The Bad News Bears
Director: Michael Ritchie Run Time: 102 min. Format: DCP Rating: PG Release Year: 1976
Starring: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal, Vic Morrow
Walter Matthau is Morris Buttermaker, an alcoholic and former minor league baseball playing tasked with coaching the worst little league team in all of Southern California, The Bears. Comprised of such talents as a near-sighted pitcher, an overweight catcher, and a foul-mouthed shortstop, The Bears need a little help and it comes in the form of Amanda Whurlizer (gasp, a girl!) played by Tatum O’Neal. With a sharp tongue and top-notch pitching skills, she helps the unlikely bunch get into the playoffs. All wrapped up in the politics and community of baseball, the kids in The Bad News Bears act like adults while the adults act like kids and all have a lot of growing up to do. Play Ball!