Angels in the Outfield (1994)

Director:

William Dear

Writers (WGA):

Dorothy Kingsley (1951 screenplay) &
George Wells (1951 screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Sport

Tagline:

It Could Happen.

Plot:

When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible.

Plot Keywords:

Color Remake Of B&W Film | Annaheim Angels | Actor Shares Last Name With Character | Competition | Anaheim Angels

Awards:

4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. June 2

10:00 AM

TBS

Cast

Danny Glover	...	George Knox
Brenda Fricker	...	Maggie Nelson
Tony Danza	...	Mel Clark
Christopher Lloyd	...	Al the Boss Angel
Ben Johnson	...	Hank Murphy
Jay O. Sanders	...	Ranch Wilder
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Roger Bomman
Milton Davis Jr.	...	J.P.
Taylor Negron	...	David Montagne
Tony Longo	...	Triscuitt Messmer
Neal McDonough	...	Whitt Bass
Stoney Jackson	...	Ray Mitchell
Adrien Brody	...	Danny Hemmerling
Tim Conlon	...	Wally
Matthew McConaughey	...	Ben Williams

Also Known As:

Angels (UK)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Caravan Pictures

Trivia:

The "tobacco" that Carney Lansford spits at the end of the movie is actually black licorice

Goofs:

Plot holes: In the film, the White Sox are shown as being in the West Division. They are not shown to be in the East Division. To win the pennant, the winner of the West division must beat the winner of the east, or vice versa.

Quotes:

Al the Boss Angel: No one can see me or hear me but you!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Hippy Hippy Shake

A Cliche with a Heart

Angels in the Outfield contains absolutely no unpredictable elements. The premise involves a young boy named Roger whose deadbeat father has all but abandoned him, saying that their being a family again is as unlikely as the last-place Angels winning the pennant. This prompts Roger to pray for the team and for a family. Suddenly, real angels jump in to help the inept team, and the coach of the Angels insists on Roger and his friend JP attending every home game.

I have now told you everything you need to know to figure out every plot turn in the movie. Yes, it is THAT predictable. Combine that with some unbearably goofy comedy, and you have what would appear to be a complete waste of 90 minutes.

But appearances aren't everything, and Angels ends up being more than the sum of its parts. While every part of the movie stays true to formula, the acting and directing never descend into mediocrity, and this infuses the film a with a sincere heart, a sense of joy that allows us to care for the characters even though we know exactly what's going to happen to them.

To be sure, there are many better films out there, and adults would almost certainly want to spend their time watching one with a bit more maturity. But for those looking for a movie they can enjoy along with their children, they will find Angels worth their time.