Uggghh!! This is a horrid and almost completely unwatchable mess of a movie. Not only does William Bendix do a lousy job imitating Babe Ruth (complete with an enormous putty nose), but the script is just so saccharine and ridiculous that it's practically impossible to recognize that the film is supposed to be a biography of Babe Ruth. Although the names are the same, the film is all sentimentality and whitewash--ignoring all of Ruth's many deficiencies and creating "truth" out of press agent clippings! Now even if you are a huge fan of Babe Ruth, you'll no doubt hate this film because of its inaccuracies and lousy writing. In fact, because of the inaccuracies and schmaltziness of the film, I'd nominate this as one of the worst bio-pics ever made. Avoid it like the plague.
For a better view of Ruth, try watching one of the films starring the real Sultan of Swat--such as one of his shorts made in the 1920s or 30s or to see him in PRIDE OF THE YANKEES. I don't necessarily think you need to see one of the newer bios of Ruth (such as the John Goodman or Steven Lang). They are much more true to the real Ruth, but because of this they are also rather unpleasant films! As for me, both the unpleasant and saccharine portrayals are something I'd just as soon avoid.
The verdict--100% phony from start to finish and not worth your time unless you LIKE bad movies.
For a better view of Ruth, try watching one of the films starring the real Sultan of Swat--such as one of his shorts made in the 1920s or 30s or to see him in PRIDE OF THE YANKEES. I don't necessarily think you need to see one of the newer bios of Ruth (such as the John Goodman or Steven Lang). They are much more true to the real Ruth, but because of this they are also rather unpleasant films! As for me, both the unpleasant and saccharine portrayals are something I'd just as soon avoid.
The verdict--100% phony from start to finish and not worth your time unless you LIKE bad movies.