Directed by Robert Mulligan
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Paramount)
Anthony Perkins is professional baseball player Jimmy Piersall. It starts with his childhood as the son of factory worker Karl Malden, who relentlessly pushes Jimmy at baseball. It is only briefly mentioned, but his mother apparently spent some time in an "institution". In high school, Jimmy is the star player and the team state champs, but still his father pushes him. He gets signed on with the Boston Red Sox and goes to the minor leagues, but old dad is there to criticize every mistake. He finally makes it to the major league, but during one game has a mental breakdown and starts climbing the fence in front of dad. He goes away for awhile, undergoes shock treatment and eventually emerges whole again. The acting is great, but what I really wanted to see was Perkins hitting his father right between the eyes with one of those baseballs.
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