The Winning Team (1952)

Here at They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, April is Doris Day month...with a little bit of baseball thrown in.  As it turns out, with 1952's The Winning Team we will get both!  Also starring Ronald Reagan, and featuring Frank Lovejoy in a supporting role, this 4-star film chronicles the career of early 20th-century pitching great, Grover Cleveland Alexander.

A telephone lineman in rural Nebraska, Grover Alexander (Ronald Reagan) and his fiance Aimee (Doris Day) are saving money so they can get married and buy a farm.  What Grover really wants to do, though, is play baseball, so when he is asked to pitch in a local game, he does so...to Aimee's great dismay.  Although Aimee insists that baseball shouldn't be Grover's whole life...that it should just be something to help him relax---like checkers---when the manager of a semi-professional team approaches him about joining the team, Grover does so, and he finds success, which leads him right into the Major Leagues and, ultimately, to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

From his 28-wins rookie season in 1911, to his final season nearly two decades later, Grover Alexander made a name for himself as one of the pitching greats of baseball history.  Playing for Philadelphia, Chicago (Cubs), and St. Louis, over the course of 20 seasons, Grover---known as Alex the Great---fought the effects of a head injury which resulted in double-vision and seizure-type symptoms, as well as the demon of alcohol abuse, in order to become one of the greatest pitchers in baseball.  He was even instrumental in leading his team to a come-from-behind victory in the 1926 World Series.



This is an inspiring story, and the pairing of Doris Day and Ronald Reagan makes for a "winning team" for me.  There is great chemistry between them, and they both are strong and solid in their roles.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe a lot of people discount Ronald Reagan as an actor simply because they don't like his politics.  No, he's not the best actor who ever came down the pike, but he's certainly not the worst.  He's very capable and solid in several roles, not the least of which is this one.  So, set politics aside, put your "objective" hat on, and give him a chance in this---and other---dramatic roles.

The film also provides an opportunity to hear the delightful melodious voice of Doris Day, as she sings a couple lines of (what else) "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."  Russ Tamblyn (billed as Rusty Tamblyn) has a very tiny role as one of Grover's younger siblings.  Finally, there's some real baseball footage, including shots of the now-destroyed Yankee Stadium.

The final innings of the final game of the movie (the 1926 World Series) are depicted fairly accurately, although not completely.  I checked in my son's book, 20th Century Baseball Chronicle, and found that things didn't happen exactly as shown in the movie.  The end result was the same, but Hollywood took a bit of license.  Be sure to check out what really happened....and should you be interested in learning a bit more about this Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, HERE is an encyclopedia article about him.

Out on DVD as part of the Ronald Reagan Collection, The Winning Team should be fairly easy to track down.  Additionally, it is on the TCM schedule for Friday, July 19th, at 6:00 p.m. (ET). For baseball fans---especially those who are interested in learning about the all-time greats---I think this film is well worth a watch.

Happy viewing!!

The Girl from Jones Beach (4 stars)

The Girl from Jones Beach, from 1949, is a romantic comedy starring Ronald Reagan and Virginia Mayo, featuring Eddie Bracken, Henry Travers, Dona Drake, and Florence Bates, in supporting roles.  I enjoyed a re-watch of this very adorable film as part of my beach movie theme this month.

Commerical artist Bob Randolph (Ronald Reagan) has been drawing the "ultimate woman."  Dubbed "The Randolph Girl," she is perfect in every way, and publicity agent Chuck Donovan (Eddie Bracken) has been hired to learn the model's identity and track her down for a television appearance.  Only problem is, as Chuck discovers upon his visit to Bob Randolph's office, there is no "Randolph Girl"...at least no single girl.  Rather, she is a composite of twelve different women...eyes of one, nose of another, neck of another, ankles of another, etc.  None of the girls know of the others' existence, though; each girl thinks she is the one and only "Randolph Girl."

Since there is no girl and, thus, no one to appear on the television show, Chuck feels life isn't worth living anymore, so he heads to Jones Beach, where he intends to drown himself.  While out in a boat, he scans the shoreline with his binoculars, and to his amazement, he sees her---the spitting image of the Randolph Girl---all wrapped up in one perfect woman; quickly, Chuck lets Bob know that he has discovered the girl.  The lovely beauty is Ruth Wilson (Virginia Mayo), a 6th grade teacher, who wants to be known and appreciated for her intellectual qualities rather than her looks.

With Miss Wilson's aversion to being sought out for her beauty, Bob knows she's not apt to jump at the chance to be his model; instead, he'll need to appeal to her intellectual side first...get to know her...then hopefully convince her to take up the "Randolph Girl" mantle.  Since Ruth also teaches an adult education class for new citizens, Bob decides to pose as a new immigrant and enroll in her class.  So, with a made-up name, an invented country, and an accent which changes by the minute, Bob makes the teacher's acquaintance as a student in her class.  Of course, the two fall in love, but there are definitely complications---Bob isn't who Ruth thinks he is, the twelve models discover Bob's deception, and a snapshot is taken of a swimsuit-clad Ruth, getting her into hot water with the school board.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.





Originally, the female lead was to have gone to Lauren Bacall; however, she refused the part, and it went to Mayo. (Info found through a TCM article...HERE)  While her reason for bowing out is not known, the TCM article makes clear that she and Reagan were political opposites and that she had refused other parts (Stallion Road and, later, Storm Warning) which would have required working with him.  Quite honestly, if political differences were the reason she opted out of the role, I think it's a cop-out.  After all, isn't giving the appearance of getting along with someone you don't like what acting is all about?  Besides that, being on a different political page doesn't mean you can't get on with a person; in fact, my beloved Robert Ryan was about as politically different from me as one can be (as was John Garfield, whom I also quite adore).  People don't have to think the same way I do for me to like them (or count them as a beloved!!) or work with them, so if political differences were Miss Bacall's reason for declining this film, I find that rather sad. Whatever her reason, the role went to Miss Mayo, who, I think, was totally perfect in it.  She's beautiful and perky and loads of fun, and her chemistry with Mr. Reagan was great.  (I know they worked together in another film as well...She's Working Her Way Through College.)  Oh, and just FYI, my beloved William Holden thought differently about Mr. Reagan---they were good friends, and he was the best man at his wedding to Nancy.

The film has a very cute little theme song.



The courtroom scene is quite comical; especially funny is Henry Travers, who portrays the judge.  Though he wants to run a tight ship and keep everyone in line, the sight of the lovely Ruth in a swimsuit just can't help but have an effect on him.

The Girl from Jones Beach is definitely a cute, loads-of-fun film.  Yes, it's predictable, but getting to that predictable ending is totally delightful.  I definitely recommend this film; however, it may be a difficult one to track down.  It is not out on DVD, nor can I find it on YouTube.  It is not currently on the TCM schedule; they do show it fairly regularly, however, so hopefully you can catch it in the next few months.

Happy viewing!!!

Dark Victory (5 stars)

From that golden year of 1939 comes Dark Victory, a sentimental tearjerker starring my #1 gal, Bette Davis, and George Brent, with Geraldine Fitzgerald taking on a supporting role.  Also appearing in this incredibly beautiful film are Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan, and the delightful Henry Travers.  Without question, Dark Victory is one of my 20 favorite movies of all time, and as such, it is my second favorite Bette Davis film and my absolute favorite George Brent film.  I thought a re-watch of it was perfect for my George Brent birthday month celebration.

Wealthy socialite Judith "Judy" Traherne (Bette Davis), who spends her days shopping, playing bridge, having cocktails, and riding her horse, has been having headaches for several months.  Pushing aside the concern of her friend Ann (Geraldine Fitzgerald), Judith refuses to see a doctor and intends to go about life as usual.

However, after an episode in which she is thrown from her horse and another in which she collapses on the stairs, her loved ones take her to the family doctor (Henry Travers).  Wanting the input of a specialist, Dr. Parsons contacts brain surgeon Frederick Steele (George Brent).

In the process of giving up his practice to focus on research instead, Dr. Steele is reluctant to take on Judith's case.  However, after meeting her and noticing some things which alarm him, he changes his mind.  Although Judy insists there is nothing wrong with her, Dr. Steele, believing otherwise, schedules her for some tests, which confirm that there is a tumor on her brain.  Surgery is Judy's only option, and Dr. Steele undertakes the operation with high hopes; however, his hopes are short-lived, for he realizes that Judith's tumor is the kind which will grow back.  Although the doctor seeks several opinions, they all come back with the same grim prognosis and the expectation that Judy will die within ten months.  Not wanting Judith to know of her imminent death, Dr. Steele keeps the news to himself.

Not long afterwards, Judith and Dr. Steele realize they are in love with one another and plan to be married.  Although he knows he will ultimately lose her, the doctor loves Judith and wants her to be happy for what time she has left.

Before they can marry, though, Judy discovers her medical file on the doctor's desk, and she is furious at his deception.  Bitter, and believing he is only marrying her out of pity, she breaks off the engagement and seeks to find solace in drink.

Will Judith find the peace she so desperately needs?  Will she forgive the doctor for keeping the truth from her?  Will they get married after all?   Those are the questions which play out in this incredibly gorgeous film.

Dark Victory is a very touching and tender movie...and it is definitely a tearjerker.  Bette, who received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her work here, does her usual brilliant job.  She is positively wonderful!!  The life and grace she brings to the character of Judy Traherne has made Judy one of my favorite film characters.  Truly, Judy's transformation is beautiful and moving.  The only negative I have is that Judith is supposed to be 23 years old; Bette was 31 at the time, so you just have to "blow off" the fact that she doesn't look like a 23 year old.  The age factor wasn't at all essential to the story, so I'm not sure why they felt it was necessary to say she was 23.  The very dashing George Brent, whom I really like but whom I do not consider an exceptional actor, gives what I think is one of his best performances; he and Bette have great chemistry together here...though since they made eleven films together, that's not a surprise.

It was fun seeing Humphrey Bogart before his star had begun to rise, though as a stable hand, he was definitely not in the kind of role with which he is generally associated.

Out on DVD, Dark Victory should be very easy to track down.  Additionally, it's on the TCM schedule for this Sunday, March 4th (10:00 a.m. ET).  Definitely be sure to see this gorgeous film---and have the tissue box handy when you do!

Happy viewing!!

Storm Warning (4 stars)

Storm Warning, a hard-hitting 1951 drama that explores some very intense issues, including the ugly blight of the Ku Klux Klan, is definitely not a feel-good movie.  Directed by Stuart Heisler, it stars Ginger Rogers, Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, and Steve Cochran.  Our family chose to watch this last night in honor of Doris Day's 87th birthday; however, it's really Ginger's movie.  She gets top billing, and she more than steals the show.  She's totally fabulous, and since my husband adores Ginger and was in need of a fix, we chose to watch Storm Warning.  But even though it was totally Ginger's movie, Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, and Steve Cochran were all terrific in their roles.  Really, if anyone thinks Doris was all musicals and comedies, this is one of several movies they need to watch in order to be enlightened.

The story begins when Marsha Mitchell (Ginger), while on a business trip, stops off in the small Southern town of Rockpoint in order to visit her sister Lucy (Doris).  Lucy has recently gotten married to Hank Rice (Steve Cochran), whom Marsha has never met before.  So, late one evening, she steps off the bus and into a horrifying new world.

Marsha barely gets out of the bus depot before all the businesses nearby turn off their lights and shut down.  The few people she runs into are unfriendly and unhelpful; in fact, the cab driver won't even give her a lift.  So, after quickly checking her large suitcase at the bus station, Marsha begins the long walk to Lucy's place of employment.  Within minutes, though, she hears shouts and then watches a lynch mob attacking a man, even shooting him in the back and killing him.  As Marsha hides in the shadows of a building, she gets a clear view of the mob; although most remained in their white-hooded Ku Klux Klan robes, two of the men...one of them being the man who fired the deadly shots...have removed their hoods, and Marsha is able to see their faces clearly.

Sickened by what she has witnessed, Marsha is extremely distraught when she finally connects with her sister.  But she is even more distraught when she is introduced to her new brother-in-law and discovers that  he was part of the lynch mob and that he was the one who fired the deadly shots.  Despising Hank, yet not wanting to hurt Lucy, Marsha doesn't want to get involved and decides she will just hightail it out of town the next morning.

County Prosecutor Burt Rainey (Reagan) is positive that the man's death was the work of the Klan; however, as has been the case with many activities that have taken place in Rockpoint, no one ever sees anything, no one is ever willing to testify against the Klan.  And without a witness to back him up, Rainey never has a case.  This time, though, he is determined to indict the Klan, and after learning that Marsha had checked her suitcase at the bus station only minutes before the murder, he brings her to his office for questioning.

Although Marsha doesn't reveal the identity of the two men she clearly saw, she does tell Prosecutor Rainey that the mob were all wearing hoods.  That is exactly what Burt needed to hear in order to pin the crime on the Klan; however, in order to get an indictment, he needs Marsha to testify to that, and he subpoenas her.  Now Marsha can't leave town as planned. On the other hand, the Klan head, who has learned that Marsha witnessed the crime, tells her that if she testifies that it was the Klan, then her brother-in-law will be fingered as the guilty party and hanged.  How can she do that to her sister?

Burt Rainey is having a similar dilemma.  Over and over, his colleagues counsel him to drop the case, saying it is political suicide to try to indict the Klan, that he will never win another election in Rockpoint again.  How can he prosecute the very people whose votes he needs to stay in office?

So, how do Burt and Marsha resolve their moral dilemmas?  What will they do?  Will they do what they think is right even when it is to their detriment to do so?  Well the remainder of the movie chronicles the choices they both make, so in order to find out, you will have to watch for yourself.

Storm Warning is a very good message movie, and I highly recommend it.  It's out on DVD and should be readily available and quite easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!