Alibi Ike (1935)

Director:

Ray Enright

Writers:

Ring Lardner (by)
William Wister Haines (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 June 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

a 4-BASE Hit!

Plot:

Idiosyncratic new recruit Francis "Ike" Farrell tries to help the Cubs to the pennant with his pitching and hitting.

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | Rookie | Excuse | Gambler | False Accusation

Cast

Joe E. Brown	...	Frank X. Farrell
Olivia de Havilland	...	Dolly Stevens
Ruth Donnelly	...	Bess
Roscoe Karns	...	Carey
William Frawley	...	Cap
Eddie Shubert	...	Jack Mack
Paul Harvey	...	Lefty Crawford
Joe King	...	Johnson - Owner (as Joseph King)
Joseph Crehan	...	Conductor (scenes deleted)
G. Pat Collins	...	Lieutenant
Spencer Charters	...	Minister
Gene Morgan	...	Smitty

Runtime:

72 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #885) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Wrigley Field - 42nd Place & Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Although this was the first film to be released of Olivia de Havilland, it was filmed after A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), the first film she had made.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final game at the end of the movie, the opposing team is constantly referred to as the Giants when their uniforms clearly show them as the Cardinals.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Damn Yankees! (1958)

Soundtrack:

The Shadows of Yesterday's Stars

Up On The Mound With Mr. Brown

Known as ALIBI IKE for his never-ending excuses, the brash new pitcher for the Chicago Cubs becomes involved with nasty crooks and a very pretty young lady.

Comic Joe E. Brown has a grand time clowning about in this sporting comedy based on a Ring Lardner story. Although many of the jokes & situations are very similar to his previous films, Brown is always worth watching, his huge mouth & rubbery face perfectly fashioned for eliciting laughs. Whether careening about the infield in a runaway jalopy, attempting an escape from kidnappers or commandeering a huge truck to get to the ball field, Brown consistently delivers the comedic goods.

Lovely Olivia de Havilland scores a home run, playing Joe's girlfriend in one of her earliest film roles. Gruff William Frawley does a fine job as the Cub's stern coach. Ruth Donnelly plays Olivia's older sister, but unfortunately this wonderfully talented comedienne is given little to do. Roscoe Karns is fun as the team's sarcastic catcher.

This was the last of Joe E. Brown's Baseball Trilogy, following FIREMAN, SAVE MY CHILD (1932) & ELMER, THE GREAT (1933).