blanche-2 Jimmy Piersall was a successful baseball player who overcame a nervous breakdown and continued with his career, eventually going into management and finally broadcasting. Eighty-one at the time of this writing, he's still with us."Fear Strikes Out" is Piersall's story, starring Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden. The film takes several liberties with the real events, but it's still effective. Piersall himself didn't like the film.Jimmy is presented as being under constant pressure from his father, who in the film comes off as a good man, but a very determined one. The dream of major league baseball for his son was a vicarious one. Jimmy is sent to the minor leagues by the Boston Red Sox for training. His major problem was that he was not a strong hitter. He was, however, an excellent outfielder. Over time, his behavior becomes more and more erratic and includes hitting and temper tantrums. Eventually he is hospitalized. The film doesn't mention that Piersall was bipolar, but I did read that he was."Fear Strikes Out" is on the strange side, in that one understands Piersall's problems but one also has a certain detachment from them, despite the strong performance by Anthony Perkins. Karl Malden, who could be a very warm actor, is excellent, coming off as tough and somewhat cold. Part of it is that we see the results of Piersall's illness, but not enough of his inner self and the development of it.The ending is kind of abrupt, which is understandable in a way, as events needed to be telescoped. Only one wife, Piersall's first, is mentioned, and I believe only one child. Piersall had three wives; he had nine children with Mary, his first wife.Good performances, some strong baseball scenes - all in all, a good effort if not a great one.

John T. Ryan This story is about former Boston Red Sox Outfielder, Jimmy Piersall and his bout with and conquest of mental illness.* Before we get into the film, we should look at the real man, and his public life, much of which was witnessed by us Chicago Baseball Aficianados. (Bet you thought I' say 'Fans!) Jimmy Piersall was an outfielder in the Major Leagues from his debut in 1950 to his last game in 1967. He retired from Baseball with a very respectable .272 Lifetime Batting Average and a phenomenal Lifetime Fielding Average of .998!! That's damn near perfect! Piersall played for The Boston Red Sox (his local team),The Cleavland Indians, The Washington Senators and The Los Angeles/California Angels.Jim never did play for one of our Chicago teams, neither The Cubs, nor (my team) The White Sox. He did make a good name with the fans here by way of becoming Baseball Broadcaster.He arrived on the scene in 1977 and was teamed with Harry Caray to do the White Sox games. The way that Mr. Caray and company operated then allowed announcers to split time between the tube and the radio.Their styles and personalities meshed perfectly, and in the short 3 or so seasons they were together, we were treated to really great TV and Radio. And that's not just in the area of Sports. It got to be that the Caray-Piersall act was the greatest thing on TV, period. They pulled no punches in their commentaries on the Televised Games, a practice that did not go over in many circles, other than the Public, the Fans, if you will. (There, I said it!) Even though they were separated after not too long,(players, owners and the League's Office did not have much of a sense of humor. Piersall lost his Color Man/Analyst job and Harry Caray defected, choosing to go North to Wrigley Field and The Cubs.** Jimmy had various Sports Talk Shows and continues to this day in being a Baseball Analyst for one Chicago Radio Station or another. He still resides in the Greater Metropolitan Chicagoland Area.*** The film is similar to a lot of other Hollywood Sports films, which runs the gambit from PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (1942) to RUDY (1993). It does however, turn very serious very quickly, as the story shows a young boy Jimmy trying harder and harder to improve his Baseball skills to please his Father. The Father (Karl Malden) is characterized as being a sort of "slav driver" of a coach. Obviously living his vicariously through young Jimmy's talents and desire, he over manages the boy to the point of doing all his dealings with coaches and eventually with the Manager and Front Office of the Red Sox.Coming up to start the new season with the Big League Club, Jim is switched from being an Outfielder to Shortstop. He cracks under pressure and is hospitalized.The very sympathetic Physciatrist patiently works to build the young man's confidence. In one session, after the Doctor questions him about his father's role. After becoming somewhat defensive Jim abruptly blurts out, "My Father is the reason that I'm where I am today!", a profoundly truthful and revealing statement.Jim recovers, Mr. Piersall apparently was counseled, as he was more aware of his overbearing attitude. Jimmy returns to Baseball. Did they live happily ever after? Well, there was no pretense of this, because Piersall was still an active Major Leaguer at the time of the release of FEAR STRIKES OUT.Jim Piersall said many times that the story was highly embellished by Hollywood, referring particularly to the scene where Anthony Perkins, as Piersall, snaps during a game and starts climbing a screen at Fenwa=y Park. It never happened. He added that because of the payment by Paramount Pictures for the Screen Rights, he and his family were able to really improve their lives financially.Once again, you Parents of Little League Players, Junior Football, or whatever Sport, be the kids Girls or Boys, please watch this film and heed its lessons! PLEASE!!* Jimmy Piersall never seemed to shy away from talking about his breakdown. He even said he capitalized on having reputation as a 'flake'(his words)while an active player. When doing a White Sox telecast, during a discussion, Harry Caray slipped, saying "You're crazy, Jimmy!" To which he replied, "Yes I am, Harry! And I've got the papers to prove it!"** It seems an awful lot of Cub Fans forget Harry's 12 seasons with the Sox, not to mention 1 with Oakland A's and 20 some as voice of the St. Louis Caedinals, where he started his Broadcast Career.*** Wow! Hows that for redundancy, get it? Greater Chicagoland Metropolitan Area! Ha, Ha.....!!

fab_max Astonishing how obsessive some people can get when it comes to their favourite sports. Thankfully in Europe baseball is hardly known, which allows us to get beyond appearances and enjoy one of the most honest, emotionally raw acting ever recorded on film. This is one of Anthony Perkins' best performances ever - the fact that it was only his third movie makes it even more amazing, but obviously Academy voters in that year had too much baseball in their minds to appreciate such a wonderful, unique actor. The first time I saw this film I was a 9 year old with some father issues. This film was a huge shock and got me interested in psychotherapy at a very early age. Many scenes stayed embedded in my mind for years: Tony in the baseball field alone at night, his breakdown in the field, his fear of his father when he has an accident, all his exchanges with his father.... It's not just a tremendous acting turn, though. It's a beautiful, mature, realistic movie, the kind they used to make at that time in Hollywood (influenced by TV drama and Italian neo-realism) and they seemed to have forgotten how to make in this Lords of the Star Wars of Narnia age of childish entertainment. It could be used as an exhibit in the case for the regression to childhood of the American consciousness. I've read Tab Hunter's enormously entertaining book - which I recommend to any lover of Hollywood's golden age - and even he admits he couldn't have made a better job than Tony did. Once in a while the right part goes to the actor who deserves it most. Fear Strikes Out is a true classic and Anthony Perkins' acting is a masterclass of the first order, with as much fire and urgency as anything by Brando and Dean. In fact, as a film director, I'm showing this film to the young leading man in my next movie as reference and inspiration. Wish me luck!

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