Need help with these vintage sports movie photos

[Vintagedeputy]

Picked up a pile of old sports movie photos in an online auction. I couldn’t tell much about them while they were being auctioned off and the bid was cheap enough so I picked them up:

The three football photos have no information on them except a numbering system in the bottom starting with the letters KO. I have no idea what movie they may reference.

The single photo of the group of players with the catcher at the plate has a simple notation on the back that says “Knocking ‘em over”.

The three photos have a clipping on the back from Paramount pictures, indicating that this was from a movie called “Warming Up”. The man in the suit holding the ball is former Giant, Turkey Mike Donlin. This movie seems to date to 1928.

The four photos have a stamp on the back from Paramount pictures and reference a movie called “Fast Company” from 1929.

Does anyone have any more information about the unidentified photos, any movie info, any thoughts on the photos themselves or any other information?

[Michael B]

Look at them on IMDB.

Warming Up - 1928. The woman with the catchers mitt is probably Jean Arthur. Features MLers Jum Dugan, Mike Donlin, Truck Hannah and Wally Hood (later PCL umpire). Also minor leaguers Chet Thomas and Joe Pirrone. Pirrone was called the father of the Winter League. Formed a team called Pironne's All Stars. The players appeared as themselves in this movie.

Fast Company - 1929. Features MLers Bob Meusel, Jigger Statz, Truck Hannah, Gus Sandberg aka Sanberg, Ivan Olson, Wally Rehg, George Boehler and Red Rollings. Also minor leaguer Howard Burkett (PCL). All of their character names were similar to their real names.

[gonefishin]

Love the photos - nice pick up. I don't know how popular the movies became, but the photos are great.

[Vintagedeputy]

The football photos have been positively identified as being a 1926 movie called The Kick Off.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

The football photos have been positively identified as being a 1926 movie called The Kick Off.

George Walsh also appeared in 'Birth of a Nation' though uncredited. The listed cast is only 7 people, all actors/actresses, so unknown if there were any college or pro players in the movie. Here is a summary of the movie:

Tom Stephens, a well-known athlete at a small town college, transfers to Farnsworth University, where he becomes reacquainted with the landlady's daughter, Marilyn--a girl he earlier rescued from the manhandling of collegian Frank Preston. Frank assures his friends that the country "hick" will never make varsity quarterback, and at a school dance Frank makes fun of Tom's poor dancing, though this ridicule does not weaken Tom's popularity with Marilyn and her flirtatious friend Ruth. Soon Tom becomes first choice for varsity quarterback, and Frank inflicts an injury on Tom during practice, then plants liquor in Tom's locker, causing him to be disqualified; but he is reprieved in time to participate in the game. As the result of a trick instigated by Frank, Tom fails to appear initially, but he does arrive in time to tie the score. After recovery from a knockout, he leads the team to victory and is happily united with Mary and his mother.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Michael B

George Walsh also appeared in 'Birth of a Nation' though uncredited. The listed cast is only 7 people, all actors/actresses, so unknown if there were any college or pro players in the movie. Here is a summary of the movie:

Tom Stephens, a well-known athlete at a small town college, transfers to Farnsworth University, where he becomes reacquainted with the landlady's daughter, Marilyn--a girl he earlier rescued from the manhandling of collegian Frank Preston. Frank assures his friends that the country "hick" will never make varsity quarterback, and at a school dance Frank makes fun of Tom's poor dancing, though this ridicule does not weaken Tom's popularity with Marilyn and her flirtatious friend Ruth. Soon Tom becomes first choice for varsity quarterback, and Frank inflicts an injury on Tom during practice, then plants liquor in Tom's locker, causing him to be disqualified; but he is reprieved in time to participate in the game. As the result of a trick instigated by Frank, Tom fails to appear initially, but he does arrive in time to tie the score. After recovery from a knockout, he leads the team to victory and is happily united with Mary and his mother.

Such a terrible sounding storyline.

[Exhibitman]

I wonder what PCL ballpark(s) were involved?