Notable mostly as the directorial debut of Robert Aldrich - and an example of how MGM forgot how to make fun movies under Dore Schary. This really should have been an easy, fun film - about a bunch of baseball players trying out in the major leagues. You can see what it should have been - something light and breezy with a bit of seriousness and romance; showcasing some young talent, with a veteran actor to headline.
But they stuff it. I don't blame Aldrich - the direction is competent enough. But it's not a good movie. There's no laughs, no charm, no songs. No drama, no excitement.
The script is so clunky. There's endless narration, describing characters and backstories and situations that needed to be dramatised. It's all so serious and self important. Everyone is reflective and philosophical. Okay so they didn't want to make it light, fine - but they don't make it really dramatic either. You don't feel the exhilaration of the sport, or the stakes. It's dull and serious.
Occasionally it threatens to get interesting - it's moving when a player get cut. But don't worry he's back at the end! Or there's some potential drama when a father turns up not wanting his kid to play ball - but don't worry there's no confrontation or any real conflict, he just watches the game and that's that.
Vera Ellen is hideously awkward as Edward G Robinson's niece who loves Jeff Richards. Don't worry - there's no conflict there! Why have conflict when you can have narration?
Richards is tall and good looking and a real baseball player but is very awkward. He's like a young Clint Eastwood.
Other young up and comers include Richard Jaeckel and William Campbell. (Dore Schary wasn't a great spotter of talent... though these guys are better than Vera Ellen who is dreadful.)
Robinson is always a pleasure though not entirely convincing as a former top player - they really shouldn't have included that scene where he goes up to the plate and has a swing.
Just a stiff, dull pointless film with no life in it. I guess the baseball scenes feel real.
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