Directed: King Vidor

Year: 1931

Nominated: Best Film, Best Director – Frank Borzage, Best Actor – Wallace Beery

Won: Best Actor – Wallace Beery

Plot in 25 Words: I can’t think of 25 words to describe this film because my brain is drowning from my tears. It’s been a month, I’m still crying.

In My Opinion: When I saw the title of ‘the Champ’ on my list, I got a little excited. My dad raves about a film from the seventies called the Champ and it turns out that was a direct remake of this. It made my dad cry. Wow I was looking forward to this.

It did not disappoint. A stunning film. Great writing and directing. Phenomenal acting from Wallace Beery in the title role and by child actor Jackie Cooper as his son.

Wallace Beery played the alcoholic, gambling down-on-his-luck ex-champ perfectly. Every time he promised his son he was going straight, I believed it, and every time he fell off the wagon my heart broke with young Dink’s.

The B plot with Dink’s mother and new husband didn’t interest me in the slightest, but at least her presence at the end saved it from being completely depressing. Well, a bit less depressing anyway!

The film ended the only way it could, it could be seen a mile off and yet it still managed to shock me.

Ugly tears.

Star Performer: No question. Wallace Beery. He definitely got better as he got older. Wonderful, wonderful job.

Overall: I don’t think I could gush over this film any more then I have! i just can’t believe he had to share the Oscar.