Catch Baseball’s Spirit With Abundance Of Videos
Bottom of the ninth and Roy Hobbs steps up to the plate. The fate of his team rides on his bat.
The pitcher delivers. Hobbs swings and connects. Fans and teammates watch awestruck as the ball continues to sail higher and higher. Finally it smashes into one of the stadium lights, igniting a shower of sparks that rains down on the field. Then the wild cheering begins.
This isn’t reality but the climax of one of Hollywood’s most memorable baseball movies, “The Natural” (1984). As Hobbs (Robert Redford) rounds the bases in slow motion, accompanied by Randy Newman’s stirring music score, the sequence symbolizes all of the game’s real-life dramatic moments.
Such moments have made baseball a longtime popular subject for movie makers. The game often surpasses anything a Hollywood script writer can imagine.
With another season set to begin Tuesday, there’s no better way to get in the mood than checking out a few baseball-themed films from the video store. Here are some others you might enjoy:
The dramatic
“Pride of the Yankees” (1942) This story of Lou Gehrig’s rise to fame, then having his career cut short by disease, remains one of Hollywood’s best on baseball. Gary Cooper’s performance as Gehrig will make you forget that the slow, drawling movie star was from Montana and the baseball hero was a New Yorker.
“The Jackie Robinson Story” (1950) Jackie Robinson plays himself and Ruby Dee plays his wife in this absorbing film about the man who broke the game’s color barrier. It’s even more effective when you consider it was made only three years after Robinson’s big-league debut.
Out of circulation for years, the movie has recently been rescued and restored.
“The Winning Team” (1952) Forget politics and enjoy Ronald Reagan in one of his best roles as legendary pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander, who overcomes a bout with alcohol to shine one more time in the 1926 World Series.
“The Stratton Story” (1949) James Stewart is Monty Stratton, the one-time major league pitcher who lost one of his legs in a hunting accident. You’ll get a lump in your throat as Stratton, despite the handicap, attempts a comeback.
“Field of Dreams” (1989) By now everyone knows the famous “build it and they will come” line from this movie. Kevin Costner is the Iowa farmer who is told by a mysterious voice to build a baseball diamond on his property. When he does, “they” do come, including “Shoeless Joe” Jackson. Non-baseball fans won’t get it.
“Cobb” (1994) Tommy Lee Jones is terrific as the great and downright mean Ty Cobb, longtime star for the Detroit Tigers. Cobb lovers might not like the movie because it shows not only his accomplishments but also his warts.
“Talent for the Game” (1991) Edward James Olmos is a struggling California Angels scout who finally discovers that once-in-a-lifetime phenom. Highly entertaining hokum.
The humorous
“It Happens Every Spring” (1949) A truly fun and funny movie. Ray Milland is a college professor who discovers a substance that repels wood. He rubs it on a baseball and for one season becomes the game’s greatest pitcher. Paul Douglas shines as his catcher.
“Bull Durham” (1988) It’s life in the minor leagues as veteran catcher Kevin Costner takes rookie pitcher Tim Robbins under his wing. Funny but also sometimes quite poignant. True-to-life rough language and some sexy scenes might turn off some viewers.
“Major League I & II” (1989, 1994) Critics didn’t, but baseball fans got a big kick out of these two comedies about the Cleveland Indians, with a diverse group of characters winning a division and then the pennant. The good cast includes Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes and Bob Uecker.
“The Bingo Long Travelling All Stars and Motor Kings” (1976) A marvelous comedy-drama about a group of black players who break away from the Negro Leagues in the 1930s and form their own team that takes on all comers. Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor headline the cast.
“Angels in the Outfield” (1951, 1994) Both versions are enjoyable. In the original, Paul Douglas is the manager of the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates who start winning with “divine” assistance. In the remake, Danny Glover gets the same kind of help with the California Angels.
The absurd
“Safe at Home” (1962) This film, made to cash in on the 1961 home-run race between Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, finds the two baseball stars playing themselves with embarrassing results.
“The Babe Ruth Story” (1948) William Bendix, best known for his comic roles, is out of his league as the Bambino. You keep waiting for the punch line.
“The Babe” (1992) John Goodman isn’t much better in this film that decides to ignore the facts.
The documentaries
“When It Was A Game” (1991) A poetic visual essay of the game from the 1930s to the 1950s using never-before-seen home movies shot by players and fans.
“When It Was A Game II” (1992) More home movie footage. Not quite as effective as the first one but a must-see, nevertheless.
“Baseball” (1994) Ken Burns’ stunning “nine-inning” history of the game is a history of America, too.
“The History of Major League Baseball” (1993) This six-cassette collection from Major League Baseball Home Video is a great companion piece to Burns’ effort.