It Happens Every Spring (1949)

A scientist discovers a formula that makes a baseball which is repelled by wood. He promptly sets out to exploit his discovery.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Valentine Davies (screen play), Shirley W. Smith (based on a story by)

Stars:

Ray Milland, Jean Peters, Paul Douglas

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Milland	...	Prof. Vernon K. Simpson / King Kelly
Jean Peters	...	Deborah Greenleaf
Paul Douglas	...	Monk Lanigan
Ed Begley	...	Edgar Stone
Ted de Corsia	...	Manager Jimmy Dolan
Ray Collins	...	Prof. Alfred Greenleaf
Jessie Royce Landis	...	Mrs. Greenleaf
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Schmidt
William Murphy	...	Tommy Isbell (as Bill Murphy)

Storyline

A college professor is working on a long term experiment when a baseball comes through the window destroying all his glassware. The resultant fluid causes the baseball to be repelled by wood. Suddenly he realizes the possibilities and takes a leave of absence to go to St. Louis to pitch in the big leagues where he becomes a star and propels the team to a World Series appearance.

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | world series | professor | laboratory | discovery | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

La solución fantástica

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on Friday, April 14th, 1950 with Ray Milland reprising his film two character roles. Which was 193 days (27 weeks and 4 days) after Ray Milland did another radio station reprise of his role, in the movie at "Lux Radio Theater", on Monday, October 3rd, 1949.

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Goofs

Kelly's pitch violates the laws of physics. Assuming arguendo that a chemical exists that avoids wood, when a ball with that substance on it approaches the plate and the batter swings, the ball would change its trajectory either up or down to avoid the wood and would then continue on that new path. It would never "jump over" a swinging bat, then go back to its original trajectory.

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Quotes

[after a janitor saw catcher, Monk Lanigan's hair "crackle"]
Sweeper Outside Carob Hotel: Excuse me, boss, I need a drink!
[after his remark he quickly left as if in extreme fear]

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Crazy Credits

After the movie's introductory song concludes, an Albert Einstein quote shows for ten to fifteen seconds. It is: "The results of scientific research very often force a change in the philosophical view of problems which extend far beyond the restricted domain of science itself." Albert Einstein's name is all capital letters, below the quote or remark, as ALBERT EINSTEIN. Albert Einstein & Leopold Infeld co-authored book, "The Evolution of Physics".

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Connections

References The Snake Pit (1948)

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Soundtracks

I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by Harry M. Woods
Played when St. Louis takes the field after Monk hurts his finger

User Reviews

Baseball before...Jackie Robinson, inflated salaries, and "midnight franchise moves"

Thanks to AMC, I've finally seen "the entire game," from fans going through the turnstiles to the return of the hometown hero! This almost Disney-like sports movie says BASEBALL like few other films about The Game. Ray Milland outdoes Robert Redford's "Roy Hobbs" rookie by insulting the front office into a tryout that has the infield and outfield taking a break to watch a game of catch between pitcher and catcher as wood never connects with horsehide. (One wonders what Hollywood or even the clueless Mouse would make of an errant baseball and a mysterious white precipitate, in view of the "Flubber" mess.) And it's all done with primitive SFX, projected backgrounds, and a cast of able actors taking us on a "Walter Mitty" ride into a baseball pennant race. It's a movie that never loses sight of the value of education, even commenting on inflated player salaries versus the real world near the end of the movie. (Perspective is another thing missing from current multi-million dollar epics.) So, batter up! Strike one! Strike two! Strike three! Who's the next hitless wonder? (And who wants to sidestep Rogaine for "King Kelly's Miracle Hair Restorer"?)