The Stratton Story (1949)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

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:

James Stewart and June Allyson recreated their roles for a one-hour radio version of this film on the Lux Radio Theatre, first broadcast on February 13, 1950.

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

Movie Connections:

Features Honky Tonk (1941)

Soundtrack:

Hail to the Chief

Stewart and Allyson Hit it Out of the Park

James Stewart and June Allyson look twice as old as the roles they are playing! Still, "The Stratton Story" is enjoyable. In the early scenes, Mr. Stewart's frame, and natural acting style, make him somewhat believable as a boy interested in baseball. Ms. Allyson doesn't try to play too "girlish"; instead, she wisely acts her part as a woman complimenting (by being in love with) Stewart's character.

Allyson, and her character, save the film… the moment she appears, the focus is on the pair's relationship, and not on baseball. The Stewart/Allyson relationship is really what makes the film work, I thought -- the Stewart character could have been a golfer, doctor, whatever… The scenes beginning with Stewart and Allyson in separate beds, backs turned, and unable to sleep, have an understated dignity.

Stewart and Allyson's nice performances are enhanced by: Frank Morgan, aka "The Wizard of Oz"; and Agnes Moorehead, Endora from "Bewitched". The later baseball scenes are more realistic, and fun to watch. It's strange to see the older baseball style; today, many of the players would be pumped up with steroids. I wish the sport would return to being more based on fun and skills.

Love is not something a surgeon can cut.

******* The Stratton Story (1949) Sam Wood ~ James Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Morgan