The Fireball
| Fireball | |
|---|---|
 VHS cover | |
| Directed by | Tay Garnett Charles Kerr (assistant) |
| Written by | Horace McCoy (screenwriter) |
| Produced by | Bert E. Friedlob |
| Starring | Mickey Rooney Pat O'Brien |
| Cinematography | Lester White |
| Edited by | Frank Sullivan |
| Music by | Victor Young |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Fireball is a 1950 American drama film starring Mickey Rooney and Pat O'Brien, and directed by Tay Garnett. The cast also includes Beverly Tyler and one of the first screen appearances of Marilyn Monroe.
The film, released by 20th Century Fox, had its screenplay written by Horace McCoy based on a story by McCoy and Garnett.
Plot
Johnny Casar (Mickey Rooney) runs away from a home for wayward boys, tired of being teased about being short and a poor athlete. He soon finds a pair of roller skates and is befriended by Bruno Crystal (Ralph Dumke), who allows him to wash dishes at his café, while a priest who runs the home, Father O'Hara (Pat O'Brien), secretly keeps an eye on him.
A traveling roller-skating team takes an interest in Johnny after he shows some aptitude. He clashes with Mack Miller (Glen Corbett), a cocky champion, and falls for Mary Reeves (Beverly Tyler), another top skater. Johnny ends up featured in grudge matches against Miller, where they take turns one-upping one another.
As his fame grows, Johnny becomes every bit as arrogant as Miller and more. Life takes a bad turn when he is diagnosed with polio. A long period of physical therapy follows, until a wheelchair-bound Johnny tries to get his life back on track.
Cast (in credits order)
- Mickey Rooney ... Johnny Casar
- Pat O'Brien ... Father O'Hara
- Beverly Tyler ... Mary Reeves
- James Brown ... Allen
- Ralph Dumke ... Bruno Crystal
- Milburn Stone ... Jeff Davis
- Bert Begley ... Shilling
- Marilyn Monroe ... Polly
- Sam Flint ... Dr. Barton
- Glen Corbett ... Mack Miller
- John Hedloe ... Ullman
- Marilyn Monroe ... Polly
External links
- The Fireball at IMDb
- The Fireball at AllMovie
- The Fireball at the TCM Movie Database
- The Fireball at Rotten Tomatoes
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