Crazylegs | |
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Directed by | Francis D. Lyon |
Written by | Hall Bartlett |
Based on | Life of Elroy Hirsch |
Produced by | Hall Bartlett |
Starring | Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch Lloyd Nolan Joan Vohs |
Cinematography | Virgil Miller |
Edited by | Cotton Warburton |
Music by | Leith Stevens |
Production company | Hall Bartlett Productions |
Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Crazylegs is a 1953 film about Elroy Hirsch's football career. In college (University of Wisconsin and University of Michigan) his unconventional dynamic running style allowed him to change directions in a multitude of ways. The media dubbed him "Crazylegs". The name stuck all through his professional career and life. The bulk of this film is centered on his college days. Crazylegs later became part of the foundation of the "Three End" with the LA Rams. This film captures the genuine quality of Hirsch's personality, with Hirsch playing himself in the part.
The film premiered in Wausau, Wisconsin, Hirsch's hometown. Cotton Warburton's editing was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing.
Elroy Hirsch's life is told from his days in a school in Wisconsin and then at the University of Wisconsin where he already excelled in sports. After military service, Elroy becomes a professional athlete and earns the nickname of Crazylegs, by which he became known internationally. An injury almost ends his career, but in a typical case of personal overcoming, he achieves a triumphant return.
The final screen of cast credits is summarized as The Men Of The Los Angeles Rams Professional Football Team, Champions Of The World 1945 and 1951, and below this title are listed Larry Brink, Tom Dahms, Dick Daugherty, Jack Dwyer, Tom Fears, Bob Gambold, Norbert Hecker, Elroy Hirsch, Dick Lane, Woodley Lewis, Leon McLaughlin, Don Paul, Duane Putnam, Volney Quinlan, Dan Towler, Norman Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Stan West, Jim Winkler and Paul Younger
Elroy Leon "Crazylegs" Hirsch was an American professional football player, sport executive and actor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He was also named to the all-time All-Pro team selected in 1968 and to the National Football League (NFL) 1950s All-Decade Team.
Norman Mack Van Brocklin, nicknamed "the Dutchman", was an American football player, coach and executive. He played as a quarterback and punter in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He spent his first nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and his final three with the Philadelphia Eagles. Following his playing career, he was the inaugural head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and the second head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 1968 to 1974.
Winfred Otto Brockmeyer was an American football coach from Mankato, Minnesota.
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Unchained is a 1955 prison film written, produced and directed by Hall Bartlett and starring Elroy Hirsch, Barbara Hale, Chester Morris, Todd Duncan, and Johnny Johnston. Based on the non-fiction book Prisoners are People by Kenyon J. Scudder, it is most remembered for its theme song, "Unchained Melody".
The 1951 NFL Championship Game was the National Football League's 19th championship game, played December 23 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.
The 1950 NFL Championship Game was the 18th National Football League (NFL) title game, played on Sunday, December 24 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Robert Winfield Carey was an American football end who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). He was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1952 NFL Draft from Michigan State University. He played three season with the Rams between 1952 and 1956 and one season with the Chicago Bears in 1958.
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The 1942 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1942 Big Ten Conference football season. The team compiled an 8–1–1 record, finished in second place in the Big Ten Conference, led the conference in scoring defense, and was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll. Harry Stuhldreher was in his seventh year as Wisconsin's head coach.
The 1943–44 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan in intercollegiate basketball during the 1943–44 season. In their sixth year under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wolverines finished the season in a tie for sixth place in the Big Ten Conference with an overall record of 12–7 and 5–7 against conference opponents.
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The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation.