You are not a true baseball fan IF you haven't viewed this magnificent film. I can recall watching this in my early teens, and recommended viewing at that, completely absorbed in the storyline. The fact of the matter of it all being true only adds to both the sentiment and drama (if not shock), highlighted by an absolutely realistic performance by James Stewart.
10 Stars.
Stratton himself served as tech advisor for the MGM production, which also was designed to inspire wounded vets who had, likewise, lost a limb. Not giving up on the world, Stratton had formed his own baseball team in the 1940s, after being forced into retirement, and this generated an enormous amount of publicity for him, which lead to the filming of his incredible journey.
June Allyson is also fairly effective as his supportive wife, as is Agnes Moorehead, very convincing as his Mom. Frank Morgan, in one of his last screen roles, and still with the aura of the Wizard of Oz, is always fun to watch as a wise old gent with a spark in his step.
This is your proverbial family film, if there ever was one, that will guarantee multiple viewings and produce a lot of fond memories. The perfect example of a film classic. Always on dvd on remastered blu ray. Thank you to TCM for re-running this gem.
10 Stars.
Stratton himself served as tech advisor for the MGM production, which also was designed to inspire wounded vets who had, likewise, lost a limb. Not giving up on the world, Stratton had formed his own baseball team in the 1940s, after being forced into retirement, and this generated an enormous amount of publicity for him, which lead to the filming of his incredible journey.
June Allyson is also fairly effective as his supportive wife, as is Agnes Moorehead, very convincing as his Mom. Frank Morgan, in one of his last screen roles, and still with the aura of the Wizard of Oz, is always fun to watch as a wise old gent with a spark in his step.
This is your proverbial family film, if there ever was one, that will guarantee multiple viewings and produce a lot of fond memories. The perfect example of a film classic. Always on dvd on remastered blu ray. Thank you to TCM for re-running this gem.