Years ago, I watched The Joe Louis Story, a fictionalized version of the famous boxer's life. Now, I've just seen Spirit of Youth which starred Joe himself playing Joe Thomas-a fictionalized version of him. As an actor, he's a good boxer is the best I can do to praise him. Maybe it's good he doesn't have so many lines. Fine supporting work from Mantan Moreland, Joe's friend who's amusing in the beginning and hilarious near the end. Clarence Muse does his dramatic chops as Joe's manager as well as sing a number he himself wrote. I was most fascinated by Edna Mae Harris as Mary, Joe's childhood girlfriend and Mae Turner as Flora, the so-called bad girl singer. To tell the truth, the boxing scenes aren't so exciting but they do the job whenever possible. The movie is padded with some songs and an awesome dancing sequence involving The Big Apple Dancers. So on that note, I recommend Spirit of Youth.