Angels in the Outfield
The roughest guy you ever met... until an angel said "hello!"
The batters couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. The fielders must be using frying pans instead of baseball mitts. It looks like the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates haven't got a prayer... until the prayers of a young orphan girl get the Bucs some celestial support! Comedy and charm form the winning lineup of Angels in the Outfield, starring Paul Douglas as the team's short-fused manager. "Dogs have fleas, managers have sportswriter," he grouses to a columnist (Janet Leigh) covering the team. Adding to the fun are game footage from back in the day (buffs will love to spot the stars); support from Keenan Wynn, Spring Byington and more familiar talents; plus unbilled bits by baseball greats Joe DiMaggio and Ty Cobb. One more footnote about this nifty '50s diamond: President Eisenhower called it his favorite movie. Batter up!
Member Reviews
Classic - bbould
You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this very well written, directed and acted movie that just happens to be about baseball. The script is intelligent, funny and thoughtful all at the same time. Paul Douglas, Keenan Wynn and Janet Leigh are all at the top of their game for this one. What I liked most is the complete lack of special effects. You get to use your imagination because you never see the angels helping the Pittsburgh Pirates, which makes it better, in my opinion, than the weak Danny Glover remake. It's slightly dated but it ranks right up there with another baseball comedy of the same era, It Happens Every Spring, also with Paul Douglas in a supporting role. The scene near the end involving Guffy McGovern (Douglas) and his estranged pal, pitcher Saul Hellman (Bruce Bennett) touches me every time I see it. With the World Series on the line, Guffy, for whom winning was everything, does a wonderful, selfless thing and lets his old pal finish the game even though he's struggling badly and the crowd is yelling for a pitching change. Guffy has been told by an angel that this will be Saul's last game, and win or lose, he'll be allowed to finish it. It brings a tear to my eye every time I see it, and I have watched this movie on many occasions because it is ... timeless.Theologically off base... - Neil1
...but otherwise a home run! Angels In The Outfield would more accurately be titled The Saints Of Summer, because (as any 8-year old should know) Angels belong to a different species than ball-players, dead or alive. But eschewing (further) speculation as to what number of seraphs may dance on the head of a pin, I have to say this film is certainly deserving of the accolades it has received down the years, and cameos by Yogi Berra and "Joltin' Joe" DiMaggio, not to mention Bing Crosby, add just the right amount of spice. Paul Douglas is appropriately gruff as Pirates manager Guffy McGovern; Janet Leigh wonderfully artless as cub reporter Jennifer Paige; and Donna Corcoran adorable as "Bridget White, 8-years old" --the moppet who brings them together, all backed up by the Heavenly Choir Nine. Take yourself to the ball game!President Eisenhower was right! - fairweather
President Eisenhower was right.. this is a total gem! With wit, charm and endearing characters, the stellar job the cast does outshines all the later versions of this incredible Classic. This one is in my favorites folder for an all time great hit! With its "Leave It To Beaver" -like quality and sensitivity to childhood issues, it has an endearing quality which transcends the times it was written in. Cleverly written and acted, it had us laughing out loud several times. The couple angle, the childhood angle, the faith angle, the tough sports world angle.. it is just well written with an absorbing plot and superb direction. All I can say is we tried it because the President liked it.. and we found his taste in movies GOOD! We highly recommend it.
Member Reviews
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Classic - bbould
You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this very well written, directed and acted movie that just happens to be about baseball. The script is intelligent, funny and thoughtful all at the same time. Paul Douglas, Keenan Wynn and Janet Leigh are all at ...Theologically off base... - Neil1
...but otherwise a home run! Angels In The Outfield would more accurately be titled The Saints Of Summer, because (as any 8-year old should know) Angels belong to a different species than ball-players, dead or alive. But eschewing (further) speculation as ...President Eisenhower was right! - fairweather
President Eisenhower was right.. this is a total gem! With wit, charm and endearing characters, the stellar job the cast does outshines all the later versions of this incredible Classic. This one is in my favorites folder for an all time great hit! With its ...