Considering that this film stars Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, it certainly should come as no surprise that it's an exceptional and highly entertaining film. They had an excellent chemistry together and you just couldn't help but like their films. STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, THE GLENN MILLER STORY and THE STRATTON STORY were all terrific movies and for old movie fans like myself, they're absolute must-sees.
This movie, like most bio-pics of the era, plays a bit fast and loose with the facts, though the basic story of Monty Stratton is awfully exciting and remains intact. Stratton was a promising pitcher for the White Sox who accidentally shot himself while hunting and as a result had to have his leg amputated. Instead of completely ending his career, in the film he comes back for one more game--an exhibition game and proves he can still pitch. The real story is actually far more impressive, as he actually played a full season in the minor leagues with a prosthetic leg and went 18 and 8! However, Hollywood chose to heighten the drama and lump it all int one game. Not a bad idea as far as building the tension, but what is one game compared to a full season? Still, despite a few short-comings here and there, the film has the usual exceptional acting and scripts you'd expect in such a film. Inspiring, touching and a class act all the way--this is yet another great Jimmy Stewart film from the prime of his acting career.
This movie, like most bio-pics of the era, plays a bit fast and loose with the facts, though the basic story of Monty Stratton is awfully exciting and remains intact. Stratton was a promising pitcher for the White Sox who accidentally shot himself while hunting and as a result had to have his leg amputated. Instead of completely ending his career, in the film he comes back for one more game--an exhibition game and proves he can still pitch. The real story is actually far more impressive, as he actually played a full season in the minor leagues with a prosthetic leg and went 18 and 8! However, Hollywood chose to heighten the drama and lump it all int one game. Not a bad idea as far as building the tension, but what is one game compared to a full season? Still, despite a few short-comings here and there, the film has the usual exceptional acting and scripts you'd expect in such a film. Inspiring, touching and a class act all the way--this is yet another great Jimmy Stewart film from the prime of his acting career.