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Champion

  • 1949
  • Approved
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
Kirk Douglas and Marilyn Maxwell in Champion (1949)
Champion: Big Shot
Play clip2:23
Watch Champion: Big Shot
1 Video
34 Photos
Film NoirDramaSport

Boxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.Boxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.Boxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.

  • Director
    • Mark Robson
  • Writers
    • Carl Foreman
    • Ring Lardner
  • Stars
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Arthur Kennedy
    • Marilyn Maxwell
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    4.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark Robson
    • Writers
      • Carl Foreman
      • Ring Lardner
    • Stars
      • Kirk Douglas
      • Arthur Kennedy
      • Marilyn Maxwell
    • 69User reviews
    • 45Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    Champion: Big Shot
    Clip 2:23
    Watch Champion: Big Shot

    Photos34

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    + 27
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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Kirk Douglas
    Kirk Douglas
    • Midge
    Arthur Kennedy
    Arthur Kennedy
    • Connie
    Marilyn Maxwell
    Marilyn Maxwell
    • Grace
    Paul Stewart
    Paul Stewart
    • Haley
    Ruth Roman
    Ruth Roman
    • Emma
    Lola Albright
    Lola Albright
    • Palmer
    Luis Van Rooten
    • Harris
    Harry Shannon
    Harry Shannon
    • Lew
    John Daheim
    John Daheim
    • Dunne
    • (as John Day)
    Ralph Sanford
    Ralph Sanford
    • Hammond
    Esther Howard
    Esther Howard
    • Mrs. Kelly
    Bill Baldwin
    Bill Baldwin
    • Bill Brown - Ringside Broadcaster
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Balter
    Sam Balter
    • Championship Fight Announcer
    • (uncredited)
    Polly Bergen
    Polly Bergen
    • Radio and Jukebox Singer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • Newspaper Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Brooks
    • Newspaper Reporter at Benefit
    • (uncredited)
    Mushy Callahan
    Mushy Callahan
    • Referee Title fight
    • (uncredited)
    Sayre Dearing
    Sayre Dearing
    • Newspaper Reporter at Benefit
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mark Robson
    • Writers
      • Carl Foreman
      • Ring Lardner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kirk Douglas reached stardom after Champion was released. He was very fond of this movie, until he died.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Midge: For the first time in my life, people cheering for me. Were you deaf? Didn't you hear 'em? We're not hitchhiking any more. We're riding!

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits appear over clips of a crowd at one of Kelly's prize fights.
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer-colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Dick Cavett Show: Kirk Douglas (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      Never Be It Said
      Written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Goldie Goldmark (as "Goldie" Goldmark)
      Sung by Polly Bergen (uncredited)

    User reviews69

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    An intensely gripping film. Douglas is perfect!

    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.
    • gitrich
    • Jan 13, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Champion?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 20, 1949 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sampion
    • Filming locations
      • Pacific Coast Hwy & Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, California, USA(diner scenes)
    • Production companies
      • Screen Plays
      • Stanley Kramer Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $600,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Kirk Douglas and Marilyn Maxwell in Champion (1949)
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