A WINNER NEVER QUITS

US, 1986, 105 minutes, Colour.
Keith Carradine, Mare Winningham, Dennis Weaver, G.W. Bailey, Fionnula Flanagan, Dana Delany, Ed O’ Neill.
Directed by Mel Damski.

A Winner Never Quits is an entertaining and inspiring telemovie. It is based on the career of Pete Gray, a baseball player of the 40s, son of Pennsylvania miner - but who had an accident in his childhood and lost his right arm. However, with determination and practice, he became a major league baseball player. Keith Carradine is excellent in the central role, at once self-preoccupied and self- centred as well as sensitive and able to be opened up to a wider world of concern and compassion. Mare Willingham gives yet another excellent TV movie performance as Annie. Dennis Weaver appears as Caradine's father. The film was directed by Mel Damski, a director who has more success in telemovies than in feature films. Well written, well acted, based on a true story, the fulfilment of an American dream.

1. Interesting and moving telemovie? Human story? True story?

2. Designed for the television audience, plot, characters, situations? Recreation of the 30s and 40s? Musical score?

3. The film as inspiring, for morale? Title? Pete Gray's glove in the hall of fame? The portrait of his family, walking in the mines, migrants in Pennsylvania, poverty, dreams, hardship? Winning?

5. The portrait of Pete's father: the good man, simple, the migrant, wisdom, support? His mother and her work in the mines? His relationship with Whitey? Whitey and his boxing training, his father asking him. to help his brother, their fights, the collages of training? Grown up, the father and his relationship with his sons? Whitey in hospital, the visits to the hospital? The visits of Pete back home, money to support his family? His father's talk with him in Yankee Stadium dressing room - achievement and determination? His pride in his son? The father of Pete Grey?

6. Pete as a young boy, the accident, the dashing of his hopes? His relationship with Whitey? Wanting to play baseball, the dream? Training, the exercise, strengthening his arm, catching, working? Whitey and getting out Pete's anger? Never wanting to cry? His being mocked? School? Growing Up? Playing baseball and his big hit?

7. Keith Carradine as the adult Pete Grey: His skills, Carradine performing without the use of his arm? The army and his wanting to go? Whitey and his fighting, knocked out? Cynicism? Playing ball? Tatum and his using Pete as a gimmick, business and money? Freak show? The encounter with Annie in the cafe, the fight and his apology, her offering the steak and his anger? His self-preoccupation? Clashes with the players, disbelief at the practice? Mockery? The fish in his coat pocket? Fighting and anger?

8. Annie and her work at the cafe, the story of her fiance and his death in the war? Liking Pete, going out, dancing? Mellowing him? Inviting him to the hospital? Telling him the truth? Sharing his life, the play? His anger at her honesty, his apology? Nelson's visit, his refusal to see him? Change of
heart, his going with Annie to the Hospital? Annie's support, marriage? A good woman and her love for Pete?

9. Nelson, California, the accident, the operation, his parents response, the discovery of Pete? The phone call, the invitation, Tatum and his exploiting it? The party and Nelson's disappointment? Going to the dressing room, the encounter with Pete, sharing, tying the lace? His going to the play, being coached? The discussion about tears? Leaving? Love for the boy? The exchange of letters? Encouragement?

10. Playing, fighting, self-preoccupation? Bloom and his observations, the press? Tatum and his exploiting him? Their clashes? The St Louis scout? Going to the major league, playing, the Yankee Stadium, being asked not to play, success despite that, the impact of his father and his talk, going on to play, the final catch?

11. American love for baseball, part of the culture? Achievement, Pete Gray as a model, encouragement?