The Jackie Robinson Story (United Artists) (1950)

All-Around Athlete’s Life on Screen “The Jackie Robinson Story,” stars Jackie himself, the four-letter college man who took the world of professional sports by storm and inspired the youth of the country. The picture, an Eagle Lion Films release, opens . at the . Theatre. Filmdom’s Busiest Actor Featured in ‘Robinson ’ If an “Oscar” were awarded for the busiest actor, Richard Lane, would get it without a shadow of doubt. His role in Eagle Lion Films’ picture about the sports world’s most spectacular figure, “The Jackie Robinson Story,” is his 300th film. The picture, starring baseball’s most valuable player himself, is scheduled to open here . at the . Theatre. When Richard Lane landed in Hollywood in 1937, he had an im¬ portant decision to make—wheth¬ er to try for big parts and take them as they came along or be 1 . content with medium salaried parts that would keep him con¬ stantly busy. Lane, possessed of a dynamic personality and a dis¬ like for inactivity, decided on the latter course for his film career. The advisability of his choice is indicated by his record for the last 12 years, during which time he has averaged 24 screen roles each year. Always in Demand He is always greatly in demand on the set, having won the repu¬ tation of ace raconteur of the studios (he uses all accents and dialects ably), and is known for his very rapid dialogue delivery. Lane is a great sports enthusi¬ ast (a fine asset when working in a picture like “The Jackie Robin¬ son Story.”) He is a rabid base¬ ball and football fan and can of¬ ten be seen at the night games. He is a self-appointed “fixer” of things and frequently makes minor repairs around the house which all too often then become major jobs for someone else. Among his most recent films are “Take Me Out To The Ball • Game,” “The Big Wheel” and “Quicksand.” “The Jackie Robinson Story” was directed by Alfred E. Green and produced by Mort Briskin, with William J. Heineman acting as executive producer. Play Must Be On Up And Up Jackie Robinson, who portrays himself in “The Jackie Robinson Story,” which will open . at the.Theatre through Eagle Lion Films release, insisted that the baseball scenes be true to life and turned thumbs down on any play, regardless of how spec¬ tacular it might seem to the cam¬ eras, if it weren’t one he would normally make. As a result each scene was thoroughly discussed beforehand with the producer, director and technical supervisor. Washington Meets Robinson Again Before the Cameras They were intense rivals on the college gridiron and baseball diamond, but years later, on a movie set, their feeling for fair play showed them up as friends —Jackie Robinson, great Dodger second baseman, and Kenny Washington, great Western foot¬ ball name. The two athletes worked to¬ gether during the filming of “The Jackie Robinson Story,” re¬ leased by Eagle Lion Films, and opening.at the. Theatre. In the film, for which William J. Heineman acted as executive producer, Robinson por¬ trays himself. Washington plays the manager of a baseball team. When cast for his role, Kenny Washington was asked about his real name in the picture cred¬ its. He refused with, “This is Jackie’s picture. I just want to be a member of his team.” Jackie, in turn, when informed that Washington was going to try for organized baseball with the majors said, “I’m sure going to be cheering for him” — and then, thoughtfully—“That is un¬ till he makes it. Then it -will be everyman for himself. Just like when we went to school.” Fourth Talent Jackie Robinson, who excells in track, football and of course, base¬ ball, adds still another to his list of achievements—acting. In the forthcoming Eagle Lion Films release, “The Jackie Robinson Story,” which will open . at the. Theatre, he plays the role of—Jackie Robinson. Ruby Dee of “Anna Lucasta” stage fame is cast as his wife in the film directed by Alfred (“Jol- son Story”) E. Green. Robinson Will Swap Bat For Welfare Work With‘Y’ Although Jackie Robinson wants to play baseball as long as he can, he does not intend to wind up his career by slipping back through the minor leagues. “When I have to step out of the majors, I’ll go into YMCA work,” the great Dodger second baseman avers. First Time at Bat For Film Director Although baseball has been screen director Alfred E. Green’s favorite sport since early youth, “The Jackie Robinson Story,” which will open . at the . Theatre through Eagle Lion Films release, was the first of his many directorial assign¬ ments to feature a ball playing theme. Green once played semi-pro baseball in California and was a close friend of the late John Mc- Graw, famed manager of the New York Giants. Green usually spent part of each summer as a guest at the Giant training camp. Jackie Robinson plays himself in the picture, with Ruby Dee, of the New York stage, portray¬ ing his wife. Louise Beavers is cast as Jackie’s mother. Alfred E. Glreen directed the picture for which William J. Heineman was executive producer from a script by Lawrence Taylor and Arthur Mann. Jackie Robinson Touts Teamwork And there is reason for it. He believes he must set an example for the youngsters he hopes to help keep out of trouble in the work he has chosen to follow when he quits organized baseball. Follow Heroes “Kids are hero worshipers. I was one, when a boy,” says Rob¬ inson, who portrays himself in Eagle Lion’s “The Jackie Robin¬ son Story,” which will open .... at the.Theatre. “They must follow someone they can really admire—and a major league baseball player falls into the pattern. It will be easier to talk to boys, advise them and get them to do the right thing if they feel the advice comes from some¬ one out of the big time,” adds Jackie. William J. Heineman was ex¬ ecutive producer of the film which was written by Lawrence Taylor and Arthur Mann. Alfred E. Green of “The Jolson Story” fame, directed the picture which Mort Briskin produced. Ruby Dee of the New York stage plays Jackie’s wife and Louise Beavers his mother. Minor Watson portrays Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodg¬ ers and Richard Lane plays Clay Hopper, the manager of the Mon¬ treal Royals, Dodger “farm club” where Robinson started.in organ¬ ized baseball. Although 1949 found Jackie Robinson being voted the most valuable player in the National League, the Brooklyn Dodger second baseman prefers to be known as a team man. His only comment on his great 1949 season is: “It wasn’t me alone; we just had a great ball club.” Robinson, who stars in “The Jackie Robinson Story,” Eagle Lion release coming . to the . Theatre, also has great praise for Manager Burt Shotton. “Mr. Shotton is a wonderful man. It’s a pleasure to play for him.” As for Branch Rickey, bossman of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie’s vocal reaction is simple: “The greatest man I know.” Discussing his latest contract he tells that Branch Rickey called him in and the whole matter was finished in three minutes. If he was a holdout, as some persons reported, it was the shortest hold¬ out on record. Dollars and Sense Because Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, insisted on authenticity, film producer Mort Briskin saved several thou¬ sand dollars in production costs on “The Jackie Robinson Story,” opening. at the. Theatre. Rickey air-expressed to the Hollywood producer 50 Dodger uniforms to be worn by the base¬ ball players who appear in the film, as well as 50 uniforms of the Montreal Club where the Dodger second baseman was “farmed out” prior to coming into the big league. These uniforms cost $75 each, with lettering and all. If manufac¬ tured in Hollywood they would have cost $125 each. Jackie Robinson plays himself in the film which Eagle Lion re¬ leased. Alfred E. Green (of “Jol¬ son Story” fame) directs. Mat 2A Still JR 32 Jackie Robinson addresses team mates in this scene from “The Jackie Robinson Story,” which will open.at the. Theatre. Alfred E. Green directed the film for which William J. Heineman acted as executive producer. Page Tiventy-one