The well-known fairy tale "Cinderella" depicts a young girl who starts out with nothing, and finishes with everything. James Braddock's story shows a similar journey to Cinderella's story, evidently creating a movie of his life called, "Cinderella Man." Braddock began his journey as a successful boxer fighting his way to the top. He had it all; a beautiful girl, money, and fame. However, when the stock market crash hit in 1929 him and his family lost everything. This included a majority of their belongings, their house, and the ability to pay their bills. When he saw his family struggling and becoming endangered, he made a transformed himself after getting back in the ring, and giving hope to the rest of his helpless town. James Braddock truly had the Cinderella story, he made a renewal to his life, ultimately bringing himself and his family to the top. .
James Braddock's story is an incredible journey that gave hope to many during the trying time of the Great Depression. The public was unable to afford sustainable living, which resulted in going to the FERA, an organization set up by FDR to give money to the unemployed. James was at all loss with no way of getting any money, bringing him to FERA and his former boxing team to ask for money. 25% of people were affected by the stock market crash, and unemployed. Braddock's family was living in a run down apartment in New York in which they could barely afford. Bills were drowning them, and there was almost no hope that it would get better for their family. During this time it was common for families to send their children away because they were unable to support them any longer. Nevertheless, James made a promise to his son that he would never send him away, but when his wife, Mae, sent them away he knew he had to take a different approach to their unlucky situation. .
James had already tried to make his way through the depression with boxing, but it was unsuccessful, embarrassing, and resulted in having his boxing license revoked.