Anjos e Piratas

Baseball and fantasy combine to make exceptionally comfortable movie partners here, as the hot-headed, foul-mouthed (for 1951) manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team learns to clean up his act after he and his losing team receive Divine Intervention on the playing field. Potentially sticky premise gets some heavenly assistance of its own, with Paul Douglas just about perfect in the lead. He's supported by a fine cast, including Keenan Wynn, Janet Leigh (looking lovely), as well as Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and Bing Crosby in smart cameos. The whimsical script is surprisingly witty, and the direction is straightforward and never too mawkish. Remade by the Disney people in 1994, with one major difference: in this one, you don't see the angels. *** from ****

I caught this movie on AMC late one Saturday night. The difference from this movie classic and the Disney effort was like night and day. This movie had more feeling and better acting. Don't Get me wrong, Danny Glover and Joseph Gordan-Levett, and Tony Danza did well, but not as good as the original cast.

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.