Directed by:
William A. WellmanScreenplay:
Niven BuschCinematography:
Arthur L. ToddComposer:
Bernhard KaunCast:
Dick Powell, Ann Dvorak, Pat O'Brien, Arthur Byron, Lyle Talbot, Hugh Herbert, Arthur Hohl, Charles C. Wilson, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Nat Pendleton (more)Plots(1)
Those who only know Pat O'Brien from his later, slightly more avuncular roles may be surprised to see him pumping out almost as much energy as his friend (and sometime co-star) James Cagney, in the lead and title role of College Coach. As James Gore, the head football coach for Calvert College, he leads his team to victory at any cost, including fair-play, decent (if not good) sportsmanship, and honesty -- he's even got his hooks into the financial end of a stadium deal. But all isn't well with those around Gore -- his best and most honorable player, Sargeant (Dick Powell, really wants to get an education while playing college ball, and finally backs out when he sees the hypocrisy around him; and his other top player, Weaver (Lyle Talbott), is a self-centered headline hound with an IQ in low double-digits who is a detriment to the team whenever he isn't scoring touchdowns. And his work seems to be unraveling when his tactics bring about a tragedy on the playing field. But it's when he discovers that his own wife (Ann Dvorak) is feeling so neglected that she's been pushed toward infidelity -- with Weaver -- that he realizes he's gone too far. With Calvert College about to lose much of what it stands for academically over the collapse of its football team, help comes from unexpected places, including a wife who still loves him and the one player Gore had who is smart enough to see the bigger picture. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
John Wayne
USA
Best movies:
The Longest Day (1962)
El Dorado (1966)
Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
Larry Steers
USA
Best movies:
The Gold Rush (1925)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Love Crazy (1941)
Jed Prouty
USA
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Libeled Lady (1936)
The Texas Rangers (1936)
A Star Is Born (1937)
Milton Kibbee
USA
Best movies:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Edison, the Man (1940)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Edward Keane
USA
Best movies:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Edison, the Man (1940)
The Roaring Twenties (1939)
William Austin
Guyana
Best movies:
The Gay Divorcee (1934)
It (1927)
National Velvet (1944)
James Donlan
USA
Best movies:
20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932)
Test Pilot (1938)
Design for Living (1933)
Harry Seymour
USA
Best movies:
North by Northwest (1959)
Rhapsody in Blue (1945)
Action in the North Atlantic (1943)
Buddy Messinger
USA
Best movies:
Modern Times (1936)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Test Pilot (1938)
Richard Tucker
USA
Best movies:
Shall We Dance? (1937)
Wings (1927)
Test Pilot (1938)
Leyland Hodgson
UK
Best movies:
The Great Dictator (1940)
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)
Rebecca (1940)
Phil Tead
USA
Best movies:
20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932)
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
The Thin Man (1934)
Edward McWade
USA
Best movies:
You'll Never Get Rich (1941)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Jezebel (1938)
Lew Harvey
USA
Best movies:
The Roaring Twenties (1939)
After the Thin Man (1936)
Citizen Kane (1941)