Bad News Bears (1976 film)

Bad News Bears (1976 film)
Year Released:	1976
MPAA Rating (USA):	PG
Director:	Michael Ritchie
Starring:	Walter Matthau Tatum O'Neal Chris Barnes Jackie Earle Haley Vic Morrow

Bad News Bears (1976) is a story about ex-baseball player Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) being paid off to coach a youth baseball team full of misfits that no other team in the league thinks should play. Upon seeing their play, Buttermaker knows he definitely has his work cut out for him as his team doesn't seem to know anything about baseball a mere week away from the start of the season. However, after Buttermaker cajoles his estranged daughter Amanda Whurlitzer (Tatum O'Neal) and a fatherless local bad boy on a dirtbike Kelly Leak (Jackie Earle Haley) with the killer arm and Babe Ruth-like swing, the Bears finally come together as a team and set their sights on the evil and ever-dominating Yankees.

Filled with boyish energy and filth, this movie is punctuated by the antics and foul mouth of Tanner Boyle, the shyness of Timmy Lupus who can't seem to catch anything that comes his way, and Buttermaker's frequent drinking. In the end, though, this is a story about hard work, about dedication, about perseverance, and about teamwork. This is a worthwhile movie that has held up well over the years.

See also

• Bad News Bears (2005)

External Links

• Bad News Bears (1976) on imdb.com