Trouble Along the Way

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Trouble Along the Way

Released Apr 4, 1953

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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3 Reviews

62%

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100+ Ratings

Once a famous football coach, Steve Williams (John Wayne) is now a bookie in a pool hall. To earn enough money to keep custody of his tomboy daughter, Carole (Sherry Jackson), Steve accepts an offer to take over the football program of impoverished St. Anthony's College in New York City. Disgusted with the team, Steve brings in new players. After his first game nets the school $31,000, an investigation into his shady recruiting methods threatens both his job and custody battle.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

...much of the dialogue is clever, and old Charles Coburn is delightful as a priest.

Oct 31, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

A minor serio comedy in the vast output of director Michael Curtiz and in the distinguished career of John Wayne, who's cast against type.

Rated: C+

Feb 21, 2012

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's the kind of pic you expect Pat O'Brien to be in.

Rated: C

Mar 7, 2006

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Audience Member

One of my favorite films

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

A film to show ignorant people who claim the Duke couldn't act, up against a talented child actress Sherry Jackson, Oscar winner Donna Reed and the charming Charles Coburn. The story revolves around a fathers fight to keep his child and save a college.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

Sentimental John Wayne vehicle about him as a divorced father and disgraced football coach trying to keep custody of his young daughter from his snooty ex-wife, Marie Windsor, by getting a job coaching football at a small Catholic High School. Donna Reed plays the caseworker/love interest. The great Michael Curtiz directed this lightweight, but entertaining comedy/drama. Wayne is likable as a father trying to raise his daughter and Reed is winning as the caseworker worried about the girl's upbringing by macho Wayne. Marie Windsor is delicious as the evil high society ex-wife. I'd never heard of this film before, but it's a John Wayne vehicle that's well worth watching and shows that The Duke actually had some acting range beyond playing the same cowboy/war hero over and over again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Great movie. It dealt with subject matters not often discussed in 1953. You had divorce, a custody battle, pay for college athletes, and cheating. Loved the chemistry between John Wayne and his on screen daughter Sherry Jackson. Donna Reed was great as a social worker and her scene with Miss Jackson at the party was touching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

The Duke in perhaps his most tender role, rough in parts but loving chemistry between Wayne and his female counterparts. Highly underrated, a real gem!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

pairing number 2 of reed/wayne they have good chemistry maybe 'cos they're both from iowa.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Michael Curtiz

Director

John Wayne

Stephen Aloysius Williams

Donna Reed

Alice Singleton

Charles Coburn

Fatber Matthew William Burke

Tom Tully

Father Malone

Sherry Jackson

Carol Williams

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Synopsis

Once a famous football coach, Steve Williams (John Wayne) is now a bookie in a pool hall. To earn enough money to keep custody of his tomboy daughter, Carole (Sherry Jackson), Steve accepts an offer to take over the football program of impoverished St. Anthony's College in New York City. Disgusted with the team, Steve brings in new players. After his first game nets the school $31,000, an investigation into his shady recruiting methods threatens both his job and custody battle.

Director: Michael Curtiz
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 1953, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 50m

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