The Champ (1931)

An alcoholic ex-boxer struggles to provide a good living for his son.

Director:

King Vidor (uncredited)

Writers:

Frances Marion (story), Leonard Praskins (dialogue continuity)

Stars:

Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper, Irene Rich

Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wallace Beery	...	Andy Purcell - The Champ
Jackie Cooper	...	Dink
Irene Rich	...	Linda Carleton
Roscoe Ates	...	Sponge (as Rosco Ates)
Edward Brophy	...	Tim
Hale Hamilton	...	Tony Carleton
Jesse Scott	...	Jonah
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Mary Lou Carleton

Storyline

Dink Purcell loves his alcoholic father, ex-heavyweight champion Andy "Champ" Purcell, despite his frequent binges, his frequent gambling and their squalid living conditions. And there's nothing Andy wouldn't do for Dink. When Andy wins a race horse gambling, he gives it to Dink and they race it at a Tijuana track. There, Dink meets Linda Carleton, a race horse owner herself, and they have an immediate rapport. But Linda's rich husband sees Andy and realizes Dink is Linda's son, who she gave up when she and Andy divorced. Andy is bribed $200 to allow Dink to visit with Linda, but refuses to allow Dink to spend six months with the Carletons. When Andy loses the horse gambling and winds up in jail after a drunken tirade, he realizes Dink's place is with his mother. Dink tearfully goes but sneaks out and returns at his first opportunity, filling a depressed Andy with a desire to make good. So Andy goes into training after his managers arrange a boxing match with the Mexican champion.

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Plot Keywords:

gambling | boxing | racetrack | alcoholic | tears | 

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Taglines:

The knockout picture of the year!

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

El campeón

Filming Locations:

Agua Caliente Racetrack, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only Best Picture Oscar nominee of the year to be also nominated for Best Story.

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Goofs

As Dink plays on the balcony awaiting his meeting with Linda, he steals chewing gum and candy for himself off of a table on the balcony. He then steals the contents of a box of cigarettes, saying that he'll "bring some home for the Champ", and stuffs them into his right jacket pocket. However, during the ride home, Andy reaches into Dink's right jacket pocket and finds cigars rather than the cigarettes which we clearly saw Dink steal.

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Quotes

[Dink compares the swanky home to his own]
Dink Purcell: The Champ and I ain't fixed up swell as this, but our joint's more lively.

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Connections

Featured in The 65th Annual Academy Awards (1993)

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Soundtracks

Don't Tell Her What Happened to Me
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown
Sung a cappella by Jackie Cooper

User Reviews

a cinematic punch to the gut

this is one touching,heartwarming movie.it's all about the love a father has for his son and vice versa.Wallace Beery is good as the dad,but it's Jackie Cooper(nine years old,at the time)who steals the show)as the son.as a nine year old child,Cooper showed acting ability and maturity way beyond his years.this film has little to do with boxing,and in fact,the one big boxing scene is quite comical,and not in a good way.thank goodness,it secondary,and doesn't lesson the overall impact of the movie.the ending is unexpected and hit me like a punch to the gut.it's a powerful moment,and deeply affecting.for me,The Champ(1931)is a 7/10