Angels in the Outfield

A wonderful baseball movie with more depth than the Disney rendition. Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh are wonderfully cast as the gruff team manager and female reporter out for a story. It was a treat to see Barbara Billingsley as the hat check girl in the resteraunt. Some very famous ball players make guest appearances, which is a real treat.

This is a touching movie that the whole family can enjoy. It has similarities and some serious differences with the modern Disney rendition of this film.

In 1951, the year of this film's release, the Pirates were in a very long dry spell, 9 years prior to their first World Series appearance since 1927. The obvious set-up : "Heaven help the Pirates".

I saw this picture as an adolescent during its theatrical release, and 5 times recently. In addition to perfect casting of Paul Douglas, then in his prime - having recently filmed "Panic in the Streets" , the supporting cast is superb, notably Spring Byington and Ellen Corby as Sisters and Janet Leigh is a very credible love interest .Donna Corcoran is a wonderful orphan.

What I admire almost as much as the acting, premise and writing is the director's use of actual Pittsburgh locations, although there was no imperative to do so. Included: the King Edward Apartments, Forbes Field, PCC trolley cars, Bigelow Boulevard, Checker cabs. As a former Pittsburgher, I can attest to the authenticity of these elements.

A sentimental favorite of mine, but not just for Pittsburgh fans.

A real classic and one of my all time favorite movies. So many wonderful moments throughout the film. Paul Douglas is great as Guffy McGovern, a rough, tough hard-nosed baseball manager. His guardian angel changes his ways as the Pirates go from worst to first. Keenan Wynn - don't you think he's the role model for today's outspoken writers and sports radio guys? I cheer every time Guffy punches his lights out.

Yeah, the movie's syrupy and has a few clichés, but man, it sure resonated with me when I was younger and still does today. Whenever something goofy happens in a real baseball game I wonder if there's an angel out there wreaking some havoc on a hapless player.

Paul Douglas plays the demanding manger of the Pittsburg Pirates whose team begins winning after being blessed from above. Look for a young Ellen Corby, the lovable grandmother on the Walton's TV series. Other cast members include Janet Leigh,Keenan Wynn and Spring Byington. The filming locations were old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, home of the triple A Los Angeles Angels before the Dodgers arrived. Forbes Field in Pittsburg and Yankee Stadium were also used in this 1951 film. Some popular ballplayers can be seen also.It is a fun movie to watch, especially for a baseball fan.

As a general rule, I hate remakes. Now this isn't always true. There are a few, very few, times that the remake is better due to a defect that is eliminated in the remake. However, I really disliked the remake of "Angels in the Outfield" because they took a very good film that could be enjoyed by the family and made it a film most adults couldn't stomach. I know you might disagree, but I loved the 1951 version and would rather just pretend that the Disney remake never occurred.

The film is a cute little fantasy about a hot-headed baseball coach (Paul Douglas--who is wonderful in this role). The guy explodes and curses all the time--and he's difficult to like--especially since his team seems to do nothing but lose. Eventually, however, his nasty ways have got to stop--and an angel's voice calls out to him and threatens him unless he changes his ways. And, as an added bonus, the angel and his pals will help the coach's team IF he sticks with the bargain! It's all quite cute and well done--with Janet Leigh, Spring Byington and a cute orphan (who is NOT too cute, thank goodness) on hand for support. Well worth seeing and very clever.

By the way, look close for a few cameos--such as Joe DiMaggio, Bing Crosby and Ty Cobb! Also, in a small role as a hat check girl is Barbara Billingsley--the future Mrs. Clever from "Leave It To Beaver".