In the history of boxing there’s surely never been a more bizarre spectacle than the time movie star Woody Allen fought a live kangaroo on TV.
The unlikely match-up was staged for an episode of a variety TV show called ‘Hippodrome’ back in 1966, which was shot in London, England and showcased a collection of the world’s best circus acts.
The multi-talented Allen was still an up-and-coming star at the time, having started out in the 1950’s as a comedy writer, then progressed to stand-up comedy and TV work.
Whatever Allen was being paid to participate in this sketch in front of a live audience probably wasn’t enough, as though it was supposed to be a light-hearted altercation, working with live animals is always unpredictable and a kangaroo’s powerful kick can land with bone-breaking force.
Wearing no protective gear other than boxing gloves, and still sporting his trademark glasses, Allen wisely spends most of his time in the bout at a safe distance, displaying his physical comedy chops, though they do scuffle at close range a few times.
Even though Allen never hurts the kangaroo, you can’t help but feel sorry for the animal as it doesn’t look comfortable and is occasionally being shoved around by it’s wrangler, who is masquerading as the referee.
However, there is a moment of sweet justice in the end as the roo lands a kick to the wrangler’s midsection that ends the skit.
These days there would undoubtedly be a public outcry regarding animal cruelty if something like this aired on TV, but this was a different era and didn’t land Allen in trouble.
The ‘Hippodrome’ show only lasted one season, but Allen would go on to become an iconic star in Tinseltown, writing, acting and directing in a string of classic films like ‘Annie Hall’, ‘Manhattan’, ‘Stardust Memories’ and ‘Broadway Danny Rose’, to name but a few, winning four Academy Awards along the way.
