One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story (also known as Man of Passion) is a 1978 American made-for-television biographical sports drama film telling the story of Ron LeFlore, a troubled Detroit youth who rose from Michigan prisons to star in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers. The film was based on LeFlore's autobiography, Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues.[1]
| One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | Man of Passion |
| Genre | Action Biography Crime |
| Based on | Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues by Ron LeFlore |
| Written by | Stanford Whitmore |
| Directed by | William A. Graham |
| Starring | LeVar Burton Madge Sinclair Paul Benjamin |
| Music by | Peter Matz |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Tony Converse Roger Gimbel |
| Producer | William S. Gilmore |
| Production locations | Clinton, Iowa Detroit Chicago Toledo, Ohio |
| Cinematography | Jordan Cronenweth |
| Editor | Aaron Stell |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company | EMI Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 26, 1978 |
Plot
editThe film follows LeFlore from his heroin addiction, to his time in Michigan's Jackson State Penitentiary, and tells of his discovery in prison by Billy Martin, who was then the manager of the Detroit Tigers. The role of Ron LeFlore was played by LeVar Burton. Larry B. Scott portrayed Ron LeFlore's younger brother.
Former Detroit manager Billy Martin played himself, and former Tiger players Norm Cash, Bill Freehan, Al Kaline, and Jim Northrup also appeared as themselves.
The movie first aired on CBS on September 26, 1978 and was released theatrically in Europe.
Cast
edit- LeVar Burton as Ron LeFlore
- Madge Sinclair as Georgia LeFlore
- Paul Benjamin as John LeFlore
- James Luisi as Jimmy Karalla
- Billy Martin as Himself
- Zakes Mokae as Pee Wee Spencer
- Larry B. Scott as Gerald LeFlore
- Anthony Mockus Sr. as Board Chairman
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jim Hawkins (September 7, 1978). "Grand slam! LeFlore movie draws raves". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1D, 9D – via Newspapers.com.
