The Champ (1931)

Wallace Beery won an Oscar for his portrayal of the title character, a washed up prize fighter with alcohol and gambling problems and a little son to raise without a mother. The relationship between Andy Purcell (Beery) and Dink (Jackie Cooper) although dated, make this one of the finest father and son dramas ever made.

Set in Tijuana, The Champ shows ex world heavyweight champion Andy (Wallace Beery) and Dink (Jackie Cooper) living in a one room flat and training for a comeback.

Andy, accompanied by Dink does his roadwork, in the wake of an ancient Model T down the dusty road. It was the Depression era and the sight of the dire poverty really makes an impression on these 21st century eyes. After the workout, Andy says he wants to go “play pool” to relax and leaves Dink with his little buddy Jonah (Jesse Scott) but Dink sees him going into a saloon and tells him, “ain’t no pool tables in there.” Andy passes it by but nonetheless comes home snockered and Dink undresses him and puts him to bed, as you can imagine, not for the first time.

Andy also likes to gamble and always tells Dink to spit on the dice, “for luck.” After one lucky session he buys Dink a cowboy hat and a pony, actually a thoroughbred race horse. They enter the horse in a race and it’s going to win, but falls down. Naturally, they need the money so the horse has to go. This sort of thing happens quite a bit, but through thick and thin they are always together.

At the racetrack, Dink had met a nice lady named Linda (Irene Rich) who turns out to be Andy’s ex-wife and Dink’s mother. This provides tension and Andy is at a loss how to reconcile his lifestyle with the life that Linda, now married to a rich man, can provide for 10 year-old Dink. Since he’s down on his luck, Andy accepts a couple hundred dollars to allow Dink to visit his ex-wife. Dink returns, having pilfered every cigarette, piece of candy, chewing gum, and cigar he could stuff in his pockets.

The story goes along and the interactions between Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper endear their characters to the viewer. Beery finally decides on letting Dink go with his mother and the parting scene at the jailhouse (Beery had been jailed for brawling) is heart rending. Dink escapes from his new family and comes back to Andy, who was released from jail. The final episode of the story shows Andy contending with the heavyweight champ of Mexico, in a comeback attempt.

The Champ gives a good insight into why Wallace Beery (almost forgotten now) was such a big star in his heyday. A big, lovable sap who could charm his way into anybody’s heart. He also had a great chemistry with Jackie Cooper, who also worked with him on Treasure Island, another great collaboration. The film unfortunately has not been released yet on DVD but it is still available on MGM VHS tape. My copy has been played many times, as it‘s a sentimental favorite.

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening