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The Champ | 
| Director: King Vidor
Actors: Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper, Irene Rich, Roscoe Ates, Edward Brophy
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $17.99
You Save: $1.99 (10%)
New (38) Used (12) from $3.17
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 30986
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: WARD65232D
ISBN: 0790747448
UPC: 012569523227
EAN: 9780790747446
ASIN: B000BYA4H4
Theatrical Release Date: November 21, 1931
Release Date: January 31, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A has-been boxer tries to make a comeback with only his son to inspire him. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 01/31/2006 Starring: Wallace Beery Irene Rich Run time: 87 minutes Rating: Nr
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
A three hankie movie that will also make you laugh October 30, 2008
calvinnme (Fredericksburg, Va)
This almost eighty-year old film will bring both a tear and a smile. It is the story of washed-up and somewhat alcoholic boxer Andy Purcell, just known as "Champ" to everyone, including his adoring little son, "Dink", played by Jackie Cooper. It's as though life has really ceased to have meaning for the Champ ever since he lost his championship status. The only thing that continues to give his life meaning is his son. The Champ isn't exactly providing a wholesome environment for Dink. Dink hangs out in pool halls with his Dad, isn't enrolled in school, and sits up nights alone in their dingy room waiting for the Champ to come home when he is out on a drinking binge. Champ's ex-wife, socialite Linda, sees Andy and Dink at the racetrack one day and tries to convince Andy that Dink would be better off with her. At first the Champ is unpersuaded. However, when he gets a hold of a good sum of money and gambles it away and winds up in the drunk tank overnight he decides that maybe it is for the best if Dink goes with Linda.
Wallace Beery had some lean times after motion pictures transitioned to sound, however he got a new lease on his career at MGM, and it turned out that his coarse voice attracted fans rather than repelled them. He won a well-deserved Best Actor award for his role, but if there had been a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1931 it would have gone to nine-year old Jackie Cooper. He is comic as the street-wise kid meeting his half-sister for the first time - "The d ame is goofy" he remarks. He is heart-rending when the Champ tells him he doesn't want him around any more, that he's tired of feeding him, just so he'll go with his mother.
A minor point that made this film so refreshing for me is that nobody tries to "lawyer up" or turn Dink's fate into a courtroom battle. Everyone deals with everyone else in this film on decent human terms. In the end the Champ tries to regain the championship so he can provide a good life for his son and so that his son can respect him, not so that he can win a custody fight.
There are two extras on the DVD. One is the 1930 two-strip Technicolor short Cr azy House, the other is a radio production of The Champ with Wallace Beery. Cr azy Horse was a pleasant surprise. It stars comic Benny Rubin and Vernon Dent, the heavyset member of the Columbia comic shorts department that starred in so many Three Stooges shorts. While Rubin tours a sanitarium it doesn't take him long to realize that the staff is as insane as the patients. It's a fun little piece and also stars Karl Dane, Cliff Edwards, Polly Moran, and dancer Snake Hip. It's odd to see Karl Dane in a talking short, and this was one of his last at MGM. He had a successful silent career, but his thick Danish accent made him unintelligible in talking pictures.
The whole DVD is a very entertaining way to spend some time, and I highly recommend it.
THE CHAMP IS A KNOCKOUT! JACKIE COOPER STEALS THE SHOW! August 14, 2008
! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b (TRI STATE AREA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One can't help, but think of 'The Little Rascals' when watching this entertaining film. Jackie Cooper does an amazing job as he carries this film from beginning to end. It's a bit sappy by today's standards, but that is the way they used to do it back in the day. Wallace Beery won an Oscar for the title role which tied with Fredric March's Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Personally I think Cooper should have won the Oscar! It was nominated for two more Oscars Best Director and Picture. The DVD sports a nice clean transfer and some welcome extras.
 Adventure Story and Morality Play December 20, 2007
Acute Observer (Jersey Shore)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The film opens on a country dirt road, the Champ is running down the road, training for his next fight. Someone hits a punching bag, then we see the Champ (who looks a little paunchy). He promises to stay off liquor. A can of tomatoes is used to sober him up. We see the promoters from Los Angeles who are looking to finance a boxing match to make a quick buck. One promoter says booze doesn't mix with boxing, and they leave. Andy seems like a has-been; but he promises he won't gamble any more and stop boozing. [Believable?] The next morning a silver dollar falls out of Andy's pants. He gambles and finds a streak of luck. Dink's gift horse is entered in a race (a good investment for a young boy?). Little Champ stumbles and loses the lead and the race (symbolism?). Linda is surprised to see Andy at the racetrack. Money talks, Andy listens. Dink forages on the porch [would anyone leave candy outside?]. Are fairy tales "bushwah"?
Linda gets to meet Dink and tells him about his mother (an emotional scene). [Then or now it is rare for a mother to lose custody.] Dink doesn't need a driver's license! Tony offers to give Dink an education and a better life, but no dice. Now Andy loses his money and the horse gambling. This story plays on your emotions. How will Dink learn about the loss of the horse? Andy gets money from Linda, a change from the past. That night the police arrest Andy and his pal for fighting. [Often the result of losing at gambling.] There is an emotional scene when Andy tells Dink to live with his mother. Dink can go to a school where he can ride, drill, and shoot at targets (the traditional training of an aristocrat).
Andy needs training for the fight arrange by the promoters, but he is depressed. Andy cheers up when Dink returns (his mother must be frantic with worry). Andy the ex-champ will make a comeback against the Mexican champ. Andy didn't go to school, that is the reason Dink must go to school. Andy's future will depend on this fight. The doctor cautions him. Andy boxes and seems to hold his own, but his opponent keeps knocking him down. The ending is telegraphed. Andy will not give up, a punch lets him win. But the fight has taken its toll on Andy. This is probably the most emotional film ending ever. Dink's emotion seems overwhelming [was there a trick?]. A story about going from poverty to wealth was a fantasy that appealed to millions, then or now. Did it symbolize the end of an old era and the beginning of a bright new world?
The Champ DVD November 3, 2007
Terri (Crescent City, California United States)
I have seen both the versions of this movie, and I always liked the one with Jon Voite, but this version is way better. What a tragic movie! A comeback boxer and his son are the main charaters. A boxer raising his son by himself after his wife leaves him. He's a loser drunk that provides love, and understanding to his boy. Later the boy's mother finds out that her son is living close to where she lives (she's remarried with a daughter), and persues a relationship with him. Very good movie, but is sometimes over-acted, as most movies are in that era. The overall thought of this movie is, watch it, you won't be sorry. I can't say what it's about, you need to see it for yourself. It's worth the time and money.
The Champ (1931) June 21, 2007
John Farr
Vidor's gushy tale of devotion--about a big bruiser's bottomless well of love for his charismatic kid and number-one fan--is unabashedly sentimental by today's standards, but it still gets the tear ducts flowing. The aptly named Beery, with his tugboat voice and ruffled mien, won a much-deserved Oscar, while Cooper's wrenching, precocious Dink still remains the "Our Gang" star's most unforgettable role. (Beery and Cooper had such a fabulous rapport they went on to star in two more films together.) With its gritty look and a knockout weepy finale, Vidor's "The Champ" is an undisputed winner.
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