A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story

1978 1h 36m EN

🤯

9.5

MASTERPIECE

★9.5TMDB · 2

DramaTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

One of the most moving stories in the annals of sports is presented in this true drama documenting the love affair of baseball immortal Lou Gehrig and his wife Eleanor. Their romance spans the time period from his days of glory with Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees to his unsuccessful battle with an incurable disease. As the story begins, the talented but shy Gehrig is already a popular Yankee slugger when he meets the outgoing Eleanor. Their romance begins hesitantly, but blossoms as they exchange letters while Gehrig is on the road with the team. However, Gehrig's possessive mother becomes a formidable obstacle, first to their marriage and later to their happiness. But their love for one another proves triumphant. In the midst of their happiness, when Gehrig is at the peak of his career, he learns that he is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The courage and dignity exhibited by the Gehrigs during this crisis make this a powerful, memorable film.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Blythe Danner
Eleanor Gehrig
Edward Herrmann
Lou Gehrig
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Joe McCarthy
Ramon Bieri
Babe Ruth
Jane Wyatt
Eleanor's Mother
Patricia Neal
Mrs. Gehrig
Georgia Engel
Claire Ruth
Michael Lerner
Dr. Canlan

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Fielder Cook
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Fielder Cook, shot by Michel Hugo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Eddy Lawrence Manson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor David Newhouse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann and Gerald S. O'Loughlin carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0077870 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Fielder Cook directs. Michel Hugo behind the camera. Eddy Lawrence Manson scores. David Newhouse cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

148 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Directed by Fielder Cook, shot by Michel Hugo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Eddy Lawrence Manson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor David Newhouse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann and Gerald S. O'Loughlin carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0077870 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.