Product Description

It’s the summer of 1888, and Casey Frank (Elliott Gould) is a down-on-his-luck baseball player on the league’s losingest team, the Mudville Hogs. Hard work, determination and a little bit of magic turn Casey into the game’s most popular slugger. But even after striking out, the mighty Casey remains a hero for his sportsmanship and good-natured play. Carol Kane, Bob Uecker and Howard Cosell co-star in this spirited salute to both an American legend and "America’s pastime."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99788 in DVD
• Brand: Koch International
• Released on: 2005-06-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Content/Copy-Protected CD, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 52 minutes

Amazon.com
Howard Cosell narrates this Shelley Duvall-produced version of the legendary Mudville Hogs player who saved baseball in 1888. Part of her American Tall Tales and Legends series, it features Elliott Gould as the newsboy-capped benchsitter who wants nothing more than a chance to play. Finally granted his wish, he turns out to be an ace hitter, elevating the struggling sport's profile and foiling the plans of an evil mud factory magnate to buy the stadium on the cheap and turn it into a sludge dump. Aided by his faithful fiancée (Carol Kane) and a magical mentor (Bill Macy), Gould fights the good fight until the mogul tempts him with a less-than-virtuous beauty. This 50-minute production is loaded with broad humor (pig noses make frequent appearances), amusing self-send-ups by commentators Cosell and Bob Uecker as his "color man," and a lot of fun references to the beginnings of baseball traditions. (Ages 4 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Shelley Duvall Strikes Again!
This Tall Tales and Legends episode is nearly impossible to dislike. It is a typically humorous and at times very clever retelling of Ernest Thayer Jr.'s classic poem. The problem is there is too much plot, especially for a production aimed primarily at children. Subplots about corporate greed and industrialization may flesh out the story but at the same time removes much of its charm. Nevertheless, there is much to enjoy in Elliott Gould's understated (is he ever anything else) performance as Casey and Carol Kane as his sympathetic girlfriend. Hamilton Camp and Rae Dawn Chong (yes, this was the 80s!) add some deliciously devious flavor as well, while Howard Cosell is a hoot as the narrator. Fans of the poem will find it basically intact (the actual events of the poem occur in the last ten minutes), but may be less than thrilled with wading through all the filler surrounding it. It has its moments though.