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Fear Strikes Out

  • 19571957
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Fear Strikes Out (1957)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:59
1 Video
37 Photos
BiographyDramaSport

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

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Mulligan
  • Writers
    • Ted Berkman(screenplay)
    • Raphael Blau(screenplay)
    • Jimmy Piersall(based on the story by)
  • Stars
    • Anthony Perkins
    • Karl Malden
    • Norma Moore
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Mulligan
  • Writers
    • Ted Berkman(screenplay)
    • Raphael Blau(screenplay)
    • Jimmy Piersall(based on the story by)
  • Stars
    • Anthony Perkins
    • Karl Malden
    • Norma Moore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Fear Strikes Out
    Trailer 1:59
    Fear Strikes Out

    Photos37

    "Fear Strikes Out" Director Robert Mulligan 1957 Paramount Pictures
    Anthony Perkins and Norma Moore in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden in Fear Strikes Out (1957)
    Anthony Perkins in Fear Strikes Out (1957)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anthony Perkins
    Anthony Perkins
    • Jim Piersallas Jim Piersall
    Karl Malden
    Karl Malden
    • John Piersallas John Piersall
    Norma Moore
    Norma Moore
    • Mary Piersallas Mary Piersall
    Adam Williams
    Adam Williams
    • Doctor Brownas Doctor Brown
    Perry Wilson
    Perry Wilson
    • Mrs. John Piersallas Mrs. John Piersall
    Peter J. Votrian
    Peter J. Votrian
    • Jim Piersall as a Boyas Jim Piersall as a Boy
    John Aberle
    • Ballplayeras Ballplayer
    • (uncredited)
    Eric Alden
    Eric Alden
    • Policemanas Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Heather Ames
    Heather Ames
    • Nurseas Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Balter
    Sam Balter
    • Broadcasteras Broadcaster
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Benoit
    Mary Benoit
    • Nurseas Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    John Benson
    John Benson
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • Reporter Evansas Reporter Evans
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Reporter Sladeas Reporter Slade
    • (uncredited)
    Bart Burns
    Bart Burns
    • Joe Croninas Joe Cronin
    • (uncredited)
    Edd Byrnes
    Edd Byrnes
    • Boy in Car Assisting Jimmy Up Stairwayas Boy in Car Assisting Jimmy Up Stairway
    • (uncredited)
    Wade Cagle
    • Internas Intern
    • (uncredited)
    Keith Coyne
    • Babyas Baby
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Ted Berkman(screenplay)
      • Raphael Blau(screenplay)
      • Jimmy Piersall(based on the story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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? —Jerry Milani <jmilani@ix.netcom.com>
    baseballmental illnessbased on tv moviebased on bookbaseball movie28 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      It was rumoured that Anthony Perkins was in a homosexual relationship with Tab Hunter, who reportedly frequented the set. Hunter had recently been outed as a homosexual by Confidential magazine, and Paramount was reportedly uncomfortable with the association between their star and Hunter. To do damage control and help promote the film, Paramount sent Perkins and Norma Moore out on several public dates. The two would sometimes even double date in public with Hunter.
    • Goofs
      Joe Cronin was not the Field Manager of the Red Sox when Jimmy Piersall played. Mike "Pinky" Higgins was. Cronin was the General Manager.
    • Quotes

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

    • Connections
      Featured in Diamonds on the Silver Screen (1992)

    User reviews40

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Sensational story of a baseball star's mental illness.
    This a very interesting, but not totally factual, account of the life of Jimmy Piersall. Piersall was a popular player with the Boston Red Sox. His antics on and off the field are now legendary. Piersall fell in love with baseball at a young age, but his domineering father forced Jimmy to not only achieve, but to play to perfection. Mr. Piersall's constant manipulating can be traced to his son's mental breakdown.

    Anthony Perkins puts in a dedicated performance as Jimmy Piersall. Karl Malden excelled as the relentless Mr. Piersall. Also in the cast are Bart Burns, Norma Moore and Adam Williams.

    This is a very stark and interesting movie, just don't take all the content as gospel. A baseball fan's delight.
    helpful•18
    2
    • michaelRokeefe
    • Jul 10, 2000

    FAQ1

    • Norma Moore---Was She From New York?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 28, 1957 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Jim Piersall Story
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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