The Crowd Worshipped Him... One Woman Understood Him!

Starring: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Babe Ruth, Walter Brennan, Dan Duryea, Els Janssen, Ludwig Stössel, Virginia Gilmore

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth... play ball!" - Lou Gehrig

Why watch this? This is a homage to the beloved baseballer Lou Gehrig, who died at age 37.

Plot Summary: This film traces the life of baseball legend Lou Gehrig, from his early days aspiring to play ball to becoming a star with the New York Yankees. He forms friendships with teammates and journalists and finds love with his spirited wife, Eleanor. As his career peaks and he's celebrated as a national hero, Gehrig begins experiencing a mysterious loss of strength. Despite his declining health, Gehrig bravely continues to play, driven by his love for the game and his dedication to his team.

Dad's Preview: This sad yet inspiring film documents one of America's greatest sports legends. Gehrig played for the New York Yankees, but suffered from the incurable ALS (it would later be called Lou Gehrig's Disease). He left this world too soon. Many real baseball players appear in the film including Babe Ruth and Bill Dickey. The highlight of the film is Gehrig's final speech to his adoring fans. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, winning only one.

Samuel Goldwyn Productions; RKO Radio Pictures