Fear Strikes Out (1957)
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Anthony Perkins stars as troubled baseball great Jimmy Piersall in Fear Strikes Out. Based on Piersall's shattering tell-all autobiography, the film traces Jimmy's ascent from the sandlots of Waterbury, CT, to the Boston Red Sox, with his domineering father (Karl Malden) pushing the boy beyond all reasonable limits. Unable to withstand the pressure, Piersall suffers a nervous breakdown and is confined to a mental institution. Through a long period of therapy, Jimmy realizes that he has excelled in baseball not for his own gratification but to please his father. This film was preceded by a 1956 TV version starring Tab Hunter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anthony Perkins, Karl Malden, (more)
- Director(s):
- Robert Mulligan
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Fear Strikes Out
Anthony Perkins stars as troubled baseball great Jimmy Piersall in Fear Strikes Out. Based on Piersall's shattering tell-all autobiography, the film traces Jimmy's ascent from the sandlots of Waterbury, CT, to the Boston Red Sox, with his domineering father (Karl Malden) pushing the boy beyond all reasonable limits. Unable to withstand the pressure, Piersall suffers a nervous breakdown and is confined to a mental institution. Through a long period of therapy, Jimmy realizes that he has excelled in baseball not for his own gratification but to please his father. This film was preceded by a 1956 TV version starring Tab Hunter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 100 mins
Complete Cast of Fear Strikes Out
- Anthony Perkins - Jimmy Piersall
- Norma Moore - Mary Piersall
- Perry Wilson - Mrs. John Piersall
- Dennis McMullen - Phil
- Brian G. Hutton - Bernie Sherwill
- Rand Harper - Radio Announcer
- Eric Alden
- John Benson
- George Pembroke - Umpire
- Morgan Jones - Sandy Allen
- June Jocelyn
- Ralph Montgomery
- Don Brodie
- Karl Malden - John Piersall
- Adam Williams - Dr. Brown
- Peter J. Votrian - Jimmy (younger)
- Gail Land - Alice
- Bart Burns - Joe Cronin
- Howard Price - Bill Tracy
- Mary Benoit
- Edward Byrnes
- Don McGuire
- Courtland Shepard
- Bing Russell
- Heather Hopper
- Richard Bull
- Director(s):
- Robert Mulligan
- Writer(s):
- Ted Berkman, Raphael Blau
- Producer(s):
- Alan J. Pakula
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