Angels in the Outfield (1951)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Richard Conlin (story)
Dorothy Kingsley (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 October 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sport

Tagline:

The toughest guy you ever met ... until an angel said "Hello!"

Plot:

A young woman reporter blames the Pittsburgh Pirates' losing streak on the obscenely abusive manager...

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Catholic School | Priest | Sports Team | Nun

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Paul Douglas	...	Aloysius X. 'Guffy' McGovern
Janet Leigh	...	Jennifer Paige
Keenan Wynn	...	Fred Bayles
Donna Corcoran	...	Bridget White
Lewis Stone	...	Arnold P. Hapgood
Spring Byington	...	Sister Edwitha
Bruce Bennett	...	Saul Hellman
Marvin Kaplan	...	Timothy Durney
Ellen Corby	...	Sister Veronica
Jeff Richards	...	Dave Rothberg
John Gallaudet	...	Joe Reynolds
King Donovan	...	Mack McGee
Don Haggerty	...	Rube Ronson
Paul Salata	...	Tony Minelli
Fred Graham	...	Chunk (coach)

Also Known As:

Angels and the Pirates (UK)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #15350) | Sweden:Btl | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Forbes Field - Boquet and Sennott Streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Bing Crosby appeared in the film because at the time, he was a partial owner (approximately 15%) of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the sign is changed from a bunt to hit-away, the batter singles to left field with a runner on second base. The pitcher incorrectly runs toward third base instead of home plate to back up the catcher on a play to home plate.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Angels in the Outfield (1994)

How I miss Forbes Field

I was taken by this movie the first time I ever saw it. That was so long ago, I can't even remember when. Paul Douglas as Guffy was superb. Angry, contrite at times, not quite sure what is happening with the angels, but in the end, he is willing to believe. The baseball scenes are pretty realistic. I enjoyed the shots of Forbes Field, as it was always one of my favorite places to watch a ball game. Donna Corcoran and Janet Leigh were both excellent playing their parts. However, the best performance (and most overlooked), was that of Keenan Wynne as the commentator. He played his part so perfectly that you forget this is only a movie. You really wanted to throttle him, the way he denigrated Guffy and the rest of the team. Excellent acting job on his part. James Whitmore did a great job as the voice of the angel, taking no "guff" from Guffy. I enjoyed the scene where Guffy lets his old and tired pitcher (Bruce Bennet) stay in the game, because Whitmore informs Guffy that "We are recruiting him (Bennet) next season." All in all, this was a terrific baseball movie. Yes it was predictable and at times a bit sappy. Having said that, the film was still well done and is certainly a fine movie for family entertainment.