Boxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.
From "Dexter" to The Suicide Squad, here are our picks for the reboots and remakes we're most excited for in 2021 and beyond.
Related News
-
Kirk Douglas’ Former Co-Star, Mitzi Gaynor, on How He Was Always ‘the Ragman’s Son’
12 February 2020 | Variety -
Kirk Douglas remembered at Oscars ceremony
10 February 2020 | The Guardian - Film News -
Film News: Champion Movie Star Kirk Douglas Dies at 103
06 February 2020 | HollywoodChicago.com
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Champion (1949)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Edit
Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Kirk Douglas | ... | Midge | |
| Marilyn Maxwell | ... | Grace | |
| Arthur Kennedy | ... | Connie | |
| Paul Stewart | ... | Haley | |
| Ruth Roman | ... | Emma | |
| Lola Albright | ... | Palmer | |
 |
Luis Van Rooten | ... | Harris |
| Harry Shannon | ... | Lew | |
|
|
John Daheim | ... | Dunne (as John Day) |
| Ralph Sanford | ... | Hammond | |
| Esther Howard | ... | Mrs. Kelly | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Midge Kelly, hitchhiking west with lame brother Connie, is hustled unprepared into a pro boxing match. Though he's severely beaten, manager Tommy Haley finds him promising. Arrived in California, Midge and Connie find nothing but a menial job from which Midge gets relief by seducing Emma, a lovely young waitress. One shotgun marriage later, ambitious Midge falls back on the only option he knows: boxing. Seduced by cheering crowds, money, and a succession of blondes, Midge becomes more and more of a hero in public...and a heel in private. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Taglines:
Every woman goes for a... CHAMPION See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
Emma: Do I? I don't think so.
Connie: Love isn't something you can put on or take off like an overcoat, you know.
See more »
By Dimitri Tiomkin and Goldie Goldmark (as "Goldie" Goldmark)
Sung by Polly Bergen (uncredited)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Director Mark Robson reused variation of Midge's workout montage sequence nearly 20 years later for Neely's (Patty Duke) career montage in Valley of the Dolls. See more »Goofs
Midge mangles the sculpture that Palmer has made of him, twisting the head out of alignment. In next shot, the head of statue is back in its original location. See more »Quotes
Connie: You still love him. You know you do.Emma: Do I? I don't think so.
Connie: Love isn't something you can put on or take off like an overcoat, you know.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Also available in a computer-colorized version. See more »Connections
Referenced in The Colgate Comedy Hour: Host: Eddie Cantor; Guests: Adele Jergens, Robert Clary, Jimmy Dobson, Shirley Mitchell, Doris Singleton, Sharon Baird, Herman McCoy's UCLA Swing Choir featuring Edna Craft, Al Goodman & his Orchestra; cameo by Kirk Douglas (1952) See more »Soundtracks
Never Be It SaidBy Dimitri Tiomkin and Goldie Goldmark (as "Goldie" Goldmark)
Sung by Polly Bergen (uncredited)
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 May 1949 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Champion See more »Filming Locations:
Pacific Coast Hwy & Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, California, USAEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$600,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Kirk Douglas plays Midge Kelley, a talented boxer who uses everyone around him for his own gain. This may be Douglas' finest effort on film. The editing won an Oscar and rightfully so. This might be the finest movie involving boxing ever produced. Available in color but see the original black and white version. Listen for Polly Bergen's voice as a radio/juke box singer.