Review: The Fireball


Troubled orphan Mickey Rooney (somewhere in between his juvenile and adult roles here) turns his back on caring priest Pat O’Brien and the orphanage in order to make it on his own as a roller-skating champion (apparently a team sport), but an increasingly large ego and lack of team spirit might just be his downfall. Beverly Tyler is the loyal and caring professional skater who helps and befriends Rooney, to the chagrin of her antagonistic professional partner Glenn Corbett. Rooney counters Corbett’s obvious skating superiority early on by heckling him in front of the TV cameras, becoming a minor celebrity, whilst attempting to improve his skating skills too. Marilyn Monroe turns up briefly as the girlfriend of one of Rooney’s biggest fans, and Ralph Dumke is the diner owner who first takes Rooney in as a dishwasher.

 

Dated but likeable 1950 Tay Garnett (“Mrs. Parkington”, “The Valley of Decision”) roller-skating film gets by on Rooney’s (possibly overly enthusiastic) charm, even when his character is being kind of a dickhead). There’s also fine support by Tyler, O’Brien (yes, he’s typecast, but if you’re good at something...), and briefly, a young Monroe.

 

Despite some serious developments later on in the story it’s mostly fluff, but relatively engaging fluff, especially for fans of The Mick. Those will a very low tolerance for him are duly warned. The screenplay is by Horace McCoy (The boxing drama “Gentleman Jim”) and Garnett.

 

Rating: C+

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