The Stratton Story

Alcoholic former baseball pro Barney Wile (Morgan) helps talented Texas farm boy Monty Stratton (Stewart) join the Chicago White Sox, but a tragic accident cuts the kid’s career short. Director Wood’s final film was the inspiring real-life story of Monty Stratton who lost a leg but overcame his difficulties. It’s a standard biography, and Stewart is too old for the part (Moorehead, as his mother, is only eight years older), but it is nevertheless a well told and not overly sentimental film. Stewart makes you forget about his age, Allyson is a convincing wife for him and Morgan is solid (even though his alcoholism appears to be cured overnight…).

1949-U.S. 105 min. B/W. Produced by Jack Cummings. Directed by Sam Wood. Screenplay: Douglas Morrow, Guy Trosper. Cast: James Stewart (Monty Stratton), June Allyson (Ethel Stratton), Frank Morgan (Barney Wile), Agnes Moorehead, Bill Williams, Jimmy Dykes.

► Monty Stratton: “When I saw Jimmy on the screen, I wept. He was more me than I am!” (Quote from TCM.com)

Trivia: Van Johnson and Gregory Peck were allegedly considered for the part of Monty. Several real-life ballplayers appear as themselves, including Mr. Dykes.

Oscar: Best Motion Picture Story (Morrow).

film movies james stewart june allyson IMDb

Published 8 February 2008

Remember This?

“I look out there on all you wonderful guys and I say to myself: 'What I wouldn't give to be 20 years younger... and a woman'. You know, I've personally flown over 194 missions and I was shot down on every one. Come to think of it, I've never landed a plane in my life.”

Lloyd Bridges addressing his pilots (Hot Shots!, 1991)