TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949)

Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly are a great pair that really have a wonderful friendship. Frank Sinatra had no idea how to dance. But for this film, he worked with Gene Kelly for hours to get his routines down, because he was determined to make the movie a success.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949) A musical/romantic comedy. Begins when completing their off-season jobs as vaudeville entertainers, Eddie O'Brien (Gene Kelly) and Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra), play for the Wolves Sarasota, Florida turn-of-the century, baseball team. It is not long into training before Eddie and Dennis long for the days they could stay up late and date women.

The team is unhappy to learn they've been inherited by K.C. Higgins (Esther Williams), who intends to take an active interest in running the team. Dennis and Eddie start a rebellion against the new owner even before they arrive. But K.C. turns outs to be a beautiful woman who really knows her baseball. On a mission to get K. C. to ease up on the penalties for breaking training, Eddie sends Dennis to sweep her off her feet. Eddie takes over when Dennis makes a mess of things, but K. C. is on to them.


The first game of the season opens with Dennis, Eddie and, Nat Goldberg, performing a clown act on the field.
During the game, Shirley Delwyn(Betty Garrett ), who has eyes for Dennis, carries him off the field when he is knocked unconscious in a fight on the field. Even though Dennis has no interest in Shirley, she is on a man hunt and chases him around the stadium to prove her affection.

The Wolves are on winning streak on the road, Lorgan a gambler makes a fortune betting on them. Lorgan is looking for a way to fix the game in his favor, talks Eddie, into leaving the team to work a full-time as a performer. Eddie continues to play baseball during the day while rehearsing his act at night. His schedule begins to take its toll on his game and his team goes into a slump. K. C. soon suspects that Eddie is playing badly because he is in love with her.

Will Eddie eventually figure out Lorgan's scheme, before K. C. finds out about his moonlighting?

According to Esther Williams memoirs, Judy Garland was the original choice for K.C. Higgins. But was replaced after she'd become undependable because of her drug habit. June Allyson was also considered, but decided not to work during her pregnancy.

The words to the song TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME, were written in 1908 by vaudeville star Jack Norworth, who while riding a subway train, was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today".

Sound Tracks:
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"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
Music by Albert von Tilzer
Lyrics by Jack Norworth
Performed by Gene Kelly (uncredited) and Frank Sinatra (uncredited)
Reprised by Esther Williams (uncredited)

"Yes, Indeedy"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Performed by Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra

"O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Performed by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin

"The Right Girl for Me"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Sung by Frank Sinatra

"It's Fate Baby, It's Fate"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Performed by Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra

"Strictly U.S.A."
(uncredited)
Written by Roger Edens
Performed by Betty Garrett, Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams and Gene Kelly

"The Hat My Dear Old Father Wore upon St. Patrick's Day"
(uncredited)
Music by Jean Schwartz
Lyrics by William Jerome
Sung and Danced by Gene Kelly