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March 18, 2008
The Pride of the Yankees - Collector's Edition DVD
Today, MGM (Video & DVD) has released a Collector's Edition DVD of The Pride of the Yankees.
If you're a Yankees fan, and you've never watched "Pride of the Yankees," then you haven't experienced the full effect of being a Yankees fan.
I cannot remember the first time that I saw this movie. If I had to guess, I would say it was some time between 1974 and 1976. But, from the first time that I saw it, whenever that was, I was hooked on it. In fact, I confess that, as strange as it sounds, as a teenage boy in the mid-'70's, I once had a huge retroactive crush on Teresa Wright (who received a "Best Actress" Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Lou's wife, Eleanor Gehrig, in this movie).
This is a true story: In the late spring of 1980, I was 17-years old. One evening, I had a "date" with girl - who I was very interested in (at that time). This was probably our third or fourth "date" (that particular evening). She invited me to her home, to "hang out," because her parents and siblings were going to be out for a while. (I think you get the picture here.) Well, when I got there, as a social reflex, she asked me if there was anything that I wanted to watch on TV - and she handed me a copy of TV Guide. (Keep in mind, this was way before the days of cable, remotes, and channel guides.) Being polite, I started thumbing through the TV Guide, and I noticed that Pride of the Yankees was about to start on Channel 11. Seeing this, I asked my "date" if she had ever seen the movie. When she said "No," I did not hesitate, and, despite the how that evening was supposed to flow, I said "O.K., you're going to watch it tonight - because it's one of the best movies ever made."
Now, if that story doesn't tell you how strong I feel about Pride of the Yankees, what else could? (To close the story, she loved the movie. And, when her parents came home, her father was pretty amazed to hear her tell the story about watching the movie and how much she enjoyed it. And, this being the first time I met her dad, and seeing what a large man he was, I was feeling really good about the whole thing.)
In any event, to this day, whenever I watch "Pride of the Yankees," it provides a warm, comfortable, and (for lack of a better word) good feeling - despite the fact that I've seen it before (for many times). It's just a special movie.
If you're a fan of this movie, like me, you'll want to pick up the Collector's Edition DVD of The Pride of the Yankees. In addition to the movie, this DVD comes with six special features - including the featurette "The Making of Pride of the Yankees" and the featurette "Always" (which is the story behind the hit song from the movie - and perhaps one of the best "hooks" ever used in song).
And, as stated before, if you're a Yankees fan...heck, if you're a baseball fan, period, or someone who enjoys classic love-story movies...and you've never seen "Pride of the Yankees," then I strongly suggest that you pick up this new DVD.
Related, also today, MGM (Video & DVD) has released Collector's Edition DVDs for one of the greatest baseball movies ever made, "Eight Men Out" and, for one of the most popular baseball of all-time, "Bull Durham" - celebrating the 20th anniversary for both these films. These new DVDs contain special features - including one where the cast and crew look back, after all these years, at each film. Both of these Collector's Edition DVDs sound like something that any baseball would want to add to their DVD library.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 18, 2008 11:07 PM
Comments
I see Curt Schilling is featured in the extras of this. I hope this means we'll get to see Derek Jeter in the inevitable "Fever Pitch" re-release special features.....
Posted by: JeremyM ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 19, 2008 01:16 AM
LOL Jeremy.
Very few are as tired as hearing from Red Light as me. And, I wasn't thrilled to see this inclusion as well. But, having watched it, I can share that it's just (about) a 2 minute clip, with him and his son, and it's not bothersome at all, FWIW.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at March 19, 2008 09:49 AM
Not that I really want to associate myself with the Schill, but one thing that we do have in common is that we both named our sons after the Iron Horse. My son, who is now 5 years old, has Gehrig for a middle name (and his last name is Liu, pronounced like Lou). Fortunately for his younger sister, my wife nixed the idea of naming her Piniella, Brock, or Whittaker.
Posted by: Kered Retej at March 19, 2008 09:04 PM