The Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth

“The Pride of the Yankees” (1942) – movie review
Today’s review is for the baseball based biopic-drama “The Pride of the Yankees” (1942), starring Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman whose career and life became a symbol of perseverance and grace.  Teresa Wright plays Eleanor Gehrig, his devoted wife whose strength anchors the story, while Walter Brennan portrays sportswriter Sam Blake, the friend and narrator who guides us through Gehrig’s rise to fame, career and death.  Babe Ruth appears as himself, lending authenticity to the baseball sequences, and the supporting cast includes Dan Duryea, Elsa Janssen, and Ludwig Stössel as Gehrig’s parents.  Directed by Sam Wood and produced by Samuel Goldwyn, this film blends sports biography with romantic drama, culminating in one of cinema’s most iconic farewell speeches.
Background:  This film was THE baseball film of my generation well before “Field of Dreams“, “Major League“, “For The Love Of The Game“, or “The Natural“.  I don’t know if it’s accurate to say it was shown EVERY year (like “The Wizard of Oz“), but that sure is the way I remember it.  The San Francisco Giants had just recently migrated from New York City and Major League Baseball was FAR more popular than professional football or professional basketball put together.  LoL.  Released in 1942, “The Pride of the Yankees” was both a tribute to Lou Gehrig, who died of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in 1941, and a wartime morale booster.  The film was a commercial success, earning over $4 million at the box office.  It received 11 Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Film Editing (Daniel Mandell).  Teresa Wright was nominated for Best Actress, Gary Cooper for Best Actor, and Sam Wood for Best Director.  The film’s cultural significance lies in its preservation of Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech, which remains one of the most memorable moments in American sports and cinema history.
Plot:  The story traces Gehrig’s journey from a shy Columbia University student pressured to pursue engineering, to his rise as a Yankees star.  His romance with Eleanor provides emotional depth, while his friendship with Sam Blake frames his career in human terms.  The climax comes with Gehrig’s diagnosis of ALS, leading to his farewell at Yankee Stadium.  The film closes on his immortal words:  “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes; excellent;  restrained but effective;  minor;  absolutely.
Any good?  Yes.  “The Pride of the Yankees” is both a sports drama and a love story, balancing baseball spectacle with intimate character study.  It is overly sentimental, but its sincerity makes it enduring.
Acting:  Gary Cooper delivers a dignified, understated performance as Gehrig, capturing his humility and quiet strength.  Teresa Wright shines as Eleanor, bringing warmth and resilience.  Walter Brennan adds humor and humanity, while Babe Ruth’s cameo provides authenticity.  Cooper’s lack of baseball skill was noted, but his emotional portrayal transcends technical shortcomings.
Filming / FX:  Cinematography by Rudolph Maté emphasizes realism, with Yankee Stadium sequences staged to evoke grandeur.  The editing, which won the Oscar, keeps the pacing tight.  The film’s effects are emotional rather than technical:  Gehrig’s farewell speech, Eleanor’s tears, and the crowd’s silence resonate more than any visual flourish.
Problems:  Minor.  Cooper’s baseball scenes reveal his unfamiliarity with the sport, and the film occasionally leans into wartime sentimentality.  Some supporting characters are broadly drawn.  These issues do not detract from the film’s emotional power.
Did I enjoy the film?  Absolutely.  The film is moving, inspirational, and historically significant in American society and in cinema.  Watching Cooper deliver Gehrig’s farewell speech is unforgettable, a cinematic moment that transcends sports.
Final Recommendation:  Very highly recommended.  “The Pride of the Yankees” is not just a baseball movie;  it is an American cultural touchstone.  With 11 Academy Award nominations, an Oscar win, and its preservation of Gehrig’s legacy, it stands as among Hollywood’s definitive sports dramas.  Watch it for Cooper’s quiet dignity, Wright’s luminous support, and the film’s reminder that courage and humility can make even tragedy resonate with grace.  And, for those so inclined:  Opening Day is under 100 days away.  LoL!
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Click here (25 December) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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