'42' Gets The Story Of Jackie Robinson Right (2024)

Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) acknowledges the crowd in 42. Warner Bros hide caption

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Warner Bros

'42' Gets The Story Of Jackie Robinson Right (2)

Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) acknowledges the crowd in 42.

Warner Bros

As we close out 2013, we're returning to some of the year's films that were "inspired by a true story" and taking a look at the true-to-inspired ratio. Turns out, 42 — a biopic that portrays Jackie Robinson's 1947 integration of Major League Baseball — gets a lot of things right.

Arnold Rampersad, a professor of English at Stanford University who wrote a biography of Robinson, says the film really rings true.

"Fundamentally, the story is accurate, in my estimation," he tells NPR's Robert Siegel.

Interview Highlights

'42' Gets The Story Of Jackie Robinson Right (3)

Harrison Ford plays Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey in 42. Arnold Rampersad says Rickey "wanted to intervene in the moral history of the nation." D. Stevens/Warner Bros. hide caption

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D. Stevens/Warner Bros.

On the motivations of Branch Rickey, the baseball executive who brought Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers

In the movie, Rickey presents himself as a pragmatist — "I want to win games, I want to make money" — but then at other times he says, "I'm a Methodist; Robinson is a Methodist; God is a Methodist." So he suggests that there are sort of religious reasons. But I would say, above all, he wanted to intervene in the moral history of the nation in the way that Lincoln had — to some extent.

On Wendell Smith, a black sportswriter who was assigned to cover Robinson

He was, in fact, retained by Branch Rickey to follow Robinson around. He does stand in for a number of figures in the press, and their names are not mentioned ever in the movie, and to some extent that's unfortunate — people like Lester Rodney of the Daily Worker, the Communist press, had been arguing for a long time, vociferously, about the need for integration. But Wendell Smith was crucial, and he does a wonderful job in the movie bringing a certain perspective to the story.

Watch Clips From '42'

'You're Looking For Your Locker'

Credit: Warner Bros.

'Get Me Up'

Credit: Warner Bros.

'Why Did You Do This, Mr. Rickey?'

Credit: Warner Bros.

On Brooklyn being a good place to begin MLB integration

Branch Rickey had been in charge of the [St. Louis] Cardinals for 20 years before coming to Brooklyn in 1942 — I don't think he could have tried this with the Cardinals. ... Brooklyn was the ideal place, and the time was right, too, particularly because of the changes that had overtaken America during World War II.

On Rickey encouraging Robinson to "turn the other cheek"

Rickey did, in fact, virtually sign Robinson to a nonaggression pact, but he put a time limit on it of three years. ... Rickey was well aware of the fact that Robinson had been court-martialed [for fighting segregation while he was in the military] ... so he knew he was hiring someone who was a fighter.

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Integrated Baseball, A Decade Before Jackie Robinson

On what might have happened if Robinson had failed

I don't think [MLB integration] would have stopped. For one thing, Rickey had already virtually signed up at least two other black players, so from the beginning he saw Robinson as simply the first of several players who would come to the Dodgers. And I think also we should recognize, in looking at Robinson, that many people thought that he would fail physically as a ballplayer. It was never his greatest sport — his greatest sport was probably basketball, if it wasn't football. It was astonishing how well he succeeded, really, given those facts.

On the few liberties taken with the story

I am a bit of a stickler for accuracy of representation. There are elements in the movie that are invented. ... [For example] there's a figure of Ed Charles, who later starred with the Mets, as a little boy in Daytona Beach. [In the film] Robinson tosses him a baseball, and he puts his ear to the train tracks as Robinson's train goes away. And Ed Charles himself [said]: Well, that wasn't true, but everything else was true. I was deeply inspired by Robinson. I did go to the ballpark to watch him practice.

'42' Gets The Story Of Jackie Robinson Right (2024)

FAQs

'42' Gets The Story Of Jackie Robinson Right? ›

Turns out, 42 — a biopic that portrays Jackie Robinson's 1947 integration of Major League Baseball — gets a lot of things right. Arnold Rampersad, a professor of English at Stanford University who wrote a biography of Robinson, says the film really rings true.

How true is the movie 42 about Jackie Robinson? ›

Turns out, 42 — a biopic that portrays Jackie Robinson's 1947 integration of Major League Baseball — gets a lot of things right. Arnold Rampersad, a professor of English at Stanford University who wrote a biography of Robinson, says the film really rings true.

What was the significance of Jackie Robinson's number 42? ›

This was the number that Jackie Robinson wore, the man who broke the MLB's color barrier in 1947 when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Despite facing racist vitriol with each at bat, Robinson rose above the caustic environment, built bonds with his teammates, and became one of the greatest players in MLB history.

What is the moral of the movie 42? ›

Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, wanted to challenge that, so he signed Robinson in 1947. The film “42” delivers the message that people should stand up for and support each other regardless of race or social class.

Who wrote the book 42 about Jackie Robinson? ›

The book 42 written by Aaron Rosenberg and is about a young boy named Jackie Robinson who grows up to become a wonderful baseball player.

What did the movie 42 get wrong? ›

In the film, that Leo Durocher is suspended for his affair with a married woman. In reality, he was suspended for reported links to gamblers. Both Rachel Robinson and Ralph Branca, film consultant and Dodger pitcher in the dugout that day, say the scene of Robinson breaking his bat in the dugout tunnel did not happen.

What was historically inaccurate about the movie 42? ›

However, there are things presented as facts in 42 that are incorrect. Wendell Smith is portrayed as the first black writer to join the Baseball Writers' Association of America, but Sam Lacy was the true first writer. Also, there's a scene in the movie that portrays Jackie Robinson snapping his baseball bat.

Why can't you wear number 42 in baseball? ›

Number 42 had been retired for all Major League Baseball teams. This meant that no future Major League Baseball player could wear it. The number was retired in a ceremony which took place in 1997 at Shea Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of Robinson's first game with the Dodgers.

Why is everyone wearing number 42 today? ›

42 on a baseball jersey today is to think of Jackie Robinson. It's inescapable, with anyone in uniform every April 15 donning those digits.

Why was Jackie Robinson chosen? ›

Originally a shortstop, Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues until Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey tabbed him as the player who would integrate the white major leagues. Rickey wanted Robinson not only for his talent and style of play, but also because of his demeanor.

What is the message of Jackie Robinson? ›

The letters reveal the passionate and, at times, combative spirit with which Robinson worked to remove the racial barriers in American society. "Life is not a spectator sport. . . . If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're escaping your life."

Is the movie 42 sad? ›

"42 - The Jackie Robinson Story" Is Emotional, Heart Wrenching And Inspiring.

Is the movie 42 OK for kids? ›

It's rated PG-13. That means some parts of the movie may not be suitable for kids younger than 13. I'll admit that the film has some bad language, but “42” tells an important story that kids should know and talk about with their parents and grandparents. One more thing: “42” is a terrific baseball movie.

Did MLK meet Jackie Robinson? ›

King also developed a friendship with another prominent player, whom he would come to trust for his wisdom and experience: Jackie Robinson. The two men first met during the spring of 1949.

What is the true story of Jackie Robinson? ›

Baseball player Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier as its first Black athlete. The infielder made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, and went on to have a decade-long Hall of Fame career despite repeated threats and abuse from fans and opponents.

Was Jackie Robinson the first African? ›

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era.

How old would Jackie Robinson be if he was still alive? ›

If baseball legend Jackie Robinson was still alive, how old would he be? If he were still alive today, January 28, 2024, he would be 105 years old. He was born on January 31, 1919.

What was true about Jackie Robinson? ›

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the United States during the 20th century. On April 15, 1947, he broke the decades-old “colour line” of Major League Baseball when he appeared on the field for the National League Brooklyn Dodgers in a game against the Boston Braves.

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