Self - Brooklyn Dodgers First Baseman. Hide Show Archive footage 59 credits. Divisible TV Movie documentary Self uncredited. See more ». Alternate Names: Jackie. Height: 5' 11" 1. Spouse: Rachel Robinson his death 3 children. Edit Did You Know? Personal Quote: Civil rights is not by any means the only issue that concerns me - nor, I think any other Negro.
As Americans, we have as much at stake in this country as anyone else. But since effective participation in a democracy is based upon enjoyment of basic freedoms that everyone else takes for granted, we need make no apologies for being especially interested in catching up on civil rights.
Trivia: Dedicated civil rights activist. Star Sign: Aquarius. Getting Started Contributor Zone ». Edit page. Connections Featured in Cavalcade of Stars: Episode 1. User reviews 28 Review. Top review. Yes, Jackie Robinson portrayed himself in this B-movie "docudrama. Robinson was a great baseball player, a pioneer, and a true hero of the civil rights movement.
What he was not was an actor. And while this is an important film because of Robinson's presence, it is not a good film. His historically important stint in the U. Army was glossed over. There was no mention of his court martial for refusing to sit at the back of the bus on an Army transport in Texas he won--see movie "The Court Martial of Jackie Robinson". For all the bite the screenplay had, it could have been written by the Dodgers P. It also made a running joke of brother Mack's "steady job.
The only reason he wasn't hired somewhere as a coach was racism. The movie tried unsuccessfully to make that point, but racism was not a popular subject in America, especially when the filmmaker's agenda was selling movie tickets, so the reason for Mack's lowly employment status was hinted at, not confronted. There are two redeeming qualities in the movie: Ruby Dee as Robinson's wife, Rachel, and the appearance of Robinson himself, actor or not. Dee, who was one of Hollywood's most beautiful women at that time, was an excellent physical match for the lovely and intelligent Rachel Robinson.
Her acting performance transcended an otherwise bad film. What also comes through about Robinson is his broad shouldered physical prowess. After the game, a scout who had been in attendance told Smith that he wished that he could sign him but he couldn't.
Instead, the scout signed the opposing pitcher. As a boy, the real Ed Charles right never got a ball from Robinson, but he did put his ear to the train tracks. However, as a youngster Ed Charles did put his ear to the train tracks to listen as Jackie pulled away from the station. When the game was over we kids followed Jackie to the train station.
When the train pulled out, we ran down the tracks listening for the sounds as far as we could. And when we couldn't hear it any longer, we stopped and put our ears to the track so we could feel the vibrations of that train carrying Jackie Robinson.
We wanted to be part of him as long as we could. During training camp, teammate Dixie Walker instigated a petition against Jackie Robinson. Though it was supported by some of the players, others like Pee Wee Reese refused to sign it. In examining the 42 movie true story, we discovered that Pirates pitcher Fritz Ostermueller hit Jackie in the elbow during that game, not the head.
The only reason the pitch didn't hit him in the head was that Jackie lifted his arm to shield his face. Overall, Jackie was hit by nine pitches during his rookie season. In researching the true story, it quickly became clear that this scene never took place in real life. Although Phillies manager Ben Chapman's racial slurs are definitely based in fact, Robinson never fell apart in a tunnel behind the Dodgers dugout, smashing his bat against a wall and breaking it into pieces.
Thus, he was never subsequently consoled by Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey, who happens to be standing nearby in the movie. He faced slurs, threats and abuse, as fans and managers taunted him, pitchers threw at his head, and runners tried to spike him, but he suppressed his natural instinct to fight back. He also began to speak out, arguing calls with umpires and challenging opposing players. His outspokenness drew the scorn of fans, a once-adoring press, even his own teammates.
After baseball, he found new ways to use his fame to fight discrimination, writing newspaper columns, raising money for the NAACP and jailed protesters, supporting the political candidates he believed would push for equality and working towards economic empowerment for blacks.
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