Crazylegs (film)

Crazylegs
Directed by	Francis D. Lyon
Written by	Hall Bartlett
Based on	Life of Elroy Hirsch
Produced by	Hall Bartlett
Starring	Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch Lloyd Nolan Joan Vohs
Cinematography	Virgil Miller
Edited by	Cotton Warburton
Music by	Leith Stevens
Production company	Hall Bartlett Productions
Distributed by	Republic Pictures
Release date	November 15, 1953 (1953-11-15) (United States)
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Crazylegs is a 1953 film about Elroy Hirsch's football career. In college (University of Wisconsin and University of Michigan) his unconventional dynamic running style allowed him to change directions in a multitude of ways. The media dubbed him "Crazylegs". The name stuck all through his professional career and life. The bulk of this film is centered on his college days. Crazylegs later became part of the foundation of the "Three End" with the LA Rams. This film captures the genuine quality of Hirsch's personality, with Hirsch playing himself in the part.

The film premiered in Wausau, Wisconsin, Hirsch's hometown. Cotton Warburton's editing was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing.

Plot

Elroy Hirsch's life is told from his days in a school in Wisconsin and then at the University of Wisconsin where he already excelled in sports. After military service, Elroy becomes a professional athlete and earns the nickname of Crazylegs, by which he became known internationally. An injury almost ends his career, but in a typical case of personal overcoming, he achieves a triumphant return.

Cast

• Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch as Himself
• Lloyd Nolan as Win Brockmeyer
• Joan Vohs as Ruth Stahmer
• James Millican as The Rams Head Coach
• Bob Waterfield as Himself
• Bob Kelley as Himself
• James Brown as Bill
• Norman Field as Mr. Otto Hirsch
• Louise Lorimer as Mrs. Otto Hirsch
• Joseph Crehan as Hank Hatch
• John Brown as Professor Keller
• Mack Williams as Arch Ward
• Selmer Jackson as Pres. Michigan Alumni Club
• Bill Brundige as Himself
• Joel Marston as Joey
• Win Hirsch as Himself
• Melvyn Arnold as Himself

The final screen of cast credits is summarized as The Men Of The Los Angeles Rams Professional Football Team, Champions Of The World 1945 and 1951, and below this title are listed Larry Brink, Tom Dahms, Dick Daugherty, Jack Dwyer, Tom Fears, Bob Gambold, Norbert Hecker, Elroy Hirsch, Dick Lane, Woodley Lewis, Leon McLaughlin, Don Paul, Duane Putnam, Volney Quinlan, Dan Towler, Norman Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Stan West, Jim Winkler and Paul Younger

See also

• List of American football films

External links

• Crazylegs at IMDb
• Crazylegs at the TCM Movie Database
• Crazylegs at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films