La chouette équipe (1976)

An aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league.

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writer:

Bill Lancaster

Stars:

Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, Vic Morrow

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau	...	Coach Morris Buttermaker
Tatum O'Neal	...	Amanda Whurlitzer
Vic Morrow	...	Roy Turner
Joyce Van Patten	...	Cleveland
Ben Piazza	...	Bob Whitewood
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Kelly Leak
Alfred Lutter III	...	Ogilvie (as Alfred W. Lutter)
Chris Barnes	...	Tanner Boyle
Erin Blunt	...	Ahmad Abdul Rahim
Gary Lee Cavagnaro	...	Engelberg
Jaime Escobedo	...	Jose Agilar
Scott Firestone	...	Regi Tower
George Gonzales	...	Miguel Agilar
Brett Marx	...	Jimmy Feldman
David Pollock	...	Rudi Stein

Storyline

First of a trilogy of films takes an unflinching look at the underbelly of little league baseball in Southern California. Former minor leaguer Morris Buttermaker is a lazy, beer swilling swimming pool cleaner who takes money to coach the Bears, a bunch of disheveled misfits who have virtually no baseball talent. Realizing his dilemma, Coach Buttermaker brings aboard girl pitching ace Amanda Whurlizer, the daughter of a former girlfriend, and Kelly Leak, a motorcycle punk who happens to be the best player around. Brimming with confidence, the Bears look to sweep into the championship game and avenge an earlier loss to their nemesis, the Yankees.

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Plot Keywords:

california | little league | coach | baseball | swimming pool | 

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Taglines:

The coach is waiting for his next beer. The pitcher is waiting for her first bra. The team is waiting for a miracle. Consider the possibilities.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

Tous publics

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

11 May 1977 (France)

Also Known As:

La chouette équipe

Filming Locations:

Mason Ave. at Devonshire St., Chatsworth, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Glen Glenn Sound)

Color:

Color (Movielab) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Corey Feldman starred in the Bad News Bears TV show, which was a sitcom spinoff of the movie. (It was a filmed show with a laugh track, like a lot of sitcoms in the 70s).

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Goofs

After Kelly Leak's homerun gives the Bears their first win of the season (against the White Sox) the footage of the Bears celebrating at home plate around Kelly shows a Yankee catcher. This footage was actually from the alternate ending which had the Bears winning the final game against the Yankees.

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Quotes

Bad News Bears: Around them bases we shall roam!

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Crazy Credits

When the Paramount logo turns blue, the "Paramount" text extends beyond the dark blue area instead of staying inside the dark blue.

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Connections

Referenced in Enquêteur malgré lui: Rob-a-Bye Baby (2007)

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Soundtracks

Carmen
Written by Georges Bizet

User Reviews

Should be required viewing for anyone who coaches

"Bad News for the Athletics!" This movie should be required viewing for parents and coaches of any sport at any level. It reminds me of what is wrong about youth sports, but at the same time what makes youth sports great. There are many lessons to be learned from this movie. It is sad, but many parents and coaches continue to make the game about themselves and not about the children playing. Bad News Bears shows just how ridiculous that type of attitude regarding youth sports is.

Bad News Bears is the original kids/sports movie without the Disney cliches. There isn't a clear cut bad guy, each coach (Buttermaker and Turner) have there faults and motivation. It is also refreshing that the movie does not have the typical Hollywood ending, but instead one that is fitting for the team sponsored by Chico's Bail Bonds.

Bad News Bears is also a great reminder of life in the late 1970s, the uniforms, clothes, cars, etc. Finally, it is an entertaining movie, especially for anyone who has played little league baseball (or any youth sport). It makes me laughs every time I watch it.