Cobb (1994)

A reporter hired to write the 'official' biography of Ty Cobb discovers just how dark the baseball legend's real story is.

Director:

Ron Shelton

Writers:

Al Stump (article), Al Stump (book),

Stars:

Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Wuhl, Lolita Davidovich

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tommy Lee Jones	...	Ty Cobb
Robert Wuhl	...	Al Stump
Lolita Davidovich	...	Ramona
Ned Bellamy	...	Ray
Scott Burkholder	...	Jimmy
Allan Malamud	...	Mud
Bill Caplan	...	Bill
Jeff Fellenzer	...	Sportswriter
Doug Krikorian	...	Sportswriter
Gavin Smith	...	Sportsman's Lounge Bartender
Lou Myers	...	Willie
William Utay	...	Jameson
J. Kenneth Campbell	...	William Herschel Cobb
Rhoda Griffis	...	Amanda Chitwood Cobb
Tyler Logan Cobb	...	Young Ty

Storyline

Al Stump is a famous sports-writer chosen by Ty Cobb to co-write his official, authorized 'autobiography' before his death. Cobb, widely feared and despised, feels misunderstood and wants to set the record straight about 'the greatest ball-player ever,' in his words. However, when Stump spends time with Cobb, interviewing him and beginning to write, he realizes that the general public opinion is largely correct. In Stump's presence, Cobb is angry, violent, racist, misogynistic, and incorrigibly abusive to everyone around him. Torn between printing the truth by plumbing the depths of Cobb's dark soul and grim childhood, and succumbing to Cobb's pressure for a whitewash of his character and a simple baseball tale of his greatness, Stump writes two different books. One book is for Cobb, the other for the public.

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | misanthrope | ghost writer | baseball player | baseball movie | 

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Taglines:

Everyone hated this baseball legend. And he loved it.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, and for scenes of nudity and violent behavior

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cobb - A Lenda

Filming Locations:

Rickwood Field - 1137 2nd Avenue W, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,007,583 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcor Films, Aleor Films, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The fastball to the head Cobb refers to concerning Mickey Cochrane took place at Yankee stadium, and was tossed by Yankees pitcher Bump Hadley.

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Goofs

Cobb is seen being treated by a black nurse at Emory University Hospital shortly before his death. In 1961, Georgia hospitals and their staff were still strictly segregated.

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Quotes

[after Cobb stole third]
Opposing pitcher: Shoulda stuck it in that bastard's ear when I had the chance.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits are complete and the screen is black, Jones is heard to say "Baseball was 100% of my life."

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.11 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"The Ball Game"
Written by Wynona Carr
Performed by Sister Wynona Carr
Courstsey of Fantasy Inc

User Reviews

Tommy Lee Jones at his Best

This little seen film has Tommy Lee Jones giving one of the best performances of his career. It is a shame that the film was given only a limited release with no advertising budget. I know of many who wanted to see this movie, but it was in and out of the theaters before they could notice.

"Cobb" gets one of my highest recommendations. No Jones fan can justify not seeing this movie.