Alibi Ike
| Alibi Ike | |
|---|---|
 Lobby card | |
| Directed by | Ray Enright |
| Screenplay by | William Wister Haines |
| Based on | "Alibi Ike" 1915 story inThe Saturday Evening Post byRing Lardner |
| Produced by | Edward Chodorov |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Arthur L. Todd |
| Edited by | Thomas Pratt |
| Music by | Leo F. Forbstein |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Alibi Ikeis a 1935 Americanromantic comedyfilm directed byRay Enrightand starringJoe E. Brown,Olivia de HavillandandWilliam Frawley.Based on the short story of the same name byRing Lardner,first published in theSaturday Evening Poston July 31, 1915, the film is about an ace baseball player nicknamed "Alibi Ike" for his penchant for making up excuses. Lardner is said to have patterned the character after baseball playerKing Cole.
Alibi Ikewas the most successful of Joe E. Brown's "baseball trilogy" of films, which also includedElmer, the GreatandFireman, Save My Child.It is considered one of the best baseball comedies of all time.[1][2]Alibi Ikewas the first feature film released starring Olivia de Havilland, although she made two previous films that were released later that year—The Irish in Usand the all-star Shakespeare epicA Midsummer Night's Dream,which also starred Joe E. Brown in a key role.
A print of the film is held by the Library of Congress.[3]
Plot[edit]
Frank X. Farrell (Joe E. Brown) is an ace baseball player, although he compulsively downplays his achievements, claiming he could do even better except if it weren't for factors like the weather, or a cold, or other issues beyond his control. And on occasions where hedoesmake a mistake -- whether on or off the field -- he can't ever let it go without an often ridiculously implausible explanation. His obsessive insistence on making excuses earns him the nickname "Alibi Ike." In the course of his first season with theChicago Cubs,Farrell falls in love with Dolly Stevens (Olivia de Havilland), sister-in-law of the team's manager. Farrell's "alibi" habit prompts Dolly to walk out on him, after which he goes into a slump—which coincides with attempts by gamblers to get Farrell to throw theWorld Series.[4]
Cast[edit]
- Joe E. Brownas Frank X. Farrell
- Olivia de Havillandas Dolly Stevens
- William Frawleyas Cap
- Ruth Donnellyas Bess
- Roscoe Karnsas Carey
- Eddie Shubert as Jack Mack
- Paul Harveyas Lefty Crawford
- Joe Kingas Johnson, the owner
- G. Pat Collinsas Lieutenant
- Spencer Chartersas Minister
- Gene Morganas Smitty
Cast notes:
- Several popularMajor League Baseballplayers makecameo appearancesin the film, includingGuy Cantrell,Dick Cox,Cedric Durst,Mike Gazella,Wally Hood,Don Hurst,Smead Jolley,Lou Koupal,Bob Meusel,Wally Rehg,andJim Thorpe.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Erickson, Hall."Alibi Ike".Allmusic.RetrievedFebruary 23,2013.
- ^Harrison's Reports and Film ReviewsJune 29, 1935.
- ^Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress,(<-book title) page 4 c.1978 by The American Film Institute
- ^Alibi IkeatAllMovie
External links[edit]
- 1935 films
- 1935 romantic comedy films
- 1930s sports comedy films
- American baseball films
- American romantic comedy films
- American sports comedy films
- American black-and-white films
- 1930s English-language films
- Films based on short fiction
- Films directed by Ray Enright
- Short stories by Ring Lardner
- Warner Bros. films
- 1930s American films