Boyhood Dreams of Suiting Up Come True

There is something purely endearing about the suit-up scene in The Pride of the Yankees.

Freshly recruited Lou Gehrig, played magnificently with a boyish wonder by Gary Cooper, arrives early to the locker room before his first home game as a NY Yankee. He even pauses to consider the door upon entry that states 'Yankees - Positively No Admittance'! His dream has come true at last...

The first locker he encounters in the search for his own, is none other than Babe Ruth's. As a kid, playing ball with his friends, a young Lou regarded his Babe Ruth rookie card worthy while other kids mocked him. All these emotional details are keenly felt through the gentle, heartwarming score and Cooper's performance.

Lou fixes his cap on his head, checking out his reflection in the mirror. His teammates come pouring in at last! He turns to greet them, being the first one there and shy, he offers a humble, childlike wave as an offer of his friendship.

The composition of this scene is divided between the Yankees suiting up and Mama and Papa Gehrig getting accustomed to their seats as the crowds pack in. This cutting back and forth accounts for the passage of time -- which serves the movie well -- but hinders the suit-up slightly.

It is still a rewarding scene in a fantastic movie. It is my sincere hope that this review may serve as a recommendation.