John, this one is for you! From the Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Watch Universal Pictures' version of the Joey Giardello-Rubin Carter middleweight championship fight in the movie, "The Hurricane." In the segment, you'll see Carter pummel the weak-kneed defending champ, who was a hometown favorite that night of Dec. 14, 1964, at Philadelphia's Convention Hall. See Carter bull him into the corner in the 15th round as blood trickles down Giardello's face. Watch as the bell ends the final round and the blow-by-blow broadcaster comments on the delayed decision of the judges: "It's taken 35 minutes for these judges to tell us what this home town crowd already knows. Joey Giardello is about to lose the crown to Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter." Referee Bob Polis raises the rag doll arm of Giardello, announcing a unanimous decision in his favor and fans scream foul. The implication is that racism was a factor in the decision. But that's not the way it was, said Les Keiter yesterday morning in his Aloha Stadium office. The former local TV sports anchor, who was behind the microphone for many big fights of the 1960s, did the Giardello-Carter fight in a telecast to five eastern states. "It wasn't at all like the movie," said Keiter, who is convinced Giardello won the fight in a fair decision. "Carter was ahead of Giardello in rounds four, five and six, while rounds eight through 13 were even," said Keiter. "But it was all Giardello in 14 and 15." He has the videotape of his telecast to prove it, sent to him by George Bochetto, a Pennsylvania attorney who is suing Universal, Beacon Communications and Azoff Films on Giardello's behalf. Bochetto, who involved Keiter in a media teleconference with Giardello a couple weeks ago in Philadelphia, said yesterday he expects to take a deposition from the retired broadcaster at a later date. Bochetto seeks financial damages and a guarantee that when the movie is released on VHS and DVD, footage of Keiter's telecast will be included. Keiter played the videotape in his office yesterday. Not once did Keiter suggest, as did the fictional broadcaster in "The Hurricane," that the bout was lopsided. During the sixth round, he said, "Carter is gaining confidence and may feel Giardello can't hurt him." But by the eighth round, Keiter said that Carter was weakening. Before Round 12, Keiter said, "Carter has slowed considerably." Late in the 15th round, Keiter referred to Giardello as "a master champion who is apparently not going to be hurt in the final round." Keiter's summation before the judges' and referee's scores (69-64, 70-67, 72-66) were read indicated the even nature of the contest. "Certainly tonight, he (Giardello) was the master craftsman in there, champion of the world, against the challenge of a devastating puncher, 'Hurricane' Carter," Keiter said. As for the cries of injustice in the hall, Keiter said he didn't sense anything close to the hostility the movie showed. "I noticed a kind of a cheer and then a background of some boos," said Keiter. "In the movie, you could feel the animosity in the air. There were strong feelings of resentment in the movie, but there was nothing like that in the real fight." Keiter said it must be noted that most of the 6,000 fans that night were Giardello's fans because he was the hometown boy. The two fighters are even seen chatting with each other in the Keiter tape as they await the decision. Giardello, who had a record of 100-25-7 with 32 knockouts, saw "The Hurricane." "I was a little upset and humiliated," he said in an Associated Press story. "I beat him fair and square. There was no question about it. I beat him easy. I won the fight."

John's comments: I don't remember the fight, except by reputation. I did see the movie in Honolulu 2 weeks ago and loved it. There's little doubt in my mind from all I've read that the movie took a lot of liberties with the truth. Movies generally do that for dramatic effect. "The Hurricane," I'm sure is no different. I doubt that any court will hear a lawsuit about a movie which contained a disclaimer "Based on a true story. Some events were fictionalized." It is unfortunate that some real life events get fictionalized. There was also no white police sergeant (played by Dan Hedaya with demonic relish) who had a lifelong vendetta against Ruben Carter. Carter, who I'm sure did not commit the murders, just was in the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong color car with the wrong color skin. Very unfortunate and absolutely unconscionable that he spent 20 years in jail. In all probability he would have become the world's champion at some point as Giardello was aging and Carter was on the rise, but who knows. I knew that the sportscaster being portrayed was Les, and I thought the actor who played him had his look, sound and cadence of the mid 1960s down. I also know that questions of fact aside, it would not be a miscarriage of justice if Denzel Washington were to win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Carter. It was a compelling performance. But don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen. If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Richard Farnsworth for "The Straight Story." Farnsworth is 79 and has never won an Oscar and I'm sure the Academy wishes to honor him while he's still around. And he is a wonderful actor. I still think he and Wilford Brimley should have shared an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for their roles in "The Natural."

Just a piece of trivia. Richard Farnsworth and Wilford Brimley knew each other in Hollywood back in the 1930's when they worked as stuntmen.

From John: Farnsworth went as "Dick" at that time. He's doubled for such stars as John Wayne, Tom Mix, Gene Autry...even Roy Rogers didn't do ALL his own stunts.

The man is walking Hollywood history, and he was wonderfully subtle and affecting in "The Straight Story". So give him the Oscar, he deserves it.

Yup! I think we all agree on that.