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The Comeback Kid

  • TV Movie
  • 1980
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
284
YOUR RATING
John Ritter in The Comeback Kid (1980)
ComedyRomanceSport

A down and out former minor league ballplayer finds romance and a renewed zest for life when he takes a job coaching a group of underprivileged kids.A down and out former minor league ballplayer finds romance and a renewed zest for life when he takes a job coaching a group of underprivileged kids.A down and out former minor league ballplayer finds romance and a renewed zest for life when he takes a job coaching a group of underprivileged kids.

  • Director
    • Peter Levin
  • Writer
    • Joe S. Landon
  • Stars
    • John Ritter
    • Susan Dey
    • Doug McKeon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    284
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Levin
    • Writer
      • Joe S. Landon
    • Stars
      • John Ritter
      • Susan Dey
      • Doug McKeon
    • 5User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos4

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    John Ritter
    John Ritter
    • Bubba Newman
    Susan Dey
    Susan Dey
    • Megan Barrett
    Doug McKeon
    Doug McKeon
    • Michael
    James Gregory
    James Gregory
    • Scotty
    Jeremy Licht
    Jeremy Licht
    • Paul
    Dick O'Neill
    Dick O'Neill
    • Phil
    Rod Gist
    • Ray Carver
    Michael Lembeck
    Michael Lembeck
    • Tony
    Patrick Swayze
    Patrick Swayze
    • Chuck
    Angela Aames
    Angela Aames
    • Sherry
    Tan Adams
    • Shirley
    Abraham Alvarez
    • Frank
    Kevin King Cooper
    • Tank
    Kim Fields
    Kim Fields
    • Molly
    Jim Gatherum
    • Boy at Meet
    • (as Jimmy Gatherum)
    Clarke Gordon
    Clarke Gordon
    • Man at Funeral
    Eric Greene
    • Jeep
    Rosanne Katon
    Rosanne Katon
    • Girl #3
    • Director
      • Peter Levin
    • Writer
      • Joe S. Landon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    5.7284
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    5vampire_hounddog

    Average family drama TV movie

    A washed up minor league baseball player (John Ritter) finds he has a new purpose in life when he takes coaching a club for under privileged kids.

    A fairly decent and heartwarming TV movie piece of cheese that does an okay job with the material it has.
    chameleonfilms

    A MOVING STORY JOHN RITTER WAS GREAT

    Angie McCright was outstanding as little Lisa my favorite line would have to be "Are we still gonna have the track meet" A must see for any comedy fan.This movie is a great example of how John Ritter can make any kind of movie enjoyable.
    7thehappychuckler

    Ritter Very Good in Emotional TV Movie

    A cocky, beer-slugging, self-centred minor league baseball player named Bubba Newman (John Ritter) has hit a real crossroads in his life. All he knows is baseball and chasing skirts and now he is told that at age 29 he is being sent down and might be the end of his chances of making the bigs. In a scene that was a little too reminiscent of BAD NEWS BEARS a bunch of kids find him passed out on a pitching mound surrounded by beer cans. In the end he meets up with Megan Barrett (Susan Dey) who gives him the job of coaching those very kids for a track meet.

    Ritter is very good in the lead role and as usual makes this TV movie worth watching. Dey is very good as well who doesn't just accept everything Bubba tells her. There is a big twist in the film as well that I won't mention, but it really in fact makes this film more memorable in the end in how it effects all the characters. Also starring Patrick Swayze as one of Bubba's teammates and Kim Fields as one of the kids Bubba is coaching. Sadly another forgotten TV movie, but if you find it I would suggest giving it a viewing.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Patrick Swayze's television movie debut.
    • Quotes

      Bubba Newman: I don't care about the game. I just kept thinking I'm hanging on. And maybe, it's time to let it go.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 11, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El regreso del hijo pródigo
    • Production company
      • ABC Circle Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37m(97 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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