The Stratton Story (1949)

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

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Douglas Morrow (screenplay), Guy Trosper (screenplay),

Stars:

James Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Morgan

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

The movie is about Chicago White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton (Jimmy Stewart), who in the 1930s, compiled a 37-19 won-loss record in three seasons. After he became the winningest right-hander in the American League, his major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. With a wooden leg and his wife Ethel's (June Allyson) help, Stratton made a successful minor league comeback in 1946, continuing to pitch in minor leagues throughout the rest of the 1940s and into the 1950s.

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Plot Keywords:

hunting | chicago white sox | baseball | wooden leg | farm | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Life of Monte Stratton

Filming Locations:

Gilmore Field - 7700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producers first considered Van Johnson and Gregory Peck for the role of Monty Stratton before finally settling on James Stewart, who was the first choice of the real Monty Stratton.

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Goofs

The movie has Stratton's debut against the New York Yankees. Monty Stratton actually debuted against the Detroit Tigers (June 2, 1934).

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Quotes

Monty Stratton: [after accidentally shooting himself in the leg] I shot the wrong rabbit!

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Connections

Featured in Diamonds on the Silver Screen (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Wedding March"
(uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Played during the scene with the Comiskey Park wedding cake

User Reviews

Some people just don't know when they are beat.

Relax and enjoy this excellent story about a comeback against the odds.

Jimmy Stewart was made to play this small town ball-player who makes it to the big time only see his dreams. Apparently a true story and featuring several bona fide stars of baseball it is a good enough yarn, even for a Limey like me. Fans of Jimmy Stewart will just lap it up.