“The Babe Ruth Story” has more of the feel of a propaganda news reel than an actual movie. It is similar in tone to the classic “The Pride of the Yankees,” though it doesn’t achieve the same standard of quality. A more accurate title would be “The Babe Ruth Myth.” Much time is spent rhapsodizing on all of the legendary feats the Babe was supposed to have accomplished. Any mention of his equally famous misdeeds is quickly glossed over. There is no intention here of being a historical record, this film is solely about the glorification of baseball’s biggest hero.
William Bendix stars as the saintly Babe Ruth. In this movie, he manages to cure an invalid, fatally maim and then restore a dog, battle a couple of bookies who had the nerve to suggest he throw a game, and benefit all mankind by giving his life testing an experimental serum. This movie was released the same year Ruth died, so obviously, it was quickly hashed together and relied on sentimentality to make a few bucks. There are plenty of other Babe Ruth films out there, try to steer clear of this one in the classics aisle and opt for one of the others.
2 / 5 Stars
Starring: William Bendix, Claire Trevor, Charles Bickford
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Reviewed by Mike Barkacs
Theatrical Release Date: July 26, 1948