Safe at Home (plate)...at the Movies - Batter Up! By Stephanie Mardesich
Safe at Home (plate)...at the Movies - Batter Up!
By Stephanie Mardesich
Many fans have missed traditional “opening day” of annual baseball season - the great American sport – however, that doesn’t mean you can’t root for the “home team” by viewing some terrific historical, biographic or original baseball-themed film.
The choices are from my personal recollection in nor order beginning with the 13th annual LA Harbor International Film Festival “Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute” choice in 2013 when the “base-stealing legend Los Angeles Dodger ” Maury Wills was honored guest. It was a once in a lifetime moment when he showed up with Dodger caps, baseballs, and personal photos to autograph and give away; and then and played catch in the lobby of the Warner Grand Theatre, historic downtown San Pedro, with players from Eastview Little League.
Before the film, Maury (and we are on a first-name basis – have known him for many years as he’s been RPV resident and we also used the same bank at one time) told the audience about his decades-long career that began when he first played the beloved game at age seven. The movie delighted the “old” and “new” timers with ageless quality of song, dance and comic action. (By the way has been RPV resident for many years.) The film has recently been in rotation on the MoviesTVNetwork rotation though you can find it via IMDB link, as with all the films in the line up that follow. Nine choices to represent a typical team and one for the bench. Enjoy some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, your version of a “Dodger Dog”, or better yet pick up an order to go from your local Wienerschnitzel – delicious and so many choices. Batter up!
Take Me Out To The Ball Game (MGM, 1949, dir. Busby Berkeley, 94 min.)
Charming MGM romantic musical comedy with many memorable tunes not least is the title song that inspired the story. Turn-of-the-century baseball players, dynamic duo Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra) and Eddie O’Brien (Gene Kelly), work in vaudeville during the off-season. Returning to the home team they encounter trouble with new female team owner K.C. Reynolds (Esther Williams) and threatening gambler Joe Logan (Edward Arnold) betting against the team to win the pennant. Co stars Betty Garrett (Shirley Delwyn) and Jules Munchin (Nat Goldberg), Richard “Dick” Lane (Michael Gilhuly) ever “reliable” charming performances.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041944/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Pride of the Yankees (USA, Samuel Goldwyn Co., 1942, dir. Sam Wood, 128 min.)
Story of the life and career of famed baseball player Lou Gehrig (Gary Cooper). Co-stars Theresa Wright (Elinor Gehrig) Walter Brennan (Sam Blake), Dan Durryea (Hank Hanneman) and Babe Ruth (as himself)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035211/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
The Pride of St Louis (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1952, dir. Harmon Jones, 93 min.)
The story of Jerome "Dizzy" Dean (Dan Daily), pitcher for major league teams St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in the 1930s-40s and his climb to top ranks in baseball defeating many obstacles, not least of which was his small town hick image and unique diction. Co-stars Joanne Dru (Patricia Nash Dean) and Richard Crenna (Paul Dean).
Bull Durham (USA, The Mount Co./Orion Pictures, 1988, dir. Ron Shelton, 108 min.,R)
Sultry and sexy fan Annie Sanvoy (Susan Sarandon) has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher “Nook” LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) and the experienced catcher Crash Davis (Kevin Kostner) assigned to him and is torn between the two ballplayers though it’s the famous kiss speech that’s deciding factor in who she ends up with, or not.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094812/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Field of Dreams (USA, Gordon Co./Universal Pictures, 1988, dir.Phil Aldon Robinson, 107 min., PG)
Inspiriting story of Iowa corn farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner)who hears voices in the night and interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond – field of dreams - where the corn crop thrives. At great financial risk he follows the call and the 1919 Chicago White Sox come to play, lead by spirits of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liorra) and Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones) Three Oscarâ nods. The excellent cast includes Burt Lancaster and Amy Madigan.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co
A League of Their Own (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1992, dir. Penny Marshall, 128 min., PG)
Based on true story of first female professional baseball league (with San Pedro connection) and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing internal rivalry. Entertaining and evocative casting includes Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Bad News Bears (original) (USA, Paramount, 1976, dir. Michael Ritchie, 108 min., PG)
Aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor league coach Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) leads a team of misfits against all odds in an ultra-competitive California little league. Tatum O’Neal (Amanda Wurlitzer) turns in heart warming performance supported by Vic Morrow and Joyce Van Patten.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074174/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_33
The Natural (USA, Tri-Star Pictures,1984,dir. Barry Levinson, 138 min., PG)
Unknown athlete Roy Hobs (Robert Redford) seems to come from nowhere and with huge confidence he becomes legendary baseball player with almost divine talent. Four Academy Awardâ nods with strong supporting cast including Academy Awardâ nominee Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley, Barbara Hershey.
Eight Men Out (USA, Orion Pictures, 1988, dir. John Sayles, 109 min., PG)
A dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series. Among notable cast who have had significant careers: Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, David Straithern, John Mahoney. Director Sayles cast himself author Ring Lardner and author Studs Terkel in rare screen appearance.
Rhubarb (USA, Paramount, 1951, dir. Arthur Lubin, 94 min.)
Rich, eccentric T.J. Banner (Gene Lockhart) adopts a feral cat who becomes an affectionate pet. Then T.J. dies, leaving to Rhubarb most of his money and a pro baseball team, the Brooklyn Loons. When the team protests, publicist Eric Yeager (Ray Milland) convinces them Rhubarb is good luck. But Eric's fiancée Polly (Jan Sterling) seems to be allergic to cats, and the team's success may mean new hazards for Rhubarb.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043967/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_90
Note: Ray Milland (1907-1985) was long time resident of Palos Verdes Estates, this author used to see him at “Rive Gauche.”lovely French restaurant in Malaga Cove that was there for decades. He was a true talent with career that lasted decades. Look him up to know what a true “star” of Hollywood really signifies.
Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.
For more see:
(to look up films) www.imdb.com
www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)
www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories).