CHAMPION

US, 1949, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Kirk Douglas, Arthur Kennedy, Paul Stewart, Marilyn Maxwell, Ruth Roman, Lola Albright.
Directed by Mark Robson.

Champion was a breakthrough film for Kirk Douglas's career. He received an Oscar nomination - and never looked back. It tells of a ruthless young man, born in poverty, always striving to prove himself and overcome his lowly background. It means that he is ambitious, determined to make something of himself, and lets no-one stand in his way. His ultimate victims include a young woman, Emma, whom he unwillingly marries, his brother Connie, his trainer Tom Haley as well as a glamorous camp-follower, Grace, and his new manager, Mr Harris.

Douglas is very strong in the central role (making one wonder where he was drawing the depths for this performance of an unpleasant but all-conquering man). Arthur Kennedy is sympathetic as the brother, as is Ruth Roman as his wife. Marilyn Maxwell is all hardness and glamour as Grace, Lola Albright is Mrs Harris, a sculptor, who is ultimately discarded by the champion for a big pay packet. Paul Stewart is good as the trainer.

The black and white photography (reminiscent of the style of the film noir of the period) is very strong, especially in its use of shadows and light. There is a Dmitri Tiomkin score. Mark Robson had directed a number of the Val Lewton classic horror movies and was to move through some adventures into the big-budget soap operas like Peyton Place and From the Terrace as well as further big action adventures like Von Ryan's Express.

Another film about boxing at the time was Robert Wise's The Set- Up with Robert Ryan. The two films formed companion pieces in their look at the fight industry, the potential for corruption, the arguments against brutality, the psychology of the men who fight, as well as their promoters and those who follow the sport.

1. The impact of the film in its time? Boxing, sport, sports corruption, fixing? Kirk Douglas's career?

2. The quality of the black and white photography, light and shadow? Sinister aspects? The boxing sequences? The bouts, the editing for the pace of the fights? The musical score and song?

3. The structure of the film: Midge Kelly as champion, the radio commentator, the flashback to Midge's life, the interpretation by the announcer? The audience seeing the reality? The return to the final fight, his determination, the aftermath, the talk with Tom, the brain haemorrhage, his death? The estimation of his character and death, especially by Connie?

4. The picture of Midge and Connie, on the road, hitchhiking, the encounter with Grace and her friend, her ignoring them? On the trucks to Los Angeles? Seeing the hamburger joint, finding out that it was not theirs? Going to work, working with Emma, the two brothers attracted to her? Her attraction to Midge, going out with him, the swimming? Connie looking on, silent admiration? The attack of her father, comparing her to her mother who had left, pressure on the marriage? Midge's unwillingness, the ceremony, his leaving?

5. The episode in Kansas City, the lift, getting the job, the clash with the drinks man, being put in to fight, staying four rounds, being cheated of the money, punching the fat man, the clash with Grace? Tom Haley, the offer of help in Los Angeles?

6. Connie and Midge wandering Los Angeles, coming across the gym, going in, Tom Haley and the arguments against boxing, the effect that it has on the men, brain damage? His being a follower, admiring men and their holding themselves in a fight? His being persuaded to take on Midge? The collage of his training? The build-up to the fights, his skills, the dramatising of the fights?

7. Midge's success, the response of the press, going up the ladder of champions? The collage of the travel across the United States and the various fights? Arrival in New York City? Hoping for a fight, the fixing, the corruption, the deals and his having to take a fall? Tom Haley's role, unwilling, telling Midge the facts?

8. The fight, Johnny Dunne, Grace present? The fight, the focus on Grace, his change of attitude, not taking a fall, winning, the press and the admiration? The gangsters and their bashing Connie and Tom?

9. His change in New York, the attraction to Grace, using her, then discarding her, revenge on her? The deal with Mr Harris, Grace negotiating it? Harris's wife, the dance, the offer to do the sculpture, his posing? The affair? Her wanting to leave her husband, her husband confronting her, offering the deal and the money to Midge, Midge discarding her?

10. Connie and his exasperation, leaving Midge, going back to look after his mother, finding Emma, their talk, going back to Chicago, Emma and her mother-in-law, her mother-in-law wanting Midge to come home? Connie's proposal? Her still being in love with Midge, telling Connie that he was still doing Midge's errands? The telegram, Midge's return, his mother's death?

11. Midge and his change of heart, the challenge by Johnny Dunne, Johnny Dunne's training? The build-up, asking Tom to train him, inviting Emma and Connie to New York? His still making demands on Emma as his wife? The build-up to the fight? Emma's leaving, Connie outside? His determination, his final comeback and winning? In the dressing-room, Tom's talk to him, the comments of the press? The brain haemorrhage and his death?

12. Connie and Emma outside, the headline comment and favourable judgment on Midge? The audience sharing the admiration, but also knowing the true story?

13. An insight into a character, overcoming his origins, determination to win, becoming more ruthless? The boxing game, publicity, the media, management, deals, fight-fixing? Midge Kelly as a character within this context?