The Winning Team

source: The Winning Team

The title of this movie has more to do with the relationship between big league ball player Grover Cleveland Alexander and his wife Aimee than it has to do about a successful sports franchise. As with many of these sports biopics, I learn more about the historical character from reading other movie fan reviews on this site than from the actual picture, for which I'm quite grateful. The first thing that caught my eye was when the opening credits rolled with Doris Day billed over Ronald Reagan, somewhat backwards considering who the title character was, but probably had something to do with a contractual obligation at the time. A follow up credits screen lists the names of Major League ball players who also appeared in the film, but unless you were a die-hard fan in the Fifties, there's no way you'd recognize any of them. None of them that I recall were mentioned by name in the story. The story has some neat anecdotal stuff in it like Alexander (Reagan) earning a buck and a half to pitch against the Galesburg team, and allowing Rogers Hornsby (Frank Lovejoy) to get a hit when his baseball career might have been on the line. A treat for old time fans would be seeing some of the early ball parks and stock footage from the mid-Twenties glory days, there's even a clip of the Babe running for first base and making an unsuccessful steal attempt at second. In his role portraying Alexander, I thought Reagan was generally competent, although some of his mannerisms seemed exaggerated when he attempted to simulate the pitcher's bouts of dizziness and diplopia. The story's best sequences seemed to occur when Alex and Aimee (Day) shared a tender moment, while virtually every baseball scene had Alex throwing nothing but strikes, which seemed to this viewer as rather unlikely considering his real life overall record (373-208), while impressive, still had it's share of losses. An interesting side note, Alexander has the most career wins for a pitcher who never threw a no-hitter; that's for all you sports buffs. Though the movie leaves out a lot of the real ball player's life and troubles due to epilepsy and alcohol, there's some value in catching the film for it's story of a man's perseverance in spite of obstacles to overcome. If you enjoy these era films, one you might try is another film from 1952 featuring yet another pitcher, the inimitable Dizzy Dean in "The Pride of St. Louis".

My main reason for seeing 'The Winning Team' was Doris Day as part of my quest to see all the films of hers not yet seen. 'The Winning Team' is also based on an interesting person with an interesting if tragic life, and personally am of the opinion that Ronald Reagan has shown here and in other performances that he was not that bad an actor. 'The Winning Team' does stray from the truth significantly from the middle of the film, which will disappoint those who want a truthful account of his life and career. Although it was a pity somewhat, it didn't ruin it for me having seen enough biographical dramas to kind of expect that it would be the case. With that being said, there are some truthful elements too. While the alcoholism and problems with vision and blackouts were covered, it was a shame that the epilepsy was pretty much trivialised to ignored. It is in some way not an easy condition to act out, but not addressing it (and it would have been courageous of the film to do so for a condition that needed awareness raised and still met with ignorance, speaking as an epileptic myself) and not exploring it enough was a missed opportunity when it was such a big part of his health difficulties. A few scenes didn't come over as necessary either and seemed tacked on. The "Ol' Saint Nicholas" seemed like it was put in just to have Day sing, its inclusion felt tacked on, it was completely pointless and it wasn't even a particularly good song despite Day singing it beautifully and doing what she could. The direction was competent enough if unspectacular mostly and workmanlike at best, gets the job done but in need of more spark. On the other hand, despite not being lavish, 'The Winning Team' is a good-looking film and is well photographed. It did also benefit from the inclusion of stock footage which makes one nostalgic and leaves them quite moved. The music is a good fit and doesn't intrude. Generally the writing flows well and packs some emotional punch. The story moves along at a comfortable pace without dragging or being jumpy, it does become thin and suddenly-stop-like in the second half but the ending is uplifting and moving. Reagan occasionally overdoes the mannerisms but on the most part it is a solid performance that shows a lot of commitment that ranks among his better ones. Day shows that when given the chance that she was as skilled in drama as she is in comedy and musicals, even though the character at times frustrates you she gives a sensitive performance and shares good chemistry with Reagan. Frank Lovejoy is good support. In conclusion, a winner mostly if not exceptional. 7/10 Bethany Cox

. . . to warn America against his future two-faced self during this Grover Cleveland (an earlier POTUS) Alexander biopic, THE WINNING TEAM. During most of the Major League baseball action depicted here, Mr. Alexander is plagued with double vision, delusions and falling-down fits (just like in future Real Life, Tinsel Town's notorious rabble-rousing union president became a HUAC snitch against his duped teammates and ripped up the Constitution with his Iran Contra debacle, not to mention providing constant fodder for the Doonesbury Comic Strip's "Inside the Gypper's Brain" feature). When she's not singing for her Yule Tide eggnog, the fatuous "Aimee" seems to be an uncannily accurate portrayal of the future Second Lady who would turn over the running of the USA to her astrologer. The prolifically proficient prognosticating prophets propel this Warner Bros. flick into the annals of both Past and Future history as it traces the descent of its single-minded Progressive protagonist all the way down to a carnival freak show attraction. Maybe there once was an unclothed emperor lording over his nation in some far-off galaxy, but at least this unadorned gent had a brain in his head. With its spotlight on the declining Grover's fuzzy focus, THE WINNING TEAM warns a nation regarding what it's about to lose!

"You can't make chicken salad out of chicken feathers" says baseball player wife Eve Miller to Doris Day, playing the wife of Grover Cleveland Alexander (Ronald Reagan) whose promising baseball career stalled because of a hit he took while rising in the minor leagues. Not content to be a farmer, Reagan becomes despondent, only snapping out of it when a seemingly miraculous sight of a clear moon takes away his double vision. Previously opposed to his career choice, supportive wife Day becomes the typical supportive wife, cheering him up with a rather saccharine Christmas dirty ("Old St. Nicholas") while Reagan strings popcorn. It's all very nicely done, but the plot basically stops less than half way through for several reels, with episodic scenes devoted to his rise to baseball fame, her scrapbook keeping, his involvement in world war I, and of course, the obligatory scene of her running along in the crowd as he comes back another type of hero. Cameos by famous baseball players of the time gives this historical importance as a record of part of baseball's history, with shots of many long gone stadiums, too old fashioned and un-tech to change with the times. It's obvious that Alexander's double vision will return, but it's also obvious how this formula biographical drama will play out. The way his apparent dive into alcoholism isn't presented as believable either, with a slurring Reagan being told he sounds sober while a sports reporter calls in the story to a newspaper. All of a sudden, we're supposed to believe that he's a lush. The story is there, but the script prevents any real emotional involvement by leaving out key character details.

I am 52 and never had seen this gem before until today July 10, 2016. I am not much of a movie critic, just wanted to throw in my 2-cents. The real-life baseball footage from the 1911 to 1927 years really got me, it does not get any better. I truly enjoyed the early 20th century "raw" baseball film footage caught in this film. The love story is a bit corny, the whole "Aimee gave him his strength", I feel that was Hollywood doing their thing, just as in the end showing Grover striking out the last batter, when in fact, Babe Ruth was thrown out at 2nd trying to steal 2nd base, typical Hollywood in making up what they want. Overall though, I loved the movie, loved the real 1910-1927's baseball footage! If you are a baseball fanatic, you will love this one, except for the side story with his love life, but I tell ya what, Dorris day played it well, I actually loved her performance. Sportsman Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, and Forbes Field with the banners and the crowds really won me over in the movie, along with the old-time radio broadcasters. The raw footage is AWESOME!

Nebraska farmer Ronald Reagan (as Grover Cleveland Alexander) wants to be a baseball player so bad he drops the ball on dating pretty Doris Day (as Aimee Arrants), for the big games. This makes father Frank Ferguson (as Sam) reluctant to approve the wedding, but Reagan and Ms. Day are quickly married, anyway. The big event occurs after Mr. Reagan gets hit in the head by a ball; he recovers, but with what the doctor calls "double vision." This on-again, off-again setback eventually drives Reagan to drink, threatening both his career and marriage. Can "The Winning Team" (their marriage) survive? In "Her Own Story", Day confirmed she and "Ronnie" had a brief, real-life romantic relationship, while they were both between marriages. Interestingly, Day states the future President had a lovely apartment, was a great dancer, and spoke enough to give her the impression he was "a very aggressive liberal Democrat." Their best scenes are with (later in the picture) each other, and with (earlier in the picture) movie family members Mr. Ferguson and young Russ "Rusty" Tamblyn (later residents of "Peyton Place"). "This Is the True Story of Grover Cleveland Alexander," is the film's opening proclamation. It looks more like the studio shoved the early 1900s baseball player's life story into the typical formula film. As usual, the early scenes reveal a lead actor clearly too old for the part, as Reagan is playing a man half his age; this was something more convincingly done by Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart. Unfortunately, you spend the whole film wondering what Reagan's "double vision" problem is, exactly - and, don't expect the film to give you the answer. Day sings a very pretty Christmas song ("Ol' Saint Nicholas"). **** The Winning Team (6/20/52) Lewis Seiler ~ Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, Frank Lovejoy, Frank Ferguson

I rated it higher than I normally would because it is a film that deserves to be watched. Anyone who had the benefit of seeing insider comments from the classic film network I taped it from would know that Grover Cleveland Alexander suffered from seizures do to epilepsy. Ronald Reagan was quite disappointed at the film company not including that in the film and not naming the disease, though implying some physical problem was involved in Alexander's problems. The drinking was due to fear (which the film touches on) from NOT UNDERSTANDING EPILEPSY and the seizures that he had. I think Reagan gave the character life and those who point out his deficiencies as an athlete don't mention that he was an athlete himself, playing football and eventually got a job as a sports announcer. That job helped him land his first role in Hollywood as a sports announcer on screen. No actor is going to play baseball as well as an actual baseball player. It is a skill that many have tried and few succeed at. 'Knowing' the sport is not the same as being able to play it to the level of a big leaguer. So, forgiving an actor for not being able to pitch like a real big leaguer is not hard when the main story here is his life, his marriage and his service to his country and to baseball between his very real struggles of epilepsy and drinking. The film is actually quite ground breaking, covering something from an era where these things were often covered up and if they did make the news, they were public scandals. In this case, Mrs. Alexander (who was played brilliantly by Doris Day here), protected her husband's image at the time by omitting (apparently) some divorces that were designed to help him come to his senses. Perhaps it was to help protect her as well. She probably felt she made mistakes too in trying to help him the wrong way. It's hard to know how to handle when someone's whole personality changes due to an illness. The way the media is today, an athlete's whole career could be railroaded with no second chance by an episode of making a bad choice due to pain of getting intoxicated. This doesn't excuse Alexander's bad choices. He should have been honest with his wife and got help (also should have been honest with his baseball team(s)). But the fact is, Babe Ruth would likely have had a tough time getting in the Hall of Fame in this age when Mark McGuire was overlooked because some people BELIEVE he used illegal steroids. It has yet to be proved and he never admitted it, only to the use of legal vitamin supplements, yet he isn't in the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose is not forgiven to this day for the gambling which didn't occur as a player, but apparently as a manager. Yes, baseball as in all of life should have standards. I just see that there have been many double standards as in not giving people a second chance and trying to build up heroes just to knock them down and ruin their lives. Enough of them do it on their own (i.e. Ken Caminiti, Jose Conseco, etc.) without having to have people who aren't even in the know judging men who have the same weaknesses as us, yet have sought to inspire us to rise above those weaknesses and excel at something to give young people encouragement. One unguarded moment or comment off the record to a reporter these days is enough to ruin a guy's life and career. Some guys are truly bad characters and deserve it. Others, like Grover Cleveland Alexander, seem to deserve some understanding and compassion. Would he have received it in today's journalistic environment?

Ronald Reagan plays famous St.Louis Cardinal pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander in this average baseball flick. Reagan is not believable as a pitcher which, for a baseball fan, takes away from the enjoyment of the story. An effort seems to have been made to make it realistic showing old footage of actual games but it is not enough. Doris Day is outstanding as Mrs. Alexander, constantly encouraging her husband through bouts of alcohol and depression. Look for a few big leaguers like Bob Lemon, Peanuts Lowrey,Hank Sauer and Gene Mauch just to name a few.

Alexander saves the world series for the ST LOUIS CARDINALS against the New York Yankees, yet the fans at Yankee Stadium all cheer him....and a New York cab driver and policeman help Alexander's wife (Doris Day) get to Yankee Stadium in time to give Alexander much needed moral support.