Off Limits

Wally Hogan has established himself as the manager-trainer of Bullet Bradley, who just won the lightweight championship. For a moment, Hogan looks to have the perfect setup as Bradley's success reflects on him. Then trouble looms as events begin to spiral beyond his control.

Bullet Bradley is drafted into the Army, threatening the momentum of his championship run. Hogan suddenly has to rethink his plans as his star fighter is pulled into military service. The stage is set for a conflict of loyalties and ambitions.

Hogan's gangster partners pressure him to enlist, so he can monitor Bradley from inside the system. He reluctantly agrees, seeing a twisted path to protect his fighter and his own interests. The arrangement ties Hogan deeper into the war-time underworld.

Herbert Tuttle arrives as a hopeful draftee eager to become a fighter. Hogan agrees to train him after discovering that Tuttle's aunt is a famous nightclub singer, giving Hogan a personal incentive. The unlikely alliance is born from a combination of ambition and desire.

From then on, Hogan pursues a cynical scheme to string Tuttle along while quietly pursuing the aunt. He uses Tuttle as cover while trying to capitalize on the singer's connections. Captain Danzig's wary oversight adds pressure to the ruse.

Captain Danzig, promoted from corporal to captain, tries to squash the shenanigans and maintain order. He represents the military's authority that complicates Hogan's schemes. Tension between Hogan and Danzig grows as the plot thickens.

Hogan and Tuttle volunteer to be MPs, gaining permission to patrol outside the base. The arrangement allows them to pursue opportunities while maintaining cover stories. Tuttle jeopardizes the plan by leaking to reporters that he is Hogan's protégé.

Tuttle fights the Navy champion in an exhibition on the USS Iowa at sea. The bout is chaotic, and Hogan is overcome by seasickness, with his seconds working on him between rounds rather than on Tuttle. Tuttle is knocked out and becomes the laughing stock of the post.

An argument at Connie's club over whether Tuttle threw the fight escalates into a total wreck. The base commandant orders an OFF LIMITS notice forbidding servicemen to go there, escalating tension. Hogan's pride and the situation collide with authority.

Faced with the new restrictions, Hogan goes AWOL rather than enforce the OFF LIMITS order. He disappears from the base and eludes capture, continuing to influence events from the shadows. The situation threatens his career and the fragile arrangements with Tuttle.

A few days later, Hogan hides in the back rooms of a fight arena while Tuttle is among the spectators. Tuttle tries to keep other fighters from using a heavy bag Hogan is hiding inside, and accidentally knocks out one of the main event fighters. Forced to substitute, Tuttle wins by knockout, restoring his reputation and upsetting the balance of power.

With his restored reputation, Tuttle secures a title match against Bullet Bradley. Gangsters threaten Hogan that Tuttle must lose, prompting Hogan to strike back by destroying what he thinks is their car. His act of vengeance reveals the entangled loyalties and risks.

Hogan destroys the gangsters' car, only to discover it belongs to a General who is furious about the loss. The General's anger raises the stakes and complicates Hogan's already precarious position. The incident shows how far Hogan is willing to go to protect Tuttle.

On the night of the fight, Hogan escapes from the stockade and broadcasts instructions to Tuttle via walkie-talkie from a saloon across the street. Tuttle fights with focus and discipline, landing a 4th-round knockout to clinch the victory. The moment marks the culmination of Hogan's schemes and Tuttle's ascent.

Hogan and Connie leave on their honeymoon, with Captain Danzig serving as a chaperone. The couple's escape is under the military lens, reflecting the ongoing balancing act between romance, crime, and authority. The film closes on a note of precarious triumph and uneasy peace.