CHAMPION 1949
the road to the top can be bumpy and brutal
but when you have the burning desire of having everybody
call you mister and the need to be the head cheese
some will do whatever it takes to take the brass ring
well, in the ring - in his first major starring role
kirk douglas skyrocketed to stardom and got his first
oscar nod as hard-nosed and ruthless boxer midge kelly
kelly and his brother find their way to california
while first having to step in for a hurt boxer in kansas city
kelly gets beat pretty badly in his stint as a fighter
and then gets beat out of his full pay, adding the insult
that seems to end his boxing career, so off to wait tables
but when he's at his end - after getting married and
leaving his bride the same day
he takes up the sweet science with a manager this time
he starts to move his way up through the ranks
he beats-up as well as steps upon anyone in his way
his brother and his manager and
all the women who he uses like trophies
he makes it to the top and stays there until the end
and what an ending and what a movie and what a guy
douglas is the heart and soul of the film
and crafts every scene like he has trained for it
it's easy to see why he became one of hollywood's favorites
the mark robson film was nominated for six academy awards
and won only two
this movie shows the length and depth a man can go
to get the respect he thinks he so deserves
the restored 35mm champion is a stark
and realistic study of the boxing racket
and the possible degeneracy of a prizefighter in that racket
it is not available on DVD, that's why the
Arthur Lyons FilmNoir Festival is in its 13th season and
better than ever and continues until today's 4pm big finish
the festival is held in one convenient location in beautiful
palm springs at the Camelot Theater