It Happened in Flatbush

Very enjoyable "B" movie from 1942. Nolan as skipper of Brooklyn Dodgers is good. For once they did not use old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles for the long shot scenes. Instead they used films of the three games played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn in the 1941 World Series. You can tell from the bunting hanging from the stands. Also some events are very close to actual happenings of the old Dodgers. A most for all us old Brooklyn Dodger fans.

This film is about a new manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers and how he was able to somehow energize the team enough to make them contenders--though the film didn't seem to indicate exactly why this was the case other than they bought a few hot prospects. In fact, up until the end of the film, it was very odd for a baseball film because it showed so little on-field action. Because of this, some of the actors playing the ball players didn't have to have any skills for the game and several looked nothing like athletes. Or perhaps this COULD just be a comment about the Dodgers of 1942--as most of their stars were fighting in the war! However, this is a rather mild complaint--more of an observation, as I was hoping for more on-field action.

Despite this, it was a moderately enjoyable B-movie starring Lloyd Nolan and Carole Landis (in a less recognizable dark hairdo). The story was entertaining and the acting competent. However, because there have been so many baseball films over the years and because this one isn't particularly outstanding in any way, then it's quite easy to skip and falls into the "time-passer" category. Now this isn't saying it's a bad film or that you should skip it, but there are simply better baseball movies out there as well as many that are of about equal entertainment value.

I've been on an old movie kick lately. Some are more watchable than others. This one is in the former category. Although some of the hooliganism gets tiring after a while.

I have been living in Brooklyn for over 25 years, and my father was born and raised here until he went into the army in 1942, so I enjoyed the location shots, such as they were. And speaking of 1942 (the year this movie was released), I presume it was filmed in 1941 because there is not a single mention of the war.

A couple of other observations. 1. They must not have gotten permission to use the real team's name, because the word "Dodgers" is never once used in the movie. Or even "Dem bums". 2. When Nolan is in a taxi, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, there is a streetcar in the left lane. My father talked about the streetcars on the surface streets (and how the kids would climb on the back to ride for free), but I never knew they used the bridges too.

There is nothing groundbreaking about this story of washed-up ballplayer Lloyd Nolan taking charge of the Brooklyn Dodgers only to fall in love with the beautiful heiress who co-owns the team, Carole Landis. The inevitability of a happy ending is never in doubt, but this is a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes of free time nonetheless. Use of game footage from actual Dodger games in 1941 adds immediacy and authenticity, and makes the film worth a look for the sake of posterity.

Those of us who grew up with, and loved, the Brooklyn Dodgers had gotten a smile and a kick out of this film. Does anyone know if it is available anywhere? Would love to turn back the clock and enjoy this one over again. Great film - hell no! But so much of the Brooklyn spirit....and great dialogue poking fun at non-Brooklynites.Lloyd Nolan, of course, was fine in his role as manager of the team, and the much maligned but beautiful and actually quite talented Carole Landis is a wonderful woman to have around. Then there is the wonderful Sara Allgood...... No, Ray McCarey didn't have the chance to reach the career status of his brother, Leo, but Ray's films are devoid of the sentimental mash that his brother offered. Has anyone actually been able to watch Going My Way anymore? Impossible (even with the joy of seeing Rise Stevens).