Wow! Such a good movie.

Boring

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

My favorite series of baseball cards as a kid was the 1958 Topps set, and I remember having a Jim Piersall in the mix. So that was two years after this film came out, and I never knew about Piersall's struggle with mental illness until a little while ago, prompting me to seek out this picture. Once the story gets under way, it reveals a rather simplistic yet very real trauma in the life of young Piersall, a domineering father vicariously living his dreams through the efforts and success of his son. Karl Malden and Anthony Perkins effectively portray their respective characters, and the story pretty much see-saws it's way between Jimmy's attempts to live up to his father's expectations and generally failing to meet them. When Jimmy proudly declares he's third in the minor leagues in hitting, Dad's response is "Well, that isn't first". There's only so much of that you can take.Interestingly, there were understated references to the idea that mom Piersall (Perry Wilson) was also troubled with bouts of depression and mental illness. Her frequent absences from home and family was mentioned a couple times, and I took that as a subtle hint that young Piersall might have been prone to his condition by virtue of heredity and reinforced by the demands of the father. Another reviewer mentions this, and though I haven't verified it myself, it was something that crossed my mind while watching the film.One thing that could have been handled better by the film makers would have been to put the story into a historical time line. As I mentioned earlier, I can place Piersall in context playing baseball during my own youth, but it would have been helpful if the movie offered places and dates with on screen graphics. For example, Piersall reached the Majors in 1950 after signing on with the Red Sox organization a couple of years earlier. No mention of teammates or well known opposing players was ever mentioned, thereby missing an opportunity to depict how others around him were reacting to his behavior. We did get that one fight near the dugout and the climb up the fencing to set up his hospitalization but a little more context would have been helpful.I thought Anthony Perkins was pretty effective in his portrayal here; he gets those spooky eyes every now and then like the time he found himself alone at night in the empty stadium. I could see how it was the sort of thing that would recommend him for the role of stuffing birds in Hitchcock's "Psycho". As for the real life Jimmy Piersall who's still alive, he went on to a fairly successful big league career encompassing seventeen seasons. It was with a bit of whimsical insight that he wrote in his autobiography - "Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was going nuts. Who ever heard of Jimmy Piersall, until that happened?"

This story is about former Boston Red Sox Outfielder, Jimmy Piersall and his bout with and conquest of mental illness.* Before we get into the film, we should look at the real man, and his public life, much of which was witnessed by us Chicago Baseball Aficianados. (Bet you thought I' say 'Fans!) Jimmy Piersall was an outfielder in the Major Leagues from his debut in 1950 to his last game in 1967. He retired from Baseball with a very respectable .272 Lifetime Batting Average and a phenomenal Lifetime Fielding Average of .998!! That's damn near perfect! Piersall played for The Boston Red Sox (his local team),The Cleavland Indians, The Washington Senators and The Los Angeles/California Angels.Jim never did play for one of our Chicago teams, neither The Cubs, nor (my team) The White Sox. He did make a good name with the fans here by way of becoming Baseball Broadcaster.He arrived on the scene in 1977 and was teamed with Harry Caray to do the White Sox games. The way that Mr. Caray and company operated then allowed announcers to split time between the tube and the radio.Their styles and personalities meshed perfectly, and in the short 3 or so seasons they were together, we were treated to really great TV and Radio. And that's not just in the area of Sports. It got to be that the Caray-Piersall act was the greatest thing on TV, period. They pulled no punches in their commentaries on the Televised Games, a practice that did not go over in many circles, other than the Public, the Fans, if you will. (There, I said it!) Even though they were separated after not too long,(players, owners and the League's Office did not have much of a sense of humor. Piersall lost his Color Man/Analyst job and Harry Caray defected, choosing to go North to Wrigley Field and The Cubs.** Jimmy had various Sports Talk Shows and continues to this day in being a Baseball Analyst for one Chicago Radio Station or another. He still resides in the Greater Metropolitan Chicagoland Area.*** The film is similar to a lot of other Hollywood Sports films, which runs the gambit from PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (1942) to RUDY (1993). It does however, turn very serious very quickly, as the story shows a young boy Jimmy trying harder and harder to improve his Baseball skills to please his Father. The Father (Karl Malden) is characterized as being a sort of "slav driver" of a coach. Obviously living his vicariously through young Jimmy's talents and desire, he over manages the boy to the point of doing all his dealings with coaches and eventually with the Manager and Front Office of the Red Sox.Coming up to start the new season with the Big League Club, Jim is switched from being an Outfielder to Shortstop. He cracks under pressure and is hospitalized.The very sympathetic Physciatrist patiently works to build the young man's confidence. In one session, after the Doctor questions him about his father's role. After becoming somewhat defensive Jim abruptly blurts out, "My Father is the reason that I'm where I am today!", a profoundly truthful and revealing statement.Jim recovers, Mr. Piersall apparently was counseled, as he was more aware of his overbearing attitude. Jimmy returns to Baseball. Did they live happily ever after? Well, there was no pretense of this, because Piersall was still an active Major Leaguer at the time of the release of FEAR STRIKES OUT.Jim Piersall said many times that the story was highly embellished by Hollywood, referring particularly to the scene where Anthony Perkins, as Piersall, snaps during a game and starts climbing a screen at Fenwa=y Park. It never happened. He added that because of the payment by Paramount Pictures for the Screen Rights, he and his family were able to really improve their lives financially.Once again, you Parents of Little League Players, Junior Football, or whatever Sport, be the kids Girls or Boys, please watch this film and heed its lessons! PLEASE!!* Jimmy Piersall never seemed to shy away from talking about his breakdown. He even said he capitalized on having reputation as a 'flake'(his words)while an active player. When doing a White Sox telecast, during a discussion, Harry Caray slipped, saying "You're crazy, Jimmy!" To which he replied, "Yes I am, Harry! And I've got the papers to prove it!"** It seems an awful lot of Cub Fans forget Harry's 12 seasons with the Sox, not to mention 1 with Oakland A's and 20 some as voice of the St. Louis Caedinals, where he started his Broadcast Career.*** Wow! Hows that for redundancy, get it? Greater Chicagoland Metropolitan Area! Ha, Ha.....!!

FEAR STRIKES OUT dealt with a theme not often portrayed in films of the '50s--mental illness--and is a shattering example of how a father's insistence on perfection can have a significant effect on the well being of a sensitive individual unable to meet his father"s expectations. Marketed at time of release as a baseball movie, it's really a relationship movie about a father and son--that is the real heart and soul of the story.Based on the real life story of Jim Piersall, a well known American sports figure for the Boston Red Sox, as taken from his own account of his life. Slowly the picture emerges of the kind of stress he was under to achieve his goal of playing in the majors, the kind of guilt he felt whenever he did something that aggravated his father--as in simple disobedience when he didn't come straight home after work and then broke his ankle at an ice skating rink.Even in the midst of achievements, his father finds flaws to criticize. "Wish me luck," he pleads with his father when the Red Sox signs him. "No, luck won't do it. You've got to be thinking and planning all the time."And later on in the film, after his breakdown and he lands in a mental asylum, he defends his father to his psychiatrist with, "If it hadn't been for him pushing me and driving me, I wouldn't be where I am today!" Chilling words and the scene is the turning point in Piersall's progress toward recovery and the root cause of his problems.It's the sort of film everyone can relate to, sports minded or not, because it does reveal the danger of parents who expect too much from their children, with tragic results. The scene where Malden tries to take him from the hospital before he's ready to go, is a chiller.Both ANTHONY PERKINS and KARL MALDEN give the kind of performances that merited at least Oscar nominations--solid and superb.Summing up: A satisfying, mature drama that takes a penetrating look at the danger of pressure-driven father/son relationships in the sports world where winning is the only thing that counts.

This is an underrated masterpiece in my opinion, as it's really powerful and engrossing, with a brilliant story and Oscar worthy performances!. All the characters are wonderful, and this is now one of my favorite Biography films, plus Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden are simply incredible in this!. It has some pretty good baseball action and the scene with Perkins and his dad Karl Malden in the institution room, was so incredibly powerful and gripping, as it's one scene I will never ever forget!. It's extremely well made and written, and a lot of people had said that they thought Perkins was miscast, and while I respect there opinion, I have to disagree 100% as nobody could have pulled off the role as well he did, he was just so intense, as it's the best performance I have seen since Psycho, plus you will hate Malden's character for pushing Jimmy Piersall too hard!. It really is a shame that this film Doesen't get the recognition it deserves, and the ending really made me happy and put a big smile on my face, plus there is also a very powerful scene when Perkins injures his leg Ice skating and his dad goes ballistic and almost has a heart attack.I was lucky enough to find this at a DVD store pretty cheap, and I must say this went far past my expectations, plus I think Perkins and Malden deserved Oscars for there performances!, in my opinion!. You will really root for Perkins character, and while I could tell Malden really loved his son, he was pushing him way too hard as I seriously cheered when he told him no more at the mental institution!. If your looking for a top notch Biography film look no further then this, and it's also got a great love story in it as well, plus Jimmy Piersall seemed to be a fascinating person and a very good ball player from what I saw in the movie. Norma Moore and Perkins had excellent chemistry together, and there are also quite a few intense scenes as well, plus I was surprised by Perkins athleticism!. This should be even higher then 6.9 in my opinion, and all the characters are very likable for the most part, plus there is not one dull moment. This is an underrated masterpiece in my opinion, as it's really powerful and engrossing, with a brilliant story and Oscar worthy performances, and if you Haven't seen it please do so immediately you shouldn't regret it!.The Direction is outstanding!. Robert Mulligan does an outstanding! Job here with fantastic camera work, adding good atmosphere and keeping the film at an extremely engrossing my space.The Acting is Oscar worthy in my opinion. Anthony Perkins is amazing as always and is incredible here, he gives an Oscar worthy performance, was incredibly intense, and I can't believe the people that said he was miscast, I mean I can't see anybody else playing Jimmy Piersall, we are also able to root for him and hope he gets better, and the scene where has has a mental breakdown on the field was just so emotional and very intense, this is his 2nd best performance next to Psycho, he was simply incredible! (Perkins Rules!!!!!!!). Karl Malden is also incredible here and gives an Oscar worthy performance as well, as the domineering father, you will hate him for pushing Jimmy too hard, however I could kind of see why he was doing it after all he just wanted the best life style for him, he really was incredible!. Norma Moore is excellent as the wife, she was very likable and had good chemistry with Perkins I liked her. Adam Williams is awesome as the Doc in his scenes I liked him a lot. Perry Wilson is fine as the Mom. Rest of the cast are fine.Overall go see it immediately you shouldn't regret it!. ***** out of 5