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Cobb
Al Stump is a famous sports-writer chosen by Ty Cobb to co-write his official, authorized 'autobiography' before his death. Cobb, widely feared and despised, feels misunderstood and wants to set the record straight about 'the greatest ball-player ever,' in his words.
1994 · Directed by Ron Shelton · 128 min · Drama · Screenplay in the scene database · 7 frames
Tagline
Everyone hated this baseball legend. And he loved it.
Plot
In 1960, sportswriter Al Stump is hired as the ghostwriter for an authorized autobiography of baseball player Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb. Now 74 and in failing health, Cobb wants an official biography to "set the record straight" before he dies. In addition, Stump will get to accompany Cobb at the annual Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, where Cobb is set to attend.
Stump arrives at Cobb's estate on Lake Tahoe, where he finds Cobb to be a continually-drunken, misanthropic and bitter racist who abuses everyone he comes in contact with. Even though Cobb's darker reputation was already a known secret by many, including Stump, the sportswriter is still shocked at the length of Cobb's behavior and ill temper when seen at face value. Although Cobb's home is luxurious, it is without heat, power, and running water due to long-running violent disputes between Cobb and utility companies. Cobb also rapidly runs through domestic workers, hiring and firing them in quick succession. Although Cobb is seriously ill and prone to frequent physical breakdowns, including sexual impotence, he retains considerable strength and also keeps several loaded firearms within easy reach at almost all times, making the outbreak of violent confrontation a constant possibility. Stump finds himself butting heads with Cobb from the first day of the job, when the two men differ on the structure of the book, with Cobb wanting to emphasize his self-proclaimed greatness, while Stump argues that Cobb can't call himself great, but needs to rely on others proclaiming his greatness.
Before heading for Cooperstown, Cobb plans a quick trip for him and Stump to Reno for fun. Cobb almost gets killed in an automobile accident off the Donner Pass, driving recklessly in a blizzard. Stump rescues him, but Cobb then seizes control of Stump's car until he gets into another accident. The car has to be towed to Reno. There, Stump and Cobb see a show at a resort hotel featuring Keely Smith and Louis Prima, whose act Cobb rudely interrupts.
Plot summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
Crew
- Written by: Ron Shelton
- Cinematography: Russell Boyd
- Edited by: Kimberly Ray, Paul Seydor
- Music: Elliot Goldenthal
- Produced by: David V. Lester
Cast
- Tommy Lee Jones as Ty Cobb
- Robert Wuhl as Al Stump
- Lolita Davidovich as Ramona
- Ned Bellamy as Ray
- Scott Burkholder as Jimmy
- Allan Malamud as Mud
- Bill Caplan as Bill
- Jeff Fellenzer as Sportswriter
- Doug Krikorian as Sportswriter
- Gavin Smith as Sportsman's Lounge Bartender
Production
- Country: United States of America
- Language: English
- Studios: Regency Enterprises, Alcor Films, Aleor Films, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget: $25,500,000
- Box office: $1,007,583
- Themes: sports, baseball, georgia, biography, historical figure, baseball player, baseball hall of fame, lake tahoe
More by Ron Shelton
On this film
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