Customer Reviews

Angels in the Outfield

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tired of all those sappy, mystical, messianic- driven "baseball" movies? Heard enough phrases like "build it and they will come?" Just for the heck of it, watch this one and get a taste of a little grit, a lot of laughs, and a dose of realism. It puts the story of baseball within the context of people's lives- their struggles and their triumphs- through the use of good character development and believable relationships. While angels become part of the plot(I know- how realistic can that be? -you ask), this is nonetheless an honest perspective on the challenges that face us all; it makes the statement that, whether in baseball or in life, we can control our own actions. It just so happens that the film's depiction of ballplayers is also more authentic than what you'll see in more recent "sport" films. This is a great movie from a time when a good story was the starting point for a script. It's got drama, pathos and humor- with excellent performances, especially from the main star, Paul Douglas. Do yourself a favor and enjoy it.

I loved this movie. It's cliche to say, but they don't make 'em like this anymore. A decent, but also very funny movie that doesn't get too soppy about the kid-melting-the-heart-of-a-tough-guy thing. Made when Hollywood was not afraid of people who believed in the power of prayer, and were able to cheer when a man recognized his need for redemption. Listen for the ingenious use of garbled voice-over to cover the colorful language of the "hero." I especially enjoyed the court-room debate over the existence of angels. This movie is family friendly, but has an intelligent, mature script. I'd give it 5 popcorns, two hankies, and a resounding, "Praise the Lord." Just smile, and enjoy it.

You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this very well written, directed and acted movie that just happens to be about baseball. The script is intelligent, funny and thoughtful all at the same time. Paul Douglas, Keenan Wynn and Janet Leigh are all at the top of their game for this one. What I liked most is the complete lack of "special effects" - you never see the angels helping the Pittsburgh Pirates, which makes it so much more preferable to the weak gimmick-laden Danny Glover remake of a few years ago.

A plus is all of the location shooting in Pittsburgh in its heyday in the early 50's, including Forbes Field, one of the great old ballparks that was replaced by the god-awful Three Rivers Stadium, since replaced by one of the "new-old" ballparks that tries to recapture the feel of places like Forbes Field.

This is a great movie for the whole family, and has one of those feel-good foundations that charges movies like "Miracle on 34th Street", only this time it's angels instead of Santa Claus. You'll love it.

Although dated, this light-hearted comedy should prove to be entertaining to both fans and non-fans of baseball. Paul Douglas is excellent in his depiction of a fictional manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates (the cellar-dwellers of the early fifties).

Looking for a movie with good baseball, good for family and representative of the world of the 50's this is it.

This is a real family movie and worth your time and money, I find it more interesting in terms of the way things are different now and then.

As a history buff one of the things I've noticed about this movie is the acceptance of religion. In one of the climatic scenes of the movie this is assumed that of COURSE the baseball comish believes in Angels, and to say no to that possibility is to say no to scripture. The positive portrayal of religion is another change.

It is interesting to see that the idea that scripture was able to be questioned as unthinkable.

Look for Mrs. Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley) in a bit role that is rather cute.

'Guffy' McGovern's the roughest guy in baseball and he manages the worst team in baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates (many actual scenes from the old Forbes Field). When the local paper assigns the Home Economics reporter (Janet Leigh) to cover the Pirates to try and find a different angle since they're losing all the time and nobody is following the team, she confronts McGovern about his attitude and he replies, 'Dogs have fleas, managers have sportswriters'. After being thrown out of a game for the umpteenth time, 'Guffy' can't find his pin and goes to look for it on the field after the game. It is there sitting on 2nd base under the stars he encounters an angel and his life is changed. No more bad guy. Amazingly the team's fortunes start to change, also. It becomes even more mysterious when Janet Leigh writes an article about a young, orphan girl who has been praying for the team. 'Guffy' wants to find this girl but Leigh won't reveal who she is. He tracks her to the orphanage and in one of the most poignant scenes in the film tells the Sister in charge that he's 'looking for a little girl'. The Sister rushes into the classroom and announces to the classroom full of 8 year old girls that a man is here who is 'looking for a little girl'. One little girl wearing thick glasses quickly takes them off and hides them, telling her friend, 'people looking to adopt don't like children with glasses'. Your heart goes out as you wonder how many times she has had her hopes up that the next person 'looking for a little girl' would pick her. It's wonderful family film with enough baseball for real fans. It has cameo appearances by Ty Cobb, Joe Dimaggio and Bing Cosby, who was part owner of the Pirates at that time. Conspicuous by their absence, there are no African-American players in the Major Leagues at that time. Dwight Eisenhower called it his favorite movie. Enjoy!! www.lusreviews.blogspot.com .

To someone not in the least bit sports minded and with no idea at all of the rules of baseball, this was a super lighthearted and entertaining film with plenty of the "feel good" factor. Sentimental yes, but never dissolving into "mush". The faultless portrayal by the wonderful Paul Douglas of Guffie McGovern, the foul mouthed and permanently frustrated coach of the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates, who suddenly hears angel voices, apparently despatched to him on the prayers of a small orphan girl, is a joy. Janet Leigh is excellently cast as the household hints columnist on the local newspaper, who finds herself catapulted into reporting on the luckless games of the Pirates and gradually becoming more and more involved in the team and, of course, McGovern. The story moves forward apace, and as the fortunes of the Pirates, with angelic help are turned around, the three characters of Douglas, Leigh and the little orphan girl also begin to be brought together, . Excellent support from Keenan Wynn and Spring Byington, with a personal appearance by the great Joe Di Maggio.

Good all round entertainment!

If you like the attitude and pace of classic movies and you like baseball, you're likely to enjoy this family friendly film. It's a lot less hokey than you might expect, mostly due to Paul Douglas' performance as the crusty manager, who'd just as soon stay crusty -- until he gets hit upside the head by an angel with an attitude. Janet Leigh does her usual excellent job -- she's a cute and feisty "Hints from Heloise" type reporter who wanders into the all-male world of 1950s baseball reporting. The little girl who sees the angels is somehow really endearing without being over the top (maybe because Disney didn't make this version - the old MGM did). It's an enjoyable little story with more than a few laughs -- and probably a must see for true lovers of baseball.

"Angels in the Outfield" staring Paul Douglas is a Home Run. This is a great movie that should be in all baseball fans movie collection ... right next to "Field of Dreams"

Oh my gosh, is this a great movie. No wonder it was President Eisenhower's favorite film. An avid buff of Turner Classic Movies, I was still skeptical, but they simply do everything right. A great story, simply and believably played out. Lots of funny bits, not overdone. Black and white from 1951. When did we forget how to make movies like this?

I wondered how they'd handle the angels. As with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition), the director suggests their presence rather than employing an overkill of special FX. By another simple device, when Paul Douglas as the Pirate's coach cusses, his speech is garbled, an audio version of the string of punctuation marks used in comics: "*&#!" Why don't they do that in all those FOX TV shows? The film is also filled with cameos, and the performances seem unforced and effortless.

The only reason I gave this film a chance was because of Leonard Maltin's three star review in his movie guide, in which he remarks, "Amusing cameos from the worlds of baseball and show business." The 1994 remake he calls "a satisfactory entertainment for kids," but notes, "the original was better". While the story is completely different, this film reminds me of a little-seen Frank Sinatra film, "A Hole in the Head" A Hole in the Head, also unveiled on TCM. Sports buffs will enjoy this film, but they won't be alone in the bleachers: there's a lot besides baseball to like here. Play ball!