Magical and pleasant, but not spectacular, this has been saved from obscurity thanks to the 1984 Disney remake. Then at Forbes Field without a remarkable stadium like Three Rivers would be several decades later, the Pirates were not the winners that they would be decades later. They certainly needed angels on their shoulders, and that's happens here, revealed by an orphaned little girl Donna Corcoran.
She's in attendance with two of the nuns from the orphanage (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby), and with female sports journalist Janet Leigh reporting, the story gets out, giving head coach Paul Douglas something to really pray about. A great ensemble of contract players includes Keenan Wynn as a cynical radio broadcaster, Lewis Stone, Bruce Bennett and James Whitmore as the voice of the angel. Baseball legends Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio also appear to provide newsreel commentary along with Bing Crosby, seen on the golf course.
Sweet and uplifting, but focusing on pathos and sentiment and lighter humor rather than slapstick, this wasn't a hit surprisingly, but definitely deserves classic status due to its love of the great American past time. Leigh's character can be a bit of a pill, but she's well meaning, and as usual, Douglas is a loveable grump. Fortunately, Corcoran is subtle in her cuteness, more natural and less precocious than her MGM predecessor, Margaret O'Brien. No real surprises but a pleasant and amusing time passer.
She's in attendance with two of the nuns from the orphanage (Spring Byington and Ellen Corby), and with female sports journalist Janet Leigh reporting, the story gets out, giving head coach Paul Douglas something to really pray about. A great ensemble of contract players includes Keenan Wynn as a cynical radio broadcaster, Lewis Stone, Bruce Bennett and James Whitmore as the voice of the angel. Baseball legends Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio also appear to provide newsreel commentary along with Bing Crosby, seen on the golf course.
Sweet and uplifting, but focusing on pathos and sentiment and lighter humor rather than slapstick, this wasn't a hit surprisingly, but definitely deserves classic status due to its love of the great American past time. Leigh's character can be a bit of a pill, but she's well meaning, and as usual, Douglas is a loveable grump. Fortunately, Corcoran is subtle in her cuteness, more natural and less precocious than her MGM predecessor, Margaret O'Brien. No real surprises but a pleasant and amusing time passer.