In 1946 New York City, poverty-stricken Sylvester Stallone (as Cosmo Carboni) survives by scheming and panhandling. Faring a little better at work are Mr. Stallone's brothers, disabled undertaker Armand Assante (as Lenny) and muscular iceman Lee Canalito (as Victor). To make more money for the brothers, Stallone arranges an arm-wrestling contest to win a monkey from gangster boss Kevin Conway (as Stitch). Stallone figures the monkey will attract bigger handouts on the street. This eventually leads the brothers into the wrestling business. As star, writer and director, Stallone is clearly full of himself in "Paradise Alley". He even sings the song "Too Close to Paradise" over the opening and closing credits. It was not a hit. With less Stallone, the film might have stood a chance.
**** Paradise Alley (9/22/78) Sylvester Stallone ~ Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Lee Canalito, Kevin Conway
**** Paradise Alley (9/22/78) Sylvester Stallone ~ Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Lee Canalito, Kevin Conway