Damn Yankees Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A middle-aged guy sells his soul to the Devil just so his terrible baseball team can maybe, possibly, finally beat the Yankees, and then the Devil sends a hot lady to make him forget about his wife, which is kind of overkill for a baseball bet.

🍿 Damn Yankees: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fan’s Desperate Wish

Joe Boyd, a middle-aged real estate agent, is obsessed with the perpetually losing Washington Senators baseball team. His devotion strains his marriage, as his wife Meg and other baseball wives share in the frustration. In a moment of despair, Joe rashly declares he would sell his soul to see the Senators finally beat the dominant New York Yankees and win the pennant.

The Devil’s Deal

Immediately, a suave stranger named Mr. Applegate appears, revealing himself to be the Devil. Applegate offers Joe a Faustian bargain: be transformed into a young, star baseball player who can lead the Senators to victory. Joe accepts, becoming the phenom Joe Hardy, but shrewdly includes an escape clause allowing him to revert to his old self and return to Meg before the season’s end.

Rising Star and Temptation

As Joe Hardy, Joe becomes an overnight sensation, catapulting the Senators up the standings and challenging the Yankees. To test Joe’s resolve and ensure he doesn’t use his escape clause, Applegate unleashes his most alluring agent, Lola, a seductive woman who sold her own soul for eternal youth. Joe resists Lola’s charms, remaining loyal to Meg, even secretly renting a room in his old house to be near her.

Identity Crisis and the Hearing

A skeptical reporter, Gloria Thorpe, investigates Joe Hardy’s past, finding no record of him in his supposed hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Applegate attempts to discredit Joe by claiming he’s a banned minor league player. This leads to a baseball commission hearing on the day Joe planned to use his escape clause, forcing him to prove his identity or be kicked out of the game.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Hardy (Tab Hunter): The frustrated middle-aged baseball fan transformed into a young star player after making a pact with the Devil.
• Mr. Applegate (Ray Walston): The cunning and charming Devil in human form who orchestrates the deal with Joe Boyd.
• Lola (Gwen Verdon): Mr. Applegate’s seductive and disillusioned assistant who tries to keep Joe from escaping his deal.
• Meg Boyd (Shannon Bolin): Joe’s devoted wife whose love and loyalty are the only things capable of breaking the Devil’s hold.
• Benny Van Buren (Russ Brown): The hopeful manager of the struggling Washington Senators team revitalized by Joe Hardy’s arrival.
• Gloria Thorpe (Rae Allen): A persistent sportswriter determined to uncover the truth behind Joe Hardy’s sudden appearance and past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lola: “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.” – Lola sings this iconic line as she attempts to seduce Joe Hardy, highlighting her power as a temptress.
• Team: “You gotta have heart! All you blokes, you gotta have heart!” – The Washington Senators players sing this rousing anthem about the importance of dedication and spirit, despite their losing record.
• Mr. Applegate: “Those were the good old days!” – Mr. Applegate fondly reminisces about various historical calamities and atrocities, revealing his true diabolical nature.
• Benny Van Buren: “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal Mo.” – The Senators’ manager introduces Joe Hardy, using the fabricated identity created by Mr. Applegate.
• Mr. Applegate: “Wives, they’ve caused me more trouble than the Methodist Church.” – Mr. Applegate complains about the power of Joe Boyd’s love for his wife Meg, which constantly thwarts the Devil’s plans.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5 million (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: $2.3 million (estimated rentals)
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Damn Yankees Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Damn Yankees,’ or ‘What Lola Wants,’ and wow, what a ride! I went in mostly knowing about Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse, and they absolutely delivered. Verdon’s ‘Whatever Lola Wants’ number is just mesmerizing, seriously, nobody moves like that! And seeing her dance with Fosse in ‘Who’s Got the Pain?’ was like finding cinematic gold. Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate is hilarious; he’s just having way too much fun being the Devil. And the ‘Heart’ song? Pure, optimistic silliness that gets stuck in your head in the best way. Yes, some of the other stuff feels a bit old-fashioned or maybe rushed, but honestly, the musical moments make it totally worth it. I loved how Joe just wants to get back to his wife, even with the temptation of baseball fame and Lola. It’s got a lot of charm and a great energy when the music kicks in. I definitely want to watch it again just for the dance numbers!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood musicals”
  • “Baseball enthusiasts (with a taste for fantasy)”
  • “Viewers interested in the Faust legend retold”
  • “Fans of Bob Fosse’s choreography”
  • “Those who enjoy charming, albeit dated, comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements related to making a deal with the devil”
  • “Mildly suggestive dancing/costumes (by 1950s standards)”

Professional Reviews

• Classic Cinema Review: “This adaptation of the hit musical shines brightest when Gwen Verdon commands the screen. Her legendary dancing, especially with Bob Fosse, is a pure joy to watch, a rare screen capture of a Broadway icon in her prime. Ray Walston is perfectly devilish as Applegate, bringing charisma and menace. While the film occasionally feels stage-bound, the classic songs and vibrant performances deliver plenty of entertainment value.
• Musical Theater Journal: “”Damn Yankees” captures the infectious energy of its Broadway roots thanks to key cast members reprising their roles. Verdon’s Lola remains a knockout, showcasing Fosse’s groundbreaking choreography with incredible flair. Walston is a memorable Applegate. While Tab Hunter is charming, the musical numbers are the true stars. It’s a charming, if sometimes uneven, piece of musical history.
• Vintage Movie Buff: “A fun, quirky musical tackling the Faustian bargain with a baseball twist. The standout performances from Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston elevate the material considerably. Verdon’s dance numbers are iconic, and Walston relishes his role as the slick Mr. Applegate. Some aspects feel dated or rushed compared to the stage version, but the core story and catchy tunes still make it a worthwhile watch for fans of classic musicals.

Audience Reactions

Gwen Verdon’s dancing is absolutely captivating.: Many viewers praise Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston for their standout performances, often highlighting Verdon’s iconic dance numbers and Walston’s portrayal of the Devil. The classic songs, particularly ‘Heart’ and ‘Whatever Lola Wants,’ are frequently mentioned as highlights that stick with people.

Overall Consensus: A beloved classic musical adaptation, celebrated primarily for the electrifying performances of Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston, Bob Fosse’s unique choreography, and its catchy, memorable songs, despite some critics noting its stagey feel or uneven pacing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Most of the principal cast, including Tony winners Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston, reprised their roles from the original 1955 Broadway production for the film.”
• “Choreographer Bob Fosse, who staged the dances for the Broadway musical, also choreographed the film and performs an on-screen dance number with Gwen Verdon in “Who’s Got the Pain?”.”
• “A key song from the stage show, “A Man Doesn’t Know,” was significantly altered and shortened in the film version, reportedly due to concerns about the film’s runtime or the vocal range of lead actor Tab Hunter.”
• “Despite being set in Washington D.C., some baseball scenes were filmed at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, resulting in geographical inaccuracies like palm trees visible in the background.”

🖥️ How to Watch Damn Yankees?

The classic musical film “Damn Yankees” (released under the title “What Lola Wants” in some regions) may be available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray are also available from major retailers like Amazon. Check specific service availability and pricing for the most current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Damn Yankees, you might like these similar films:

• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): An iconic Golden Age musical co-directed by Stanley Donen, known for its vibrant song and dance numbers and a beloved example of the classic Hollywood musical style from the same era.

🛒 Damn Yankees Related Products

• Damn Yankees (1958 Film) Blu-ray: Experience the classic musical in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray release. Features restored picture and sound quality.
• Damn Yankees: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the iconic songs from the film, including ‘Heart,’ ‘Whatever Lola Wants,’ and ‘Two Lost Souls.’ Available on CD or digital download.
• The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop: Read the original 1954 novel that inspired the hit Broadway musical and subsequent film adaptation.
• Damn Yankees Vintage Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster art, featuring the main cast and iconic baseball imagery.

🎧 Soundtrack

Damn Yankees features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Six Months Out of Every Year” – performed by Shannon Bolin, Robert Shafer, and chorus
• “Goodbye Old Girl” – performed by Tab Hunter
• “Heart” – performed by Russ Brown and Washington Senators Cast
• “Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo.” – performed by Chorus
• “A Little Brains, a Little Talent” – performed by Gwen Verdon
• “Whatever Lola Wants” – performed by Gwen Verdon
• “Who’s Got the Pain?” – performed by Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse
• “Those Were the Good Old Days” – performed by Ray Walston
• “Two Lost Souls” – performed by Gwen Verdon and Tab Hunter
• “There’s Something About an Empty Chair” – performed by Shannon Bolin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bob Fosse on Liza Minnelli, Gwen Verdon, and much more!

Ever wonder what it was like working with the iconic Gwen Verdon? Check out this clip where Bob Fosse, the genius choreographer, dishes on their collaboration, including their time on ‘Damn Yankee’ – it’s fascinating to hear directly from him!

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