Product: The Big Leaguer (1953)
Rating: 3.0
fallow time in Robinson's career
The early 50's were a bad time for Robinson all round, finances family life and committe hearing s in the political turmoil of his day, I find it interesting many minor people or writers developed some problems, but he was probably one of the larger presences and after Key Largo to Hell on frisco Bay where he teams up with alan ladd, his roles were in B pictures, and minor films, and I doubt there was much money in them or a boost in his career and he seems to have disappeared during the 50's,...around 59 he would return as character actor in some minor roles. This film was one of his first I believe which didnt even open in New york..probably had little release and if there was much release wouldnt go anywhere..its appeal is in smallness, showing us the baseball of the early years. an age when people didnt check whether we saluted or we werent so regimented, we were relaxed easygoing, we went to a baseball game and enjoyed our cities...smallness we found ourselves at home in these small baseball games, baseball parks, where everyone tried to make it big be a big star, there wasnt much money playing there, and everyone just wanted to be at the game..the atmosphere, talk, long ball, and these players and few made it big but they were big in our hearts they built neighbourhoods, and didnt go questioning but in their heart made these small parks and the game,and neighbourhoods, and didnt care to judge anyone..there are afew interesting scenes, and a character named crystal and a romance in a minor key, all against the new York background..a pre regimented time like the loose gomer pyle in a structured regiment..but its really about minor league baseball and has a charm..and Dimaggio..the culture of small town baseball for those who want a look...its interesting as a baseball film more than anything..its always good to see eddie back on the screen even if there's not much here for him