Summary
In the midst of a fervent pursuit for the championship crown, Kid Roberts, accompanied by his manager Joe Murphy and sparring partner Ptomaine Tommy, finds himself lost in the vast and unforgiving Mexican wilderness. Their quest to locate Tia Juana, the site of the impending big fight, leads them to a stunning estate that, unbeknownst to them, serves as the retreat of a notorious bandit. Upon discovering Kid Roberts' identity, the bandit, driven by opportunism, decides to hold them for ransom rather than execute them. As they navigate this perilous situation, they are warned against engaging with two mysterious men lurking nearby, who are later revealed to be part of the sanatorium staff responsible for the bandit's care, given his mentally unstable condition. The bandit's fascination with boxing prompts him to orchestrate a fight between Kid Roberts and the champion heavyweight, Bob Young, with the loser facing a dire consequence. This setup culminates in a thrilling match, during which the bandit's excitement reaches a fever pitch, leading to a dramatic revelation about his true state and the purpose of the estate.
Synopsis
Kid Roberts, seeking the championship crown, gets lost in the wilds of Mexico with Joe Murphy, his manager and Ptomaine Tommy, his sparring partner. In their attempt to locate Tia Juana where the big fight is to be held, they come upon what seems to be the beautiful estate of a wealthy man. On entering, however, they find that it is the retreat of a famous bandit, who, on learning that Kid Roberts is the head of the party, decides to hold them for ransom instead of killing them. After making this startling announcement, the bandit points out two men, loitering near by, and warns his new guests that if he catches them talking to them, he will have them executed forthwith. Consequently our heroes repulse the several advances made by the gentlemen during their stay. Later the bandit sends some of his men to bring the champion heavyweight to his retreat so that he can witness a fight between him and Kid Roberts. Bob Young, the champ, arrives tied to his manager and the fight is arranged. The bandit announces that the loser will be shot, before he can get up from the floor. The result of this announcement is a corking good fight. At the end the bandit has become so excited that he nearly has a fit. Several of his attendants rush to him and carry him away. It is then that Kid Roberts learns that the bandit is nothing but a mentally deranged man who is being taken care of by his relatives. The gentlemen to whom they were forbidden to speak on pain of death were the men in charge of the sanatorium. He is certainly sore that he put up such a good fight for nothing.
Review Excerpt
"In the cinematic landscape of Something for Nothing, the lines between reality and madness are intricately woven, creating a narrative that is as captivating as it is complex. The film's central plot, revolving around Kid Roberts' journey to claim the championship crown, takes an unexpected turn when he, along with his manager Joe Murphy and sparring partner Ptomaine Tommy, becomes entangled in the web of a famous bandit's schemes. This bandit, residing in a grand estate that doubles as a sanato..."
