Introduction
Welcome to my corner! This week, I'm sharing my thoughts on the film The Sandlot. This movie is quintessential summer viewing. Enjoy!
The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a 1993 American coming-of-age sports comedy film written by David Mickey Evans and Robert Gunter. Evans also directed the film and served as a narrator. It tells the story of a diverse group of young baseball players during Summer 1962. The film stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Karen Allen, Denis Leary and James Earl Jones. It is set in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California, and the filming locations were in Midvale, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.
The Sandlot was released on April 7, 1993, by 20th Century Fox. The film grossed over $34 million worldwide, and was followed by two direct-to-video sequels The Sandlot 2 (2005) and The Sandlot: Heading Home (2007).
Plot: When Scotti Smalls (Thomas Guiry) moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids who play baseball at the sandlot. Together they go on a series of funny and touching adventures. The boys run into trouble when Smalls borrows a ball from his stepdad that gets hit over a fence.
Acting: Most of the actors were children, who didn't go on to have a lengthy and/or successful acting careers. My favorite title is The Sandlot for the following actors, if not stated otherwise.
Tom Guiry as Scott "Scotty" Smalls, the new kid in town, who later becomes a left fielder for the Sandlot team. His four most notable titles currently include Black Hawk Down, Mystic River, The Sandlot, and Tigerland.
Mike Vitar as Benjamin Franklin "Benny" Rodriguez, the leader of the group, as well as the most dedicated and skilled member of the team. His four most notable titles are D2: The Mighty Ducks, The Sandlot, D3: The Mighty Ducks, and Diplomatic Immunity. His older brother plays the future Benny in the movie, which I did not know until now. He quit acting and later became a firefighter.
Patrick Renna as Hamilton "Ham" Porter, a sarcastic, short-tempered catcher. His four most notable titles currently include Son in Law, The Sandlot, Dark Ride, and The Big Green.
Chauncey Leopardi as Michael "Squints" Palledorous, a story-telling, snark centerfielder. His four most notable titles currently are Father of the Bride, The Sandlot, The Big Green and The Opposite Sex.
James Earl Jones as Mr. Mertle, a former player who now resides near the Sandlot, and owner of "The Beast". I love James Earl Jones. Who doesn't? He doesn't play a huge role in The Sandlot, but his part is very important and memorable. His four most notable titles include the Star Wars franchise, The Lion King franchise, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for Red October. It's hard to pick a favorite, but probably The Lion King (1994).
Minor roles were played by David Mickey Evans as adult Scott Smalls (narrator, voice-only); Arliss Howard as adult Scott Smalls; Pablo Vitar as adult Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez; Marty York as Alan "Yeah-Yeah" McClennan, a smart-mouthed third baseman; Brandon Quintin Adams as Kenny DeNunez, an easygoing pitcher, known for his "Heater" pitch; Grant Gelt as Bertram Grover Weeks, a fun-loving second baseman; Victor DiMattia as Timmy Timmons, a hapless first baseman and Tommy's older brother; Shane Obedzinski as Tommy "Repeat" Timmons, a right fielder and Timmy's sweet younger brother; Denis Leary as Bill, Scotty's stepfather; Karen Allen as Scotty's mother; Art LaFleur as Babe Ruth "The Great Bambino", a former best-known baseball star player of the New York Yankees who appears in Benny's dream to give wisdom to him on rescuing the prized baseball from "The Beast"; Marley Shelton (credited as Marlee Shelton) as Wendy Peffercorn, lifeguard at the local pool, and target of Squints's crush; Wil Horneff as Little League team leader Phillips.
Background information from American Film Institute (AFI): According to a 13 Aug 1991 DV article, Island World Productions, TriStar Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, and Walt Disney Pictures/Interscope Communications all expressed interest in purchasing David Mickey Evans and Robert Gunter's screenplay, Boys of Summer. As part of a two-year first-look production deal, Danny DeVito and Michael Shamberg reportedly hoped to collaborate with directing-producing team Richard Donner and Lauren Shuler-Donner if Fox or TriStar won the rights. Island World ultimately obtained the property by offering $1 million for the script and David Mickey Evans's services as director. The film marked his directorial debut. Although he had previously been hired to direct Radio Flyer (1992) he was later replaced by Richard Donner.
During pre-production, 28 Jan 1992 and 16 Jun 1992 HR items indicated that the film was briefly known as Untitled David Mickey Evans before it was re-titled The Sandlot. DV suggested the change may have been made to avoid confusion with Roger Kahn's non-fiction baseball book, The Boys of Summer (1972). Around this time, the 18 May 1992 Var announced that executive producers Chris Zarpas and Mark Burg were "forced out" of their positions at Island World due to a professional and personal "clash" between the partners and the company's newly-appointed president, Eric Eisner. However, the terms of their departure allowed them to continue to oversee production of The Sandlot.
A 15 Mar 1994 HR news item reported that memorabilia from the film was put on display in the newly built motion picture wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
In 1994, Michael Polydoros, a childhood schoolmate of writer-director David Mickey Evans, filed a lawsuit against distributor Twentieth Century Fox, alleging that the character "Michael 'Squints' Palledorous," had been directly based on him. Polydoros claimed the obvious comparison was an invasion of privacy and, as stated in the 22 Sep 1997 Var, was a "misappropriation of his name and likeness" due to the character's portrayal as a "nerd." In Mar 1997, the trial court ruled in favor of Fox, and the decision was affirmed by the California Court of Appeals on 10 Sep 1997. Because the case held greater legal implications for writers and studios in the entertainment industry, the California Supreme Court agreed to evaluate the verdict later that year. According to the 16 Oct 1998 DV, the Court maintained that a filmmakers' right to base fictional characters on real people was protected by the First Amendment.
The film grossed $4,000,000 in its opening weekend and a further $32,000,000 through ticket sales. Figures for world-wide VHS and DVD sales are estimated to be at $76,000,000. Since its release on both VHS and DVD, the film has become a cult favorite.
Final Thoughts: The Sandlot is the perfect movie for a summer night. It doesn't matter how old you are, anyone can enjoy this coming of age movie. It baffles me that The Sandlot only has a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. I've never met a person who hasn't seen The Sandlot, or doesn't like it. It's impossible not to enjoy this movie. You don't even have to like sports/baseball. I have no interest in sports, but even I think The Sandlot is a classic.
P.S. I throw like Smalls.
My favorite scene was when they're all in the treehouse for a sleepover, eating s'mores, and Squints tells the story of "The Beast".
My favorite quote is "You're killing me, Smalls!" —Ham (also probably everyone's favorite quote)
Rated: PG
Where to watch it: According to Google, The Sandlot is currently available with a subscription on Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. You can also purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. There's also a copy of the film at the Emil M. Larson Public Library in Clark.
