The Big Leaguer

A Pleasant Surprise
Wasn't really expecting much from this movie since I bought it with a group of other baseball movies such as eight men out, 42 and the natural but was pleasantly surprised.
It was a nice baseball story about early spring tryouts for the new york giants, who would make the cut and who wouldn't with several interesting sub plots going as well.
Since I am a native of NYC, grown up in a time of 2 stadiums Shea & Yankee, I found it really fascinating to see, what I assume, were the actual polo grounds.
I have seen Ebbets field in many movies and pictures before but knew little more than word of mouth about the Polo grounds so it was fun to see it.
This is not one of the great baseball movies but it was light hearted with of course a little love story thrown in as well.
I would recommend it.

fallow time in Robinson's career
The early 50's were a bad time for Robinson all round, finances family life and committe hearing s in the political turmoil of his day, I find it interesting many minor people or writers developed some problems, but he was probably one of the larger presences and after Key Largo to Hell on frisco Bay where he teams up with alan ladd, his roles were in B pictures, and minor films, and I doubt there was much money in them or a boost in his career and he seems to have disappeared during the 50's,...around 59 he would return as character actor in some minor roles. This film was one of his first I believe which didnt even open in New york..probably had little release and if there was much release wouldnt go anywhere..its appeal is in smallness, showing us the baseball of the early years. an age when people didnt check whether we saluted or we werent so regimented, we were relaxed easygoing, we went to a baseball game and enjoyed our cities...smallness we found ourselves at home in these...

Big Leaguer
As baseball fan. I've waited for this movie to released on DVD. Strong performance by Edward G. Robinson. Vera-Ellen was excellent as the female lead.

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