For it's 1, 2, 3 angels out at the old... ball... game!
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 11/15/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Clarence Brown's charming family flick ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD was remade in 1994 with Danny Glover as lead. This 1951 version is superior, however.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are the losingest team in American sports history. As of late 2009, they've finished under .500 for 17 straight seasons. In 1951 (the year this film was released) their won-lost record was a dismal 64-90. No wonder then that this tale of angelic intervention was so popular, especially in the Steel City!
Here, Miss Leigh plays a girl reporter who blames the Pirates' dismal luck on their caustic manager Paul Douglas. When foul-mouthed Douglas starts hearing a divine voice (Whitmore) he vows to change his nasty ways if it will help the team. Sure enough, Pittsburgh goes on a winning streak! An orphan girl (and diehard Pirates fan) claims she can see angels on the field actively helping her team out. In fact, these spirits are deceased all-star players whose assistance may abruptly end if Douglas can't live up to his word.
Fans of baseball history will love this picture for several reasons: it's filmed at old Forbes Field, there's game footage plus cameos of Joe DiMaggio, Ralph Kiner (who slugs a homer) and Ty Cobb (considered by many the greatest baseballer of all time). Also here is Bing Crosby (he owned 15% of the team), songwriter Harry Ruby, Barbara Billingsley (as a hatcheck girl) and Peter Graves (radio announcer). Ed Wood fave Tor Johnson is seen as a wrestler on TV.
Also recommended:
Another fine baseball-related film released in '51 is RHUBARB. He's a feral cat that through inheritance becomes team owner/mascot of the Brooklyn franchise. Rhubarb's presence at games proves a lucky charm for the Brooklyns.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.
(7.1) Angels in the Outfield (1951) - Paul Douglas/Janet Leigh/Keenan Wynn/Donna Corcoran/Lewis Stone/Spring Byington/Bruce Bennett/Marvin Kaplan/Ellen Corby (uncredited: Barbara Billingsley/Bing Crosby/Peter Graves/James Whitmore/Tor Johnson/Harry Ruby/Joe DiMaggio/Ralph Kiner/Ty Cobb)"
This is a feel-good movie!
Jane Parks-mckay | 12/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Movies today should be like this one. My husband has spoken for years about a movie he saw as a young boy. He ended up naming his sister for his parents as a tike because of this movie so for his birthday, it was a very special gift for me to give and for him to receive this DVD. We watched it his birthday night and LOVED it.
Movies don't have to have the violence and dramatic special effects they have today, Lord knows there is too much stress and negativity in the world. It was great watching a movie that made you smile and yet had great character development, plot and dialogue. We loved seeing the former baseball greats in their heydey.
I highly recommend this movie, it's a keeper and something you'll watch time and time again!"
You can't improve on the original
Jeffrey A. Johnson | Portland OR | 10/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While surfing DVD's I came across the re-make. Blah! Thought about the old one which I had not seen for 30 yrs. Old one was available from Amazon market place for a good price and I'm so happy to have bought it. It was just as touching as I remembered. Had a tear at the scene about the pitcher. I won't say more. Rated G, you can watch this with your kids, especially your Little League'ers. Touching and well done, on a par with Miracle on 34th Street.
Got mine from VSource at $8.98, no problems and quick shipping."