McGraw 1917 Pinch Hitter movie still
 

I just got this 8X10 in the mail today. I recognize McGraw, and Jennings appears to be to his left. I am curious if anyone knows who the others are. The back has a pencil notation that says 1917 Pinch Hitter. The paper stock is very thin with the front being glossy the reverse feels like writing paper. Based on that I assume it dates to that era. I Googled McGraw 1917 Pinch Hitter and found that year he appeared in a movie titled Pinch Hitter. Has anyone seen that film? If so do you recognize this as a scene from the movie? I don’t believe it is a promotional item as there is no studio or cast information on it.

The main star of the 1917 movie "The Pinch Hitter" was Charles Ray, he would also appear in the 1919 baseball film "The Busher". That may be Ray next to McGraw getting some pointers. Here is a very rare promotional card featuring Ray in his later role as the busher, I have only seen two copies of this card and I sold Leon the other one...
http://starsofthediamond.com/charlesray.jpg

[QUOTE=rhettyeakley;1097077]The main star of the 1917 movie "The Pinch Hitter" was Charles Ray, he would also appear in the 1919 baseball film "The Busher". That may be Ray next to McGraw getting some pointers. Here is a very rare promotional card featuring Ray in his later role as the busher, I have only seen two copies of this card and I sold Leon the other one...

Thanks you are probably right. The player in the dugout looks a little like Chief Meyers but he was no longer with the Giants in 1917. I came across this link about silent era baseball films that was interesting.

http://ourgame.mlblogs.com/2012/09/2...ound-baseball/
http://ourgame.mlblogs.com/2012/09/
http://ourgame.mlblogs.com/2012/05/2...o-1920-part-3/

The guy is for sure not Charles Ray - the ears don't match.

It's hard to be definitive about "Meyers", but the sock style is mid-1920's Giants.

I agree that isn't Ray. Jennings joined his old Orioles teammate McGraw on the Giants coaching staff in 1921 so maybe the pencil notation on back is wrong and it is from the early to mid 1920's. The guy next to McGraw does look like an actor (and not a ballplayer) though, it looks like he is wearing makeup, especially on his lips.

The socks being mid-1920s makes sense. Apparently the Pinch hitter was remade in 1925 starring Glenn Hunter. Jennings coached for the Giants in 1925. His appearance in my photo is consistent with that time. The pencil notation is likely in error. It is also unlikely that the other player is Cheif Meyer.