Nimoy was the star at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California.

A public screening of “Kid Monk Baroni” (1952), in which Nimoy had his first major role, was part of a tribute to B-movie producer Jack Broder. A panel discussion followed that included the reminiscences of Nimoy and co-stars Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen of the “Adventures of Superman” series) and Mona Knox.

There was a cozy, community sort of atmosphere with almost half of the audience consisting of the family and friends of the panelists. (This was obvious from all the reserved seats labeled “Nimoy”, “Larson”, etc.) In fact, Nimoy, his wife Susan Bay Nimoy, his brother, and about 30 of his invited guests were seated right behind me.

The host made introductions and gave background on Jack Broder and the movie. He was apparently a little star-struck as he not only gave Leonard Nimoy a big build-up, but couldn’t resist making “Star Trek” jokes during his presentation.

The movie itself got some good-natured laughs because of its old-fashioned moralizing and melodrama. Nimoy plays Paul “Monk” Baroni, a New York street tough who is encouraged to better himself by a Catholic priest. Father Callahan then lures Paul and his gang off the streets by teaching them to box, which leads to Paul’s career as a fighter.

There are romantic complications, naturally. Paul, insecure because of the homely face that gave him his nickname, has to choose between “nice girl” Emily and “bad girl” June (Mona Knox). Emily helpfully suggests Paul get plastic surgery, which got sympathetic laughter from the audience. June entices him to spend all his money on her, which got more laughs.

Paul struggles with ethics when his manager sells him out to mobsters. Then he begins to lose fights to protect his new, improved mug. Our hero ends up with salvaged integrity and the nice girl, of course.

In the panel discussion, Nimoy, 75, described how the low-budget production cut corners. The 10-day shooting schedule was trimmed to nine by the simple expedient of deleting the scenes scheduled for the last day’s shooting. Nimoy remembered being paid only $350, but he was also given the suits he wore in the movie.

He remembered how the makeup artist examined his face and announced Nimoy’s facial structure was wrong for the part.

“I’m going to lose this job because of the makeup man?” he recalled thinking.

Mona Knox described a publicity stunt in which she joined the under-aged Nimoy in downtown Los Angeles as a judge approved his contract. She was the bait to get a newspaper photographer to take a picture.

Jack Larson, who played Paul Baroni’s faithful pal, explained that he played the classic part of the buddy in love with the leading man.

“We were the forerunners of ‘Brokeback Mountain,’” Larson said.

Nimoy protested that he wasn’t playing it that way.

“But I was,” Larson insisted to the laughing audience.

Answering questions from the audience, Nimoy said he was sent to the Hollywood Athletic Club to get pointers on boxing. He had never seen a professional fight; “I learned it from the movies.” But he has heard that Robert De Niro watched “Kid Monk Baroni” for boxing tips.

“De Niro learned it from me,” Nimoy joked, “’Raging Bull’ was a sequel to ‘Kid Monk Baroni’!”

A couple of questions concerned the possibility of his appearing in “Boston Legal”. Nimoy responded, “It’s not going to happen,” bringing disappointed “ahh’s” from the audience. He later elaborated it seemed like the wrong step to take because the show would be skewed toward his and William Shatner’s former partnership. He called it “gimmicky”.

I had a good time, and I enjoyed the comments from the Nimoy contingent behind me.

Someone sounded impressed that he got laughs; “Gee, he’s getting funny in his old age!”

Another gentleman was impressed by the young man on the screen; “Boy, your brother was really good-looking then, wasn’t he?”

“Hey, good looks run in the family,” was the quick response.

But my favorite comment was when Nimoy’s wife Susan yelled out from her seat, “You were gorgeous, sweetheart!”

[The article above appeared in the April/May 2006 issue of STARFLEET Communiqué and in the April 2006 issue of Angels Flight, the Los Angeles STARFLEET chapter newsletter.]

[Kishin]

Why, Spock, I hardly knew ye!
To think he grew up to be "Baroner's " friend in "Errand of Mercy."
Hey--the Larson/Brokeback Mountain bit is very cool:-) Thanks for posting, Gal XE

[Gal XE Questr]

There was another story I forgot to include in the article. Leonard Nimoy said when his parents first went to see the movie, they cried through it. They were just overwhelmed seeing their son up on a movie screen. He was disappointed they couldn't enjoy the show!

[Darn Tigh]

Hi Gal XE ! I must say this a wonderful event to recall for all here ! For me , it must've been back to the 60's when I last saw this movie . What an time to have Leonard Nimoy's relatives and friends as well as Mona knox , Jack Larson (who I admired all those years back) and others in the one place . Now , we are seeing nimoy and contemporaries retiring from the spotlight into history . It is definitely a marvellous time for us around to have these memories . And aren't club newsletters a great way to keep this legacy ? Thanks !!!