Features: DVD, Pan and Scan (TV Format), Original, Trailers, Notes
Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly play ball in a big way as 1900's vaudevillians who spend the winter flinging the onstage blarney and the summer flinging the ol' horsehide for baseball's world champs, the Wolves. Sinatra is second-sacker Dennis Ryan and Kelly is short-stop Eddie O'Brien in this Busby Berkeley--directed romp that combines baseball with that other all-American pastime: romance. Esther Williams plays the new team owner and Betty Garrett is a Baseball Annie with eyes for blue-eyed Ryan. Kelly and Stanley Donen's deft musical stagings ranged from a softshoe duet charmer to an exciting "barrel roll" Kelly solo. Their work persuaded producer Arthur Freed to green-light their direction of the same year's On the Town.
Editor's Note
Singing, dancing baseball players Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra) and Eddie O'Brien (Gene Kelly) find their friendship tested when both fall for the new, female owner of their team (water-ballet diva Esther Williams). Meanwhile, a crooked gambler (Edward Arnold) tries to sabotage the big game by getting O'Brien fired. It all gets resolved with lots of comedy, songs, dances, and baseball action in a colorful, turn-of-the-century setting. (Miss Williams even swims a few laps in the hotel pool.) Busby Berkeley directed TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME, but left the choreography to Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, thus the dance numbers emphasize Kelly's athletic grace rather than the fluid camerawork that is Berkeley's signature. Berkeley's exuberant affection for early Americana and his unerring knack for zingy comedy are both on full display, however, and frowns are not an option. Songs include: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "The Hat My Father Wore on St. Patrick's Day," and "Yes, Indeedy."
Plot Summary
When a woman (Esther Williams) inherits their major league baseball club, teammates Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra) and Eddie O'Brien (Gene Kelly) are first outraged, then smitten. Soon they are fighting for her affections, and even breaking curfew to woo her. More trouble arises when a crooked gambler (Edward Arnold) tries to sabotage the big game. Of course it's all just a pitch on which director Busby Berkeley nails a big home run of singing, dancing, comedy, and romance.
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