This was a hit back in the mid '70s because of several things. Walter Matthau was funny in the lead role as a Little League manager. The kids were varied and interesting. Feminists liked the movie because the best pitcher on the team was a girl.
Tatum O'Neal, at 12, became an instant star because of her role as "Amanda," the great pitcher. She wound up living a tumultuous life as a child star and later as adult marrying another spoiled-brat rebel, tennis star John McEnroe.
The public seems to always love shows in which ragtag misfits somehow come together to beat the powerful "establishment" teams or groups or companies or governments. Liberal Hollywood has always loved that rebels-make-good theme, and always will, from "Rebel Without A Cause" to "Easy Rider" to "Revenge Of the Nerds" to "Dirty Harry," on and on. The worse you act, and the more you rebel against authority, the better they will portray you.
In this movie, the manager, "Coach Buttermaker," is a drunk, is profane and a misfit himself but, of course, he gets it all together, too, and winds up a hero along with these bratty kids. And just to make sure you get the point, the biggest rebel of them all - "Kelly Leak" (Jackie Earle-Haley), is some 12-year-old who thinks he's Marlon Brando on a motorcycle. He's the best hitter on the team and an indispensable member of the squad, if they are to win. He's so cool with that bike and a cigarette in his mouth....wow!
All of these movie clichés work, though, and the film was fun to watch and a big hit 30 years ago, spawning numerous lame sequels. It's another one of those '70s irreverent films that were new and "cool" back in their day, but a bit dated now
Tatum O'Neal, at 12, became an instant star because of her role as "Amanda," the great pitcher. She wound up living a tumultuous life as a child star and later as adult marrying another spoiled-brat rebel, tennis star John McEnroe.
The public seems to always love shows in which ragtag misfits somehow come together to beat the powerful "establishment" teams or groups or companies or governments. Liberal Hollywood has always loved that rebels-make-good theme, and always will, from "Rebel Without A Cause" to "Easy Rider" to "Revenge Of the Nerds" to "Dirty Harry," on and on. The worse you act, and the more you rebel against authority, the better they will portray you.
In this movie, the manager, "Coach Buttermaker," is a drunk, is profane and a misfit himself but, of course, he gets it all together, too, and winds up a hero along with these bratty kids. And just to make sure you get the point, the biggest rebel of them all - "Kelly Leak" (Jackie Earle-Haley), is some 12-year-old who thinks he's Marlon Brando on a motorcycle. He's the best hitter on the team and an indispensable member of the squad, if they are to win. He's so cool with that bike and a cigarette in his mouth....wow!
All of these movie clichés work, though, and the film was fun to watch and a big hit 30 years ago, spawning numerous lame sequels. It's another one of those '70s irreverent films that were new and "cool" back in their day, but a bit dated now