The Stratton Story (1949)

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Douglas Morrow (screenplay) and
Guy Trosper (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

June 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

James Stewart · June Allyson, In The True Romance of The Year

Plot:

Star major league pitcher Monty Stratton loses a leg in a hunting accident, but becomes determined to leave the game on his own terms.

Plot Keywords:

Hunting | Chicago White Sox | Wooden Leg | Baseball | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins

Cast

James Stewart	...	Monty Stratton
June Allyson	...	Ethel
Frank Morgan	...	Barney Wile
Agnes Moorehead	...	Ma Stratton
Bill Williams	...	Eddie Dibson
Bruce Cowling	...	Ted Lyons
Cliff Clark	...	Josh Higgins
Mary Lawrence	...	Dot
Dean White	...	Luke Appling
Robert Gist	...	Earnie
Gene Bearden	...	Himself
Bill Dickey	...	Himself
Jimmy Dykes	...	Himself
Mervyn Shea	...	Himself

Also Known As:

The Life of Monte Stratton (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #13643) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Gilmore Field - Beverly Blvd. at Fairfax Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Producers originally considered Donna Reed for the role of Ethel Stratton but replaced her with June Allyson after signing 'James Stewart' since the previous film they had both appeared in, It's a Wonderful Life (1946), had been a disappointment at the box office.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In Monte Stratton's pitching debut versus the NY Yankees, Joe DiMaggio is shown circling the bases in stock footage. However, Stratton debuted in 1934 and DiMaggio didn't show up in the majors until 1936.

Quotes:

Monty Stratton: Look at that road! I used to do ten miles on that road like it was nothin' - just to pitch a game! Now I can hardly reach it, let alone walk on it!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Some of the Best (1949)

Soundtrack:

You Are My Lucky Star

True Life Biography of Courageous, Hard Luck Pitcher of The Perrenially Hard Luck Chicago White Sox

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Baseball Movies; ah yes, just what could be more American! Ever since the earliest days of the motion pictures as both Business and Art Form, we've had them with us. Some were not so good, whereas most were pretty good and some were truly outstanding.

THE STRATTON STORY has to rank in the uppermost tier when it comes to placement. It is not only in the First Division*, but it also Wins the Pennant! This is one biopic that just had to be made! First of all, a Great Man, my own Dad, the late Clem Ryan, had a saying that, "Truth is Stranger than Fiction." He didn't claim that it was his original, just a favourite. Monty Stratton's real life story was certainly a good example to use.

The cast was excellent both in the choice of Actors to fill the roles. Mr. Stratton,was very much like his movie biographical counterpart, James Stewart. Stratton was listed at 6'6" in height, but weighing a slender 180 lbs. Stewart also used a slow, deliberate manner of speech. He is practical, even economic in not wasting any words needlessly. This may even be an indication of the personality of a man shaped by the life on a farm and dealing with the realities of the Great Depression.

June Allyson and Agnes Morehead provide their best characterizations as the women in Stratton's life; being Wife and Mother, respectively. Miss Allyson is very beautiful, sweet and fragile, and yet demonstrates a strength of character that rises to the occasion when the tragedy strikes her husband. Miss Morehead goes the 'less is better' route by underplaying her part as Stratton's Mother and brings her across firm, loving and kind.

The real life Major Leaguers in the film do adequately in the roles given them, like playing themselves-a not so easy thing to do before an audience or rolling cameras.Pitcher Gene Beardon,Catcher Mervyn Shea and Yankee Great,Catcher and Manager, Bill Dickey, all add a certain authenticity to the story. And long time player and White Sox Manager Jimmy Dykes turns in a yeoman's job in managing before the camera.

It is Frank Morgan, who portrays a former Big League Catcher, now a down and out hobo.Ity is he who discovers the young Monty Stratton and in turn, he finds his own worth as a man and useful person. Now, we just don't know if his character of Barney Wile was a real person or not. Mr. Morgan shows the deep acting talents in bringing the character to the screen. Even in the scenes when he is instructing Baseball Fundamentals, he appears to be a real, old veteran Ball Player who has been through it all.

THE STRATTON STORY is a good example of what a Hollywood can be. Its ilk is timeless and the Film Moguls would do well to give the making of this kind of Movie a try again. They might be surprised at that old Barometer of The Film Business, namely Box Office.

* First Division is a now outmoded Baseball term. In the days before League Expansion, about 1961, both the National League and the Amwercan League had 8 teams each. In reference to the standings First Division meant the teams ranked in 1st through 4th Place. 5th through 8th Place was called Second Division, with the 8th Place team was referred to as being in 'The Cellar'. The First Division Teams also received a share of World Series Money.