Gary Cooper Stars in “The Pride Of The Yankees.”

THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES; 1942; Studio: RKO; Director: Sam Wood; Cast: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan, Babe Ruth 

This biopic focusing on the life of New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig eschews the usual sports-centric storytelling, since most moviegoers were still very well aware of Gehrig’s storied career just one year after his death at the age of 37 from what would henceforth be called “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” (actually amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).  Instead, the film follows his personal life and relationships, and as with most such movies, it takes some liberties with the facts of Gehrig’s life. Cooper worked on learning to bat left-handed, however, to emulate Gehrig, and baseball living legend Babe Ruth appeared as himself. The finale is undoubtedly a highlight of this loving tribute to Gehrig,re-creating his moving goodbye to attendees at Yankee Stadium in 1939, although in a far different form than Gehrig’s off-the-cuff words on the actual day. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth!”

Appreciation for the expert commentary on “The Pride of The Yankees” goes to Dr. Arnold Blumberg.  THANKS DOC!!  Doc is an educator, publisher, author, comic and pop culture historian, and former museum curator.  He was the editor of The Overstreet Comic Book Price guide and teaches courses in everything from comics to zombies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Find him on Twitter @DoctoroftheDead.