Vorhof zum Paradies (1978)

Vorhof zum Paradies: Directed by Sylvester Stallone. With Sylvester Stallone, Lee Canalito, Armand Assante, Frank McRae. Three Italian-American brothers, living in the slums of 1940’s New York City, try to help each other with one’s wrestling career using one brother’s promotional skills and another brother’s con-artist tactics to thwart a sleazy manager.

“Probably Stalloneu0026#39;s most under valued work, this film reminds the viewer just what talent he had behind the camera (see also Rocky II to IV). The story follows the three Carboni brothers in 1940s New York, as they each try to make their way through life in the slums of Hells Kitchen. Cosmo (Stallone) plans to turn his tough but dim brother Victor into a champion wrestler, and with the help of their third brother (Assante) they set about making their fortune. There are echoes of Rocky throughout the film, (small time nobody becomes admired champion), but what sets it apart is the humour. There are great lines throughout the film delivered with dead pan perfection from the mostly excellent cast, which also includes Stallone regular Joe Spinell. If you can make it through the hilariously bad opening number (sung by Stallone himself), thereu0026#39;s plenty here to appreciate. This film is long overdue a release on DVD… come on Universal, how about it?”