 Based upon a narrative poem published in 1928 by  Joseph Moncure March (qv), who gave up his job as the first  managing editor of "The New Yorker" to devote himself to writing. On  the strength of it, he went to Hollywood as a screenwriter,  remaining there for a dozen years. In 1948 he volunteered to work on  this film, but was turned down. He was incensed that his black boxer  Pansy Jones was changed into the white Stoker Thompson.