The Strattion Story (1949)

Bio-pic is the story of Monty Stratton, a poor farm boy from Texas who during a stint with the Chicago White Sox in the 1930’s became one of the sports most successful pitchers. All was nearly lost however when a hunting accident cost Stratton his leg, but Monty didn’t give up and in time returned to baseball with some success (though not as much as the movie may be seen to imply he had). Still, Jimmy Stewart in a baseball uniform overcoming adversity, what could be more American then that. Crowd pleasing piece of cornball was Stewart’s first real post-war box office hit. June Allyson plays Jimmys wife (the first of three times she would do so on screen), and Frank ’The Wizard of Oz’ Morgan plays the films major character part, Monty’s trainer Barney Wile. Likable as all get out. Thumbs Up.