KNUTE ROCKNE: ALL AMERICAN
US, 1940, 96 minutes, Black and white.
Ronald Reagan, Pat O' Brien, Gale Page, Donald Crisp.
Directed by Lloyd Bacon.
Knute Rockne all American is a biography tribute to the famous American football coach. It sketches his early life in Norway and in Chicago, his work, studies at Notre Dame University, his football skills and his innovations in playing gridiron football. It highlights the success of the Notre Dame team of the 20s.
Pat O' Brien is, as usual, a strong presence as he was for Fighting Father Dunne, The Iron Major and other biographies. Ronald Reagan has a brief role as George Gipp, the talented football player who died very young. His dying sequence also gave the phrase: 'go in there and win one for the Gipper'. Donald Crisp is Father John Callahan, the Holy Cross Priest, rector of Notre Dame.
Conventional biography, a tribute to American get up and go, a lecture/sermon on the values of competitive sport in the U.S.
1. Enjoyable biography ? American football? Place of sport in American culture?
2. Black and white photography, Warner Bros. production values? The musical score and patriotic themes?
3. The title and the focus on Rockne himself? The biography, the tribute?
4. Tracing Rockne life and career: the 1880s in Norway, the family migrating, the young boy in Chicago in 1895, growing up in the family, his going to work, the post office? His going to Notre Dame as an older man? Relationship with the students, with the staff? The support of Fr. Callahan? The priest scientist offering him the job? His interest in football, playing, coaching? His teaching science at Notre Dame? His skill with coaching, His innovations with forward passes? Later looking at chorus lines and getting swift and economic movements? His success, beating the Army, the straight wins? His famous four? His work with George Gipp, inviting him to play, his skills, his illness and death? The beginning of defeats? His own illness? His continued work? His love for Bonnie, his family, not going on vacation? Eventually going to Florida? The plane trip, the crash and his death? His spirit living on - and Rockne appearing at the end of the film? Tribute to an All American?
5. The significance of his views on sport? His going before the investigative committee? Praises sport, praise of learning, honesty in sport? The American spirit?
6. Bonnie, her love for Knute, her continued support, lack of vocation, her grief at his death? Her relationship with the footballers?
7. George Gipp, his abilities, youthfulness, his playing, illness, death and his dying words? As used by Rockne to the team?
8. Fr. Callahan and the Holy Cross Priests, the running of Notre Dame, small college, sport, learning and science, its growing reputation? Religious background? The final sermon?
9. The players and students, skills? The football sequences?
10. A piece of 40s Americana?
