Supposedly Jimmy Stewart did not really want to do this film. However, he changed his mind when it was pointed out to him by the bosses at MGM that it would inspire veterans of World War II who had limited mobility. One inspirational scene that occurs is the one where he and his son walk together for the first time. It is complemented nicely by June Allyson who is exceptional and perfectly cast as Stewart's wife (this was the first of three films they made together).The supporting roles are worth noting, too. Agnes Moorhead refrains from chewing the scenery, in a performance that is very understated as the mother. And this is another film where Frank Morgan plays a paternal role to one of Stewart's characters. Morgan seems very lively in this offering. The game scenes are equally lively, and the film continues to remain uplifting with each viewing.

Director Sam Wood was the man behind "Pride of the Yankees" which told the story of Lou Gehrig. Seven years later, he took on another real-life hero who survived tragedy-Monty Stratton. A farmboy with great talent as a pitcher, Stratton's career took a sudden tragic turn which cost him a leg. Jimmy Stewart adds on another American hero to his career of fictional and real-life men in MGM's touching tale that manages to be inspiring rather than a pale imitation of its predecessor. In their first of three pairings, Stewart and June Allyson are a perfect coupling, while veteran actors Frank Morgan and Agnes Moorehead give excellent performances as the man who discovered Stratton and his hard working mother. Morgan adds humor without being silly, while Moorehead is initially grim, a world-weary character who shows sudden sweetness the moment Stewart marries Allyson and brings her a grandson.Some real-life ball players make cameos as themselves to offer authenticity. The film manages to be sweet without overdoing the sentimentality, and Allyson doesn't get too teary as she would in later films. She's very peppy in the scene where they play catch after Stewart's hunting accident. This is a feel-good All American story of survival, what Gary Cooper referred to in "The Pride of the Yankees" as a bad break which made him feel the luckiest man alive.

Baseball means little to me, living in Scotland, so it was with some ignorance of the sport's finer points that I approached this lesser known James Stewart vehicle. Whilst ball-game live-action, with some real-life baseball personalities in the cast, does play a major part in the movie, the underlying story is simply a true tale of overcoming unexpected adversity, a prototype role Stewart delivered time and again in his distinguished career. Following on from the above, Monty Stratton as a sporting hero means nothing to me so I have no idea how far Hollywood bowdlerised the story, so I'll take the narrative at face value and give kudos where they are due to a well-paced film, with natural dialogue and well-crafted scenes, even the baseball match recreations. Stewart's "pitching action" looks natural and he acts his disability convincingly. The Stewart/Allyson pairing gets its first outing here and their natural playing and obvious simpatico from the start has you rooting for them both all the way through. The support is equally strongly played, particularly Agnes Moorehead playing her stock-in-trade "Whistler's Mother" come to life. The direction by Sam Wood is sure and I particularly appreciated the sensitivity shown in the lengthy scenes where Stewart initially broods and gives in to the loss of his leg before Allyson, in a memorable scene, encourages him to fight his disability and helps him achieve his self-respect as well as his place back at the pitching mound. In the main though, as ever, it's Stewart in all his drawling, winking, glory who garners your sympathy from the "Play ball" of a very entertaining family film. It's interesting too, to see his playing of the Stratton part as the unwitting precursor to his more celebrated part as an invalid in the later classic "Rear Window".

James Stewart and June Allyson look twice as old as the roles they are playing! Still, "The Stratton Story" is enjoyable. In the early scenes, Mr. Stewart's frame, and natural acting style, make him somewhat believable as a boy interested in baseball. Ms. Allyson doesn't try to play too "girlish"; instead, she wisely acts her part as a woman complimenting (by being in love with) Stewart's character.Allyson, and her character, save the film… the moment she appears, the focus is on the pair's relationship, and not on baseball. The Stewart/Allyson relationship is really what makes the film work, I thought -- the Stewart character could have been a golfer, doctor, whatever… The scenes beginning with Stewart and Allyson in separate beds, backs turned, and unable to sleep, have an understated dignity.Stewart and Allyson's nice performances are enhanced by: Frank Morgan, aka "The Wizard of Oz"; and Agnes Moorehead, Endora from "Bewitched". The later baseball scenes are more realistic, and fun to watch. It's strange to see the older baseball style; today, many of the players would be pumped up with steroids. I wish the sport would return to being more based on fun and skills.Love is not something a surgeon can cut. ******* The Stratton Story (1949) Sam Wood ~ James Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Morgan