The Spirit of Notre Dame (1931)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Russell Mack

Writers:

Walter DeLeon (additional dialogue)
Robert Keith (writer)

Release Date:

13 October 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Plot:

Story of two friends who play football, one of whom is a self-centered quarterback who thinks he's the only man on the team. |

Plot Keywords:

American Football | College

Cast

Lew Ayres	...	Bucky O'Brien
Sally Blane	...	Peggy
William Bakewell	...	Jim Stewart
Andy Devine	...	Truck McCall
Harry Barris	...	Wasp
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Coach
Frank Carideo	...	Himself
Don Miller	...	The Four Horsemen
Elmer Layden	...	The Four Horsemen
Jim Crowley	...	The Four Horsemen
Harry Stuhldreher	...	The Four Horsemen
Nat Pendleton	...	Assistant Coach
Adam Walsh	...	Himself
Bucky O'Connor	...	Himself
John Law	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Vigour of Youth (UK)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Company:

Universal Pictures

Well-intentioned film doesn't hold up well

Released a few months after the death of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, this well-intentioned film was dedicated to his memory. While J. Farrell MacDonald is right on target as the sympathetic but tough coach, the other actors and the thin story line seem corny and cliché to today's audience. Andy Devine has some good comedy relief scenes with a touch of genuine pathos as a bench warmer who is the butt of the team's practical jokes. But things go over the top when he is critically ill and delirious in the hospital, listening to the big game on the radio. When Notre Dame scores a winning touchdown and Andy reacts, the doctor hovering near by shouts, `By God, he's going to pull through!' Also starring Lew Ayres and William Bakewell, both much too thin to be football players! Screened at Cinefest in Syracuse New York March, 2004.