Tools for this page
Print

Angels in the Outfield (1951)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Cute baseball fantasy overshadowed by remake.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie is about the spiritual redemption of Guffy McGovern, who goes from a profane brawler and alienated bachelor to more or less a gentleman, suitor, and even adoptive father. In one scene two Christian priests and a rabbi provide a united front in his defense. There' s some '50s-style stereotyping of women, in the prissy heroine. And in keeping with the pre-Jackie Robinson MLB, all the players are white.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A few punches thrown.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    While McGovern swears a blue streak, his words are amusingly scrambled on the soundtrack into unintelligible babble.

  • Consumerism:

    Plugs for the real-life Pittsburgh Pirates and baseball are pretty inescapable.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Angels in the Outfield (1951)

Parents need to know that there is a main character notorious for his brawling and profanity; the filmmakers under the old studio censorship code got around that by having his "filthy" tirades scrambled by the sound effects department into a mushy babble. You can't make out a word. It's actually pretty funny, maybe more so than hearing the real obscenities. Also know that this is not the 1994 Disney remake of the baseball comedy filled with ethereal special effects, but rather the less fancy original black-and-white version, which leaves the angels invisible throughout.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the spiritual component in the movie, and how the film illustrates Christian themes and morality; it's not just all about the team winning their games if the manager does what the angels tell him to. What would you have done in Guffy's shoes? You could also talk about the great players of yesteryear who make appearances, or are referred to. Why do you think President Eisenhower in particular listed this movie as a favorite?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Angels in the Outfield (1951)?

  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 7+
    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 8+
    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.