ThiefHott Too much of everything

Micransix Crappy film

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Eric Stevenson I grew up watching the 1994 version of "Angels In The Outfield" so imagine my surprise when I found out it was actually a remake. It's a shame that this version doesn't seem to have near as many recognizable actors. The aspect of a kid seeing the angels doesn't actually come until a third into the movie. In this original, it was actually a little girl who was in an orphanage run by nuns. I'm glad this version seemed to play up the religious aspect more. The biggest difference is that the angels never actually appear onscreen.We only hear the voice of one. The plot and outcomes are still mostly the same. This really is an underappreciated sports movie. This is almost the exact same length as the remake, so I really have to praise how good the pacing is. There seem to be relatively few movies made about angels, given how many people believe in them. As it was made in the 1950's, they just say this weird gibberish when they're supposed to be swearing. ***1/2

Jeff Melchior Paul Douglas is perfectly cast as the belligerent, irascible, steak- devouring Pittsburgh Pirates manager whose second-division club is the beneficiary of divine intervention in the form of the unseen Angels of the Heavenly Choir summoned by the prayers of an adorable eight year-old orphan girl (charmingly played by Donna Corcoran) who idolizes Douglas. Filled with top-notch performances: Janet Leigh – seen here about a decade before her notorious shower scene in Psycho – as the novice baseball columnist initially outraged at Douglas' harsh methods; Keenan Wynn as the cynical and surly radio announcer with an ax to grind; Spring Byington as the baseball-savvy nun; and James Whitmore as the voice of an Angel who teaches Douglas kindness and shows him the error of his ways, converting him from a foul-mouthed, quick-tempered punch- thrower to a Shakespeare-quoting gentleman. Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb, and one-time minority Pirates owner Bing Crosby offer their take on the existence of angels in cameo appearances. Actual game footage of Pirates games – look for a homer from Ralph Kiner (wearing # 4) who led or tied for the league lead in round-trippers every year from '46 to '52 – is spliced in to enhance its authenticity. Poignant tale of faith, forgiveness, friendship and second chances with a tear-jerker finale involving a potential new home for Corcoran and a weary ex-pal (Bruce Bennett) of Douglas' taking the mound in a final shot at glory in the last year of his baseball career…and his life. An underrated and overlooked gem deserving of multiple annual cable TV showings. Remade in 1994 with Danny Glover and Tony Danza with glitzy special effects that add little to the story.

classicsoncall You pick up some interesting tidbits watching these old flicks on Turner Classics when they're hosted by one of their movie critic pros. For example, when Janet Leigh visited Forbes Field to see where this movie was being filmed, she stepped on the infield grass in her high heels and they immediately sank into the turf. Pittsburgh Pirate Ralph Kiner came to her rescue and carried her off the field and some newspaper photographers captured the moment. What seemed like a romantic match-up turned to naught because Leigh was engaged to Tony Curtis at the time.Well this was a nice engaging family picture with a baseball backdrop but I think there was a missed opportunity. Being a fantasy, it could have been more whimsical if the film makers had actually put some angels on screen, you know, maybe borrow someone like Cary Grant or Constance Bennett from 1937's "Topper" to liven things up. OK, they were ghosts but you know what I mean. A couple of winged apparitions behind each of the players might have given more credence to the title.I'd also question the casting of Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh as potential romantics. It worked out for the story but I don't see the connection to reality if you wanted to maintain some credibility for the outcome. Oh well, with angels in the outfield, there wasn't going to be a lot of credibility left to go around anyway.What I really found interesting was seeing Forbes Field the way it was back in the day. To me it didn't look much bigger or better looking than the ball field my home town semi-pro team used back in the early Sixties. I never went to a professional baseball game as a kid, and was never to a big league ball park until the Seventies, so my only basis for comparison would be the old Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium in New York. Come to think of it, those aren't around anymore either. Boy, time does go by.I'll say one thing though. The story really made you think about the plight of orphans, as in little Bridget's (Donna Corcoran) case where she had spent her entire life of eight years in one. It seemed extremely sad that she was 'given' a birthday by the nuns because no one knew when she was really born. That seemed just so incredibly sad, on top of the ruses the orphan girls thought they needed to attract potential parents, like taking off their glasses. It really makes you think about how lucky most of us are.Well anyway, long before the Los Angeles Angels ever held a home field advantage, this film entertained a good idea about how to treat one another both on and off the field. It might not be the greatest baseball movie, but where else would you ever be able to see Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb and Bing Crosby all in one place at the same time. And if you're a seasoned citizen like myself, you won't have any trouble picking out the Beav's mom herself, Barbara Billingsley in a couple of scenes as the hat check girl at Johnny's Steakhouse. Just another reason I get a kick out of these old pictures.

jcholguin The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team in disarray and just keep on losing. Could the reason be the manager Guffy McGovern played by Paul Douglas as the reporter Jennifer Paige and the players believe. Guffy has a foul mouth whenever he gets angry which is most of the time. Unbeknown to Guffy and the Pirates is a little orphan girl that is praying for them. God hears her prayers and sends an angel to help but only if Guffy can control his temper and mouth. Guffy does and the team starts to win. Little Bridget White, the orphaned girl gets a chance to attend a game and is the only one to see angels behind the ball players. Can Guffy change his ways and will Bridget find a home? At the end is a very touching decision by Guffy concerning his old bitter friend, a washed-up pitcher that started the game as to whether to stay with him in the ninth or to replace him. Excellent film for those that believe in the power of prayer.