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IMDbPro

A Winner Never Quits

  • TV Movie
  • 1986
  • PG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
232
YOUR RATING
Keith Carradine, Mare Winningham, and Huckleberry Fox in A Winner Never Quits (1986)
BaseballBiographyDramaFamilySport

Fact-based story of a young boy who lost his right arm in a childhood accident, but went on to fulfill his dreams of playing major-league baseball. Pete Gray had to overcome the early taunts... Read allFact-based story of a young boy who lost his right arm in a childhood accident, but went on to fulfill his dreams of playing major-league baseball. Pete Gray had to overcome the early taunts of his childhood playmates. With the support of his Pennsylvania coal mining father and h... Read allFact-based story of a young boy who lost his right arm in a childhood accident, but went on to fulfill his dreams of playing major-league baseball. Pete Gray had to overcome the early taunts of his childhood playmates. With the support of his Pennsylvania coal mining father and his brother, who dreams of being a boxer, he learns to battle for what he wants. Finally in... Read all

  • Director
    • Mel Damski
  • Writer
    • Burt Prelutsky
  • Stars
    • Keith Carradine
    • Mare Winningham
    • G.W. Bailey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    232
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mel Damski
    • Writer
      • Burt Prelutsky
    • Stars
      • Keith Carradine
      • Mare Winningham
      • G.W. Bailey
    • 2User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast37

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    Keith Carradine
    Keith Carradine
    • Pete Gray
    Mare Winningham
    Mare Winningham
    • Annie
    G.W. Bailey
    G.W. Bailey
    • Tatum
    Charles Hallahan
    Charles Hallahan
    • Nelson Gary Sr.
    Fionnula Flanagan
    Fionnula Flanagan
    • Mrs. Wyshner
    Jack Kehoe
    Jack Kehoe
    • Bloom
    Dennis Weaver
    Dennis Weaver
    • Mr. Wyshner
    Huckleberry Fox
    Huckleberry Fox
    • Nelson Gary Jr.
    Mary Jo Deschanel
    Mary Jo Deschanel
    • Mrs. Gary
    Ed O'Neill
    Ed O'Neill
    • Whitey Wyshner
    Dana Delany
    Dana Delany
    • Nora
    Steve Rees
    • Young Pete Gray
    David Haid
    • Henderson
    Brad Sullivan
    Brad Sullivan
    • Taylor
    Peter Hobbs
    Peter Hobbs
    • McGregor
    J.J. Johnston
    J.J. Johnston
    • Trainer
    Art LaFleur
    Art LaFleur
    • John Stewart
    • (as Art La Fleur)
    Macon McCalman
    Macon McCalman
    • Dr. Wilson
    • Director
      • Mel Damski
    • Writer
      • Burt Prelutsky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    6.9232
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    Featured reviews

    ponger

    Good family fare

    This movies is based on a true story. Pete Gray, son of a poor immigrant coal miner in Pennsylvania, loses an arm during childhood. He learns to overcome his disability and to play baseball with just one arm. When he grows up, he pursues the dream of playing in the majors during the '40s.

    It's an inspiring story. For instance, to field a ball, Gray would catch it in his glove (which was smaller than the standard), toss the ball back up in the air long enough to allow him to toss off the glove, then catch the ball in the bare hand and throw it again. It's incredible to think about someone being able to do that well enough to play with the pros, but he did.

    I think any child or person that might be worrying about whether their personal limitations might keep them from trying to fulfill a dream should watch this movie.

    Carradine is very convincing as Gray; I suppose there might be moments when you could catch a glimpse of his "extra" arm stuffed in his shirt, but I don't remember any.

    "Married with Children" fans can have fun with the scenes with Ed O'Neill as Carradine's older brother.

    FYI: I worked as an extra on this movie in some scenes filmed near Chattanooga, Tenn. (in nearby Marion County). It is amazing what the crew did with what they had to work with.

    You won't be disappointed if you can find this on video or catch a broadcast. It's not one of those all-time great movies, but it's several notches above standard TV movie fare.
    8clementsontom

    x

    They need to show this movie on TV it hasn't been on in years.I can't remember the last time it was on. I'm not sure who decides on what go on & when. It beat some of the other movies on now days. It's the beginning of a new season so it would be a nice time to show this movie. I keep checking every week but so far far no luck maybe this will help.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Many of the game scenes were shot at Engel Stadium (former home of the Chattanooga Lookouts) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Engel opened in 1930. Parts of "42," the movie about legend Jackie Robinson, were filmed there as well.
    • Quotes

      Young Pete Gray: I know one thing. With two arms, even Babe Ruth would be selling pencils.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 14, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Pete Gray Story
    • Filming locations
      • Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
    • Production companies
      • Blatt-Singer Productions
      • Columbia Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Keith Carradine, Mare Winningham, and Huckleberry Fox in A Winner Never Quits (1986)
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