Joe DiMaggio Movies
Baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio occasionally appeared in films, typically in cameo roles as himself. In 1937, while filming Manhattan Merry-Go-Round, he met aspiring actress Dorothy Arnold. They married in 1939, had one son, and divorced in 1944. His second wife, Marilyn Monroe, was already a film icon when they met. They married in 1954 and divorced later the same year. Their relationship was explored in Nicolas Roeg's 1985 film Insignificance with Gary Busey and Theresa Russell. ~ All Movie Guide
Its titled derived from a circus term describing an inexperienced performer in his first season, director Paul Sirmons film is adapted from author Gail Radley's popular novel of the same name. The story centers on the friendship between an eleven year old foster child named Cory (Dan Byrd) and an elderly nursing home patient named Carlotta (Julie Harris). Cory has been bounced from foster home to foster home, and he's never felt like he's had a real family. Carlotta feels like she's been forgotten by the world, and rails against the strict rules of that the nurses try and enforce on her. Together, Cory and Carlotta run away to join a traveling circus. Now, under the guidance of the energetic circus owner (Mickey Rooney), this old has-been and young spring chicken prepare to dazzle the crowds and start a new life. Charles Nelson Reilly co-stars as a kindly clown who helps mentor Cory, and Joe DiMaggio appears as a mysterious stranger who encourages the young boy to chase his dreams. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Harris, Dan Byrd, (more)
This HBO documentary examines baseball's golden age from the Great Depression on through the late 1950s. Using archival footage and keen commentary, When It Was a Game shows many of baseball's greatest moments and monuments. From the first color filming of a baseball game to the 1938 World Series and on through the careers of Joe DiMagio and Mickey Mantle, this film is very thorough in scope. The game itself is not the only subject explored. In several cases, the documentary details how the sport held together a nation during WWII and how people viewed the game as America's sport. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
New York Yankees fans will relish this video detailing the history of the Bronx Bombers. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1957
Originally telecast live and in color, this NBC special would be especially valuable to see again, especially if one is a dyed-in-the-wool baseball fanatic. Emceed by Gene Kelly, the 90-minute extravaganza brings together dozens of special guests from Baseball and Showbiz to commemorate in song, sketch and story, the opening of the 1957 baseball season. Among the special's many highlights: The introduction of 1956's MVPs, Mickey Mantle and Don Newcombe; comedy playlets starring the likes of Robert Alda (father of Alan Alda) and Ed Gardner of Duffy's Tavern radio fame; songs performed by Janis Paige, Tony Bennett, and ventriloquist Paul Winchell (with the help of dummy Jerry Mahoney); a "dream outfield" segment built around Stan Musial, Leo Durocher and Ted Williams; a "baseball rock-n-roll" specialty sung by Bill Hayes; old-time baseball newsreel clips, narrated by radiocaster Mel Allen; and a special closing messege, delivered by then-Commissioner of Baseball Ford Frick (long before his vilification as the architect behind the "asterisking" of Roger Maris' 61st homer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Kelly, Robert Alda, (more)
- 1955
After years of succumbing to the New York Yankees in the World Series, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally won it all in 1955. The "Subway Series" at Ebbets Field was a dramatic one that marked the first and only World Series triumph by Brooklyn. The video documents the exciting series action, including the seventh game heroics of Sandy Amoros and Johnny Podres that clinched the victory for the Dodgers. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
Though not the most profitable baseball comedy ever made, Angels in the Outfield is one of the most likeable and enduring. Paul Douglas stars as Guffy McGovern, the combative, foul-mouthed manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. With his team in the basement once more, McGovern has plenty to complain about. All this changes when, while wandering through Forbes Field at night, Guffy is accosted by the voice of the Archangel Gabriel (courtesy of an unbilled James Whitmore). As the spokesman for the Heavenly Choir Nine, a celestial ballclub, Gabriel begins bestowing "miracles" upon the Pirates--but only on the condition that McGovern put a moratorium on swearing and fighting. With the help of the invisible ghosts of past baseball greats, the Pirates make it into the Pennant race. During one crucial game, orphan girl Bridget White (Donna Corcoran) insists that she can see the angels helping out the "live" ballplayers--understandably so, since it was Bridget's prayers that prompted Gabriel to visit McGovern in the first place. Newspaperwoman Jennifer Page (Janet Leigh) transforms Bridget's angelic visions into a nationwide news story, causing no end of trouble for McGovern. When Guffy himself confirms Bridget's claims, he falls right into the hands of vengeful sportscaster Fred Bayles (Keenan Wynn), who's been scheming all along to have McGovern thrown out of baseball. Complication piles upon complication until the Big Game, wherein Guffy is forced to rely exclusively upon the talents of his ballplayers--notably "over the hill" Saul Hellman (Bruce Bennett)--to win the pennant. Unlike the spell-it-all-out 1995 remake of Angels in the Outfield, the original film never shows the angels, permitting the audience to draw its own conclusions regarding Divine Intervention. The film is an unqualified delight, never descending into sloppy sentiment or boggy bathos. Understandably, Angels in the Outfield was Paul Douglas' favorite film (though he'd never admit it after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, hardly Douglas' favorite politician, insisted that it was his favorite as well). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, (more)
- 1937
In this musical comedy, a crooked record producer uses his mob connections to force performers to do their stuff. The trouble really begins when the gangster's strong-arm tactics nearly cause a singer to lose his fiancée. A wide variety of entertainers appear including cowboy crooner Gene Autry, baseball hero Joe DiMaggio, and big band stars Cab Calloway, Ted Lewis, and the Kay Thompson Singers. Songs include "Mamma I Wanna Make Rhythm," "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round," "Heaven?," "I Owe You," and "It's Round-up Time in Reno." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Regan, Leo Carrillo, (more)
This sports documentary features legends Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. ~ All Movie Guide
