This is the popular, sentimental recounting of the life of Chicago White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton (James Stewart), who lost his leg as a result of a hunting accident yet returned to play baseball in the minor leagues. One of the most popular of Hollywood baseball films, it features some noted major leaguers (Bill Dickey, Jimmy Dykese) in cameo roles.
The story follows the now familiar triumph over physical adversity formula, complete with scenes of self-pity and disappointing setbacks. June Allyson plays Stewart’s supportive wife in the first of three features they made together; the others are The Glenn Miller Story (1954) and Strategic Air Command (1955).
Agnes Moorehead, who plays James Stewart’s mother in The Stratton Story was actually less than two years older than the Stewart. Moorehead was also married to co-star Robert Gist from 1953 to 1958.
production details
USA | MGM | 106 minutes | 1949
Director: Sam Wood
Producer: Jack Cummings
Director of Photography: Harold Rosson
Editing: Ben Lewis
Script: Douglas Morrow, Guy Trosper
Production Design: Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse
cast
Agnes Moorehead as Ma Stratton
Robert Gist as Earnie
Cliff Clark as Josh Higgins
Frank Morgan as Barney Wile
James Stewart as Monty Stratton
June Allyson as Ethel
Bill Williams as Eddie Dibson
Bruce Cowling as Ted Lyons
Mary Lawrence as Dot
Dean White as Luke Appling
Gene Bearden as Gene Bearden
Bill Dickey as Bill Dickey
Jimmy Dykes as Jimmy Dykes
Mervyn Shea as Mervyn Shea
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