The Fireball ** (1950, Mickey Rooney, Pat O’Brien, Beverly Tyler, Ralph Dumke, Milburn Stone, Marilyn Monroe) – Classic Movie Review 7599

‘Rooney Runs Riot on the Roller Raceways!’ Director Tay Garnett’s 1950 The Fireball stars Mickey Rooney as orphan Johnny Casar, who flees from Father O’Hara (Pat O’Brien)’s orphanage school, becomes a champion star on roller skates, with the help of Mary Reeves (Beverly Tyler), but then is stricken with polio.

The Fireball is a ball of sentimental soppiness, but it comes to life in Rooney and O’Brien’s acting, admittedly in typecast roles, and in Garnett’s earnest, attentive direction.

A fireball then still smouldering, Marilyn Monroe plays Polly, one of several women who romance Rooney’s Johnny Casar. Some roller-derby action and Rooney’s ebullience further help to save the day.

Also in the cast are Ralph Dumke, Bert Begley, Sam Flint, John Hedloe, Glen [Glenn] Corbett, James Brown and Milburn Stone.

The Fireball is directed by Tay Garnett, runs 84 minutes, is made by Bert E Friedlob Productions [Thor Productions], is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Horace McCoy (screenplay), from an original story by Tay Garnett and Horace McCoy, is shot in black and white by Lester White, produced by Bert E Friedlob, scored by Victor Young and designed by Van Nest Polglase.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7599

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