“Baseball’s Main Street” (1955) is a color promo film in the form of a sports highlight reel made by Miller High Life as part of their “Miracle of Milwaukee” series. Narrated by Earl Gillespie, the film was produced in conjunction with the Milwaukee Braves and the National League President Warren C. Giles and highlights the Milwaukee Braves’ 1955 season. Additionally, the film depicts the 1955 All Star Game which was hosted in Milwaukee and attracted many fans. Starters in 1955 included Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, Bill Bruton, Del Crandall, Jack Dittmer, Johnny Logan, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn and Bobby Thomson.
Montage baseball players sliding bases, other game plays (0:07). Miller High Life logo (0:19). Opening credits played over footage of parking lot filling up with cars of spectators, fans walking to ticket booths (0:27). Narration begins, fans arriving for start of season (1:03). Manatee River Hotel in Bradenton Florida Winter home of the Milwaukee Braves (1:52). President of Miller Brewing Company Norman R. Klug visits training camp, speaks with catcher and Brave’s captain Del Crandall (2:14). Lew Burdette walks eager little leaguers through how to throw a curveball (2:29). National League President Warren C. Giles with Braves General Manager John Quinn (2:45). Gene Conley pitches with young player (2:49). Coach Johnny Cooney leads players through fielding practice (3:07). Farm team training facilities in Way Cross, Georgia; Camera pans baseball diamonds where young players do drills; Farm executive John Mullen and assistant Hugh Wise observe players and take notes (3:47). Different drills taking place on the baseball diamonds: batting practice, defensive plays, umpire/ catcher practicing, automated pitching machines, Travis Jackson explains double play, fade away slides (4:35). 1950s DeSoto car, GM “old look” transit bus drive among other vehicles as fans head to opening day game (5:58). Rival managers Birdie Tebbetts (Cincinnati Red Legs) and Charlie Grimm (Milwaukee Braves) shake hands in dugout (6:24). Stadium filled with fans; Spectators stand for moment of silence commemorating Frederick C. Miller; National Anthem; Wisconsin’s Governor Kohler throws first pitch (6:48). Game play begins; Chuck Tanner hits homer that ties score and fans celebrate; Official score board (7:24). Two team employees in locker room pack travel trunks for players (9:48). Frank Leary, team treasurer writes checks (10:12). Milwaukee Braves play Philadelphia Phillies; Official scoreboard showing Braves won 11-3 (10:25). Sequence of game highlights for additional Braves vs. Phillies games in Philadelphia (11:18). Loyal fans huddle around radio at bar while drinking Miller Lite on tap (13:02). Game highlights Milwaukee Braves vs. Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field; Official scoreboard show Braves won 9-6 (13:09). More game highlights from other Braves vs. Brooklyn Dodgers games; Don Newcombe exits field and goes into dugout (14:12). Stadium staff prepare for All Star Game: Concession manager oversees deliveries of refreshments and makes sure they are iced; Chief usher trains other ushers all seated in red coats (16:37). Cover official 1955 All Star Game program (17:15). American League All Stars pose for group photo; Individual players: Harvey Kuenn, Teddy Williams, Billy Pierce, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle (17:31). National League All Stars pose for group photo; Individual players: Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, Eddie Mathews, Johnny Logan (18:00). All Star game begins; Game highlights (18:38). Sentinel Sports Editor Lloyd Larson interviews players in dugout (20:12). Journal Sports Editor Russ Lynch chats with other players near batting cage (20:21). Milwaukee Braves vs. New York Giants game begins; Game highlights (20:35). Milwaukee Braves vs. Brooklyn Dodgers game highlights (21:31). Next day players read, relax in clubhouse (22:43). The Braves scoreboard lit up. Game highlights from more Braves vs. Dodgers games (23:04). Boys ask for autographs (23:37). Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (24:44). Season closing day Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals (26:40). Fans filing out of stadium for final time 1955 season (27:28). Stars of 1955 season: Robin Roberts, Willie Mays, Duke Snyder, Ernie Banks, Richie Ashburn (27:34). Owner of team Lou Perini stands in office, public statement; Film ends (28:08).
The Braves were founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings and became the Boston Braves in 1912. The club moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and won the World Series there in 1957. The team moved to Atlanta in 1966.
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
