You can’t get more classic than a movie in black & white! We’re proud to present the 1951 original version of this beloved film starring Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn, James Whitmore as the voice of an angel, and…Waltons fans, be on the lookout for a very young Ellen Corby!

The Pittsburgh Pirates are the heartbreak team of the season. They’re as far away from the National League Pennant as a team could get. Not only are their batters hitting balls in the foul territory, if they hit anything at all, but their manager Aloyisius X. “Guffy” McGovern has about as foul a personality as one could get. His short temper, belligerent personality and colorful language are as legendary as the team’s bungled plays.

Sportscasters can’t stand him, Fred Bayles, in particular, who lost his job because of Guffy, and has an ax to grind. Guffy’s own players dislike him, and now novice reporter Jennifer Paige is writing that the Pirates’ losing streak is directly Guffy’s fault.

In spite of his hot-headed ways, Guffy has a devoted fan. Adorable eight-year-old orphan, Bridget White has been praying for her favorite team, and it seems her prayers to the Archangel Gabriel have been heard.

One night, an angel speaks to Guffy, telling him if he cleans up his act, “turns the other cheek,” as it were, when confronted, a little divine intervention on the team’s behalf would come his way. Guffy goes for it, and a miracle happens: the last place Pirates start pulling up the in the standings.

Meanwhile, little Bridget and her caretaker, a tough-as-nails Mother Superior attend the games. But while everyone in the stands sees an incredible team hitting homers and striking out the opposing teams, Bridget sees the real reason for their success: Angels all over the outfield, guiding the hapless players to victory. When Jennifer gets wind of the girl’s visions, she writes about her and soon the story is national news.

Though Guffy is tested every day, he hangs in, befriends Jennifer and Bridget, and now the team is in the running for the Pennant! But his biggest test is about to come. Bayles has made it his mission to get Guffy thrown out of baseball, only now, he has the Baseball Commissioner’s ear, claiming, with all the talk of angels, Guffy is not fit to manage a team. In a heated confrontation with Bayles, right before the deciding game of the Pennant Race, Guffy must choose whether to lose his cool, or turn the other cheek. Has the formerly cantankerous manager truly transformed? Or will he slip up and risk the Pennant?

Settle in for a delightful, charming, funny, wholesome and uplifting film suitable for all ages.

And keep an eye out for cameo appearances by baseball greats Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio and one-time, minority-owner of the Pirates, Bing Crosby