BIG SCREEN BASEBALL — “Safe at Home!”

Starring: Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris,
William Frawley & Bryan Russell (1962)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

Yankees’ outfielders Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were the talk of the nation and baseball world in 1961, so naturally Hollywood soon came-a-calling.

Mantle and Maris had cemented their place in the history books by chasing Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record of 60 (set in 1927). Maris, of course, prevailed by sending his 61st shot over the fence on the last day of the ’61 season. Mantle was also in hot pursuit of The Babe – and Maris – but was curtailed by a September health issue. However, his 54 homers still set the record for most by a switch-hitter in a season.

To capitalize on the popularity of Mantle and Maris, the movie “Safe at Home!” (starring the “M&M Boys” themselves) had its premiere in April 1962. The timing was perfect as much of the film takes place at the Yankees’ Fort Lauderdale, Florida spring training facility.

In a heart-warming story, 10-year-old “Hutch” (played by Bryan Russell) is the son of widowed charter fishing boat owner Ken Lawton (Don Collier) in “Palms,” Florida. Hutch helps his Dad with the business and plays little league baseball. However, because of the nature of his awkward schedule, Dad is unable to attend many of Hutch’s practices or games.

One of Hutch’s teammates taunts him about his Dad’s lack of involvement. In order to defend his father, Hutch makes up a tale that both he and his Dad know his heroes Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. They don’t. If that wasn’t enough, Hutch creates quite a fix for himself by promising to get Mantle and Maris to come to an upcoming baseball banquet in their town. Afterwards, he tried to come clean to his Dad, but to no avail.

Hutch figured there was only one thing to do: Go to the Yankees’ spring training camp himself and personally invite the M&M Boys to the banquet. Through the help of a friend, he stows away in the back of a small truck full of fish that’s heading south through Fort Lauderdale. Although most of the fish are in boxes packed with ice, some are unsecured and rub against Hutch. This provides fodder for two amusing running gags after he hops off the truck.

(First, a friendly orange cat is attracted to Hutch’s fishy aroma and follows him wherever he ventures … showing up at the oddest times. Later, to great comic effect, whenever he’s around Yankees’ grumpy, old coach “Bill Turner” – a fictional character played by William Frawley – the coach sniffs the air and is continually confounded by the strange smell.)

Hutch finds the Yankees’ spring training complex, but is unable to connect with the two stars. However, after the players leave for the day, he makes his way to the clubhouse and is confronted by coach Turner who tells him in no uncertain terms to skidaddle. However, during their brief encounter Hutch learns an important piece of information: Where the team is staying.

Using almost all the cash he had, Hutch manages to take a taxi to the hotel and sneaks in behind the guard at the door. Through some sleuthing, he finds Mantle’s room and hides under a bed while the maids are busy. Enter Mantle, Maris and coach Turner who, again, is baffled by a funny smell. They soon discover Hutch. After some questioning, the coach offers to take him home, but Hutch comes up with a story and eventually makes his way back to the ballpark where he spends the night. The next day, he is allowed to sit on the bench during practice.

Meanwhile, back home, Hutch has, of course, been missing (the adults thought he was staying with a friend). When confronted, his friend is forced to spill the beans about how Hutch hitched a ride to Fort Lauderdale. Hutch’s Dad and girlfriend, Joanna (Patricia Barry), immediately go after him.

After practice, Hutch is allowed to talk to the M&M Boys. He describes his predicament and asks them to attend the banquet. But both Mantle and Maris decline, explaining they can’t be part of a lie – and that he must tell his friends and teammates the truth. Finally, Dad and Joanna arrive and take Hutch home.

Later, he stands in front of his team and nervously admits everything. At first, everyone is pretty sore, but eventually accept his apology. Hutch’s Dad then unexpectantly announces that an hour earlier he heard from Mantle and Maris and they invited the whole team to the Yankees spring training camp.

“Safe at Home!” is a nice little movie – with some humorous moments – that made for a good Saturday afternoon matinee aimed at the younger crowd. It reminds one of a “Leave it to Beaver” episode where an ordinary kid unintentionally gets himself into a mess that he tries to work out himself, and, ultimately learns an important life lesson. It’s a short movie, at 83 minutes, which is about right for the story.

Although focused on the Hutch character, Mantle and Maris make several appearances throughout the film. Actors they are not, but hey, it’s fun to see them. New York’s manager Ralph Houk and southpaw hurler Whitey Ford also have brief speaking parts. Along with other Yankees, outfielder Tom Tresh is often seen in the background. Young Bryan Russell as “Hutch” is both likeable and believable and, most importantly, his acting is never over the top. And kudos to the filmmakers for not making Dad a jerk – just busy and a bit misguided.

– – – 1988 Pacific Trading Cards “Legends” – – –

Many know William Frawley through countless reruns on TV. In addition to playing a Yankees coach in “Safe at Home!” he was a character actor for many years and also appeared in over a half-dozen other baseball movies, including: “The Babe Ruth Story” (1948) and “Kill the Umpire” (1949).

Frawley was best known for his portrayal of cantankerous – but sometimes lovable – old coots such as Fred Mertz … neighbor, friend and landlord on “I Love Lucy.” And later, “Bub,” the boys’ maternal grandfather on “My Three Sons.” Although Frawley continued on “My Three Sons” for three more years before retiring, “Safe at Home!” was his final film role.

BIG BASEBALL FAN: While on “I Love Lucy,” Frawley had a clause in his contract that he automatically got time off if the Yankees were in the World Series. Since the Yanks dominated the American League in the 1950s, the clause kicked in many times during the show’s run. In fact, he missed two episodes due to the Fall Classic.

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