Paul Douglas plays the demanding manger of the Pittsburg Pirates whose team begins winning after being blessed from above. Look for a young Ellen Corby, the lovable grandmother on the Walton's TV series. Other cast members include Janet Leigh,Keenan Wynn and Spring Byington. The filming locations were old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, home of the triple A Los Angeles Angels before the Dodgers arrived. Forbes Field in Pittsburg and Yankee Stadium were also used in this 1951 film. Some popular ballplayers can be seen also.It is a fun movie to watch, especially for a baseball fan.
43 Reviews
Have to use the word "cute" to describe this one...
Doylenf2 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
And that's even though I hate using that adjective to describe any movie, but this one fits the bill perfectly. PAUL DOUGLAS is a temperamental baseball player who makes a deal with a heavenly angel to curb his temper and maybe win a few games with help from above.
JANET LEIGH is a girl reporter who eventually falls in love with Douglas (hey, this is a movie!!) after a rather brief courtship during which both she and Douglas fall in love with little Donna Corcoran. This little girl has one of the sweetest, most angelic faces I've ever seen on a child actress and she's got a sincerity that makes everything she says and does look perfectly natural.
The orphanage where the girl is sheltered is run by SPRING BYINGTON, in one of her most unusual roles as a nun who knows baseball, and ELLEN CORBY who does a wistfully sweet job as a beaming assistant to Byington.
The baseball flavor gets help from some real footage of Pirate games and some humorous clips of famous people commenting on the angel situation. Among the movie stars, Bing Crosby playing golf.
The story is a morality tale done without any special effects gimmicks. I didn't see the remake, but I understand it did use CGI to make more graphic use of the angel element. KEENAN WYNN has the film's only unlikeable role as a sports announcer who's cynical about the little girl's claim that she sees angels in the outfield.
Summing up: An amiable comedy, well played by Douglas, Leigh and Corcoran.
JANET LEIGH is a girl reporter who eventually falls in love with Douglas (hey, this is a movie!!) after a rather brief courtship during which both she and Douglas fall in love with little Donna Corcoran. This little girl has one of the sweetest, most angelic faces I've ever seen on a child actress and she's got a sincerity that makes everything she says and does look perfectly natural.
The orphanage where the girl is sheltered is run by SPRING BYINGTON, in one of her most unusual roles as a nun who knows baseball, and ELLEN CORBY who does a wistfully sweet job as a beaming assistant to Byington.
The baseball flavor gets help from some real footage of Pirate games and some humorous clips of famous people commenting on the angel situation. Among the movie stars, Bing Crosby playing golf.
The story is a morality tale done without any special effects gimmicks. I didn't see the remake, but I understand it did use CGI to make more graphic use of the angel element. KEENAN WYNN has the film's only unlikeable role as a sports announcer who's cynical about the little girl's claim that she sees angels in the outfield.
Summing up: An amiable comedy, well played by Douglas, Leigh and Corcoran.
Now who'd have thought angels would be helping a bunch of pirates.
bkoganbing1 November 2005
Before the New York Mets came along, the Pittsburgh Pirates were the first name in baseball for flat footed futility. At the time that Angels in the Outfield was made the Pirates had a long term lease on the National League cellar. In fact the only reason the Pirates drew any crowds at all was the presence of the premier slugger in the National League, Ralph Kiner. One shudders to think where they might have finished without him.
But that's reality. In this film some heavenly help is granted the Pirates, presumably by a long suffering Deity who's maybe a Pirate fan. That is on condition that manager Paul Douglas clean up his act. He's told that by unseen angel James Whitmore.
As it turns out Douglas is not the only one getting celestial visitations. He only hears angels, but little Donna Corcoran sees them behind every Pirate player on the field. When reporter Janet Leigh writes the story all kinds of complications ensue.
Even without the special effects of the 1994 remake, Angels in the Outfield still maintains an innocent charm that is irresistible to baseball fans of a perennial losing team. After all we found out in Damn Yankees the kind of outside help they've been getting to stay on top.
Nine years later the Pirates were in fact World Series winners, humbling the mighty Yankees in seven games. And for thirty years after that the Pirates were a contending ball club. They're back in the doldrums that Angels in the Outfield portrays. Maybe time for another heavenly assist.
But that's reality. In this film some heavenly help is granted the Pirates, presumably by a long suffering Deity who's maybe a Pirate fan. That is on condition that manager Paul Douglas clean up his act. He's told that by unseen angel James Whitmore.
As it turns out Douglas is not the only one getting celestial visitations. He only hears angels, but little Donna Corcoran sees them behind every Pirate player on the field. When reporter Janet Leigh writes the story all kinds of complications ensue.
Even without the special effects of the 1994 remake, Angels in the Outfield still maintains an innocent charm that is irresistible to baseball fans of a perennial losing team. After all we found out in Damn Yankees the kind of outside help they've been getting to stay on top.
Nine years later the Pirates were in fact World Series winners, humbling the mighty Yankees in seven games. And for thirty years after that the Pirates were a contending ball club. They're back in the doldrums that Angels in the Outfield portrays. Maybe time for another heavenly assist.
Lightweight Fluff
Hitchcoc5 November 2010
This is a nicely done little film of the feel-good variety that dominated the fifties. It is the story of an unsuccessful baseball manager whose temper and general disdain for his players has cost him dearly--he is just moving through life. Enter an angel who lays down terms this man must follow in order to redeem himself. Also, he finds a pretty reporter and a little orphan girl who has the ability to actually see the angels as they assist the lowly Pirates. Of course, at some point everything has to return to his having to trust strictly in himself and his players. The angels got him so far--now it's his turn. The baseball scenes are pretty well done and realistic for the most part. It is formulaic but still pulls at the heartstrings.
Highly enjoyable family film of the 1950s...
moonspinner556 April 2008
Baseball and fantasy combine to make exceptionally comfortable movie partners here, as the hot-headed, foul-mouthed (for 1951) manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team learns to clean up his act after he and his losing team receive Divine Intervention on the playing field. Potentially sticky premise gets some heavenly assistance of its own, with Paul Douglas just about perfect in the lead. He's supported by a fine cast, including Keenan Wynn, Janet Leigh (looking lovely), as well as Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and Bing Crosby in smart cameos. The whimsical script is surprisingly witty, and the direction is straightforward and never too mawkish. Remade by the Disney people in 1994, with one major difference: in this one, you don't see the angels. *** from ****
A More Innocent Era In The World OF Baseball
sddavis6313 February 2016
Oh how times have changed in the world of baseball. Today we worry about performance enhancing drugs and steroid scandals and players cheating, along with multi-million dollar contracts and ridiculously priced tickets. Back in 1951, apparently the biggest scandal would be a manager who believes he talks to angels! And ends up being threatened with discipline for no reason other than that his belief in angels apparently makes him a better person and his team a better team!
Paul Douglas played Guffy McGovern, the manager of the sad-sack Pittsburgh Pirates - a bad joke around the world of baseball. McGovern is mean and demanding to his players, abusive toward the umpires (this being a family movie, I love the very innocent and even humorous way that he's depicted swearing) and he's involved in a long running feud with broadcaster Fred Bayles (Keenan Wynne.) But there's a little girl named Bridget in an orphanage run by nuns who prays for the Pirates and McGovern every day. Her prayers get heard, and all of a sudden heaven is on the Pirates' side. There aren't just angels in the outfield - they're in the infield, in the dugout and sitting on the scoreboard, too. And with the help of the angels the Pirates are transformed into contenders. But when, partly the result of stories written by reporter Jennifer Paige (a very young and beautiful Janet Leigh), people find out that McGovern is consorting with these heavenly beings - well, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, Bayles has evidence that McGovern is crazy, the Commissioner of Baseball holds a hearing. My gosh, you'd have thought this was about Pete Rose gambling again.
It's a very innocent movie - quaint even - when sports wasn't quite the big business it is today and when society wasn't quite as cynical about the stars. It's humorous - but not over the top - and Donna Corcoran (who plays Bridget) is an adorable 8 year old baseball fan who just wants the Pirates to win. On occasion it's even thoughtful - there's some commentary on the debate between belief and disbelief, but - as with most other things in this movie - there's no heavy duty religious content. The baseball action is even pretty well done. Perhaps it turns a bit overly sweet toward the end, but basically, this is a very enjoyable movie - perhaps not the best baseball movie ever made ("Pride Of The Yankees" still holds that place in my books), but quite well done. (7/10)
Paul Douglas played Guffy McGovern, the manager of the sad-sack Pittsburgh Pirates - a bad joke around the world of baseball. McGovern is mean and demanding to his players, abusive toward the umpires (this being a family movie, I love the very innocent and even humorous way that he's depicted swearing) and he's involved in a long running feud with broadcaster Fred Bayles (Keenan Wynne.) But there's a little girl named Bridget in an orphanage run by nuns who prays for the Pirates and McGovern every day. Her prayers get heard, and all of a sudden heaven is on the Pirates' side. There aren't just angels in the outfield - they're in the infield, in the dugout and sitting on the scoreboard, too. And with the help of the angels the Pirates are transformed into contenders. But when, partly the result of stories written by reporter Jennifer Paige (a very young and beautiful Janet Leigh), people find out that McGovern is consorting with these heavenly beings - well, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, Bayles has evidence that McGovern is crazy, the Commissioner of Baseball holds a hearing. My gosh, you'd have thought this was about Pete Rose gambling again.
It's a very innocent movie - quaint even - when sports wasn't quite the big business it is today and when society wasn't quite as cynical about the stars. It's humorous - but not over the top - and Donna Corcoran (who plays Bridget) is an adorable 8 year old baseball fan who just wants the Pirates to win. On occasion it's even thoughtful - there's some commentary on the debate between belief and disbelief, but - as with most other things in this movie - there's no heavy duty religious content. The baseball action is even pretty well done. Perhaps it turns a bit overly sweet toward the end, but basically, this is a very enjoyable movie - perhaps not the best baseball movie ever made ("Pride Of The Yankees" still holds that place in my books), but quite well done. (7/10)
How I miss Forbes Field
War514-15 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
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.
Baseball Classic
utgard1427 July 2017
Charming comedy about the Pittsburgh Pirates, a last-place baseball team led by cantankerous manager Paul Douglas, who mount a comeback with help from an angel (voiced by James Whitmore). The heavenly intervention comes with a price, however: the angel and his friends will continue to cheat for the Pirates so long as Douglas can control his temper and foul language.
A very cute movie that's fun for the whole family and should leave a smile on the face of all but the grouchiest of us. Paul Douglas plays the kind of role he was perfectly suited for. Janet Leigh is enjoyable as the lady reporter who takes a personal interest in Douglas. While I enjoyed the two of them separately, I have to say their romance is a little hard to swallow given the twenty year age difference. Good support from Keenan Wynn, Marvin Kaplan, Bruce Bennett, and Spring Byington. Donna Corcoran is fun as the orphan girl who prays for the Pirates to get some help. This is a fun movie from MGM with a Disney feel, which may explain why Disney chose to remake it in the '90s. Oh, and this is another movie that falls in the category of "heavenly beings commit crimes (and sins) to help individual humans out" movies. The most shocking of which that I've seen was Heaven Only Knows, a western in which God helps Brian Donlevy kill a guy.
A very cute movie that's fun for the whole family and should leave a smile on the face of all but the grouchiest of us. Paul Douglas plays the kind of role he was perfectly suited for. Janet Leigh is enjoyable as the lady reporter who takes a personal interest in Douglas. While I enjoyed the two of them separately, I have to say their romance is a little hard to swallow given the twenty year age difference. Good support from Keenan Wynn, Marvin Kaplan, Bruce Bennett, and Spring Byington. Donna Corcoran is fun as the orphan girl who prays for the Pirates to get some help. This is a fun movie from MGM with a Disney feel, which may explain why Disney chose to remake it in the '90s. Oh, and this is another movie that falls in the category of "heavenly beings commit crimes (and sins) to help individual humans out" movies. The most shocking of which that I've seen was Heaven Only Knows, a western in which God helps Brian Donlevy kill a guy.
Prayers of the young are answered
jcholguin11 August 2001
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team in disarray and just keep on losing. Could the reason be the manager Guffy McGovern played by Paul Douglas as the reporter Jennifer Paige and the players believe. Guffy has a foul mouth whenever he gets angry which is most of the time. Unbeknown to Guffy and the Pirates is a little orphan girl that is praying for them. God hears her prayers and sends an angel to help but only if Guffy can control his temper and mouth. Guffy does and the team starts to win. Little Bridget White, the orphaned girl gets a chance to attend a game and is the only one to see angels behind the ball players. Can Guffy change his ways and will Bridget find a home? At the end is a very touching decision by Guffy concerning his old bitter friend, a washed-up pitcher that started the game as to whether to stay with him in the ninth or to replace him. Excellent film for those that believe in the power of prayer.
Had I seen it in my childhood, it would have been my nostalgia forever.
SAMTHEBESTEST26 May 2023
Angels in the Outfield (1951) :
Brief Review -
Had I seen it in my childhood, it would have been my nostalgia forever. Clarence Brown had shown that he was good at comedies way back in the 30s, but then dramas took over him, and we had to wait till the 50s to see him revisiting his den. Angels in the Outfield has to be one of his last (or could be his last) best comedies that can be enjoyed without any restriction. No age bar is required, no brain is needed, and there are no awkward moments either. It's not brainless, though. I remember watching Rajiv Mehra's bollywood fantasy comedy "Chamtkar" (1992), even though that film had a different story. There was this angle-type character who made a team win a cricket match. In Angels in the Outfield, we have angles making the Pittsburgh Pirates team win baseball matches. Also, that Lage Rahi Munna Bhai scene of a doctor's consultation to test if a man really talks to an invisible angel was pretty easy to digest. When you see Guffy McGovern's character in the first few scenes, you start loathing him. I just didn't like the way it started. Also, the words were not clear, so half the time, I couldn't understand what he was saying. Then came the angel, who took the film in the right direction. The little girl added more cuteness, while Paige, as a journalist and Guffy's lover, was damn too mainstream. It's a fantasy done right, but the comedy isn't as high as I expected. Paul Douglas is the soul of the film, despite a few loose ends, and Janet Leigh is the perfect girl but an imperfect journalist. The cute little girl Donna Corcoran comes halfway but still manages to take over full attention by the end. We couldn't see angels in the film, but we saw Donna. She wasn't no less than an angel herself. Clarence Brown's impact as a director will always fascinate me. Thanks, man; you have been a good caretaker of the cinema.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Had I seen it in my childhood, it would have been my nostalgia forever. Clarence Brown had shown that he was good at comedies way back in the 30s, but then dramas took over him, and we had to wait till the 50s to see him revisiting his den. Angels in the Outfield has to be one of his last (or could be his last) best comedies that can be enjoyed without any restriction. No age bar is required, no brain is needed, and there are no awkward moments either. It's not brainless, though. I remember watching Rajiv Mehra's bollywood fantasy comedy "Chamtkar" (1992), even though that film had a different story. There was this angle-type character who made a team win a cricket match. In Angels in the Outfield, we have angles making the Pittsburgh Pirates team win baseball matches. Also, that Lage Rahi Munna Bhai scene of a doctor's consultation to test if a man really talks to an invisible angel was pretty easy to digest. When you see Guffy McGovern's character in the first few scenes, you start loathing him. I just didn't like the way it started. Also, the words were not clear, so half the time, I couldn't understand what he was saying. Then came the angel, who took the film in the right direction. The little girl added more cuteness, while Paige, as a journalist and Guffy's lover, was damn too mainstream. It's a fantasy done right, but the comedy isn't as high as I expected. Paul Douglas is the soul of the film, despite a few loose ends, and Janet Leigh is the perfect girl but an imperfect journalist. The cute little girl Donna Corcoran comes halfway but still manages to take over full attention by the end. We couldn't see angels in the film, but we saw Donna. She wasn't no less than an angel herself. Clarence Brown's impact as a director will always fascinate me. Thanks, man; you have been a good caretaker of the cinema.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A Good Family Movie
Maxi-1428 October 1999
A wonderful baseball movie with more depth than the Disney rendition. Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh are wonderfully cast as the gruff team manager and female reporter out for a story. It was a treat to see Barbara Billingsley as the hat check girl in the resteraunt. Some very famous ball players make guest appearances, which is a real treat.
This is a touching movie that the whole family can enjoy. It has similarities and some serious differences with the modern Disney rendition of this film.
This is a touching movie that the whole family can enjoy. It has similarities and some serious differences with the modern Disney rendition of this film.
When a broken down old ball team starts winning games, something's up.
mark.waltz17 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Magical and pleasant, but not spectacular, this has been saved from obscurity thanks to the 1984 Disney remake. Then at Forbes Field without a remarkable stadium like Three Rivers would be several decades later, the Pirates were not the winners that they would be decades later. They certainly needed angels on their shoulders, and that's happens here, revealed by an orphaned little girl Donna Corcoran.
She's in attendance with two of the nuns from the orphanage (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby), and with female sports journalist Janet Leigh reporting, the story gets out, giving head coach Paul Douglas something to really pray about. A great ensemble of contract players includes Keenan Wynn as a cynical radio broadcaster, Lewis Stone, Bruce Bennett and James Whitmore as the voice of the angel. Baseball legends Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio also appear to provide newsreel commentary along with Bing Crosby, seen on the golf course.
Sweet and uplifting, but focusing on pathos and sentiment and lighter humor rather than slapstick, this wasn't a hit surprisingly, but definitely deserves classic status due to its love of the great American past time. Leigh's character can be a bit of a pill, but she's well meaning, and as usual, Douglas is a loveable grump. Fortunately, Corcoran is subtle in her cuteness, more natural and less precocious than her MGM predecessor, Margaret O'Brien. No real surprises but a pleasant and amusing time passer.
She's in attendance with two of the nuns from the orphanage (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby), and with female sports journalist Janet Leigh reporting, the story gets out, giving head coach Paul Douglas something to really pray about. A great ensemble of contract players includes Keenan Wynn as a cynical radio broadcaster, Lewis Stone, Bruce Bennett and James Whitmore as the voice of the angel. Baseball legends Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio also appear to provide newsreel commentary along with Bing Crosby, seen on the golf course.
Sweet and uplifting, but focusing on pathos and sentiment and lighter humor rather than slapstick, this wasn't a hit surprisingly, but definitely deserves classic status due to its love of the great American past time. Leigh's character can be a bit of a pill, but she's well meaning, and as usual, Douglas is a loveable grump. Fortunately, Corcoran is subtle in her cuteness, more natural and less precocious than her MGM predecessor, Margaret O'Brien. No real surprises but a pleasant and amusing time passer.
Much Prefer This One To Re-Make
ccthemovieman-125 March 2006
This was a nice film, nothing special, but certainly better than the terrible Disney re-make in 1994.
The baseball scenes were pretty good and they should have stayed more with that. They had footage from real-life Pittsburgh Pirates games and that helped make it look more genuine than most sports films that Hollywood made back in the 1940s. Paul Douglas was pretty funny, especially when he started "swearing," mixing his sentences together so you couldn't understand anything he said.
Once again, as was the case in a number of classic films, the story was going along pretty well and then a sappy romance ruins things. I'm all for romance but they are done so stupidly in most films, it's an insult to your intelligence.
The little girl in the movie, "Bridget White," (Donna Corcoran) was a cute, sweet little thing. She lives in an orphanage run by nuns (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby are featured). It's interesting to note that all the pro-religious scenes in here were deleted in the 1994 Disney version.
The villain of this movie turns out to be the baseball announcer, of all things. Keenan Wynn plays the role so effectively you want to reach through the television and punch this guy out!
The baseball scenes were pretty good and they should have stayed more with that. They had footage from real-life Pittsburgh Pirates games and that helped make it look more genuine than most sports films that Hollywood made back in the 1940s. Paul Douglas was pretty funny, especially when he started "swearing," mixing his sentences together so you couldn't understand anything he said.
Once again, as was the case in a number of classic films, the story was going along pretty well and then a sappy romance ruins things. I'm all for romance but they are done so stupidly in most films, it's an insult to your intelligence.
The little girl in the movie, "Bridget White," (Donna Corcoran) was a cute, sweet little thing. She lives in an orphanage run by nuns (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby are featured). It's interesting to note that all the pro-religious scenes in here were deleted in the 1994 Disney version.
The villain of this movie turns out to be the baseball announcer, of all things. Keenan Wynn plays the role so effectively you want to reach through the television and punch this guy out!
Everyman in a light sports comedy
SimonJack22 September 2019
"Angels in the Outfield" is a light sports comedy and faith fantasy that has Paul Douglas as the new manager of the major league Pittsburgh Pirates, Aloysius X. 'Guffy' McGovern. Baseball managers of the day were known to speak vocabularies punctuated with any number of expletives, especially during games. The film stops just short of such language, but one gets the message by McGovern's persona in the opening.
The Pirates have been on a slump, and under the new manager things begin to change slowly. This is due, in part, to a woman reporter who begins to cover baseball games. Janet Leigh's Jennifer Paige gets the assignment after a tip that a young girl from one of the Catholic schools in the city saw angels on the field during one of the games. McGovern never gets to see the angels, but in time he can talk with them. All of this is meant to change the hard-nosed, gruffy McGovern.
Toward the end, romance seems to be in the air for McGovern and Paige. That is a bit of a stretch with the huge difference in ages and McGovern's rugged physical appearance. Still, in times past, it was common for older men and younger women to marry. And, this is an everyman story.
The story is nice, with light humor in places. Otherwise, it isn't an overly compelling plot. A number of well-known supporting actors contribute to the story. Among them are Keenan Wynn, Lewis Stone, Spring Byington, Bruce Bennett and Marvin Kaplan.
While not of the stature of the more handsome leading men of the time, Paul Douglas was a very good actor. He played a variety of roles, with equal ability - whether comedy, drama or mystery. Douglas was more of the everyman that audiences could then - and can yet, identify with. Hits at the box office were common for the handsome MGM players of the day. But, with stars like Douglas, it depended more on the story, quality of the film, and even moods in the culture at the time. Douglas died eight years after this film was made, at age 52.
The Pirates have been on a slump, and under the new manager things begin to change slowly. This is due, in part, to a woman reporter who begins to cover baseball games. Janet Leigh's Jennifer Paige gets the assignment after a tip that a young girl from one of the Catholic schools in the city saw angels on the field during one of the games. McGovern never gets to see the angels, but in time he can talk with them. All of this is meant to change the hard-nosed, gruffy McGovern.
Toward the end, romance seems to be in the air for McGovern and Paige. That is a bit of a stretch with the huge difference in ages and McGovern's rugged physical appearance. Still, in times past, it was common for older men and younger women to marry. And, this is an everyman story.
The story is nice, with light humor in places. Otherwise, it isn't an overly compelling plot. A number of well-known supporting actors contribute to the story. Among them are Keenan Wynn, Lewis Stone, Spring Byington, Bruce Bennett and Marvin Kaplan.
While not of the stature of the more handsome leading men of the time, Paul Douglas was a very good actor. He played a variety of roles, with equal ability - whether comedy, drama or mystery. Douglas was more of the everyman that audiences could then - and can yet, identify with. Hits at the box office were common for the handsome MGM players of the day. But, with stars like Douglas, it depended more on the story, quality of the film, and even moods in the culture at the time. Douglas died eight years after this film was made, at age 52.
"Alright, you play ball with me and I'll play ball with you".
classicsoncall9 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
You pick up some interesting tidbits watching these old flicks on Turner Classics when they're hosted by one of their movie critic pros. For example, when Janet Leigh visited Forbes Field to see where this movie was being filmed, she stepped on the infield grass in her high heels and they immediately sank into the turf. Pittsburgh Pirate Ralph Kiner came to her rescue and carried her off the field and some newspaper photographers captured the moment. What seemed like a romantic match-up turned to naught because Leigh was engaged to Tony Curtis at the time.
Well this was a nice engaging family picture with a baseball backdrop but I think there was a missed opportunity. Being a fantasy, it could have been more whimsical if the film makers had actually put some angels on screen, you know, maybe borrow someone like Cary Grant or Constance Bennett from 1937's "Topper" to liven things up. OK, they were ghosts but you know what I mean. A couple of winged apparitions behind each of the players might have given more credence to the title.
I'd also question the casting of Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh as potential romantics. It worked out for the story but I don't see the connection to reality if you wanted to maintain some credibility for the outcome. Oh well, with angels in the outfield, there wasn't going to be a lot of credibility left to go around anyway.
What I really found interesting was seeing Forbes Field the way it was back in the day. To me it didn't look much bigger or better looking than the ball field my home town semi-pro team used back in the early Sixties. I never went to a professional baseball game as a kid, and was never to a big league ball park until the Seventies, so my only basis for comparison would be the old Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium in New York. Come to think of it, those aren't around anymore either. Boy, time does go by.
I'll say one thing though. The story really made you think about the plight of orphans, as in little Bridget's (Donna Corcoran) case where she had spent her entire life of eight years in one. It seemed extremely sad that she was 'given' a birthday by the nuns because no one knew when she was really born. That seemed just so incredibly sad, on top of the ruses the orphan girls thought they needed to attract potential parents, like taking off their glasses. It really makes you think about how lucky most of us are.
Well anyway, long before the Los Angeles Angels ever held a home field advantage, this film entertained a good idea about how to treat one another both on and off the field. It might not be the greatest baseball movie, but where else would you ever be able to see Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb and Bing Crosby all in one place at the same time. And if you're a seasoned citizen like myself, you won't have any trouble picking out the Beav's mom herself, Barbara Billingsley in a couple of scenes as the hat check girl at Johnny's Steakhouse. Just another reason I get a kick out of these old pictures.
Well this was a nice engaging family picture with a baseball backdrop but I think there was a missed opportunity. Being a fantasy, it could have been more whimsical if the film makers had actually put some angels on screen, you know, maybe borrow someone like Cary Grant or Constance Bennett from 1937's "Topper" to liven things up. OK, they were ghosts but you know what I mean. A couple of winged apparitions behind each of the players might have given more credence to the title.
I'd also question the casting of Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh as potential romantics. It worked out for the story but I don't see the connection to reality if you wanted to maintain some credibility for the outcome. Oh well, with angels in the outfield, there wasn't going to be a lot of credibility left to go around anyway.
What I really found interesting was seeing Forbes Field the way it was back in the day. To me it didn't look much bigger or better looking than the ball field my home town semi-pro team used back in the early Sixties. I never went to a professional baseball game as a kid, and was never to a big league ball park until the Seventies, so my only basis for comparison would be the old Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium in New York. Come to think of it, those aren't around anymore either. Boy, time does go by.
I'll say one thing though. The story really made you think about the plight of orphans, as in little Bridget's (Donna Corcoran) case where she had spent her entire life of eight years in one. It seemed extremely sad that she was 'given' a birthday by the nuns because no one knew when she was really born. That seemed just so incredibly sad, on top of the ruses the orphan girls thought they needed to attract potential parents, like taking off their glasses. It really makes you think about how lucky most of us are.
Well anyway, long before the Los Angeles Angels ever held a home field advantage, this film entertained a good idea about how to treat one another both on and off the field. It might not be the greatest baseball movie, but where else would you ever be able to see Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb and Bing Crosby all in one place at the same time. And if you're a seasoned citizen like myself, you won't have any trouble picking out the Beav's mom herself, Barbara Billingsley in a couple of scenes as the hat check girl at Johnny's Steakhouse. Just another reason I get a kick out of these old pictures.
Angels in the Outfield (1951)
fntstcplnt13 November 2019
Directed by Clarence Brown. Starring Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Donna Corcoran, Keenan Wynn, Spring Byington, Bruce Bennett, Ellen Corby, Lewis Stone, Marvin Kaplan, King Donovan, Jeff Richards, (voice) James Whitmore.
Innocuous, good-hearted fantasy film about the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates getting help winning some games from baseball-loving angels, so long as their combative manager (Douglas) cleans up his belligerent, foul-mouthed ways (even though the greatest sin he commits in the movie is pouring ketchup on a steak). Leigh is the women's advice reporter breaking the outlandish story; Corcoran the young orphan doing the praying. Has a breezy pace and some snappy dialogue at the outset, bogs down later with too much "cute" humor and lead-footed storytelling, even inserting an unnecessary (and very unlikely) romance. Several missed opportunities along the way; e.g., why not have Douglas struggle more with keeping a cool temper and clean vocabulary, or why isn't there more of an exploration about why the heavenly intervention is happening (theology may not be on the minds of the filmmakers, but the "Miracle on 34th Street"-esque courtroom scenes almost demand it)? Features several celebrity cameos, including Ty Cobb--surprisingly, his appearance doesn't cause all the holy interlopers to flee in terror. Remade by Disney in 1994, with the team in question being (appropriately) swapped for the California Angels.
58/100
Innocuous, good-hearted fantasy film about the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates getting help winning some games from baseball-loving angels, so long as their combative manager (Douglas) cleans up his belligerent, foul-mouthed ways (even though the greatest sin he commits in the movie is pouring ketchup on a steak). Leigh is the women's advice reporter breaking the outlandish story; Corcoran the young orphan doing the praying. Has a breezy pace and some snappy dialogue at the outset, bogs down later with too much "cute" humor and lead-footed storytelling, even inserting an unnecessary (and very unlikely) romance. Several missed opportunities along the way; e.g., why not have Douglas struggle more with keeping a cool temper and clean vocabulary, or why isn't there more of an exploration about why the heavenly intervention is happening (theology may not be on the minds of the filmmakers, but the "Miracle on 34th Street"-esque courtroom scenes almost demand it)? Features several celebrity cameos, including Ty Cobb--surprisingly, his appearance doesn't cause all the holy interlopers to flee in terror. Remade by Disney in 1994, with the team in question being (appropriately) swapped for the California Angels.
58/100
Angels Alert
smithy-82 November 2003
"Angels in the Outfield" (1951) is the one of the best and most original comedies ever made. It is about a baseball manager (Paul Douglas) who loses his temper too much until he hears an angel's voice (James Whitmore), who makes a deal with him. He and his other angels will help the baseball team win games if the manager stops losing his temper. When the deal is set, the manager's life changes. It is a lovely movie to watch.
The movie should have been nominated with Academy Awards for the major categories. It was totally ignored. Paul Douglas and Bruce Bennett, as the aging baseball player, should have been nominated for best actor and best supporting actor. They have something in common; both of them made another great movie in their long careers: Douglas made "Letter to Three Wives" and Bennett made "Mildred Pierce". "Angels in the Outfield" was perfectly cast. Another outstanding performance was by Kennan Wynn in his best role and best movie. Mr. Wynn should have been nominated for best supporting actor, too.
The movie should have been nominated with Academy Awards for the major categories. It was totally ignored. Paul Douglas and Bruce Bennett, as the aging baseball player, should have been nominated for best actor and best supporting actor. They have something in common; both of them made another great movie in their long careers: Douglas made "Letter to Three Wives" and Bennett made "Mildred Pierce". "Angels in the Outfield" was perfectly cast. Another outstanding performance was by Kennan Wynn in his best role and best movie. Mr. Wynn should have been nominated for best supporting actor, too.
It stands in the shadow of similar films, but Paul Douglas' performance and a genuine love of Baseball make it a enjoyable sit
IonicBreezeMachine30 March 2022
Aloysius "Guffy" McGovern (Paul Douglas) is the fouled mouthed abrasive manager of the baseball team the Pittsburgh Pirates who have been stuck in a slump only fueling his bad temper. When wandering onto the field after a game to look for a missing charm, a voice claiming to belong to an angel (James Whitmore) chides Guffy for his abuse to his fellow man and polluting the air with his foul mouth. The angel makes a deal with Guffy that if he can clean up his behavior him and his heavenly choir will help him with some of his games and get his team out of its slump, Guffy agress and eventually the Pirates become contenders for the pennant. Along the way Guffy befriends a little orphan girl Bridget White (Donna Corcoran) who can see the angels, as his road to the pennant is covered by newspaper writer Jennifer Paige (Janet Leigh).
Written by Jesuit priest Fr. Grady under the pen name Riachard Conlin, the story was purchased by MGM as a vehicle for Spencer Tracy, before unsuccessfully trying to attach Clark Gable and James Cagney before settling on Paul Douglas. The film has many similarities in its DNA to other fantastical films of the era such as Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life and with its mixture of magic realism and baseball its not unthinkable future films such as Field of Dreams took inspiration from this movie. While a net loss upon initial release, Angels in the Outfield has become a minor classic that while not as well regarded as similar films of the time is pleasant diversion.
Paul Douglas had a brief run as a leading man in films in the early 50s and never became the audience draw the studios were hoping for, which is a shame because Douglas does quite well as Guffy with his brash abrasiveness softening over time well-acted. The movie is essentially a character piece with Guffy having an arc throughout the course of the film and creating a family for himself with young orphan Bridget and reporter Jennifer Paige who are both portrayed effectively by Donna Corcoran and Janet Leigh respectively. While Guffy's arc through the movie is paced effectively and has some great moments of charm and humanity, it's also maybe a little too removed from some of Guffy's past with a lot of it told to us rather than shown firsthand. The movie also has a hearing with the commissioner of baseball that feels a little heavy handed and I personally felt maybe it could've been a little more ambiguous with the fantasy elements rather than the route it takes, but is does lead to a good moment of humor between McGovern's three "witnesses".
Angels in the Outfield isn't a classic in the same league as Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life which its clearly trying to aim for in terms of pathos, but it is a solid character piece with some charming scenes and a good performance by Paul Douglas.
Written by Jesuit priest Fr. Grady under the pen name Riachard Conlin, the story was purchased by MGM as a vehicle for Spencer Tracy, before unsuccessfully trying to attach Clark Gable and James Cagney before settling on Paul Douglas. The film has many similarities in its DNA to other fantastical films of the era such as Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life and with its mixture of magic realism and baseball its not unthinkable future films such as Field of Dreams took inspiration from this movie. While a net loss upon initial release, Angels in the Outfield has become a minor classic that while not as well regarded as similar films of the time is pleasant diversion.
Paul Douglas had a brief run as a leading man in films in the early 50s and never became the audience draw the studios were hoping for, which is a shame because Douglas does quite well as Guffy with his brash abrasiveness softening over time well-acted. The movie is essentially a character piece with Guffy having an arc throughout the course of the film and creating a family for himself with young orphan Bridget and reporter Jennifer Paige who are both portrayed effectively by Donna Corcoran and Janet Leigh respectively. While Guffy's arc through the movie is paced effectively and has some great moments of charm and humanity, it's also maybe a little too removed from some of Guffy's past with a lot of it told to us rather than shown firsthand. The movie also has a hearing with the commissioner of baseball that feels a little heavy handed and I personally felt maybe it could've been a little more ambiguous with the fantasy elements rather than the route it takes, but is does lead to a good moment of humor between McGovern's three "witnesses".
Angels in the Outfield isn't a classic in the same league as Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life which its clearly trying to aim for in terms of pathos, but it is a solid character piece with some charming scenes and a good performance by Paul Douglas.
Authenticity knocks
mayreh@att.net11 July 2008
In 1951, the year of this film's release, the Pirates were in a very long dry spell, 9 years prior to their first World Series appearance since 1927. The obvious set-up : "Heaven help the Pirates".
I saw this picture as an adolescent during its theatrical release, and 5 times recently. In addition to perfect casting of Paul Douglas, then in his prime - having recently filmed "Panic in the Streets" , the supporting cast is superb, notably Spring Byington and Ellen Corby as Sisters and Janet Leigh is a very credible love interest .Donna Corcoran is a wonderful orphan.
What I admire almost as much as the acting, premise and writing is the director's use of actual Pittsburgh locations, although there was no imperative to do so. Included: the King Edward Apartments, Forbes Field, PCC trolley cars, Bigelow Boulevard, Checker cabs. As a former Pittsburgher, I can attest to the authenticity of these elements.
A sentimental favorite of mine, but not just for Pittsburgh fans.
I saw this picture as an adolescent during its theatrical release, and 5 times recently. In addition to perfect casting of Paul Douglas, then in his prime - having recently filmed "Panic in the Streets" , the supporting cast is superb, notably Spring Byington and Ellen Corby as Sisters and Janet Leigh is a very credible love interest .Donna Corcoran is a wonderful orphan.
What I admire almost as much as the acting, premise and writing is the director's use of actual Pittsburgh locations, although there was no imperative to do so. Included: the King Edward Apartments, Forbes Field, PCC trolley cars, Bigelow Boulevard, Checker cabs. As a former Pittsburgher, I can attest to the authenticity of these elements.
A sentimental favorite of mine, but not just for Pittsburgh fans.
A wonderful film
alpjaj20 July 2007
A real classic and one of my all time favorite movies. So many wonderful moments throughout the film. Paul Douglas is great as Guffy McGovern, a rough, tough hard-nosed baseball manager. His guardian angel changes his ways as the Pirates go from worst to first. Keenan Wynn - don't you think he's the role model for today's outspoken writers and sports radio guys? I cheer every time Guffy punches his lights out.
Yeah, the movie's syrupy and has a few clichés, but man, it sure resonated with me when I was younger and still does today. Whenever something goofy happens in a real baseball game I wonder if there's an angel out there wreaking some havoc on a hapless player.
Yeah, the movie's syrupy and has a few clichés, but man, it sure resonated with me when I was younger and still does today. Whenever something goofy happens in a real baseball game I wonder if there's an angel out there wreaking some havoc on a hapless player.
A mixed bag
richard-17873 October 2013
It's hard to believe that this movie was directed by Clarence Brown, who gave us such masterpieces as Garbo in Anna Karenina, Gable and Shearer in Idiot's Delight, and a very moving adaptation of Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust. Be that as it may, this a a generally flat film, with no real sense of pacing. The actors are all fine - indeed, much better than their material - but they can't make a silk purse out of this sow's ear.
Which is not to say that there is nothing of value here, however. The last part of the movie, which doesn't build a lot of tension, nevertheless shows the main character doing something very decent. It could be developed a lot more effectively, I suppose, but there's something very satisfying about that. (I won't go into details, because I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone.) Yes, this movie is worth watching. It's not close to being a great movie, but it won't waste your time, either.
-------------------------
I watched this again tonight on TCM. The basic plot - a baseball manager's conversations with angels - is pure fantasy, and not that interesting. It is also very much a repeat of the 1947 20th Century Fox hit Miracle on 34th Street, especially in the final courtroom scene, where, this time, various witnesses are called in to prove the existence of angels, as opposed to Santa Claus. For that, Miracle was a much better movie than this.
But where this movie is interesting is its recreation of baseball in the late 1940s/early 1950s. The Pittsburgh "fans" turn downright vicious when they fear leaving an aging pitcher in will cause them to lose the game they need to win the pennant. There are other touches here and there that come off as very real, despite the fantasy of the main story line.
As I wrote last year, you won't waste your time watching this movie. Some of it is blatant emotion manipulation. But there are interesting elements in it as well.
Which is not to say that there is nothing of value here, however. The last part of the movie, which doesn't build a lot of tension, nevertheless shows the main character doing something very decent. It could be developed a lot more effectively, I suppose, but there's something very satisfying about that. (I won't go into details, because I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone.) Yes, this movie is worth watching. It's not close to being a great movie, but it won't waste your time, either.
-------------------------
I watched this again tonight on TCM. The basic plot - a baseball manager's conversations with angels - is pure fantasy, and not that interesting. It is also very much a repeat of the 1947 20th Century Fox hit Miracle on 34th Street, especially in the final courtroom scene, where, this time, various witnesses are called in to prove the existence of angels, as opposed to Santa Claus. For that, Miracle was a much better movie than this.
But where this movie is interesting is its recreation of baseball in the late 1940s/early 1950s. The Pittsburgh "fans" turn downright vicious when they fear leaving an aging pitcher in will cause them to lose the game they need to win the pennant. There are other touches here and there that come off as very real, despite the fantasy of the main story line.
As I wrote last year, you won't waste your time watching this movie. Some of it is blatant emotion manipulation. But there are interesting elements in it as well.
Complete surprise
poppa4life3 September 2002
I caught this movie on AMC late one Saturday night. The difference from this movie classic and the Disney effort was like night and day. This movie had more feeling and better acting. Don't Get me wrong, Danny Glover and Joseph Gordan-Levett, and Tony Danza did well, but not as good as the original cast.
suitable for the whole family
disdressed1218 March 2010
i thought this was a very touching heartwarming comedy/fantasy/baseball movie that's suitable for the whole family.sure it's a bit predictable and maybe a bit sappy,and hokey,but not overly.it's good quality entertainment that might just warm your heart.and there's nothing wrong with that.i chuckled quite a bit.i think i even had a tear or two in my eye.this is one of those feel good movies that will lift your spirits if you're feeling down.Janet Leigh and Paul Douglas are great together and Donna Corcoran as eight year old Bridget White is adorable.overall,a very good heartwarming film that the whole family can enjoy.for me Angels in the Outfield is an 8/10
Great Baseball Movie.
lunzy24 November 1999
This movie has to be an all time classic about baseball.It's a story about the Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.It has comedy,and even some serious scenes in this movie.The acting by Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh are just great.Keenan Wynn plays his usual villain type part.This movie should be considered one of the Classic baseball movies that were made.
Sentimental 'Angels in the Outfield' (1951) can't compare to much more compelling 'It Happens Every Spring' (1949)
Turfseer30 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I like to compare 'It Happens Every Spring' with 'Angels in the Outfield' as they were filmed within two years of each other (1949 and 1951), are both about baseball and feature Paul Douglas in key roles. 'Spring' is a vastly superior film in almost every way. The protagonist, Vernon K. Simpson, played by Ray Milland, is a chemistry professor who, as a result of an accident, gains access to a wood repellent formula which he uses to become a star pitcher. It's a great fish out of water story where the introverted professor is thrust into the gruff baseball world, and must prove his mettle amongst street smart ballplayers. Douglas plays ally Monk Lanigan, a catcher who looks after Vernon, but is constantly at odds with him since the star pitcher is determined to keep his identity a secret so that his girlfriend and her father (the dean of the school), don't find out what he is up to.
In contrast, Douglas' role in 'Angels' is virtually a passive one. Here he's 'Guffy' McGovern, manager of the last place Pittsburgh Pirates, who has a chip on his shoulder. Throughout the first third of the movie, he's as mean as the film's antagonist, sports announcer Fred Bayles (Keenan Wynn) who's bitter after being canned as the Pirates' radio announcer at the behest of Guffy. Nothing is endearing or interesting about the Guffy character and one wonders why any club owner would keep such a surly person in charge of a baseball team (he's constantly berating his players after each game due to their poor play). Why is he so mean-spirited? The answer is simplistic: we find out much later on that apparently he was ditched by a woman for another ballplayer in his younger days!
Unlike Ray Milland's pitcher, who must actively overcome personal demons through self-actualized behavior, all Guffy has to do is to listen to an (unseen) angel in the outfield at the old Forbes Field Pirate ballpark advise him to keep his foul language in check and act a bit more graciously toward his fellow man; in exchange, through heavenly intervention, a few of the Pirate miscues in each game are reversed, resulting in the team's sudden improvement in the standings. All it takes is a Pirate winning streak and good old Guffy is no longer playing the part of the team misanthrope. Since Guffy is transformed into a good guy so early on in the film, the internal arc (self-conflict) is resolved.
Now with Guffy 'defanged', the rest of 'Angels' mainly features a polemic in favor of religion, pitted against scientific rationalism. Little Bridget White, a nine year old clairvoyant, is soon trotted out and she's the only one who can actually see the angels in the outfield. Also in the mix is the Mother Superior who's looking after little Bridget at the orphanage (the 'tough as nails' sister, is reminiscent of the nuns in 'The Sound of Music' who spunkily remove a spark plug from a car and prevent the Nazis from going after the fleeing Von Trapp family). Guffy is accused of being flat out crazy and the Commissioner of baseball is called in to determine whether he's acting toward the 'detriment' of the game. A creepy psychiatrist is cross-examined by the ever-belligerent broadcaster Bayles but both are made to look by fools when a Protestant Minister, a Rabbi and Catholic Priest testify in Guffy's defense—they argue that angels are certifiably real since they are referred to numerous times in both the Old and New Testaments.
After Guffy gets into a fistfight with Bayles, the angel concludes that he hasn't quite learned the lesson of 'turning the other cheek'. They'll be no more 'miracles' for the Pirates and they're now forced to win one last game for the pennant without heavenly intervention. Guffy must now put his 'faith' in a veteran pitcher whose performance of late has not been up to snuff. Of course the veteran bears down and ends up winning the game for his fellow Pirates. One additional happy-ending: Guffy will marry newspaper columnist Jennifer Paige (Janet Leigh) and they'll end up adopting little Bridget.
Speaking of Ms. Leigh, in her younger days, she certainly was most pleasing to the eyes—except here has little to do in this film; except perhaps cook dinner for Guffy and hug little Bridget, as the two cheer on the Pirates from the stands.
'Angels' has only one thing up on 'It Happens Every Spring': Many of the scenes were shot at the actual Forbes Field ballpark, effecting a visual verisimilitude the latter film lacks. In addition, 'Angels' sports cameos from both the sports and entertainment worlds including brief interviews with such 'luminaries' as Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby.
It's revealed at the end of the film that the angels actually are famous deceased ballplayers such as Babe Ruth and Christy Matthewson. It would have been nice if we could have actually seen the angels and the story would have been enhanced if they were given some kind of personality. Somehow, when we do hear the angel's off screen voice, those scenes don't work precisely because there's nothing happening that's visually interesting.
A good film needs to have both a strong internal and external arc. Unfortunately, there are no twists and turns once Guffy 'sees the light'. Couple that with an antagonist who has no charm, a protagonist who early on is just as surly and a storyline that rather makes an unconvincing case for the ascendancy of religion (i.e. spirituality) in modern life, Angels in the Outfield ends up failing on both counts.
Baseball is hardly the type of arena which should be equated with the world of the spirit. Despite also being a fantasy, 'It Happens Every Spring' has no illusions about the rough and tumble world of our national pastime. Why not catch it instead of the sentimental 'Angels in the Outfield'?
In contrast, Douglas' role in 'Angels' is virtually a passive one. Here he's 'Guffy' McGovern, manager of the last place Pittsburgh Pirates, who has a chip on his shoulder. Throughout the first third of the movie, he's as mean as the film's antagonist, sports announcer Fred Bayles (Keenan Wynn) who's bitter after being canned as the Pirates' radio announcer at the behest of Guffy. Nothing is endearing or interesting about the Guffy character and one wonders why any club owner would keep such a surly person in charge of a baseball team (he's constantly berating his players after each game due to their poor play). Why is he so mean-spirited? The answer is simplistic: we find out much later on that apparently he was ditched by a woman for another ballplayer in his younger days!
Unlike Ray Milland's pitcher, who must actively overcome personal demons through self-actualized behavior, all Guffy has to do is to listen to an (unseen) angel in the outfield at the old Forbes Field Pirate ballpark advise him to keep his foul language in check and act a bit more graciously toward his fellow man; in exchange, through heavenly intervention, a few of the Pirate miscues in each game are reversed, resulting in the team's sudden improvement in the standings. All it takes is a Pirate winning streak and good old Guffy is no longer playing the part of the team misanthrope. Since Guffy is transformed into a good guy so early on in the film, the internal arc (self-conflict) is resolved.
Now with Guffy 'defanged', the rest of 'Angels' mainly features a polemic in favor of religion, pitted against scientific rationalism. Little Bridget White, a nine year old clairvoyant, is soon trotted out and she's the only one who can actually see the angels in the outfield. Also in the mix is the Mother Superior who's looking after little Bridget at the orphanage (the 'tough as nails' sister, is reminiscent of the nuns in 'The Sound of Music' who spunkily remove a spark plug from a car and prevent the Nazis from going after the fleeing Von Trapp family). Guffy is accused of being flat out crazy and the Commissioner of baseball is called in to determine whether he's acting toward the 'detriment' of the game. A creepy psychiatrist is cross-examined by the ever-belligerent broadcaster Bayles but both are made to look by fools when a Protestant Minister, a Rabbi and Catholic Priest testify in Guffy's defense—they argue that angels are certifiably real since they are referred to numerous times in both the Old and New Testaments.
After Guffy gets into a fistfight with Bayles, the angel concludes that he hasn't quite learned the lesson of 'turning the other cheek'. They'll be no more 'miracles' for the Pirates and they're now forced to win one last game for the pennant without heavenly intervention. Guffy must now put his 'faith' in a veteran pitcher whose performance of late has not been up to snuff. Of course the veteran bears down and ends up winning the game for his fellow Pirates. One additional happy-ending: Guffy will marry newspaper columnist Jennifer Paige (Janet Leigh) and they'll end up adopting little Bridget.
Speaking of Ms. Leigh, in her younger days, she certainly was most pleasing to the eyes—except here has little to do in this film; except perhaps cook dinner for Guffy and hug little Bridget, as the two cheer on the Pirates from the stands.
'Angels' has only one thing up on 'It Happens Every Spring': Many of the scenes were shot at the actual Forbes Field ballpark, effecting a visual verisimilitude the latter film lacks. In addition, 'Angels' sports cameos from both the sports and entertainment worlds including brief interviews with such 'luminaries' as Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby.
It's revealed at the end of the film that the angels actually are famous deceased ballplayers such as Babe Ruth and Christy Matthewson. It would have been nice if we could have actually seen the angels and the story would have been enhanced if they were given some kind of personality. Somehow, when we do hear the angel's off screen voice, those scenes don't work precisely because there's nothing happening that's visually interesting.
A good film needs to have both a strong internal and external arc. Unfortunately, there are no twists and turns once Guffy 'sees the light'. Couple that with an antagonist who has no charm, a protagonist who early on is just as surly and a storyline that rather makes an unconvincing case for the ascendancy of religion (i.e. spirituality) in modern life, Angels in the Outfield ends up failing on both counts.
Baseball is hardly the type of arena which should be equated with the world of the spirit. Despite also being a fantasy, 'It Happens Every Spring' has no illusions about the rough and tumble world of our national pastime. Why not catch it instead of the sentimental 'Angels in the Outfield'?
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