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15 out of 16 people found the following review useful:
It's a Kid's movie.... c'mon now!, 1 August 2005
7/10
Author: screenwriter_rick from United States

I've just finished reading the reviews... and people are actually panning this movie! It's a kids movie, for god's sake. Give it a rest already.

This movie was released at a time when Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were the best baseball players that nearly anyone at that time had ever seen.... especially kids. And that is what this movie is about... and is for... kids.

It's not a bad film. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and one can truly sense the inner-desire that this young boy has to get 'close' to his baseball heroes. I think the people who have deeply criticized this film were probably never a true baseball fan as a kid... and cannot grasp what goes through a child's mind when he/she gets the opportunity to meet their living idol in person. I remember as a boy getting the opportunity to meet my favorite baseball player, Kent Hrbek of the Minnesota Twins, and it was a day that I cherish in my childhood.

And in this film, for a little boy to have the adventure that he had with the real life New York Yankees.... the Bronx Bombers.... the dream of a g'zillion little boys across our great land in 1961.... this is not a film to be panned. No, it's not a masterpiece, but as children's movies go.... I'd take this one over the majority of so-called kids films we see today.

I think too many of us tend to forget what childhood and those little pre-teen dreams were like..... but this movie will certainly bring them to remembrance.

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6 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Great For Boys Of A Certain Age, 27 March 2007
7/10
Author: lpryluck from United States

I first saw this movie in The Bronx as a nine-year old Yankees fan. I loved it then, and still enjoyed seeing it much more recently. Sure the acting was bad (after seeing it one of his teammates advised Roger Maris to end his 1962 holdout and sign his Yankees contract fast), and the script was lame (but with its simple plot and moral not really much worse than the typical Disney or other kid fare of the time), but that was always beside the point. It was and is a chance to see our heroes on the big screen in their prime rather than on a small-screen TV or from the bleachers. We watch 1950s teen movies with their lip-synced performances for the same reason. The game now is to try to identify the players in the background.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris in 'real life' as cinema stars, 5 March 2009
6/10
Author: Jason Alredge (netlover1982@netzero.net) from Washington, DC

Safe at Home! is basically a movie length episode of "Leave It To Beaver". It's very cornball for 21st century audiences, but it's wholesome & provides a life lesson or two along the way. Baseball fans or just passers-by of the sport will be thrilled to see Mantle & Maris on the big screen, who play themselves. What ever happen to that boy in the movie? Because I don't believe he had much of an acting career. Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris in this film really shine through. It's a shame that they are no longer with us. They were portrayed superbly in HBO's *61 by Thomas Jane & Barry Pepper". "Safe At Home" is another one of those gems of cinema, Americana, that should be on DVD & Blu-Ray.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Tender story about kids and their heroes...nothing remarkable, but not bad, 29 September 2008
4/10
Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca

Youngster living with his single dad down in South Florida gets into trouble when he convinces the kids on his Little League team that he knows Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris from the New York Yankees; turns out the Yankees are practicing in Fort Lauderdale, so the lad hitches a ride to the stadium to plead for their help. Co-feature from Columbia was probably produced solely as a showcase for the Yankees stars--but if so, they aren't around nearly enough. The boyhood woes of little Bryan Russell are capably captured, and all the children do fine work, but the story is too simple (and too silly) to merit much interest. Nice cinematography from Irving Lippman, whose camera transforms Mantle and Maris into two handsome giants on the big screen. ** from ****

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Personal memories of this movie, 3 May 2009
10/10
Author: compujohn from United States

When I was 10 years old, the same age in real life as Bryan Russell(Hutch), my father took my brother and I on a field trip. We lived in Miami and we headed north on a sunny morning. Dad did not tell us where we were going. We ended up at a baseball stadium. When we walked in and got to where we could see the field, there on the pitcher's mound stood 3 men in baseball uniforms. Immediately I recognized the one portly figure from episodes of 'I Love Lucy', none other than Fred Mertz. That is William Frawley, and he is standing with two younger men. I then realize the other men are Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris! As I look around the field I see people milling about. I see big lights and reflectors, movie cameras, and other movie making equipment. My dad brought us to watch a movie being made. That was the most incredible feeling ever! We sit in the stands, about 2 rows up from the bottom. The stands were not crowded at all, maybe a hundred people or so. I watched in pure amazement, even though there was not a lot of action going on. For anyone who has visited a movie set, you know there are hours of setting up and tedium, followed by a few moments of action and filming.

Before the day was over, the director called out to all of the kids in the park. He needed our help in this next scene. Would we all gather over at the spot in the bleachers just above the dugout? My brother and I took off like a flash! There were probably about 25-30 kids total that convened at that spot. Wow! What were we going to be doing? The director started talking and we all were giving him our full attention. He said that for this shot, Mickey and Roger would come out of the dugout and all of us were to start shouting "Mickey, Roger, Mickey, Roger" - trying to get their attention. Well, next thing I heard was "Action!" and out come Mickey and Roger just a dugout width away. We all started into a shouting chorus of "Mickey, Roger, Mickey, Roger". It was music to my young ears. Sure enough, our heroes heard us and turned our way. They waved and smiled for what felt like an eternity. I then heard a voice yell "Cut!". Wow! We are all actors, or extras, or whatever. We may be in a movie! I am sure my feet were not touching the ground as we walked out to the car, headed back home late that afternoon.

As a child, I never got to see that movie. Never saw it advertised or listed. In those days, of course, we didn't have the internet or the other entertainment resources.

Fast forward 43 years. I am an adult, 2 children of my own. I am thinking about this movie, as I often have over the years. So I decide to try to find some information about it online. Much to my surprise, I find a source for a VHS copy, so I order and purchase it. When the movie arrived, as I opened that package, I swear I could visualize my Keds sneakers and ratty jeans on me. I had just traveled back in time. With a whole lot of anticipation and joy, I sat there and watched this movie with my own children. I had told them the full story. And now, they were going to actually see a poignant memory of their father's past.

As it turned out, my brother and I were not in the movie. The scene with the hollering kids behind the dugout was there, for a brief moment. But we were just outside of the final shot. Just one kid too far away. Oh well, who cares? The bottom line and the moral of the story? Yes, this movie was innocent, naive, simple and pure. Like what I seem to remember most of my childhood. And, I was able to share that innocence in a tangible way with my children. That...makes me feel safe, at home.

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2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Safe At Home - Great Entertainment, 16 February 2007
10/10
Author: ab12-4 from United States

This movie was about entertainment....not "the art of acting"...for that you need to see a movie in the style of Felini.

But it is great for kids and shows a lot of respect for feelings. We really enjoyed it and showed a lot of old Fort Lauderdale scenes that were reminiscent of the Beach Blanket Bingo days.

Loved the scene where Bill Massey was at the door of the Yankee Clipper, trying to get past the doorman Woody Woodbury. Those two should have had their own show.

What a Hoot!....did someone say Hoot!, just saw that movie also...great as well.

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2 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
I could have still outhit you if it wasn't for my lumbago!, 9 October 2007
7/10
Author: sol from Brooklyn NY USA

Nice little nostalgia/baseball film that has to do with owning up to one's tall tales and later being greatly rewarded for doing just that. Little Hutch Lawton, Bryan Russell, feeling that his widowed and hard pressed, for cash to pay his bills, dad Dan Lawton,Don Collier, is being put down by the team and school bully Henry, Flip Mark, makes up a story that his dad as well as himself are very close, in fact the best of, friends of New York Yankee superstars Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.

It doesn't take long for a depressed Henry, feeling he's been shown up, to challenge Hutch to put his money, or his friends Mantle & Maris, where his mouth is and produce the two superstars to show that he's not making that far flung and incredible story up. Hutch realizing that he put his foot in his mouth and is facing the outrage and disdain of his fellow classmates and Little League ball players if he can't produce Mantle & Maris, like Henry demanded him to, hitches a ride to Ft. Lauderdale where the Yankee spring training camp is. Hutch is determined to not only meet his heroes but get them to come back to his home the coastal and fishing town of Palms and show Henry & Co. that he's not lying about his, and his dad's, friendship with them.

Smelling like he just got off from work at the Fulton Fish Market, the ride that Hutch hitched was on the back of his friends dad fish truck, Hutch attracts this cute tabby who follows him throughout the movie thinking that he's a Frisky's seafood treat. Hutch at first gets to meet old and grumpy Yankee trainer, the guy who taught both Mantle and Maris how to hit, Bill Turner, William Frawly, in the Yankee clubhouse that Hutch snuck into as he smelled up, from the fish that he was with on the truck, the whole place.

Finding out from an unusually kind and attentive, he didn't at first look or act the part, Bill Turner that his heroes are staying at the local Yankee Clipper Hotel Hutch again sneaks into their hotel room and later, by again Turner smelling him out, is discovered by the two ballplayers and their trainer hiding under one of the beds in the room.

Surprisingly to Hutch the Yankee players, besides Mantle and Maris, were very considerate and understanding towards him and the mess he got himself into but decided not to go along with him back home in pulling his chestnuts out of the fire. Mickey and Roger tell the star-struck little boy that he has to face his friends back in Palm and tell them the truth about his fibbing, lying in adult talk, to them about being a friend, which in fact Hutch now is, of the two Yankee ballplayers in order to square things with them.

Touching but really not that much of a surprise ending with both Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris coming through in the clutch and hitting a grand slam home run for Hutch in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs with him behind by three runs. Hutch learned a big lesson in life in that telling the truth is far better them making things up by trying to impress both your friends like Mike, Scott Lane, as well as enemies like Henry. It's a lesson that sadly today most of our elected leaders and aspiring politicians have yet to have mastered.

P.S There's also Yankee southpaw and the teams top pitching ace Whitey Ford, known a the Chairman of the Board, in the movie in a more or less cameo role as well as Yankee manager Captain, or is it Major, Ralph Houk. Houk in fact is so good and convincing at saying his lines in the film that for a moment I didn't think that it was him at all but some actor playing the Yankee manager. There's also Mickey Mantle's real life seven year old son David in the movie playing one of Hutch's fellow little league teammates.

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6 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
Amazing! Joe Morrison's Best Film!, 18 May 2005
5/10
Author: Hollywoodcanteen1945 from United States

"Miami" Joe Morrison was Miami's number 1 leading man during the 1960s. Sadly, "Miami" Joe starred in one stinker after another. Amazingly this film, which I only rate a 5, was Joe's best. Of course, he had an uncredited role as Hank, so maybe that's why this film was his best.

The movie really is a stinker, but it is kind of neat to see a legend like Micky Mantell. The movie is just a mindless and enjoyable trip down memory lane, capturing a more innocent time for the sport of baseball as well as the local Miami, Florida landscape.

Safe at home is a safe bet for some minor entertainment and a chance to see "Miami" Joe Morrison in his best movie.

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1 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Corny and Sweet, 18 September 2006
7/10
Author: MECHKAR from United States

Sure, it's corny, the acting is uninspired but acceptable, and the screenplay appears to have been written in one morning before breakfast. But I loved the spring training setting in coastal south Florida and the opportunity to see my old childhood favorites do a movie together with a bit of a message (about lying). I identify with the child who longs to connect with his heroes, and I have my heroes humanized in the process. Furthermore Mantle and Maris deliver several lengthy lines very acceptably. I wish there was more of them and less of Frawley.

The movie is a simple, superficial sally through an age of innocence that brought me back to my youth. Frankly, I enjoyed it, and I say this without guilt.

Mark

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2 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Classic baseball story, 8 October 2007
7/10
Author: samonthembta116 from United States

I came upon this movie last night while channel surfing and I was sicked see this movie. Set in the spring of 1962. A young kid promises his friends that he and his father know Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris. To talk to the two players the young fan sneaks into Florida. While there he takes in practice and autograph singings. He also gets into the locker room. Sounds like a fan's dream don't it.

At the time Mickey was baseball's biggest star (and in my opinion the best ever despite the fact I am a Red Sox fan.) It's 1962 to me this movie was a non Billy Crystal sequel to his hit 61* except for the fact that this movie features the real "M&m Boys" and their not really acting there's no need they are just being themselves. starting fresh after their home run race. This film also features my pitching hero Whitey Ford and manager Ralph hulk This kid literally lives an young baseball fan's dream meting your heroes.

This movie is good for baseball fans, yankee fans, fans of The Mick and Rog or for those who enjoy the old time black and white films trust me

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