The following are excerpts from the original screenplay “Angel On My Shoulder – The Mickey Goldmill Story” by screenwriter Carl Kirshner. Used with permission, copyright Carl Kirshner.
Mickey Goldmill’s Fight Montage
This scene shows Mickey’s struggle to get a shot at the title and takes us through the main part of his career where he fights everyone who comes his way including, Guinea Russell who was mentioned in the first Rocky. He remains undefeated but he won’t take a dive for Gazzo’s mob and so will always be one step away from the title. He doesn’t take a dive… or maybe he… well, that’s for later:)
This reflects a common story of boxers of that period who basically ended up mangled and penniless after being manipulated by those who ran the fight racket. I also wanted to reflect the time period when it takes place by correlating actual events of the time.
TEENAGE MICKEY I’ll make a deal wit’ you, Mister Gazzo.
MASSIMO GAZZO I’m all ears; like a shithouse rat, I am.
Mickey grabs the pool cue and holds it firmly as Gazzo is about the strike the last ball.
TEENAGE MICKEY The first fight I lose – I promise on my father’s soul I’ll play the game anyway you want. But until I go down or until they beat me blind I’m gonna’ fight the only way I know how – I’M GONNA’ FIGHT TO WIN!
THWACK… Gazzo pockets the black.
FIGHT CAREER MONTAGE – (DECEMBER 1922 TO JANUARY 1933)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES and BOXING PERIODICALS provide details of various fight locations and national historical events.
George Gershwin’s classic, “Someone to watch over me” plays over searing SOUND EFFECTS that accompany the SAVAGE ACTION.
A boxing glove SPLATTERS the face of brutalized Mickey.
SUPERIMPOSITION – GOLDMILL VS RUSSELL (September 14, 1923)
Mickey is fighting ferociously but GINNY RUSSELL is a formidable opponent.
Mickey chases Russell and pounds him with a right and a left. Russell gets in an uppercut that staggers Mickey. They stand toe-to-toe like a pair of pit bulls. Trainer Angelo screams from the corner to finish him.
Mickey lands a left to Russell’s gut then delivers a huge right cross that sends Russell flying THROUGH THE ROPES.
Mickey instinctively goes after Russell but the REFEREE holds him back. Dazed Russell stumbles back into the ring but sinks straight to his knees. The REFEREE waves his hands. It’s over.
“SLUGGER FIRPO KNOCKS CHAMP DEMPSEY OUT OF RING!”
A FLASHBULB BURSTS then fades into the classic B & W photo of JACK DEMPSEY laying outside the ropes as LUIS FIRPO looks on.
Mickey and Angelo celebrate the win with Gazzo and Scarfo’s mob. Booze and broads aplenty. The future looks bright.
Mickey is back in the gym and training his heart out. Angelo looks on admiringly.
SUPERIMPOSITION – GOLDMILL VS ELLIS (September 23, 1925)
Battered Mickey slumps on the stool in his corner. He takes a swig of water and spits blood into the bucket. Angelo works the dripping cuts.
The bell rings and Mickey leaps up and staggers across the ring. Mickey corners the powerful ELLIS and unleashes a lethal assault – one raw punch after another.
The SPECTATORS go wild – everyone’s baying for blood as Ellis staggers on the ropes. Mickey batters his visage into a bloody pulp. Ellis collapses on the canvas. The REFEREE counts him out.
Mickey DANCES ABOUT THE RING – KISSING HIS GLOVES. He thrusts them upward thanking the heavens.
“DEMPSEY LOSES HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE IN TEN ROUND DECISION!”
Mickey holds the newspaper headline in his hands and appears deeply affected by his hero’s loss.
He takes out his anger and batters away at a heavy bag until breathless and blind with sweat.
“JAZZ SINGER TALKIE A SENSATION!”
SUPERIMPOSITION – GOLDMILL VS COBB (October 6, 1927)
THE THIRD ROUND – Mickey is in serious trouble. COBB knocks him with a punishing left, then a dazzling series of rights and uppercuts. Mickey is PUNCHED ACROSS THE RING but doesn’t go down.
THE SIXTH ROUND – Furious Mickey forces COBB into his corner then lands a right hook to the temple and a flurry of mesmerizing handwork. Cobb drops and takes a seven count.
Cobb climbs to his feet and Mickey dishes out the punishment to the beaten and helpless opponent.
THE CROWD are on their feet. The kill is looming.
The fight is over.
Mickey reads THE RING magazine. He spies a list of promising prospects but finds nothing of himself. He bins it irately.
Mickey and Angelo stand in the aisles of ST THOMAS AQUINA’S CHURCH as a YOUNG COUPLE exchange their wedding vows.
“ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE OF MORAN GANG!”
SUPERIMPOSITION – GOLDMILL VS VALACHI (February 14th, 1929)
Towering VALACHI lands a solid blow to ADULT MICKEY’S jaw but Mickey stands strong. Mickey, now older in appearance and filled out in muscularity, moves forward with a rapid series of body blows and uppercuts.
Mickey is forced back by a monumental flurry of cutting crosses that open him up like a grapefruit. Angelo winces in his corner and averts his eyes as if he feels every searing blow battered Mickey painfully endures.
Mickey suddenly goes for the head. Valachi is in the corner of the ring taking a relentless pasting. Valachi’s arms hang at waist level as Mickey lands one blow after another. Valachi is about to go down when the REFEREE JUMPS IN and stops the massacre.
Mickey watches from the back of Angelo’s gym as Gazzo’s mob are all smiles and handshakes toward an UPCOMING PROSPECT. Mickey appears hurt and dejected and storms off in anger.
Angelo gambles away his winnings around a seedy poker table.
Mickey hands over his hard-earned winnings to help desperate Angelo.
Angelo trains Mickey but appears half-hearted and distant.
SUPERIMPOSITION – GOLDMILL VS CARTER (October 24, 1931)
Mickey fights like a man possessed. Carter clinches to avoid the endless, brutal body blows.
For the first time Angelo is ABSENT from Mickey’s corner.
ROUND THREE – Carter is looking strong and has Mickey in trouble. A searing right cross slices open Mickey’s forehead. Mickey’s face is so soaked with blood that it’s impossible to distinguish the cuts on his face.
Mickey fights almost BLIND but somehow makes it through to the bell.
ROUND FIVE – Carter is starting to tire as Mickey’s relentless attack wears him down. A heavy glove lands hard on Carter’s lip almost TEARING it from his face. It hangs like a piece of chopped liver.
ROUND EIGHT – Mickey is working over a demoralised Carter. Punches to the ribs, jabs to the head, bolos to the body. Carter’s eyes have swelled like balloons and his face appears a mess of blistered tissue.
The bell RINGS and Carter wanders over and collapses in his corner. Unable to come out for the ninth the REFEREE walks over to Mickey in SLOW MOTION and raises his hands in bloody victory.
Despite the win, Mickey appears emotionally desolate as he glances over at the EMPTY ringside seats that were once filled by Gazzo and Scarfo’s mob.
Greedy tobacco-stained fingers scrape away the last of Angelo’s gambling dough. Angelo looks like a lost soul.
Angelo watches as grinning Gazzo counts out a wad of loan money. He signs a paper and snatches the cash from the hood.
Mickey sits alone in a derelict dressing room nursing his face with broken ice from a steel bucket. He appears despondent as he gazes down at the newspaper headline at his feet.
“DEMPSEY DOUBTS HIS RETURN TO THE RING.”
Mickey stands alone in Angelo’s gym. Isolated, downcast and a million miles from a title shot.
FIGHT CAREER MONTAGE ENDS
EXT. GAZZO’S POOL HALL, NORTH FIRST STREET – DAY
Mickey strolls along with his hands in his pockets and a pace in his stride. He stops outside of Gazzo’s shabby joint.
SUPERIMPOSITION – December 5th, 1933.
A newspaper stand on the corner declares the headline: “PROHIBITION ENDS AT LAST!”
Mickey stubs out a cigarette and disappears through the shoddy entrance.
INT. BASEMENT, GAZZO’S POOL HALL – CONTINUOUS
Angelo and a SMALL CROWD of desperate GAMBLING TYPES are playing dice. Angelo shakes his fist and kisses his knuckles.
ANGELO Come one, baby. Do it for daddy. Snake eyes.
He throws the dice. His numbers don’t come up. He bites his lip in frustration. He is pushed to the back of the crowd.
Before the Big Fight
This locker room scene leads us into the climatic fight with Sailor Mike. Mickey is now torn between throwing the fight to save Angelo, who has run up massive gambling debts with Gazzo’s mob, or keeping the only pure thing he has left in himself – his dignity. He can’t win the fight without Angelo and Angelina being murdered, but resigns himself to give it all he’s got and “not lay down like some mongrel!” But then something happens in the ring that is SO amazing that it will throw everything in this movie ON ITS HEAD!
EXT. MIKVEH SYNAGOGUE, NORTH 44TH STREET – MORNING
Mickey bolts down the pebbly road before coming to a breathless halt outside the red-bricked house of worship. He centers himself momentarily before disappearing up the steps that lead into the shul.
INT. MIKVEH SYNAGOGUE – CONTINUOUS
Mickey paces slowly around the impressive surroundings, taking in the splendor of the synagogue.
MICKEY I see a lot a’ bad things in this world that sometimes makes me doubt all this religious stuff. But then I see other things that makes me think that, maybe, you’re hangin’ around this place after all. I always tried to do what’s right by ya’ pa. Lived my life the best way I could.
Mickey slowly approaches the lectern of worship and takes off his cap. He is dignified and solemn in his speech.
MICKEY (CONT’D) I know I got to lose this fight. But that guy’s gonna’ have to kill me before I go down. I ain’t gonna’ be beaten like no dog. And he’ll have to give it everything he’s got to earn the right to take away the most precious thing I got left from you. But I’m gonna’ do the right thing by ya’ pa. By God. By Angelo. By Angel… and me.
Mickey lowers his head and strolls respectfully away.
MICKEY (CONT’D) (tearful) By the grace of God go I.
EXT. PHILLIES BALL PARK, BROAD STREET – EVENING
A BUZZING CROWD of assorted FIGHT FANS hustle and bustle through the busy entrance – smoking and chewing gum in electrified anticipation of the brutal spectacle ahead.
SUPERIMPOSITION – July 30th, 1934
A red and yellow POSTER displays the headline fight:
“BENNY BASS VS JOHNNY JADICK II”
In smaller lettering below sits the secondary attraction.
“’SAILOR’ MIKE FALCONETTI VS ‘MIGHTY’ MICKEY GOLDMILL.”
INT. DRESSING ROOM, BALL PARK ARENA – EVENING
Mickey sits in the dank dressing room. He wears an ill-fitting, brown shabby robe. Angelina kneels at his feet. She wraps Mickey’s hands with pre-fight bandages.
ANGELINA I never could do this right.
MICKEY You’re doin’ swell.
They share a nervous exchange.
ANGELINA How many rounds?
MICKEY Ten.
Mickey climbs to his feet and walks over to an iron rack. He picks up a pair of battered boxing gloves that have seen better days. He slips his hands into the shoddy leather mitts. Angelina laces them up carefully for him.
The dressing room door swings open. Gazzo and a FEW MOBSTERS stand in the shadowy doorway. Gazzo puffs away, looking every bit the ‘wiseguy’ in his plush long coat and panama.
MASSIMO GAZZO If it ain’t the champ. You feeling strong, Mickey?
Mickey doesn’t answer. Gazzo is clearly not welcome.
MASSIMO GAZZO (CONT’D) I know you’re gonna’ give the crowd a great show out there, tonight. And don’t worry, Goldmill, there’ll be a few bucks in it for ya’.
(to MOBSTERS) Well, you know what these fuckin’ Jews are like?
Gazzo’s MOB CHUMS cackle. Gazzo’s mood turns borderline intense as he addresses silent, brooding Mickey.
MASSIMO GAZZO (CONT’D) Have a party out there… just do the right thing, Goldmill. Looking good there, Angel. Real pretty.
The seriousness of Gazzo’s intent is very clear.
MASSIMO GAZZO (CONT’D) Let’s hope you stay that way. A rose should have all its petals.
Gazzo turns to leave, continuing his previous conversation.
MASSIMO GAZZO (O.S.) (CONT’D) So, as I was sayin’ – this dumb fucker came up to me yellin’ “Mister Gazzo, my sister just got graped” So I says to him, “Don’t you mean raped?” So he cries out, “Fuck no, there was a whole bunch of ‘em!”
Gazzo and his cronies cackle and disappear down the corridor.
A suited and booted RING OFFICIAL stops on his way down the hallway and pokes his head around the door.
RING OFFICIAL Goldmill? You’re on.
He disappears as Mickey’s DARKLY-CLAD ADVERSARY strolls ominously past the entrance and into the murky shadows.
Mickey climbs to his feet and stares at a TORN POSTER of ex-champ JACK DEMPSEY hanging from the paint-flaked wall. He gazes at his own distorted image in a cracked mirror. No matter where he looks he sees broken fighters and shattered dreams.
ANGELINA You ready, Mickey?
Mickey turns to her, straight-faced and resolute.
MICKEY I’m ready.
INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
Mickey and Angelina enter the dark hallway. They walk a few quiet steps before they spot a SHADOWY FIGURE hovering in the distance.
It is Angelo. He stands holding a spit bucket and towel. They approach the solemn man and stop a few feet away. Angelo hesitates momentarily before speaking his peace.
Love Scene
Rocky to me was a love story. Period. It just happened to be based around a boxer. When writing Angel I knew we had to have not only a love interest but someone who would help soften Mickey’s harsh demeanor and restore his belief in humanity to show the character’s evolution that would put him, hopefully, on the path to a brighter future. Angel is, when all said and done fundamentally a love story – albeit a tragic one.
Fans note: Angelina Carmino is Mickey’s trainer Angelo’s daughter (he became Father Carmine in Rocky 2!) whom Mickey has partially nurtured since she was a child (with help from Adrian and Paulie’s father, Enzio Pennino) and is now a woman… well, as Rocky once said, “Nature’s smarter than people think.”
MASSIMO GAZZO That’s what you think, Goldmill.
EXT. ANGELO’S GYM, NORTH 44TH STREET – DAY
The rain pours from cimmerian clouds. A gaggle of SOAKING CHILDREN scurry along the sidewalk.
INT. LIVING ROOM, UPSTAIRS, ANGELO’S GYM – DAY
Rain streaks down the window frame as Mickey rests on a sofa. Angelina sits in the far corner of the room reciting poetry.
ANGELINA “Yet if hope has flown away in a night or in a day, in a vision or in none, is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”
MICKEY You always got a way wit’ words, Angel. I always did know you’d make like a good teacher. When did you wrote that?
ANGELINA I didn’t. Edgar Allan Poe, did.
MICKEY Edgar Allan Poe? I’ve heard that name somewhere. Isn’t he the guy who delivers Enzio’s bananas?
Angelina giggles.
ANGELINA I used to read him to you in the gym. Remember? I taught you to skip, too – ya’ three-legged flat foot.
MICKEY I guess you don’t remember much when your tongue’s hanging outta’ your ears. Say, how’s your bruises, huh? They healing good?
ANGELINA It’s been three weeks, Mickey. They’re healing just fine. It’s my heart that needs mending.
Angelina sits up and wanders over to the window frame and looks out thoughtfully at the rain pounding the sidewalk.
ANGELINA (CONT’D) “A dream within a dream.” What’s really a dream, Mickey?
Mickey turns on his side and appears reflective.
MICKEY Well, I don’t know for sure, Angel. I used to dream about being the champion of the whole world. I was gonna’ hang that shining belt on the wall of the gym for everyone to see. But all that fightin’? Those
hopes and dreams? They’re over for me. But, you know, I kinda’ came to realize that some dreams ain’t always meant to be reached, they’re just meant to be kinda’ aimed for. They’re there to give you like a’ sort of a’ purpose in ya’ life. And along the way, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find the real reason to be hangin’ around this place.
Mickey carefully studies Angelina’s shapely figure that is silhouetted against the window. She turns back around. Mickey averts his gaze.
ANGELINA How come you never found a girl or got married or nothing?
MICKEY What would anyone want with a punched-out punk like me? I ain’t none-too smart. I can’t read or write and I ain’t no oil painting that’s for sure. I can’t do no Charleston, either. My body moves like some kinda’ printing press.
ANGELINA You always make me smile, Mickey. You always have.
Mickey breaks into a very flat Jolson.
MICKEY “I’D WALK A MILLION MILES FOR ONE OF YOUR SMILES…”
ANGELINA You can’t sing none either.
MICKEY Ain’t that the truth?
Angelina ambles over to the living room table. She twiddles a fork in a small plate of stale pasta.
ANGELINA I remember the first time I fell down in the schoolyard and scraped my knee. You were the first one to pick me up and make me laugh again. You made me feel safe. Protected.
MICKEY You know, you’ve been pretty good to me, too.
ANGELINA I’ve been nothing but trouble. I nearly got you shot, didn’t I?
MICKEY I’d take a lead sandwich over one of Enzio’s pepper jobs any day.
Angelina smiles knowingly.
MICKEY (CONT’D) You know, there was a time in my life when I didn’t believe in nothin’ or nobody. I didn’t care if I went to sleep and never woke up again. But seeing you growing up wit’ all them smiles and that love you had for life made me want to live again. You’ve meant more to me than you’ll know. You’ve been like an angel on my shoulder. Guiding me good and givin’ me hope.
Angelina is visibly touched by Mickey’s sincerity.
ANGELINA You’ve never let me down, Mickey. You’ve always been there for me.
MICKEY And I always will be. That’s what friends are for, ain’t they?
ANGELINA Is that what I am to you?
Mickey senses Angelina’s emotional intensity but makes light of it.
MICKEY Sure. You’re one-in-a-million.
Angelina lowers her head before gazing upward through her big brown eyes. Words tumble out like petals from a rose.
ANGELINA I love you, Mickey.
Mickey startles but holds his smile. Angelina walks over and kneels down in front of him. She reaches out to touch his cheek. Mickey pulls away.
MICKEY Angel.
ANGELINA Let me in.
MICKEY There ain’t nothing left.
She leans over and places her deep red lips on his forehead.
ANGELINA “Take this kiss upon the brow. And, in parting from you now, thus much let me avow…”
Mickey drops his emotional guard and Angelina kisses him deeply and passionately. Mickey catches his breath.
MICKEY Was that Poe again?
ANGELINA Yeah.
MICKEY (grins) I’m beginning to like that guy.
They kiss and fall into each others arms.
INT. REST ROOM, BASEMENT, GAZZO’S POOL HALL – NIGHT
Drunken Angelo staggers into the rest room. It is a vile, piss-caked stink hole with crap for wallpaper and vomit for carpet.
He leans up against the wall and takes a leak with one hand while the other clutches a bottle. He ambles over to a broken sink and stares at himself in the cracked mirror. He is barely recognizable – heavily stubbled and panda-eyed.
ANGELO You know what, Carmine? I think Mickey’s right.
