FILM REVIEWS

MGM

King Vidor's first (and still best) version of the story of a prizefighter who makes a big comeback to help support his young son is well-acted by Wallace Beery, who won the Oscar for portraying the down-on-his-luck boxer, and child actor Jackie Cooper, as his sensitive son.

As usual, King Vidor directs the sentimental melodrama with tact, discretion and taste, elevating the material way above its trappings.

Oscar Nominations: 4

Best Picture (MGM), produced by King Vidor
Director: King Vidor
Actor: Wallace Beery
Original Story: Frances Marion

Oscar Awards: 2

Actor
Original Story

Oscar Context

The Best Picture went to “Grand Hotel,” which also starred Wallace Beery in a stellar cast that included Garbo, Barrymore, and Crawford. Vidor lost the Directing Oscar to Frank Borzage, who won for “Bad Girl.”

Despite five nominations, and many innovative features, King Vidor never won a legit Oscar; he was later compensated by the Academy with an Honorary Award.

No less than eight films were nominated for Best Picture: “Grand Hotel,” which won, “Bad Girl,” “Five Star Final,” “One Hour With You,” “Shanghai Express,” and “The Smiling Lieutenant.”

“The Champ” was remade in 1979 by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli in a schmaltzy version, starring Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder as the father-son, and Faye Dunaway as Schroder's mother.