It Happens Every Spring (1949)

A scientist discovers a formula that makes a baseball which is repelled by wood. He promptly sets out to exploit his discovery.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Valentine Davies (screen play), Shirley W. Smith (based on a story by),

Stars:

Ray Milland, Jean Peters, Paul Douglas

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Milland	...	Prof. Vernon K. Simpson / King Kelly
Jean Peters	...	Deborah Greenleaf
Paul Douglas	...	Monk Lanigan
Ed Begley	...	Edgar Stone
Ted de Corsia	...	Manager Jimmy Dolan
Ray Collins	...	Prof. Alfred Greenleaf
Jessie Royce Landis	...	Mrs. Greenleaf
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Schmidt
William Murphy	...	Tommy Isbell (as Bill Murphy)

Storyline

A college professor is working on a long term experiment when a baseball comes through the window destroying all his glassware. The resultant fluid causes the baseball to be repelled by wood. Suddenly he realizes the possibilities and takes a leave of absence to go to St. Louis to pitch in the big leagues where he becomes a star and propels the team to a World Series appearance.

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | discovery | laboratory | world series | professor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Det händer varje år

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When manager Dolan asks Vernon what his name is he briefly scans the outfield fence and see's a sign for Kelly Tires and tells Dolan that his name is Kelly. While this brief scene was in the film when it was released for TV in the 1960's it has now been cut from the film.

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Goofs

The position of the newspaper on the bed as Monk brushes his hair.

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Quotes

Manager Jimmy Dolan: [Kelly unexpectedly walks off the field, in the middle of a game, to avoid being seen by Professor Greenleaf and Manager, Jimmy Dolan wants to heavily fine him] Kelly's not indispensable!
Monk Lanigan: I know, but the team can't get along without him.

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Crazy Credits

After Deborah Greenleaf's mother coincidentally saw Vernon K. Simpson, aka King Kelly get on to a train she called home and told Deborah that Vernon was among thieves. The phone call was shortly after Vernon K. Simpson purchased a ring and sent it to Deborah, as a gift. Later, Deborah sees a newspaper column of a Chicago gang had just robbed a store, leading her to think the ring was stolen, then Deborah takes the ring off, throw it away and looks at a photograph of Professor, Vernon K. Simpson, the photograph changes to one of Vernon K. Simpson, with an evil look on his face, as a criminal and with a gun in his right hand, pointing it at her, as she looked at it.

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Connections

References Jungle Patrol (1948)

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Soundtracks

"It Happens Every Spring"
(1949) (uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Sung by a duet during the opening credits
Played occasionally in the score

User Reviews

Thankfully, It Happens Every Spring

Not quite in the league of "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," but a great fantasy story of the egghead professor in the hard boiled world of baseball.

Paul Douglas steals the movie as the craggy old pro catcher, Monk Lanigan. Watch for a young Alan Hale, Jr., later to be the Skipper in "Gilligan's Island." Take a look at the writing credits for the writer of this one. Sterling. Also, a great feel for 40's baseball fans, baseball stadiums, just baseball. I loved this film as a kid, still love it now.

This film should be as much a harbinger of spring as the first robin. Don't miss it!