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The Stratton Story

  • 1949
  • Approved
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
James Stewart and June Allyson in The Stratton Story (1949)
Trailer for this love story
Play trailer2:00
1 Video
23 Photos
BaseballBiographyDramaRomanceSport

Star major league pitcher Monty Stratton loses a leg in a hunting accident, but becomes determined to leave the game on his own terms.Star major league pitcher Monty Stratton loses a leg in a hunting accident, but becomes determined to leave the game on his own terms.Star major league pitcher Monty Stratton loses a leg in a hunting accident, but becomes determined to leave the game on his own terms.

  • Director
    • Sam Wood
  • Writers
    • Douglas Morrow
    • Guy Trosper
    • George Wells
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • June Allyson
    • Frank Morgan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    3.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam Wood
    • Writers
      • Douglas Morrow
      • Guy Trosper
      • George Wells
    • Stars
      • James Stewart
      • June Allyson
      • Frank Morgan
    • 37User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 9 wins total

    Videos1

    The Stratton Story
    Trailer 2:00
    The Stratton Story

    Photos22

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • Monty Stratton
    June Allyson
    June Allyson
    • Ethel
    Frank Morgan
    Frank Morgan
    • Barney Wile
    Agnes Moorehead
    Agnes Moorehead
    • Ma Stratton
    Bill Williams
    Bill Williams
    • Eddie Dibson
    Bruce Cowling
    Bruce Cowling
    • Ted Lyons
    Cliff Clark
    • Josh Higgins
    Mary Lawrence
    Mary Lawrence
    • Dot
    Dean White
    • Luke Appling
    Robert Gist
    Robert Gist
    • Earnie
    Gene Bearden
    Gene Bearden
    • Gene Bearden
    Bill Dickey
    • Bill Dickey
    Jimmy Dykes
    Jimmy Dykes
    • Jimmy Dykes
    Mervyn Shea
    • Mervyn Shea
    Dwight Adams
    • Detroit Ball Player
    • (uncredited)
    William Allington
    • Western All Stars Coach
    • (uncredited)
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Person in Theatre
    • (uncredited)
    Polly Bailey
    • Person in Theatre
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Sam Wood
    • Writers
      • Douglas Morrow
      • Guy Trosper
      • George Wells
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews37

    7.13.5K
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    Featured reviews

    7Lejink

    In there pitching...

    Baseball means little to me, living in Scotland, so it was with some ignorance of the sport's finer points that I approached this lesser known James Stewart vehicle. Whilst ball-game live-action, with some real-life baseball personalities in the cast, does play a major part in the movie, the underlying story is simply a true tale of overcoming unexpected adversity, a prototype role Stewart delivered time and again in his distinguished career. Following on from the above, Monty Stratton as a sporting hero means nothing to me so I have no idea how far Hollywood bowdlerised the story, so I'll take the narrative at face value and give kudos where they are due to a well-paced film, with natural dialogue and well-crafted scenes, even the baseball match recreations. Stewart's "pitching action" looks natural and he acts his disability convincingly. The Stewart/Allyson pairing gets its first outing here and their natural playing and obvious simpatico from the start has you rooting for them both all the way through. The support is equally strongly played, particularly Agnes Moorehead playing her stock-in-trade "Whistler's Mother" come to life. The direction by Sam Wood is sure and I particularly appreciated the sensitivity shown in the lengthy scenes where Stewart initially broods and gives in to the loss of his leg before Allyson, in a memorable scene, encourages him to fight his disability and helps him achieve his self-respect as well as his place back at the pitching mound. In the main though, as ever, it's Stewart in all his drawling, winking, glory who garners your sympathy from the "Play ball" of a very entertaining family film. It's interesting too, to see his playing of the Stratton part as the unwitting precursor to his more celebrated part as an invalid in the later classic "Rear Window".
    7utgard14

    "I guess I shot the wrong rabbit."

    Highly entertaining biopic about baseball pitcher Monty Stratton (Jimmy Stewart). Stratton is on his way to becoming one of the major leagues' best pitchers when he loses a leg in a hunting accident. It looks like his career is over. But with the support of his loving wife (June Allyson), Monty begins to pitch again. First of three movies that paired Stewart and Allyson. They're both terrific. Good support from Frank Morgan and Agnes Moorehead. Also some nice work from real-life baseball players like Bill Dickey and Jimmy Dykes. The baseball parts are fun to watch and contrast the old with the new. The sport is a shadow of its former self today. Anyway, this is one of those fine uplifting biopics Old Hollywood did so well. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
    9Piafredux

    Timely Topic for This Film

    Made in 1949 - at about the time that WWII veteran amputees were emerging from their VA hospital prosthetics rehab program and thus beginning to appear among the general population - 'The Stratton Story' topic of a man working hard to overcome the wound he suffered was timely, and it helps to explain the film's resonance with the audiences of its day.

    Well crafted in all respects 'The Stratton Story,' though certainly a rather fictionalized Hollywood treatment, gives a straightforward, honest look at a man, a farmer, a baseball player, a husband, a father facing his amputation squarely and making the best of himself despite his handicap - and the real Monty Stratton accomplished this feat in the days before every mosquito bite or knee-scrape prompted the callout of armies of professional counsellors. The pairing of June Allyson with James Stewart proved to yield attractive screen power as the two thespians work together very well here in their first effort as a movie couple. The supporting cast give solid performances, though I give special mention to Agnes Moorehead for her restrained, dignified portrayal of Stratton's mother which in the hands of a lesser actress could have been turned into a cliché of the farm-earth-mother.

    There's fraught drama here as well as lighthearted and inspiring moments, and none are overindulged or wrung out beyond their intrinsic value. 'The Stratton Story' is a nicely balanced example of forthright cinematic storytelling of a self-reliant man supported unflinchingly by his clear-eyed, plain-spoken family and his baseball fraternity. Over time the film stands up well and it needs no third millennium explication or embellishment; it's fine fare for adults and children alike.
    8ccthemovieman-1

    Stewart Elevates This Baseball Story

    This was a nice baseball story, nothing exceptional but Jimmy Stewart's presence in the title roll elevates the movie.

    Jimmy looks a bit old to be playing a rookie pitcher, and he doesn't throw like a professional, but at least he isn't pathetic in that regard like some of the other classic-era actors who attempted to do so (you know who they are). They faked enough of the pitching scenes here to get away with Stewart's baseball shortcomings.

    Anyway, it's just as much a human-interest story as it is a baseball movie, the story of "Monty Stratton" (Stewart) and his girlfriend-then-bride "Ethel," played warmly by June Allyson. She and Frank Morgan, who plays the scout to discovers Monty, are excellent as the two other main actors of the film. In a supporting role, Agnes Moorehead gives her normal competent performance as Monty's mom.

    On my second viewing I was surprised to discover that the key part of the film - the part which identifies this story as different from others - doesn't occur until the last third of the film. Then, after that, we see how a difficult and traumatic physical loss affects everyone and whether Monty can return to his baseball passion.

    Overall, it's an entertaining film if you are a fan of Stewart's work, or a big baseball fan and most people fall into at least one of those categories. If remade today, I would suspect the script would be a little tighter, but stories were told slower 50 years ago and one has to expect that. I'm not complaining. I've enjoyed the movie both times I've watched it, and the DVD transfer is very good.
    9redryan64

    True Life Biography of Courageous, Hard Luck Pitcher of The Perrenially Hard Luck Chicago White Sox

    Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Baseball Movies; ah yes, just what could be more American! Ever since the earliest days of the motion pictures as both Business and Art Form, we've had them with us. Some were not so good, whereas most were pretty good and some were truly outstanding.

    THE STRATTON STORY has to rank in the uppermost tier when it comes to placement. It is not only in the First Division*, but it also Wins the Pennant! This is one biopic that just had to be made! First of all, a Great Man, my own Dad, the late Clem Ryan, had a saying that, "Truth is Stranger than Fiction." He didn't claim that it was his original, just a favourite. Monty Stratton's real life story was certainly a good example to use.

    The cast was excellent both in the choice of Actors to fill the roles. Mr. Stratton,was very much like his movie biographical counterpart, James Stewart. Stratton was listed at 6'6" in height, but weighing a slender 180 lbs. Stewart also used a slow, deliberate manner of speech. He is practical, even economic in not wasting any words needlessly. This may even be an indication of the personality of a man shaped by the life on a farm and dealing with the realities of the Great Depression.

    June Allyson and Agnes Morehead provide their best characterizations as the women in Stratton's life; being Wife and Mother, respectively. Miss Allyson is very beautiful, sweet and fragile, and yet demonstrates a strength of character that rises to the occasion when the tragedy strikes her husband. Miss Morehead goes the 'less is better' route by underplaying her part as Stratton's Mother and brings her across firm, loving and kind.

    The real life Major Leaguers in the film do adequately in the roles given them, like playing themselves-a not so easy thing to do before an audience or rolling cameras.Pitcher Gene Beardon,Catcher Mervyn Shea and Yankee Great,Catcher and Manager, Bill Dickey, all add a certain authenticity to the story. And long time player and White Sox Manager Jimmy Dykes turns in a yeoman's job in managing before the camera.

    It is Frank Morgan, who portrays a former Big League Catcher, now a down and out hobo.Ity is he who discovers the young Monty Stratton and in turn, he finds his own worth as a man and useful person. Now, we just don't know if his character of Barney Wile was a real person or not. Mr. Morgan shows the deep acting talents in bringing the character to the screen. Even in the scenes when he is instructing Baseball Fundamentals, he appears to be a real, old veteran Ball Player who has been through it all.

    THE STRATTON STORY is a good example of what a Hollywood can be. Its ilk is timeless and the Film Moguls would do well to give the making of this kind of Movie a try again. They might be surprised at that old Barometer of The Film Business, namely Box Office.

    * First Division is a now outmoded Baseball term. In the days before League Expansion, about 1961, both the National League and the Amwercan League had 8 teams each. In reference to the standings First Division meant the teams ranked in 1st through 4th Place. 5th through 8th Place was called Second Division, with the 8th Place team was referred to as being in 'The Cellar'. The First Division Teams also received a share of World Series Money.

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    Sport

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      After the events of the movie, the real Monty Stratton went on to be a coach for the Chicago White Sox for a couple of years before going back to his home town of Greenville, TX to start his own farm team. In 1946, he shocked the world when he took the mound once again, this time in the minor leagues, and he posted an 18-8 record for that season.
    • Goofs
      In Monty Stratton's pitching debut versus the NY Yankees, Joe DiMaggio is shown circling the bases in stock footage. However, Stratton debuted in 1934 and DiMaggio didn't show up in the majors until 1936.
    • Quotes

      Monty Stratton: Look at that road! I used to do ten miles on that road like it was nothin' - just to pitch a game! Now I can hardly reach it, let alone walk on it!

    • Connections
      Edited from Somewhere I'll Find You (1942)
    • Soundtracks
      Stompin' at the Savoy
      (uncredited)

      Music by Benny Goodman, Chick Webb and Edgar M. Sampson

      Played at the restaurant

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1949 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Life of Monte Stratton
    • Filming locations
      • Gilmore Field - 7700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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