Take Me Out to the Ball Game Reviews

• Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are back together again!

  
  By A3MCQSIBV7QW8Q on 2003-03-15
  Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are back after starring "Anchors Aweigh", and they're better than ever! Gene Kelly is Eddie O'Brien and Frank Sinatra is Dennis Ryan, two baseball players for the champion team the Wolves, in the off-season they're vaudeville stars. As the baseball season begins to start, the Wolves are horrified to hear that there's a new owner for the team, K.C. Higgins, who's going to 'actively take part in the training'! But as it turns out, the mysterious K.C. Higgins's first name is Katherine (Esther Williams), meaning she's a woman! Womanizer Eddie soon becomes frustrated when the beautiful Katherine doesn't fall for any of his charms, and sparks fly as the two soon become enemies. On the other hand, Dennis begins to fall in love with her but does she return his love? Also starring are Jules Munshin as Nat Goldberg, Eddie and Dennis's best baseball buddy, Betty Garrett as Shirly Delwyn who has her eye on Dennis, and Edward Arnold as Joe Lorgan who is a baseball gambler.

  "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is certainly one of MGM's musical comedy gems. With all the elements of a good musical, including a great cast, terrific music, fantastic dances, sweet romance, and lots of laughs, this musical is a must-see for musical/comedy fans. The plot is not complicated and in the tradition of MGM musical comedies, the story is fast-paced making the 93 minutes just fly by with snappy dialogue, foot-tapping musical numbers, some good plot twists, and great interactions between the characters.

  Though Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams are listed first in the credits, this movie is mostly Gene Kelly's. Besides stealing the film with his charm, energy, and his tap dancing powers, who can't help but fall in love with him? A womanizer in the beginning of the film, it is fun to see him in the end fall in love with the 'right girl for him'. Frank Sinatra is of course his sweet self and the scenes between him and Betty Garrett are laugh-out-loud funny! It's surprising to know that he can't really dance since he does pretty well alongside Kelly though it is obvious that Kelly is the more experienced. Jules Munshin is perfectly cast as the third member of the 'O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg' play, it wouldn't have been too bad to have more of him. And of course, Esther Williams, called at the time "America's Mermaid", is just simply stunning. Though not necessarily a 'swimming movie', Esther of course gets a chance to show off a bathing suit at the hotel swimming pool. It's not everyday a bathing beauty can sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" while swimming!

  Now here's a list of the great musical numbers in the movie:
  "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" - Here's the famous musical number where Kelly and Sinatra give their vaudeville performance. Later on as I mentioned before, Esther Williams sings this number while swimming.
  "Yes, Indeedy" - Kelly and Sinatra sing to the Wolves about their love lives during the off-season.
  "O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg" - One of the best numbers in the movie, Kelly, Sinatra, and Munshin are simply HILARIOUS! Especially the part Munshin tells about how he started off his career in baseball.
  "The Right Girl for Me" - What would this film be without Frank Sinatra crooning a beautiful love song?
  "It's Fate, Baby" - Betty Garrett will do ANYTHING to convince Sinatra that the two of them are meant to be. Another of the greatest numbers in the movie.

  "Strictly U.S.A." - A clam bake, hot dogs, lemonade... it's strictly U.S.A!
  "Upon St. Patrick's Day" - The BEST number, the reason is because this is all Gene Kelly's! Singing in an Irish brogue, he later on puts his feet to work, giving us one of the best tap dancing numbers ever done. There's this one part where he will simply stun you as he kicks one of his legs up while his one foot on the ground continues to tap dance! It's no wonder Gene Kelly is one of the best tap dancers there was or probably ever will be.

  Here are some other Gene Kelly movies I highly recommend:
  *ANCHORS AWEIGH* (1945) - The first teaming up of Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, also starring is Kathryn Grayson. Not one of the best musical comedies, but it's well worth it to watch Kelly dance "The Worry Song" with the cartoon mouse, Jerry!
  *ON THE TOWN* (1949) - Once again, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, and Betty Garrett are joined once again to star in this delightful film about three sailors going 'on the town'. Also starring the terrific Anne Miller (in my opinion the best woman tap dancer ever) and the beautiful Vera Ellen.
  *COVER GIRL* (1944) - One of Kelly's earlier film, he stars along with Rita Hayworth and Phil Silvers in a movie with a great story.
  *SINGIN' IN THE RAIN* (1952) - Who can forget this film, named one of the best musicals ever, starring Kelly alongside Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor? If you haven't seen this, I assure you that you're definitely missing out on a classic!
  
  

• Take Me Out Is A HOME RUN!!!

  
  By A23AFVXWF9A0CF on 2002-06-14
  This movie isn't just about baseball. It's about so much more! Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly are a great pair that really reveal their true friendship through the camera. This film has great music sung by Esther Williams (yes there's a pool scene. You can't have Esther in a movie without her swimming and singing at least once!), Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Betty Garrett. Is that an all-star cast or what!!! These are the best of the best.
  Just like in On The Town, Frank and Gene are looking for women, and when a new one comes to town they both are determined to win her over!
  As for a little bit of trivia- Frank Sinatra had no idea how to dance! (You'd never guess that huh?) But for this film, he worked with Gene Kelly for HOURS to get his routines down, because he was determined to make the movie the best it could be.
  The movie is also fast-paced. Just when you think about getting bored, another song begins and the storyline progresses. I'm not a big fan of baseball, but this movie is about so much more. It's about loyalty and trust- 2 qualities that are rare these days.
  I truly suggest that you get or at least view this classic. They don't make movies like this anymore!!!
  
  

• "Strictly U.S.A"

  
  By ALPVMB5P07GPM on 2004-09-04
  This is an awesome movie! I think its better than Anchors Aweigh. Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are two baseball players named Eddie O'Brien and Dennis Ryan who play for the Wolves. During the off-season Eddie and Dennis are vaudeville stars. When they return for the baseball season the whole team is horrifed to hear that the new owner K.C. Higgins wants to take an active part in coaching. As it turns out the K in K.C. Higgins happens to stand for Katherine (Esther Williams) so the new owner is a woman. Katherine dosn't fall for womanizer Eddie so the two don't get along at all!! Dennis does fall for her though, but Katherine isn't in love with him. Shirley Delwyn (Betty Garrett) has her eyes on Dennis and she won't give up on him! Also in the cast is Jules Munshin who plays Nat Goldberg, Dennis and Eddie's baseball pal.
  
  This movie has a lot of great music.
  The songs include "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" Frank and Gene sing this song as their vaudeville act. Also Williams sings this while swimming in the pool.
  "Yes, Indeedy" The boys sing this song to the baseball team when they return from their vaudeville act. Its about their love life.
  "O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg" Kelly, Sinatra, and Munshin sing this song! One of the best numbers!
  "The Right Girl for Me" Sinatra sings this song to Williams.
  "It's Fate, Baby" Garrett sings this to Sinatra to prove that they were meant for each other.
  "Strictly USA" Probabley the best number everyone sings this at a party.
  "Upon St. Patrick's Day" Kelly dances and sings to this great song. He sorta does this Irish gig. Kelly is truly the best dancer there ever was! This is one of the best numbers up there w/ Strictly USA.
  At the end Kelly, Sinatra, Williams, Garrett sing to Strictly USA as the finale. It really great! The dvd has the following special features which are 2 deleted numbers called "Baby Face" and "Boys and Girls Like You and Me". It also contains the trailers of Anchors Aweigh, On the Town, and the trailer for this movie. Also includes notes on Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. For some odd reason I love this movie! This is a must see if you are a Kelly fan!
  
  

• A Musical Baseball Film That's Not About Baseball

  
  By A2GJ98824GGXGP on 2004-06-05
  TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME is a typical MGM musical. Its story is silly at best and almost always implausible, yet somehow as if through some magical action, it works and the viewer believes that what is on the screen could actually happen. This is due to the fact that MGM seems to always have quality in mind. Add to the fact that the actors and actresses had more than looks and appeal, and you almost automatically have a wonderful film.

  The plot is rather simple. Eddie O'Brien (played by Gene Kelly) and Dennis Ryan (played by Frank Sinatra) are baseball players by profession, but at heart they are Vaudeville entertainers. Trouble begins when they return to playing ball and learn the team is under new ownership. The owner's name is K.C. Higgins. When Higgins (played by Esther Williams) turns out to be a woman, a battle of the sexes begins. Ryan is set up to fall in love with Higgins, but meets Shirley Delwin, a girl who is both pretty and knows baseball. The two are smitten and Ryan wonders how he will break the news to Higgins. This turns out not to be a problem since Higgins naturally falls in love with Kelly, and in the end, all end up together and happily ever after. Of course the real treasure of this film is not the plot but the wonderful song and dance numbers. Sinatra croons away and Kelly wows the audience with his dance techniques. Of course Esther Williams has a swimming number. The movie ends with the four stars singing and dancing to "Simply America." Its major purpose was probably to promote patriotism and seems set in the 1940's rather than the early 1900's, and in the number Sinatra and Kelly sing of the virtues of great female performers such as Judy Garland and Kathryn Grayson while Williams and Garrett respond by singing the praises of Bing Crosby and Fred Astair. The DVD includes edited portions of the film which are interesting to see.

  All in all, the film is both nostalgic and entertaining in MGM's trademark manner.
  
  

• A delightful musical!!

  
  By A3DU3V621QHXFW on 2000-12-14
  What better way to spend a boring afternoon than to watch Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra hit home runs and woo the girls at the same time!! Gene Kelly is wonderful as Eddy O'Brien, a skirt-chasing short-stop for the wolves cum part-time vaudeville performer. His delightful "The Hat My Dear Old Father Wore On St. Patrick's Day" is a show-stopper, as is any number with Gene in it. Frank Sinatra's "The Right Girl For Me" is a lovely tune, sung by the greatest singer. How befitting that the greatest dancer and greatest singer should team up!

  Betty Garret and Esther Williams are delights, although the latter's dancing and singing leaves much to be desired. Betty's exuberant "It's Fate Baby, It's Fate" is funny, and well performed by Betty, who lacks a singing voice but more than makes up for it with effort and comedic charm.

  Other excellent numbers include "Strictly USA" and the title number. A "home run" treat, not just for the guys, but for us girls too! after all, gorgeous and sexy Gene Kelly is in it, right?!
  
  

• A GUY musical!!
  By on 1999-08-02
  I just LOVE this movie! In spite of an idiotic story and outrageous overacting (mostly from Kelly) this movie a sheer delight! Kelly and Sinatra pretty much repeat their roles from "Anchors Aweigh": Kelly as the womanizing man about town, and Sinatra as the shy bumpkin. Esther Williams is delicious as the woman who takes over their baseball team, and Betty Garrett as the woman who has the hots for Sinatra (don't we all?) just steals every scene she's in. The highlights are Kelly singing and dancing to "The Hat my Father Wore," and Garrett wooing Sinatra with "It's Fate, Baby, It's Fate."
  
  
• Great Song (Sinatra) and Dance (Kelly) Movie !!!!
  By AW003H7Z3OCHA on 2001-04-27
  This DVD version of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" is absolutely fantastic. The Technicolor clarity, original theatre presentation, clear sound(mono) musical is so delightful.

  This is Kelly and Sinatra's second pairing (1st was Anchors' Aweigh 1945) and they are believable vaudeville song & dance men (off season) & baseball players. Sinatra does a credible job vaudeville dancing with Kelly. This movie is one you will watch over & over again. It is so upbeat. (Kelly & Sinatra do another movie together "On the Town" 1949).

  Sit back & enjoy the fun. Esther Williams (famous swimmer) & Betty Garrett (funny lady) are the love interests who add to the delight.
  
  

• They don't make them like this anymore...
  By A3VREOCVARPZRM on 2005-06-22
  I've been a big fan of classic Hollywood musicals as long as I can remember and I thought I had seen most of the great ones but somehow I missed seeing this one...I don't recall it ever being shown on TV and the only films I remembered seeing Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in were "Anchors Aweigh" and "On The Town". But one day I was reading Esther Williams biography and discovered that she had made a picture with Kelly and Sinatra..Well..this peaked my curiosity and one day I decided to check Netflix to see if it was available and sure enough it was! So I checked it out and was I pleasantly surprised! What an immensely entertaining film! And seeing Betty Garrett swooning over Frank was a treat! I never realized how talented Ms. Garrett was! I know she was in "On The Town" with the guys but don't recall her role as being as big as the one she had in this film..I understand "On The Town" was made after this one but in my opinion..this one was much better! Kelly and Sinatra seem in fine form in this movie and there are many opportunities for the guys to showcase their remarkable talents! Jule Munshin is a treat as well with his hilarious mugging and wonderful chemistry with the guys! Just a wonderfully entertaining film with great musical numbers and great enthusiasm from the cast! They just don't make them like this anymore...
  
  
• Haven't I seen this before...?
  By A2B8GXSCB1R05T on 2001-11-12
  "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is just a little too much like it's predecessors. Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are carbon copies of their characters from "Anchors Aweigh." The plot is identical. There is really nothing of interest in the story of this musical.

  Does that matter? Well, not too much. Gene Kelly is so much fun to watch in "The Hat My Dear Old Father Wore..." that all bad plot points are forgiven. Esther Williams gets a little swimming pool scene, which is a funny nod to her claim-to-fame. Frank Sinatra gives off his boyish charm and sings some great songs. Betty Garrett is great in her role.

  "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a complete formula picture. However, the formula is pretty good and always worth a watch.
  
  

• Take Me Out to the Ball Game 1949
  By A3GN9I0UYV08LC on 2006-04-12
  Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) and Gene Kelly (1912-1996) play ball in big way as 1900s Vaudevillians who spend the winter flinging the onstage blarney and the Summer flinging the ol?horsehide for Baseballs world champ , The Wolves . Sinatra is second sacker Dennis Ryan and Kelly is shortstop Eddie O?Brien in this Busby Berkeley (1895-1976) directed romp that conbines baseball with that other All-American pastime: Romance , Esther Williams (1922- ) plays the new team owner and Betty Garrett (1919- ) is abaseball Annie with eyes for blue-eyed Ryan (Frankie Boy) . Kelly and Stanley Donen (1924- ) deft musical stagings ranged from softshoe duet charmer to exciting "barrel role" Kelly solo . Their work persuated producer Arthur Freed (1894-1973) to green-ligt their direction of the same year?s "On the Town 1949" . Here you have Baseball , Romance , Dancing and a Cult movie in one set ! . Transfer in High Quality pictures . Recommended
  
  
• When Baseball Was A Game!
  By A3VBTW7GH9ACAB on 2000-10-23
  Since I am only 26, I have only known the sport of baseball as a business, which it continues to be. "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" harks back to a time when people played baseball for the love of the game. The film may be sentimental, but it is a joy to see Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra sing and dance while playing baseball! Kelly makes the movie what it is, especially with the number "It's The Hat My Dear Old Father Wore". To me that is the showstopper of the movie. Sinatra on the other hand looks bored in some scenes, like this movie was below him. Esther Williams and Betty Garrett, two underrated actressed, also round out the cast.

  The DVD version features two great deleted numbers. One was the charming song "Baby Doll", which Gene Kelly sings to Esther Williams. The other song is the Rodgers and Hammerstein number "Boys And Girls Like You And Me", which Sinatra sings to Betty Garrett. The movie loses one star, because of Sinatra's role and the only average musical score. The DVD version adds a lot to the film, and it actually makes me want to dust off my old glove and pitch a few...
  
  

• fun fun fun!
  By ABH4G7TVI6G2T on 2006-03-17
  Breezy, delightful musical with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in their third and final screen partnership. This time, they play baseball players who moonlight as vaudeville stars. The boys get a pleasant shock with their new team manager (Esther Williams) who of course creates fireworks when both players decide to make a `play' for her! Curiously enough, renowned "Million Dollar Mermaid" Williams spends most of her time out of the water in this film, only doing one brief swimming bit to the Title Song. Broadway comedy darling Betty Garrett (who also appeared with Kelly and Sinatra in ON THE TOWN) plays the secondary female lead and scores heavily with "It's Fate". Jules Munshin, Edward Arnold and Tom Dugan co-star.
  
  Highly-recommended.
  
  
• What a pair
  By A2KWN72P2L8BG4 on 2002-02-26
  Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra work beautifully together in this comedy/musical. Kelly has the charm and Sinatra has the innocence. This musical is sure to score big with you and your family.
  
  
• BEST MUSIC IN A MUSICAL I HAVE EVER HEARD!
  By on 1999-08-22
  Wonderful cast and the music is to die for. You will instantly not want to take a break from this movie.
  
  
• fine MGM musical despite a schmaltzy plot
  By A2R6RA8FRBS608 on 2007-08-10
  Take Me Out To The Ball Game boasts number after number after number of incredible singing and dancing. We get Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly--two of the greatest dancers MGM ever had--along with a young Esther Williams and Betty Garrett to entertain with strength and panache.
  
  The action begins about 100 years ago when the Wolves baseball team is taken over--by a woman! K. C. Higgins (Esther Williams) soon impresses the boys on the team with her knowledge of baseball and her good looks. The action also revolves around two of the players on the team, Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra) and Eddie O'Brien (Gene Kelly) who perform in vaudeville when they're not playing during the baseball season. Factor in Shirley Delwyn (Betty Garrett) who loves Dennis Ryan dearly and you've got the basis for some great acting, singing and dancing!
  
  Under K. C. Higgins, The Wolves continue to have yet another good season. However, trouble eventually ensues: Shirley is constantly chasing Dennis even though he's not too keen on her and Eddie O'Brien really falls hard for K. C. Higgins. Things become even more complicated when Eddie gets an offer to be in a vaudeville show--with rehearsals beginning during the season. Going out nights for any reason is strictly against team rules set by K. C. Higgins and her predecessors, so tensions heat up a lot.
  
  There--I told you almost the entire plot--and when you consider the movie takes 93 minutes to tell you most of what you just read in one minute, you see the plot is razor thin. But you don't watch this movie for the plot. Take Me Out To The Ball Game is a star studded attraction with a plot just barely strong enough to give us beautiful song and dance numbers. In addition, they just conveniently get a hotel swimming pool for Esther Williams to swim in to showcase her talents as a swimmer.
  
  Will the Wolves clinch the pennant? What will happen between Shirley and Dennis--will she trap him and make him fall in love with her? Will anyone on the team fall in love with K. C. Higgins? What about those late night rehearsals Eddie sneaks out to do--will that affect the team? No plot spoilers here, folks--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!
  
  The cinematography gives us great shots of Esther Williams in the pool and the song and dance numbers are captured wonderfully on film. The choreography shines with Gene Kelly's personal contributions to the staging and Busby Berkeley's input as well. Great!
  
  The DVD comes with few extras; although you do get a deleted scene of the number entitled "Boys And Girls Like You And Me." We also get some trailers for other movies as well.
  
  Overall, Take Me Out To The Ball Game is a fine MGM musical that survives the test of time very well despite a thin plot. The singing and dancing make this movie a classic. I highly recommend this film for fans of the people who star in it; and fans of the greatest MGM musicals will consider this movie to be a real treat.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
  

• Anchors Aweigh (Keepcase)
• On the Town
• For Me and My Gal (Snap Case)
• Summer Stock
• TCM Spotlight - Esther Williams, Vol. 1 (Bathing Beauty / Easy to Wed / On an Island with You / Neptune's Daughter / Dangerous When Wet)