The legendary Babe Ruth was bigger-than-life and a true American icon of the 20th Century. Easily as recognizable in his time as later sports legends as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Pele, The Bambino is the subject of the 1948 sports biopic, The Babe Ruth Story.
At the time of production, Ruth was seriously ill with a variety of ailments, and the film was obviously "rushed," perhaps in the hopes that he would be able to view it before it was too late. The film debuted July 26, 1948 and Ruth did, indeed attend the premiere. Shortly afterward however, Ruth's condition worsened and he passed away less than a month later on August 16th.
The film itself focuses primarily on Babe's glory days with the Yankees, especially his record-setting 60 HRs in 1927, and his infamous "called shot" in the 1932 World Series.
William Bendix portrays Ruth, with other notable cast members including Claire Trevor and Charles Bickford.
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