The Stratton Story

5/15/2015

You can't keep a good man down. Monty Stratton (James Stewart) was a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in the 1930s. From humble farm yard beginnings he became a top player, but tragedy struck and he lost a leg after a hunting accident. This is his inspirational story. It is what it is really, a film heavy on sentimentality that is virtually impossible not to warm to. Perfect casting pitches (ahem) Stewart as the homespun Stratton, an American hero who defied the odds to play again the game he loved so much. His wife is played by June Allyson, who at times is a bit too precious, but again it works out as astute casting as the love and support Ethel gives to Monty positively booms out of the screen. This is a couple who are very easy to root for under trying circumstances. It's not