Champion (1949)

In the gritty underbelly of 1940s America, we meet Michael "Midge" Kelly and his disabled brother Connie, hitchhiking their way to California. Stripped of their meager possessions on a cargo wagon, they cross paths with the renowned boxer Johnny Dunne and his mistress, Grace Diamond. Dreaming of owning a slice of the American dream, Midge and Connie reveal their plans to invest in a restaurant. Arriving in Kansas City, Midge's pursuit for employment takes an unexpected turn when he's thrust into a boxing match for a paltry sum. Despite a brutal beating, he catches the eye of the astute trainer, Tommy Haley, who invites him to Los Angeles for professional grooming. However, the brothers' dreams shatter when they discover they've been duped in their restaurant deal. Seduced by the allure of boxing and a series of blondes, Midge abandons his new wife Emma, the daughter of their former prospective business partner, to chase wealth and fame. Under Tommy's tutelage, he ascends the boxing ladder, defeating several fighters, including Dunne himself. But his victory comes at a price as he is blacklisted by the criminal underworld controlling the sport. In a twist of fate, Midge is persuaded by Grace to switch allegiance to the shady Jerome Harris, a figure deeply intertwined with the world of organized crime. As Midge embarks on a new journey, he doesn't hesitate to betray friends, trample over women including Harris's wife, Palmer, and compromise his morals in his relentless pursuit of success. "Champion" paints a vivid picture of a man's desperate climb to the top, driven by ambition and the intoxicating siren call of fame and fortune. But will Midge's ruthless pursuit cost him everything, or will he ultimately triumph as the Champion he so desires to be? The film promises a thrilling exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the brutal reality of the boxing world.

Champion is a drama movie featuring Kirk Douglas.

It is possible to buy Champion on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.