Fear Strikes Out (1957)

True story of the life of Jimmy Piersall, who battled mental illness to achieve stardom in major league baseball.

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Ted Berkman (screenplay), Raphael Blau (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Perkins, Karl Malden, Norma Moore

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anthony Perkins	...	Jim Piersall
Karl Malden	...	John Piersall
Norma Moore	...	Mary Piersall
Adam Williams	...	Doctor Brown
Perry Wilson	...	Mrs. John Piersall
Peter J. Votrian	...	Jim Piersall as a Boy

Storyline

Jim Piersall is groomed by his loving but hard-driving father (living vicariously through his son) to play major league baseball. His desire to succeed to please his father leads to mental illness and a nervous breakdown. Can he overcome those difficulties and return to the major leagues?

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | mental illness | based on tv movie | based on book | baseball movie | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Anthony Perkins had proven that he was more than capable as an actor, he was not quite as convincing as a ball player. This presented a bit of a problem since he was depicting the life of a Major League athlete. According to Karl Malden, "He couldn't throw a ball. They had to hire a real pro, Tommy Holmes, to go out there and teach him how to throw, and he still couldn't do it."

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Goofs

At the beginning of the film, when Jim's father (played by Karl Malden) goes into the kitchen to wash up after work, the shadow of the camera can be seen on the far wall. Then a shadow of the boom mic is seen on the wall shortly after that as the camera pans left.

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Quotes

Jim Piersall: I don't care what happens. I love you Mary!

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Connections

Referenced in Remington Steele: Second Base Steele (1984)

User Reviews

More than just Peanuts and Crackerjacks in this baseball movie.

This is not what one would call a pleasant film to watch particularly about Baseball. It tells the true story of former major league ball player Jim Piersall of the Boston Red Sox and his eventual mental breakdown. While certain events are not exactly the way they took place the story nonetheless sticks pretty much to fact. Anthony Perkins puts in a dynamic performance as Piersall. A kid who likes baseball but is driven to madness by his domineering perfection minded father played by Karl Malden. Also included in the cast is Norma Moore as Jims devoted wife Mary and Adam Williams as the psychiatrist Doctor Brown.

The first half of the picture deals with Piersall growing up practicing and playing baseball always under the scrutiny of his father. Whatever Jim did on the playing field it could always have been done better according to his Dad. The second half of the film deals with Piersalls mental breakdown and subsequent treatment and recovery. While watching a ball game on TV he makes remarks that his doctor picks up on and uses to unlock the reason why he cracked up. These same circumstances are no doubt still occurring today as many parents push their children relentlessly in everything from sports to academics to beauty pageants. Jim Piersalls story fortunately became a book and later this fine film that perhaps has and will continue to serve as a message to those who watch it. Whether you're a baseball fan or not this is a movie to be seen.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1957 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

The Jim Piersall Story

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1