Director Mark Robson's tragic boxing drama "Champion" was widely praised when it premiered in 1949, earning six Oscar nominations including one for Best Actor for rising young star Kirk Douglas. It was this film that made Hollywood studios take serious notice of Douglas and there would be no looking back. Douglas would be a bonafide star throughout his entire career. The original review of the film in the Hollywood Reporter lavishes praise on Douglas, calling him a "vigorous, manly, exciting actor". Click here to read the full review.