The Great American Pastime

The Great American Pastime

Year: 1956

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Herman Hoffman

Comedy

The comic lead from 7 Year Itch returns, this time as Bruce Hallerton, who takes over as coach of the Panthers, a local little‑league baseball squad. Complications arise when an attractive widowed mother enrolls her son on the team, sparking tension with Hallerton’s own wife.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Great American Pastime (1956)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great American Pastime (1956). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Willow Falls, New York

Willow Falls is a small New York town centered on its local Little League field and a tight-knit community that rallies around its young players. The Panthers games are community events that bring families together on weekends, with neighbors sharing stories at the park. The setting underscores everyday life and the social importance of youth sports in small towns.

🏡 Small-town atmosphere ⚾️ Baseball culture 👥 Community-focused

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

Main Characters – The Great American Pastime (1956)

Meet the key characters of The Great American Pastime (1956), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bruce Hallerton (Tom Ewell)

Bruce Hallerton is a lawyer who volunteers to coach the Panthers to spend more time with his son Dennis. He believes in trying and learning from mistakes rather than focusing on victory at all costs. His approach often clashes with parents' expectations, but his dedication to mentorship helps the team grow.

⚾️ Baseball 🧭 Leadership

Betty Hallerton (Anne Francis)

Betty Hallerton is Bruce's wife who challenges his coaching approach and ultimately channels her energy into supporting the team by learning the rules and becoming the official scorekeeper. She grows suspicious of Doris's interest in Bruce, triggering tension at home and on the field. Her involvement shows how parental expectations and personal insecurities shape youth sports.

🎭 Drama 👪 Family

Dennis Hallerton (Rudy-lee)

Dennis Hallerton is Bruce's son who initially doubts his father's coaching but gradually appreciates his father's guidance and effort. He learns to trust the process, respond to teamwork, and value making progress over immediate results.

⚾️ Baseball 👨‍👩‍👦 Family

Doris Patterson (Ann Miller)

Doris Patterson is a widowed mother who flirts with Bruce to influence a favorable turn for her son on the team. Her attention creates tension, prompting Bruce to set boundaries and focus on the kids. Her involvement illustrates how personal motives can complicate youth sports.

💘 Romance 🗣️ Gossip

George Carruthers (Raymond Bailey)

George Carruthers is a wealthy banker who invites the Hallertons to dinner only to push his own son into the lineup. His social influence shows how privilege can shape decisions in youth sports and create external pressure on the coach.

💼 Wealth 🎭 Drama

Ed Ryder (Judson Pratt)

Ed Ryder is the Tigers' coach who embodies a win-at-all-costs mentality; his clashes with Bruce highlight the tension between chasing victory and developing players. He represents external pressure from competition and expectations of success.

🏆 Rivalry 🎭 Drama

Buck Rivers (Dean Jones)

Buck Rivers is the Panthers' coach who brings a traditional coaching approach that clashes with Bruce's philosophy. His role frames the dynamic between different coaching styles within the same team.

⚾️ Baseball 🧭 Leadership

O'Keefe (Bob Jellison)

O'Keefe is Bruce's bar buddy who accompanies him after a tense game, serving as a catalyst for Bruce's self-reflection and decisions about continuing to coach.

🍺 Friendship 🗣️ Bar talk

Herbie Patterson

Herbie Patterson is Doris's son who becomes the Panthers' pitcher after Bruce allows him to throw, transforming a struggling team moment into a turning point.

⚾️ Pitcher 👦 Youth

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

Major Themes – The Great American Pastime (1956)

Explore the central themes of The Great American Pastime (1956), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Teamwork

Bruce's coaching emphasizes effort, collaboration, and mentorship over mere wins. The players learn to support one another, rely on each other’s strengths, and develop resilience through practice and game-time decisions. This approach reflects a broader belief in character-building through sport rather than chasing championships alone.

💔 Jealousy

Doris's flirtation with Bruce and Betty's jealousy create tensions that test the family's and team's boundaries. Personal relationships begin to intrude on coaching decisions, forcing Bruce to draw clear lines between friendship and mentorship. The drama reveals how affection and insecurity can influence youth sports dynamics.

⚖️ Integrity

Ed Ryder's win-at-all-costs mentality contrasts with Bruce's emphasis on fair play and development. The narrative explores the tension between competing for victory and maintaining ethical standards. Ultimately, the story argues that character and merit matter as much as who wins the game.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

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The Great American Pastime Summary

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The Great American Pastime Summary

The Great American Pastime Timeline

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The Great American Pastime Timeline

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