During the 1950s Americans craved heroes, and to fill the need Hollywood provided the public with a slew of sports biographies on film.

1950

The Jackie Robinson Story

Robinson as himself

1951

Follow the Sun

Glenn Ford as Ben Hogan

Jim Thorpe: All American

Burt Lancaster as the country's greatest athlete.

1952

The Pride of St. Louis

Dan Dailey as Dizzy Dean

The Winning Team

Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander

1953

The joe Louis Story

Coley Wallace as Joe Louis

1954

The Bob Mathias Story

Mathias as himself

1956

Somebody Up There Likes Me

Paul Newman as Rocky Graciano

1957

Fear Strikes Out

Anthony Perkins as Jimmy Pearsall