“Day of the Fight” (1951): Kubrick’s First Swing at Filmmaking
Day of the Fight is a 16-minute short documentary that marks the directorial debut of Stanley Kubrick, released by RKO-Pathé as part of its This Is America series. Shot in black and white, the film offers a gritty, intimate look at a day in the life of middleweight boxer Walter Cartier, culminating in his bout against Bobby James on April 17, 1950.
Plot Summary
Narrated by newsman Douglas Edwards, the film begins with a brief history of boxing before following Walter Cartier through his daily routine—from breakfast and mass to mental preparation and the climactic fight. His twin brother Vincent, a lawyer and manager, accompanies him throughout the day. The film ends with Cartier’s victory in the ring, framed as a triumph of discipline and personal sacrifice.
Behind-the-Scenes Highlights
- Kubrick financed the film himself for $3,900, selling it to RKO for $4,000—a modest profit for a first-time filmmaker
- The final fight sequence was filmed live, with Kubrick and his friend Alexander Singer operating cameras at ringside
- RKO added four minutes of new material to the original 12-minute cut, including footage of boxing historian Nat Fleischer and archival fight clips
- Kubrick appears uncredited in the crowd, operating a camera—one of his earliest cameos
Cast & Crew
- Walter Cartier as himself
- Vincent Cartier as himself
- Douglas Edwards as narrator
- Nat Fleischer as boxing historian
- Stanley Kubrick and Alexander Singer as cameramen (uncredited)
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