This Eagle Lion film release is a sincere effort and it speaks volumes that the real Jackie Robinson played himself. "Baby Face" director Alfred E. Green's "The Jackie Robinson Story" isn't necessarily unforgettable, but it is entertaining. Little Jackie (Howard Louis MacNeely) plays ball with the neighborhood white kids. He distinguishes himself on the field without a glove. Relying strictly on his agility and bare hands, our small fry hero takes everything that the coach can hit. So impressed is the coach that he gives little Jackie a battered old baseball mitt. The mitt has a tear in it, and you can see the stuffing sticking out of it. Nevertheless, little Jackie is so ecstatic that he charges home and proudly shows his mom (Louise Beavers) that he is the proud owner of a baseball glove. Of course, all she can see is the tear in the seat of his pants. Later, after Jackie has grown up, he attends Pasadena Junior College. He distinguishes himself as an athletic. Although his older brother excelled in sports and graduated from college, Mike (Joel Fluellen of "Friendly Persuasion") winds up toiling as a lowly street cleaner. He explains to Jackie that it is a steady job. After Jackie is drafted for military service, he joins a team in the Negro League and distinguishes himself again. Jackie's performance on the diamond as a baseball player convinces Brooklyn Dodgers scout Clyde Sukeforth (Billy Wayne of "The Sniper") to bring him to the attention of Brooklyn Dodgers' President Branch Rickey (Minor Watson of "Yankee Doodle Dandy) who is willing to put him on the roster. Jackie starts out with the Dodgers' minor league club the Panthers. Eventually, after he distinguishes himself on the field again, Jackie winds up playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey doesn't mince words with Jackie. He warns Jackie that playing ball is one thing while enduring the rampant racism is another. He doesn't want Jackie to fight back. Naturally, life is rocky for Jackie, but he puts up with the racism and shows the world that he is a great baseball player.
Jackie Robinson delivers a wooden performance, but the producers have surrounded him with a strong cast. Actress Ruby Dee is cast as his long-suffering wife. This isn't the greatest baseball picture, but it is affecting. Green never lets the pace slacken.
Jackie Robinson delivers a wooden performance, but the producers have surrounded him with a strong cast. Actress Ruby Dee is cast as his long-suffering wife. This isn't the greatest baseball picture, but it is affecting. Green never lets the pace slacken.