The Babe (1992)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer (WGA):

John Fusco (written by)

Release Date:

17 April 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

There Was Only One.

Plot:

Babe Ruth becomes a baseball legend but is unheroic to those who know him.

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | New York Yankees | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Goodman	...	George Herman 'Babe' Ruth
Kelly McGillis	...	Claire Hodgson Ruth
Trini Alvarado	...	Helen Woodford Ruth
Bruce Boxleitner	...	Jumpin' Joe Dugan
Peter Donat	...	Harry Frazee
James Cromwell	...	Brother Mathias
J.C. Quinn	...	Jack Dunn
Joe Ragno	...	Miller Huggins
Richard Tyson	...	Guy Bush
Ralph Marrero	...	Frank 'Ping' Bodie
Robert Swan	...	George Herman Ruth Sr. (as Bob Swan)
Bernard Kates	...	Colonel Jack Ruppert
Michael McGrady	...	Lou Gehrig
Stephen Caffrey	...	Johnny Sylvester
Gene Ross	...	Brother Paul

Runtime:

Netherlands:115 min | USA:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:PG | Iceland:L | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The minor league Danville Dans stadium in Danville, Illinois, was the one used for Fenway Park and Forbes Field, as well as being seen in black/white news footage.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Contrary to popular belief, Babe Ruth did not hit three home runs in his last game in 1935. While the three-homer game against the Pittsburgh Pirates did occur, Ruth actually retired in between games of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies a few days later. Babe grounded out in his final at-bat.

Quotes:

Harry Frazee, Red Sox Owner: Half of everything I own just went down the drain with the "Gladiators of Broadway". The other half, is in the pocket of The Sultan of Swat, and he wants a raise and his own suites during road games.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Zombie Nightmare (#7.4)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Sweet Georgia Brown

The darker side of a baseball icon.

Despite critical reviews, this is really an interesting movie. A different look at legendary home run slugger Babe Ruth. Very low budget and historically incorrect. A major league turn around from the William Bendix BABE RUTH STORY(1948). Rowdy and ribald and one of baseball's original heroes is shown drinking, cavorting, skirt chasing and deep in gluttony. The real "Bambino"? Not candy coated, but not honestly factual either. John Goodman is outstanding as the slugger of mammoth and mythical home runs. Kelly McGillis plays Clare Ruth. Also in the cast are Bruce Boxleitner, Joe Ragno and Peter Donat. Take it all in stride. It is only a movie and not engraved in granite.