Alias the Champ (1949)

Broadcast companies were looking for content during the early days of television.   Besides older movies and some broadcast company productions, sports were a source of programming for many television stations.  The Dumont Television Network was one of the powerhouse networks in the beginning of the Golden Age of Television.  One of their most popular programs was wrestling and the star that made the show was George Wagner better known as “Gorgeous George”.

“Gorgeous George” was an effeminate dandy whose valet would spray the ring before George would enter the ring.  George would also throw bobby pins to the audience while saying, “Those aren’t bobby pins.  There Georgie pins.”  Many television viewers were drawn to the wrestling show to see the antics of “The Gorgeous One”.

Film companies have been quick to pick up on television trends which led Republic Pictures to produce the wrestling film Alias the Champ in 1949.  The film starred television wrestling star “Gorgeous George” as himself and a full one-third of the movie is two wrestling matches starring “the Gorgeous One”.

The film concerns the efforts of a police lieutenant to keep gangsters from taking over the wrestling business in California.  “Gorgeous George” refuses the gangster’s overtures which leads to them attempting to frame him for murder.  George and Lt. Peterson, played by Rob Rockwell, will have to team up to bring the case to a satisfactory conclusion.

“Gorgeous George” was born George Wagner on March 24, 1915 in Butte, Nebraska.  George moved to Houston as a child and it was there that he and three friends would become professional wrestler.  George wrestled for sixteen years before he created the persona of “Gorgeous George” that would take him to wrestling and mainstream fame.

George’s first wife had an aunt who made all of George’s colorful robes.  Wrestling was a television fad that quickly faded as did George’s popularity.  Like many wrestler’s before him, “Gorgeous George” did not escape the excesses of life on the road.  He died on Boxing Day, December 26, 1963 from an enlarged liver.  The doctor’s believe alcohol had damaged his liver causing George’s untimely death at 48 years of age.

Alias the Champ features plenty of pro wrestling theatrics although contemporary audiences will probably find the action slow.  The product had not moved to pure performance like the matches of today.

The movie runs about 60 minutes. You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page and Twitter profile.

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