The Bad News Bears (1976)

“Listen, Lupus, you didn’t come into this life just to sit around on a dugout bench, did ya? Now get your ass out there and do the best you can. ” – Coach Morris Buttermaker

Number of Times Seen – too many to count (cable in the 80’s, 29 Jul 2003 and 30 Mar 2014)

Brief Synopsis – A washed out ex ballplayer is hired to coach a little league team. They learn a lot from him, but he also learns a lot from them.

My Take on it –  Watching this movie really brought back so many memories for me.

As a kid, I spent at least 4 season playing little league baseball and always enjoyed myself.  I watched this movie numerous times with my older brothers as a kid and enjoyed both the story itself and the humor.

Here is a pic of me from my first year of T-Ball. I’m the cute one in the upper left hand corner standing like a pencil.  Dunno what happened to me since then  🙂

 

Re-watching this, I was filled with lots of memories of playing baseball, of being part of a team and obviously of how enjoyable this movie can be.

Walther Matthau was great in the role of Buttermaker and his portrayal here will never allow me to see anyone else (including Billy Bob Thornton) in that role. (confession time, I have never seen the remake of this).

The kids are also great even though none of them (besides the two stars of the team) really made names for themselves.  Tatum O’Neal was already well known at the time and Jackie Earle Haley was to go on to have some good roles afterwards.

This movie is lots of fun and gives us a great message especially for those who have experienced some form of team competition as a kid.

Bottom Line – Fun movie with a nice message that is quite nostalgic for me.  Matthau is excellent.  Recommended!

Rating – Globe Worthy

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