The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg

The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
Directed by Aviva Kempner
Produced by Aviva Kempner
Written by Aviva Kempner
Starring Reeve Robert Brenner
Walter Matthau
Alan M. Dershowitz
Release dates
 1998
Country United States
Language English
Hank Greenberg, Hall of Famer and 2-time MVP

The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (1998) is a documentary film directed, produced and written by Aviva Kempner about Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers. A Jewish player who chose not to play on Yom Kippur in 1934 during a heated pennant race, Greenberg experienced a great deal of antisemitism. He nearly broke Babe Ruth's 60 home run record by hitting 58 home runs in 1938.

Like many players of the era, Greenberg's career was interrupted by military service. Initially, Greenberg was classified unfit for service due to flat feet. However, upon re-examination, he was cleared. Before Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Congress released men over age 28. After the attack, Greenberg immediately reenlisted in the United States Army Air Forces.

In 1947, Hank Greenberg, as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and playing his final season, was one of the few ballplayers to give the Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson, the majors' first black player in many years, a warm welcome. Robinson later said, "Class tells. It sticks out all over Mr. Greenberg".

Film credits

Produced by

Directed by

Written by

Cast overview

  • Reeve Robert Brenner .... Himself - interviewee
  • Hank Greenberg .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Walter Matthau .... Himself - interviewee
  • Alan M. Dershowitz .... Himself - interviewee (as Alan Dershowitz)
  • Carl Levin .... Himself - interviewee (as Senator Carl Levin)
  • Stephen Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee
  • Joseph Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee (as Joe Greenberg)
  • Rabbi Max Ticktin .... Himself - interviewee
  • Bill Mead .... Himself - interviewee
  • Lou Gehrig .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Basil 'Mickey' Briggs .... Himself - interviewee
  • Don Shapiro .... Himself - interviewee
  • Bert Gordon .... Himself - interviewee
  • Joe Falls .... Himself - interviewee
  • Henry Ford .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Fr. Charles Coughlin .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Dr. George Barahal .... Himself - interviewee
  • Ira Berkow .... Himself - interviewee
  • Harold Allen .... Himself - interviewee
  • Robert Steinberg .... Himself - interviewee
  • Charlie Gehringer .... Himself - interviewee (also archive footage)
  • Herman 'Flea' Clifton .... Himself - interviewee
  • Billy Rogell .... Himself - interviewee
  • Birdie Tebbets .... Himself - interviewee (as George 'Birdie' Tebbetts)
  • Ernie Harwell .... Himself - interviewee
  • Elden Auker .... Himself - interviewee (as Eldon Auker)
  • Dick Schaap .... Himself - interviewee
  • Goose Goslin .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Dizzy Dean .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Harvey Frank .... Himself - interviewee
  • Marilyn Greenberg .... Herself - interviewee
  • Harriet Colman .... Herself - interviewee
  • Alva Greenberg .... Herself - interviewee
  • Mickey Cochrane .... Himself - interviewee
  • Charlie Grimm .... Himself - interviewee (archive footage)
  • Michael Moriarty .... Himself - interviewee
  • Max Lapides .... Himself - interviewee
  • Gabby Hartnett .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Joe Louis .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Shirley Povich .... Himself - interviewee
  • Al Rosen .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Rip Collins .... Himself - interviewee
  • Tommy Bridges .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Joe DiMaggio .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Jane Briggs Hart .... Herself - interviewee
  • Harry Eisenstat .... Himself - interviewee
  • Bob Feller .... Himself - interviewee (also archive footage)
  • Hoot Robinson .... Himself - interviewee
  • Rudy York .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Hal Newhouser .... Himself - interviewee
  • Barney McCosky .... Himself - interviewee
  • Bobo Newsom .... Himself (archive footage) (as 'Buck' Newsom)
  • Paul Derringer .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Junior Thompson .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Bucky Walters .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt .... Himself (also radio broadcast) (archive footage)
  • Del Baker .... Himself - interviewee
  • Arn Tellem .... Himself - interviewee
  • Barney Ross .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Caral Gimbel .... Herself - interviewee
  • Glenn Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee
  • Sander Levin .... Himself - interviewee (as Congressman Sander Levin)
  • Walter Briggs, Jr. .... Himself (archive footage) (as Walter 'Spike' Briggs r.)
  • Walter Briggs, Sr. .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Albert 'Happy' Chandler .... Himself (archive footage) (as Happy Chandler)
  • Bill Shuster .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Steve O'Neill .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Paul Richards .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Virgil Trucks .... Himself - interviewee
  • George Kell .... Himself - interviewee
  • Billy Herman .... Himself (archive footage) (as Billy Hermann)
  • Jackie Robinson .... Himself (archive footage)
  • Kenesaw M. Landis .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Connie Mack .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Maury Povich .... Himself - interviewee (uncredited)
  • Babe Ruth .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)

Awards

See also

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