This 1948 black and white tribute film to George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth, The Fence Buster, is part of the short-lived Movietone “The Greatest Drama” television series, which aired through 1953. It is narrated by radio actor Raymond Edward Johnson. The film opens outside Yankee Stadium. Inside, Ruth hits a home run. He tips his hat while running the bases. The crowd cheers in front of Murad and Wrigley’s Gum fence ads. Ruth, in a suit, signs autographs (:23-:57). People in winter coats shop at an outdoor market. Boys in t-shirts and jeans throw coins against a wall (:58-1:22). St. Mary’s Reform School is shown (1:23-1:39). Ruth wears a Boston Red Sox uniform and practices pitching. A close-up shows how he grips the Spalding baseball. Ruth hits a home run and rounds the bases (1:40-2:15). Babe wears a New York Yankees uniform as he warms up with a bat. He hits a home run to win the 1923 World Series and the fans rush the field (2:28-3:00). The stands are packed in 1925 but Ruth is considerably heavier. He misses the ball on three swings, pulling up his pants at the waist. Babe watches from the dugout (3:02-3:30). Babe rides a stationary bicycle dressed in shorts and a sweatshirt. A trainer exercises his legs (3:32-3:50). The 1926 Yankees stadium is full. Babe hits a home run and rounds the bases as his stats are shown on screen for three years (3:51-4:22). Shown are pitcher Herb Pennock (4:29) and first baseman Lou Gehrig (4:30). After Yankee’s manager Miller Huggins dies, Babe meets with Colonel Ruppert to discuss the job but Bob Shawkey gets it (4:46-5:00). Ruth is shown in a v-neck sweater. Following that, he wears a suit at an umbrella table with Ruppert and signs a new contract (5:05-5:15). A steam engine is shown from the front, side, and a view of the tracks as it approaches the Chicago station. Fans boo at the train (5:16-5:50). The “Wrigley Field Home of the Chicago Cubs Playing Here World Series Oct 5-6-12” sign is shown, announcing the 1932 World Series. Inside the stands are packed. Baby comes to the plate, points to where he’s going to hit the ball, and misses the first pitch. He again points, connects, and rounds the bases before returning to the dugout (5:52-7:01). 1935, Baby wears a Boston Braves coat and hat over his uniform. He connects with the ball. His Braves uniform top is tossed onto a stool in the locker room (7:12-7:42). Babe, dressed in knickers and a sweater, swings a golf club (7:44). Yankee Stadium, 1939, hosts Lou Gehrig Day. Lou speaks and poses posing with Babe (7:48-8:22). NY Memorial Hospital is shown from multiple angles (8:24-8:45). 1947, Ruth approaches the microphones on Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium. He speaks his heart to the crowd (8:48-9:50). Ruth’s casket is displayed at Yankee Stadium and long lines of mourners pay their respects (10:00-11:00). A young boy swings a bat at a ball from a pitcher at a sandlot baseball game (11:01-11:08).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com