After watching several movies made before the adoption of the Hay's censorship guidelines, I can say that they're some of my favorite movies so far. Movies made in this time period typically included many things that later films would never get away with, such as a great deal of violence, more explicit sexual themes, and drug use. The Champ is not really a violent movie in the typical sense, but because it's about a boxer, there is punching and injury involved. The plot revolves around Andy, who is a boxer known by the nickname "Champ." Lately, he's down on his luck and washed up. His son, Dink, looks up to him, knowing his father used to be one of the world's best boxers. Champ's promises to take part in fights are dashed by his rampant drinking problem which he can't get under control, but his son still has faith in him. Later, Champ buys Dink a pony with money he acquired from gambling. Champ later encounters Linda, who is actually Dink's real mother, but Dink doesn't really show any love towards her since he is just being introduced to her. Meanwhile, Champ's alcoholism catches up with him and he winds up in jail, which means Dink now has to live with Linda after she sees Champ is a bad influence. Dink constantly worries about his father though, and he returns to New Mexico to see him fight someone else. If he wins, he will use the money to reacquire Dink's pony (which ran away earlier). Champ wins the fight, but his body took too much punishment in the ring, and he falls over. A doctor nearby pronounces his wounds mortal, and he dies shortly after. His son is left with Linda and is now her responsibility. This is a great movie, but it's also a sad movie. Champ wins a pyrrhic victory over his opponent at the end during the match, winning the pony back for his son, but losing his life. This movie was also remade in the 70s, but that version is much worse and not as memorable. Sports movies are not typically a thing I like watching often, but this one shows how drinking and gambling can negatively affect your good standing in society and ruin relationships with your own family.
Review of The Champ
