The Stratton Story (1949)

You can't keep a good man down.

Monty Stratton (James Stewart) was a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in the 1930s. From humble farm yard beginnings he became a top player, but tragedy struck and he lost a leg after a hunting accident. This is his inspirational story.

It is what it is really, a film heavy on sentimentality that is virtually impossible not to warm to. Perfect casting pitches (ahem) Stewart as the homespun Stratton, an American hero who defied the odds to play again the game he loved so much. His wife is played by June Allyson, who at times is a bit too precious, but again it works out as astute casting as the love and support Ethel gives to Monty positively booms out of the screen. This is a couple who are very easy to root for under trying circumstances.

It's not exactly kosher as per the facts, but the essence, the driving spirit rings true. Baseball sequences are well handled by director Sam Wood (see also The Pride of the Yankees 1942), while there's a distinct feeling of respect portrayed by all involved in baseball at the time which is ultimately nice. Agnes Moorehead and Frank Morgan add some solid weight to key characters, and it's nice to find that the writers (Douglas Morrow & Guy Trosper) don't write Stratton as some dumb farm boy in a big man's world.

Easy to like entertainment. 7/10