The Jackie Robinson Story

Product Description In this "four-star, straightforward account" (Blockbuster Entertainment Guide) of the man who opened athletic doors for people of all ethnicities, Jackie Robinson plays himself so well that "he can drop the diamond for the sound stages any day he chooses" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Jackie Robinson's uphill battle to the big leagues began when he was just a little boy. Given a mitt and a chance, Jackie easily proved how good he was on the field. But it would take more than just his amazing talent to get him to the top. Being African American in a time of racial discord, Jackie had to break through impossible barriers to get his shot. By playing hard and overcoming unbelievable odds, Jackie proved that he was not only one of the best players ever to set foot on a majorleague diamond, but also one of the bravest men ever to grace American sports! Amazon.com The vintage film biography The Jackie Robinson Story is unusual in that Robinson portrays himself, and the movie was produced in 1950, barely three years after he took up his position at second base for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the "color line" in professional baseball. After providing a fast portrayal of Robinson's early life, up to his collegiate sports career at UCLA and his stint in the U.S. Army, the story turns serious when Branch Rickey offers him a contract to play for a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team. Interestingly, some of the scenes, such as an incident when Robinson and his teammates were being locked out of a stadium at a spring training game in Florida, may have more impact with viewers today than when the film was first released. --Robert J. McNamara