Boobirt Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

MonsterPerfect Good idea lost in the noise

Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

gazzo-2 I liked this movie fine, though it's rather clichéd and def. from the fifties. Let's see what is good and bad.Good: *Tony Perkins-always played madness so well, a unique talent.*Karl Malden as the concerned overbearing dad living thru sonnyboy's career. You all know the type.*Sympathetic shrink. You know That type too-complete w/ pipe.*All things go back to Freud and daddy.*Enjoyed Joe Cronin(not played by the real Joe C...) and Fenway.Bad: *Perkins as hitter or outfielder. Yikes! *Blaming Daddy issues for his problems. Bi-polar guys, the real Piersall had THAT as a root-cause to his problems. Yes I know it was pre-Lithium etc. But you get the idea.*TV-movie style film-making. Someone said 'Playhouse 90'. Yes.*Bloopers-Fenway lacking the Green Monster etc in the background.*No Ted Williams.I'll give it *** outta **** because it was heartfelt and well acted.

Neil Doyle FEAR STRIKES OUT dealt with a theme not often portrayed in films of the '50s--mental illness--and is a shattering example of how a father's insistence on perfection can have a significant effect on the well being of a sensitive individual unable to meet his father"s expectations. Marketed at time of release as a baseball movie, it's really a relationship movie about a father and son--that is the real heart and soul of the story.Based on the real life story of Jim Piersall, a well known American sports figure for the Boston Red Sox, as taken from his own account of his life. Slowly the picture emerges of the kind of stress he was under to achieve his goal of playing in the majors, the kind of guilt he felt whenever he did something that aggravated his father--as in simple disobedience when he didn't come straight home after work and then broke his ankle at an ice skating rink.Even in the midst of achievements, his father finds flaws to criticize. "Wish me luck," he pleads with his father when the Red Sox signs him. "No, luck won't do it. You've got to be thinking and planning all the time."And later on in the film, after his breakdown and he lands in a mental asylum, he defends his father to his psychiatrist with, "If it hadn't been for him pushing me and driving me, I wouldn't be where I am today!" Chilling words and the scene is the turning point in Piersall's progress toward recovery and the root cause of his problems.It's the sort of film everyone can relate to, sports minded or not, because it does reveal the danger of parents who expect too much from their children, with tragic results. The scene where Malden tries to take him from the hospital before he's ready to go, is a chiller.Both ANTHONY PERKINS and KARL MALDEN give the kind of performances that merited at least Oscar nominations--solid and superb.Summing up: A satisfying, mature drama that takes a penetrating look at the danger of pressure-driven father/son relationships in the sports world where winning is the only thing that counts.

MARIO GAUCI This is one of a myriad sporting biopics made by Hollywood around this time – and whose appeal didn't really travel to other countries because the sport involved (or, for that matter, the star player whose life story we're supposed to be viewing) is only appreciated by Americans: in this case, Jim Piersall and baseball. Anyway, while not exactly better than similar biopics, the film is sufficiently different (and therefore interesting) in view of its inherent psychological elements dealing as it does with Piersall's mental breakdown.The pre-requisite Method performances ensure a rather melodramatic approach and I'm quite surprised how Anthony Perkins' excellent central performance did not win him any accolades, whereas director Mulligan was nominated for the Directors' Guild Award for his work here when, in hindsight, I cannot help thinking how much better the film would have been in the hands of, say, Elia Kazan or Nicholas Ray. His handling is competent but predictable – down to the inspirational final shot; as for the the scenes at the mental institution, these don't garner as much power as they ought to, since it's made obvious from the start that Piersall's problem lies in his troubled relationship with his bullying father (Karl Malden). Even so, Elmer Bernstein's fine score is a definite asset to the film.

callanvass This is an underrated masterpiece in my opinion, as it's really powerful and engrossing, with a brilliant story and Oscar worthy performances!. All the characters are wonderful, and this is now one of my favorite Biography films, plus Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden are simply incredible in this!. It has some pretty good baseball action and the scene with Perkins and his dad Karl Malden in the institution room, was so incredibly powerful and gripping, as it's one scene I will never ever forget!. It's extremely well made and written, and a lot of people had said that they thought Perkins was miscast, and while I respect there opinion, I have to disagree 100% as nobody could have pulled off the role as well he did, he was just so intense, as it's the best performance I have seen since Psycho, plus you will hate Malden's character for pushing Jimmy Piersall too hard!. It really is a shame that this film Doesen't get the recognition it deserves, and the ending really made me happy and put a big smile on my face, plus there is also a very powerful scene when Perkins injures his leg Ice skating and his dad goes ballistic and almost has a heart attack.I was lucky enough to find this at a DVD store pretty cheap, and I must say this went far past my expectations, plus I think Perkins and Malden deserved Oscars for there performances!, in my opinion!. You will really root for Perkins character, and while I could tell Malden really loved his son, he was pushing him way too hard as I seriously cheered when he told him no more at the mental institution!. If your looking for a top notch Biography film look no further then this, and it's also got a great love story in it as well, plus Jimmy Piersall seemed to be a fascinating person and a very good ball player from what I saw in the movie. Norma Moore and Perkins had excellent chemistry together, and there are also quite a few intense scenes as well, plus I was surprised by Perkins athleticism!. This should be even higher then 6.9 in my opinion, and all the characters are very likable for the most part, plus there is not one dull moment. This is an underrated masterpiece in my opinion, as it's really powerful and engrossing, with a brilliant story and Oscar worthy performances, and if you Haven't seen it please do so immediately you shouldn't regret it!.The Direction is outstanding!. Robert Mulligan does an outstanding! Job here with fantastic camera work, adding good atmosphere and keeping the film at an extremely engrossing my space.The Acting is Oscar worthy in my opinion. Anthony Perkins is amazing as always and is incredible here, he gives an Oscar worthy performance, was incredibly intense, and I can't believe the people that said he was miscast, I mean I can't see anybody else playing Jimmy Piersall, we are also able to root for him and hope he gets better, and the scene where has has a mental breakdown on the field was just so emotional and very intense, this is his 2nd best performance next to Psycho, he was simply incredible! (Perkins Rules!!!!!!!). Karl Malden is also incredible here and gives an Oscar worthy performance as well, as the domineering father, you will hate him for pushing Jimmy too hard, however I could kind of see why he was doing it after all he just wanted the best life style for him, he really was incredible!. Norma Moore is excellent as the wife, she was very likable and had good chemistry with Perkins I liked her. Adam Williams is awesome as the Doc in his scenes I liked him a lot. Perry Wilson is fine as the Mom. Rest of the cast are fine.Overall go see it immediately you shouldn't regret it!. ***** out of 5