and Emma walk off into the darkness, now free to move forward with their lives. Cast Kirk Douglas as Midge Kelly Marilyn Maxwell as Grace Arthur Kennedy as Connie Paul Stewart as Haley Ruth Roman as Emma Lola Albright as Palmer Luis van Rooten as Harris Harry Shannon as Lew John Daheim as Dunne (as John Day) Ralph Sanford as Hammond Esther Howard as Mrs. Kelly Until his death in 2020 at age 103, Kirk Douglas was the last surviving cast member. Production The film was shot in twenty days. RKO sued the filmmakers claiming similarities between this film and The Set Up. Reception Box office The film opened at the Globe Theatre in New York City on April 9, 1949 and grossed $41,000 in its opening week. Critical response When the film was released, Bosley Crowther, the film critic for The New York Times, believed the drama was not exactly faithful to the original Lardner story, which had a very hard-edge. Still, he gave the boxing drama a positive review, and wrote, "However, Director Mark Robson has covered up story weaknesses with a wealth of pictorial interests and exciting action of a graphic, colorful sort. His scenes in training gymnasiums, managers' offices and, of course, the big fight rings are strongly atmospheric and physically intense. Except that the fighting is more furious than one can credit, it is virtually all right. As the hero and "Champion", Kirk Douglas does a good, aggressive job, with a slight inclination to over-eagerness at times, which might amuse an old fight fan. Arthur Kennedy is dour as his crippled brother who distrusts the slaughterous sport, and Marilyn Maxwell, Ruth Roman and Lola Albright are attractive as the "champ's" various girls. Paul Stewart is most convincing as a quiet, hard-bitten manager. If one hasn't already seen the recently memorable "Body and Soul" which might have served as a model for "Champion", this is a stinging fight film to see. If one has seen that other, this will look a little pale." The staff at Variety magazine gave the picture a good review and also noted the difference between the screenplay and the original story. They wrote, "Adapted from a Ring Lardner short story of the same title, Champion is a stark, realistic study of the boxing rackets and the degeneracy of a prizefighter. Fight scenes, under Franz Planer's camera, have realism and impact. Unrelenting