Dink, The Champ's son (Jackie Cooper), looks up to Andy with tremendous love only a son could have... even though he knows what his father does and goes through.
The Champ is about to turn his life around. He has a chance to have a comeback fight, but only if the promoters like him enough - and if he can stay sober. But he doesn't.
There went his chance.
Dink and the champ soon win some money gambling, and the Champ buys Dink a horse - something that Dink has wanted for a long time.
Dink names the horse "L'il Champ," and in its first race almost wins. But, just before it is about to cross the finish line, it stumbles and falls, though not seriously hurt.
A man and a woman, Linda Carlton (Irene Rich) bet $50 on L'il Champ, but loose their money. They eventually meet The Champ and find out that Dink is the son she gave up when she had a two year marriage to The Champ.
Seeing what kind of lifestyle Dink lives in, Linda decides that she wants to take Dink home with her. But Dink won't leave the Champ for nothing.
Things turn for Dink and The Champ when L'il Champ is lost gambling, and they end up flat broke. Eventually, The Champ has to beg for money, and promises to get back Dink's horse. The only way to do that is for The Champ to get back in the ring: to have another fight. This time, his fight is against more than the champion of Mexico; his fight is to stay a live and actually win the fight and the respect of fans and his son.
Wallace Beery was the first person to tie for an Oscar when he did so with Fredric March for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Beery is great in The Champ and the chemistry with Jackie Cooper is exceptional. This film is a powerful story of how children are affected by many sorts of tragedy like the loss of a friend, pet, parent, or news that some stranger is your mother.
Jackie Cooper in The Champ is a great young actor who delivers the waterworks very convincingly, and at just the right moments. His portrayal of Dink is very adult like; he plays the part like a very mature grown-up, and not like some other child star.
The Champ is about two people who have bonded for as long as they have been together and will not separate for love, nor money, and the consequences of peoples actions when they try to proove themself. The Champ is very heartwarming and is perfect today as it was 71 years ago, in 1931.
Plot: 
A plot not unlike what we see today. A man tries to recapture his former glory to impress friends and family. Interesting, yet subtley different.
Visual Effects: 
The black and white cinematography works well, but there are no major "visual" shots.
The fight scene was coreographed very well. The punches and movements were all done at a slow speed, and then the film was sped up to get an acurate and authentic looking fight scene. The fight scene was done well.
Sound:
Character Development:
As we see in the film, The Champ goes from a has-been looser to a man determined to get his life back on track... to quit the booze and gambling, and show his son just what his old man used to be like. The Champ accomplishes this goal, but ultimatly pays the ultimate price.
Atmosphere:
Fans of sappy, "wholesome family entertainment" may not like The Champ, but fans of Wallace Beery or Jackie Cooper will love it.
The Champ isn't a hard film to get into, but unless you can stomach sappyness, your in for a ride. Thankfully, it isn't too long (1h 27min).
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
Other movies nominated for Best Picture with it:
Arrowsmith, (1931); Bad Girl, (1931);
Five Star Final, (1931); *Grand Hotel, (1932); One Hour with You, (1932); Shanghai Express, (1932);
The Smiling Lieutenant, (1931)
7.14/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
29-10-03
Wallace Beery plays a great drunk in The Champ. He swaggers his steps, and stumbles on cue, and he can really slur his speech when he needs to do so.
Also, the on-screen cheistry between Beery and Jackie Cooper is something else. It seems like Cooper and Beery really are father and son the way they act together. Beery's actions with Cooper (including undressing him, clothing him, kissing him etc.) are all natural and don't look forced.
In the fight scene, Beery acts like a real boxer. He even looks like an overweight ex-heavyweight champion. thumbs up to Beery.
29-10-03
