The Champ

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Theodore L Apr 4, 2019 How can you fault a film with the great Wallace Beery and the charismatic Jackie Cooper as stars? This is early in the film talkie era, and the outside shots of real places is interesting. Both Beery and Cooper can act and there is chemistry between them, but Beery was to do almost this same film again with the talented Dean Stockwell in 1946 with "The Mighty McGurk". I doubt a movie today could end on such a sour note, and it remains the only criticism worthy of note in this early classic. The audience does not want the champ to die; the audience wants to see the champ reform his ways. The audience definitely is rooting against his mother and does not want her taking Cooper away from the Champ. The movie ends on this down note and should have been thought through and re-written. All in all, The Champ is a great early talkie that captivates you from the beginning and keeps your interest throughout. The characters work well together and the bond between them should never have been broken. See more

Jan 27, 2019 The best inspiring movie ever made!

George R Oct 3, 2018 The Champ is one of King Vidor's weakest efforts. It's very well acted by both Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper and it has its sweet moments, but the story is overly simplistic and familiar, the third act is way too sentimental and the movie simply did not deserve its four Academy Award nominations. See more

Albus M Mar 21, 2018 This is a great movie, like "Scarface," "All Quiet On The Western Front," and a whole lot of other pre-code films that weren't afraid to dive their hands deep into the muck that life sometimes gives us. Featuring an engrossing, Academy-Award-winning lead turn from Wallace Beery, and an incredible supporting performance from a young Jackie Cooper, "The Champ" is full of heart, humor, and a wallop of an ending that -- though, it may verge on sappy for some -- made this reviewer's heart melt with sorrow. See more

Hermione R Feb 23, 2018 A good one for its day. For some reason TCM's app shut it down half way through.

Ron S Jan 8, 2013 The original classic that inspired the remake with Jon Voight in the late 1970's. This is a great compact film that does what it needs to do very effectively. The story of a broken down washed up boxer & his enormously loyal son Dink played by Child Sensation Jackie Cooper. Filled with many tender & touching scenes compliments of the screenplay written by Frances Marion. Wallace Berry did a great job with his role & this film was a delightful surprise. See more

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The Champ

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