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{{short description|1988 film by William Porter, Steven Kampmann}}
{{short description|1988 film by William Porter, Steven Kampmann}}
{{about||the baseball maneuver|Stolen base|other uses|Stealing Home (disambiguation)}}
{{about||the baseball maneuver|Stolen base|other uses|Stealing Home (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox film
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}{{Infobox film
| name = Stealing Home
| name = Stealing Home
| image = Stealinghomeposter.jpg
| image = Stealinghomeposter.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Steven Kampmann]] <br />William Porter (as Will Aldis)
| director = [[Steven Kampmann]]<br />William Porter (as Will Aldis)
| writer = Steven Kampmann <br />William Porter (as Will Aldis)
| writer = Steven Kampmann<br />William Porter (as Will Aldis)
| producer = Chana Ben-Dov <br />[[Hank Moonjean]] <br />[[Thom Mount]]
| producer = [[Hank Moonjean]]<br />[[Thom Mount]]<br />Chana Ben-Dov (associate producer)
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mark Harmon]]
* [[Mark Harmon]]
Line 21: Line 21:
| editing = [[Antony Gibbs]]
| editing = [[Antony Gibbs]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros.]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros.]]
| released = August 26, 1988
| released = {{Film date|1988|8|26}}
| runtime = 98 minutes
| runtime = 98 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $8 million
| budget =
| gross = $7.46 million<ref name=mojo>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2272495105/weekend/ |title=Stealing Home |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref>
| gross = $7.46 million
}}
}}
'''''Stealing Home''''' is a 1988 American [[coming of age film|coming of age]] [[Romance film|romantic]] [[drama film|drama]] film written and directed by [[Steven Kampmann]] and William Porter (billed as Will Aldis). The film stars [[Mark Harmon]], [[Blair Brown]], [[Jonathan Silverman]], [[Harold Ramis]], [[William McNamara]], and [[Jodie Foster]] (in an extended cameo appearance). The movie focuses on a failed baseball player, Billy Wyatt, who discovers that his childhood sweetheart, Katie Chandler, has died by suicide. Billy must confront the past via reminiscence and nostalgia, while also dealing with grief, as he embarks on a journey to fulfill one of Katie's last wishes; that he spread her ashes.
'''''Stealing Home''''' is a 1988 American [[coming-of-age film|coming of age]] [[Romance film|romantic]] [[drama film|drama]] film written and directed by [[Steven Kampmann]] and William Porter (billed as Will Aldis). The film stars [[Mark Harmon]], [[Blair Brown]], [[Jonathan Silverman]], [[Harold Ramis]], [[William McNamara]], and [[Jodie Foster]]. The movie focuses on a failed baseball player, Billy Wyatt, who discovers that his childhood sweetheart, Katie Chandler, has died by suicide. Billy must confront the past via reminiscence and nostalgia, while also dealing with grief, as he embarks on a journey to fulfill one of Katie's last wishes; that he spread her ashes.


''Stealing Home'' was released theatrically on August 26, 1988 by [[Warner Bros.]] Upon release the film was a critical and commercial failure, although [[David Foster]]'s musical score garnered universal praise. Since it's release, with [[Rerun|television reruns]], and [[DVD]] releases, the film has attained [[cult classic]] status, praised by audiences for its melancholic and nostalgic themes, performances, and musical score.
''Stealing Home'' was released theatrically on August 26, 1988 by [[Warner Bros.]] Upon release the film was a critical and commercial failure, although [[David Foster]]'s musical score garnered universal praise. Since its release, with [[Rerun|television reruns]], and [[DVD]] releases, the film has attained [[cult classic]] status, praised by audiences for its melancholic and nostalgic themes, performances, and musical score.


==Plot==
==Plot==
In the 1980s, Billy Wyatt is a thirty-something washed up baseball player living out of a hotel with a cocktail waitress. One afternoon he receives a phone call from his mother, telling him his close childhood friend Katie Chandler has died by suicide.
In the present, Billy Wyatt is a washed-up baseball player in his thirties, living in a hotel with a cocktail waitress. One afternoon, he receives a phone call from his mother, Ginny, informing him that his childhood babysitter and friend, Katie Chandler, has committed suicide. She also tells him that Katie left a will specifying that Billy is responsible for her ashes, claiming Billy was "the only one who would know what to do with them." Saddened and confused, Billy promises to come home that night.


Flashbacks to the '60s show Billy and Katie's relationship. She was a slightly older neighborhood girl who babysat him for the Wyatts, who were best friends with the Chandlers. Katie mentors young Billy, giving him advice on girls and dating. As he ages he begins to develop feelings for her, and she reciprocates.
Flashbacks to the 1960s show Billy and Katie's relationship. Katie was a slightly older girl who babysat Billy for the Wyatts, who were best friends with the Chandlers. Katie mentored Billy, giving him advice on girls and dating. As a birthday gift, she gave him a baseball pendant on a necklace to always remind him that he is a baseball player.


Just after Billy graduates high school, his father Sam dies in a car accident. Two months later Katie, Billy, Ginny, and Billy's friend Alan Appleby decide to go back to their summer home "Seasmoke" for the summer as they have done every year, the first without Billy's dad. This is a summer of humor, coming of age, and loss of innocence. As summer approaches its end, Billy feels Katie is encouraging his mother to live more freely too soon, and he has a shouting match with her.
While Billy is still in high school, his father, Sam, dies in a car accident. Two months later, Katie, Billy, Ginny, and Billy's friend Alan Appleby decide to spend the Fourth of July week at the Chandlers' summer home, Seasmoke. During their vacation, Billy feels that Katie is encouraging his mother to move on too quickly, leading to a shouting match between them.


The next day at sunrise, Billy goes to Katie for forgiveness, but what ensues is their deeply suppressed love for each other. This last weekend of the summer defines their true feelings and makes a memory neither ever forgets. They encourage the others to return home so they spend the rest of the weekend together at Seasmoke. Their passion and love that weekend defines their special relationship in life, and in death. As the weekend draws to a close, Katie asks Billy to pursue his passion for baseball, and to retrieve the baseball necklace pendant from the girl to whom he lost his virginity just months before. Walking slowly away, she turns and says "I love you Billy boy". The older Billy remembers that was the last time he saw her.
The next day at sunrise, Billy seeks Katie's forgiveness, and they spend the rest of the weekend together at Seasmoke. As the weekend comes to a close, Katie encourages Billy to pursue his passion for baseball. In the present, Billy remembers that this was the last time he saw her.


In the present, Katie's father Hank visits the Wyatt family to share the bad news. He recounts how he drove to Seasmoke to check on an upset Katie after her second divorce, and found her body curled up in her bed. "She looked like a little girl sleeping." Katie's wishes are for Billy to be responsible for her ashes, confident he would be the only person to know what to do with them.
In the present, Katie's father, Hank, visits the Wyatt family to deliver Katie's ashes to Billy, who still has no idea what to do with them. Hank suggests a church service. Billy drives to Seasmoke to think and reminisce.


Billy reunites with Appleby and they engage in a night of reminiscing and carousing while driving around in Katie's car with her ashes, trying to figure out what to do with them. Suddenly, Billy recalls Katie telling him her fantasy that she could jump off the pier and fly free with the birds. The next morning, Billy goes to the pier, runs down the dock and tosses her ashes just the way she described in her fantasy.
Billy reunites with Appleby, and they spend the night reminiscing and carousing while driving around in Katie's car with her ashes, trying to figure out what to do with them. Still unsure, Billy goes to Katie's parents' house to give them her ashes. While there, Billy recalls Katie telling him how she wanted to jump off the pier and fly free with the birds. Billy goes to the pier, runs down the dock, and scatters her ashes just as she described in her fantasy.


As he watches the ashes and birds fly freely, Billy knows this was Katie's plan for him all along. She was speaking to him! The pennant retrieval was for a reason, the trip back home was for a reason, playing baseball with Appleby was for a reason, and all this was done with Katie's ashes in his arms! This directed him towards a new sense of possibility in his own life, Billy reunites with the girl he'd lost his virginity to and joins a minor league baseball team; taking pride in grooming the field each morning before a game. The film ends with Billy, his girlfriend, and Appleby celebrating after a game.
Billy joins a minor league baseball team, taking pride in grooming the field each morning before a game. The film ends with Billy stealing home, the same thing he did in his last game before his father died.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Mark Harmon]] as Billy Wyatt
* [[Mark Harmon]] as Billy Wyatt
** [[William McNamara]] as young Billy Wyatt
** [[William McNamara]] as young Billy Wyatt
Line 59: Line 60:
* [[Ted Ross]] as Bud Scott
* [[Ted Ross]] as Bud Scott
* [[Helen Hunt]] as Hope Wyatt
* [[Helen Hunt]] as Hope Wyatt
* [[Beth Broderick]] as Leslie
* [[Beth Broderick]] as Lesley
* [[Jodie Foster]] as Katie Chandler
* [[Jodie Foster]] as Katie Chandler
}}


== Production ==
== Production ==
The film was mostly shot in the [[Philadelphia]] area and in [[New Jersey]]. Exterior scenes, as well as scenes of Billy's house and Alan Appleby's sporting goods store, were filmed in [[Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia]].<ref name="AFI">{{Cite web |title=Stealing Home (1988) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/59125 |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]}}</ref> Carlton Academy scenes were filmed at [[Chestnut Hill Academy]].<ref name="AFI" />
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2013}}

The film plot is set in the [[Philadelphia]] area and the [[New Jersey]] shore. The filming occurred in many locations:
The interiors of Billy's childhood home were filmed in a house in [[Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Springfield, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="AFI" /> Scenes in Bob's Diner were filmed at Ridge Avenue in [[Roxborough, Philadelphia|Roxborough]].<ref name="AFI" />
* The house that Billy grows up in is located in [[Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia]], where exterior scenes were shot;

* The interiors of Billy's childhood home were filmed in a house located in [[Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Springfield, Pennsylvania]];
Billy and Alan Appleby also sneak into and play baseball at [[Veterans Stadium]] in Philadelphia.<ref name="AFI" />
* The scenes in Bob's Diner were filmed at Ridge Avenue in Roxborough;

* Alan Appleby's sporting goods store was located on Germantown Avenue in [[Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia]];
The opening scene and the closing scenes were shot at [[Fiscalini Field]] in [[San Bernardino, CA|San Bernardino, California]], the home field of the minor-league [[Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino|San Bernardino Spirit]]. Mark Harmon was a part-owner of the Spirit at the time of filming, which led his character to be shown playing for that team.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mullins |first=Brock |date=1988-08-21 |title=League's Ownership Includes Some Heavy Hitters |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-21-sp-1420-story.html |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref>
* Carlton Academy is actually [[Chestnut Hill Academy]];
* The opening scene and closing scene were shot at [[Fiscalini Field]] in [[San Bernardino, CA]]. The team he was shown playing for in the movie was the name of the actual team that played there at the time, The [[Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino|San Bernardino Spirit]], partially owned by Harmon.
* Camp Tecumseh, boys summer sports camp T-shirt is seen in the movie.
* Billy and Alan Appleby also sneak into and play baseball at [[Veterans Stadium]], [[Philadelphia]].


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
Line 78: Line 77:
| total_length = 31:11
| total_length = 31:11
| extra_column = Artist
| extra_column = Artist
| title1 = Stealing Home
| title1 = Stealing Home
| writer1 = [[David Foster]]
| writer1 = [[David Foster]]
| extra1 = [[David Foster]]
| extra1 = David Foster
| length1 = 3:35
| length1 = 3:35
| title2 = [[Sherry (song)|Sherry]]
| title2 = [[Sherry (song)|Sherry]]
| writer2 = [[Bob Gaudio]]
| writer2 = [[Bob Gaudio]]
| extra2 = [[The Four Seasons (band)|The Four Seasons]]
| extra2 = [[The Four Seasons (band)|The Four Seasons]]
| length2 = 2:30
| length2 = 2:30
| title3 = And When She Danced (Love Theme From Stealing Home)
| title3 = And When She Danced (Love Theme From Stealing Home)
| writer3 = {{hlist|[[David Foster]]|[[Linda Thompson (actress)|Linda Thompson]]}}
| writer3 = {{hlist|David Foster|[[Linda Thompson (actress)|Linda Thompson]]}}
| extra3 = [[David Foster]] & [[Marilyn Martin]]
| extra3 = David Foster & [[Marilyn Martin]]
| length3 = 3:50
| length3 = 3:50
| title4 = [[Poison Ivy (song)|Poison Ivy]]
| title4 = [[Poison Ivy (song)|Poison Ivy]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|[[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller|Jerry Leiber]]|[[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller|Mike Stoller]]}}
| writer4 = {{hlist|[[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller|Jerry Leiber]]|[[Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller|Mike Stoller]]}}
| extra4 = [[The Nylons]]
| extra4 = [[The Nylons]]
| length4 = 3:21
| length4 = 3:21
| title5 = [[All I Have To Do Is Dream]]
| title5 = [[All I Have To Do Is Dream]]
| writer5 = [[Felice and Boudleaux Bryant|Boudleaux Bryant]]
| writer5 = [[Felice and Boudleaux Bryant|Boudleaux Bryant]]
| extra5 = [[The Everly Brothers]]
| extra5 = [[The Everly Brothers]]
| length5 = 2:20
| length5 = 2:20
| title6 = Home Movies
| title6 = Home Movies
| writer6 = [[David Foster]]
| writer6 = David Foster
| extra6 = [[David Foster]]
| extra6 = David Foster
| length6 = 2:10
| length6 = 2:10
| title7 = [[Great Balls Of Fire]]
| title7 = [[Great Balls Of Fire]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|[[Otis Blackwell]]|[[Jack Hammer (songwriter)|Jack Hammer]]}}
| writer7 = {{hlist|[[Otis Blackwell]]|[[Jack Hammer (songwriter)|Jack Hammer]]}}
| extra7 = [[Jerry Lee Lewis]]
| extra7 = [[Jerry Lee Lewis]]
| length7 = 1:50
| length7 = 1:50
| title8 = [[Baby It's You]]
| title8 = [[Baby It's You]]
| writer8 = {{hlist|[[Burt Bacharach]]|[[Mack David]]|[[Luther Dixon]]}}
| writer8 = {{hlist|[[Burt Bacharach]]|[[Mack David]]|[[Luther Dixon]]}}
| extra8 = [[The Shirelles]]
| extra8 = [[The Shirelles]]
| length8 = 2:38
| length8 = 2:38
| title9 = Stealing Home (Reprise)
| title9 = Stealing Home (Reprise)
| writer9 = [[David Foster]]
| writer9 = David Foster
| extra9 = [[David Foster]]
| extra9 = David Foster
| length9 = 5:08
| length9 = 5:08
| title10 = [[Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)|Bo Diddley]]
| title10 = [[Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)|Bo Diddley]]
| writer10 = [[Bo Diddley|Ellas McDaniel]]
| writer10 = Bo Diddley
| extra10 = [[Bo Diddley]]
| extra10 = Bo Diddley
| length10 = 2:19
| length10 = 2:19
| title11 = Katie's Theme
| title11 = Katie's Theme
| writer11 = [[David Foster]]
| writer11 = David Foster
| extra11 = [[David Foster]]
| extra11 = David Foster
| length11 = 1:30
| length11 = 1:30
}}
}}


==Reception==
==Reception==
The film received negative reviews around the time of its release. In her review for the ''[[New York Times]]'', [[Janet Maslin]] wrote, "The era is simply established as a dreamily idyllic past, thanks to sand dunes at twilight, waves that crash in the distance, shiny red convertibles without seat belts and a musical score that may make you want to weep, for all the wrong reasons".<ref name= "maslin">{{cite news | last = Maslin | first = Janet | author-link = Janet Maslin | title = Growing Up, and Into Baseball | work = [[New York Times]] | date = August 26, 1988 | url = https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=940DE5D61E30F935A1575BC0A96E948260&oref=slogin | access-date = 2008-04-16 }}</ref> In his one-star review for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', [[Roger Ebert]] wrote, "I detested ''Stealing Home'' so much, from beginning to end, that I left the screening wondering if any movie could possibly be that bad".<ref name= "ebert">{{cite news | last = Ebert | first = Roger | author-link = Roger Ebert | title = ''Stealing Home'' | publisher = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date = August 26, 1988 | url = http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19880826/REVIEWS/808260303/1023 | access-date = 2008-04-16 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2020}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 20% based on reviews from 10 critics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stealing Home (1988) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stealing_home |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>
The film received negative reviews around the time of its release. In her review for the ''[[New York Times]]'', [[Janet Maslin]] wrote, "The era is simply established as a dreamily idyllic past, thanks to sand dunes at twilight, waves that crash in the distance, shiny red convertibles without seat belts and a musical score that may make you want to weep, for all the wrong reasons".<ref name="maslin">{{cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=August 26, 1988 |title=Growing Up, and Into Baseball |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/26/movies/review-film-growing-up-and-into-baseball.html |access-date=2008-04-16}}</ref> In his one-star review for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', [[Roger Ebert]] wrote, "I detested ''Stealing Home'' so much, from beginning to end, that I left the screening wondering if any movie could possibly be that bad".<ref name="ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=August 26, 1988 |title=Stealing Home |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/stealing-home-1988 |url-status=live |access-date=2008-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930070304/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19880826%2FREVIEWS%2F808260303%2F1023 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |via=RogerEbert.com}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 20% based on reviews from 10 critics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stealing Home (1988) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stealing_home |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>


When asked about the film in 2006, Mark Harmon said, "That was about a bunch of actors loving a script, going there and burning it on both ends for five weeks just to get it done. That was a fun one to make. I hear a lot about that role. People really found that movie on video."<ref name= "rice">{{cite news | last = Rice | first = Lynette | title = Making His Mark | publisher = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = February 22, 2006 | url = https://ew.com/article/2006/02/24/ncis-star-mark-harmon-my-favorite-movie-roles/ | access-date = 2020-04-04 }}</ref>
When asked about the film in 2006, Mark Harmon said, "That was about a bunch of actors loving a script, going there and burning it on both ends for five weeks just to get it done. That was a fun one to make. I hear a lot about that role. People really found that movie on video."<ref name="rice">{{cite magazine |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=February 22, 2006 |title=Making His Mark |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/02/24/ncis-star-mark-harmon-my-favorite-movie-roles/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2020-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018184901/https://ew.com/article/2006/02/24/ncis-star-mark-harmon-my-favorite-movie-roles/ |archive-date=October 18, 2015}}</ref>


===''Summer of '42''===
===''Summer of '42''===


Ever since the release of ''[[Summer of '42]]'', Warner Bros. has attempted to buy back the rights to the film, which they sold to author [[Herman Raucher]] in lieu of paying him for the script, under the belief that the film would not be financially successful. ''Stealing Home'' was greenlit shortly after Raucher denied their latest attempt to purchase the rights, leading to ''Summer'' star [[Jennifer O'Neill]]'s assertion that ''Stealing Home'' was "stolen" from ''Summer''. Regardless, she said that she enjoyed the film and called it a "lovely film."<ref name=jenn2>[http://www.tv-now.com/intervus/oneill/index.html Jennifer O'Neill in 2002] ''tv-now.com'' Retrieved August 11, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829114811/http://www.tv-now.com/intervus/oneill/index.html |date=August 29, 2006 }}</ref> Rita Kempley, in her review for the ''[[Washington Post]],'' also saw similarities with ''Summer'', describing the film as a "pale comedy-drama by mediocrities Steven Kampmann and Will Aldis. Admittedly a pastiche of their memories, the movie bespeaks the dust of '60s yearbooks and greeting card sentiment. Of course, that stuff can be touching (''[[Summer of '42]]'') or quirky (''[[Gregory's Girl]]''), but here only allergy sufferers will leave with soggy Kleenex."<ref name= "kempley">{{cite news | last = Kempley | first = Rita | title = ''Stealing Home'' | work = [[Washington Post]] | date = August 26, 1988 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/stealinghomepg13kempley_a0c9f3.htm | access-date = 2008-04-16 }}</ref>
Ever since the release of ''[[Summer of '42]]'', Warner Bros. has attempted to buy back the rights to the film, which they sold to author [[Herman Raucher]] in lieu of paying him a flat fee for the script on the belief that the film would not be financially successful. ''Stealing Home'' was greenlit shortly after Raucher denied their latest attempt to purchase the rights, leading to ''Summer'' star [[Jennifer O'Neill]]'s assertion that ''Stealing Home'' was "stolen" from ''Summer''. Regardless, she said that she enjoyed the film and called it a "lovely film."<ref name="jenn2">{{Cite web |last=Bray |first=Tony |title=Jennifer O'Neill in 2002 |url=http://www.tv-now.com/intervus/oneill/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829114811/http://www.tv-now.com/intervus/oneill/index.html |archive-date=2006-08-29 |access-date=August 11, 2006 |website=tv-now.com}}</ref> Rita Kempley, in her review for the ''[[Washington Post]],'' also saw similarities with ''Summer'', describing the film as a "pale comedy-drama by mediocrities Steven Kampmann and Will Aldis. Admittedly a pastiche of their memories, the movie bespeaks the dust of '60s yearbooks and greeting card sentiment. Of course, that stuff can be touching (''[[Summer of '42]]'') or quirky (''[[Gregory's Girl]]''), but here only allergy sufferers will leave with soggy Kleenex."<ref name= "kempley">{{cite news | last = Kempley | first = Rita | title = ''Stealing Home'' | newspaper = [[Washington Post]] | date = August 26, 1988 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/stealinghomepg13kempley_a0c9f3.htm | access-date = 2008-04-16 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|1980s|Baseball|Film}}
{{portal|1980s|Baseball|Film}}
* [[List of American films of 1988]]
* [[List of American films of 1988]]
* [[List of fictional suicides]]
* [[List of baseball films]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0096171}}
* {{IMDb title|0096171}}
* {{Amg movie|46754}}
* {{AllMovie title|46754}}
* {{mojo title|stealinghome}}
* {{mojo title|stealinghome}}


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[[Category:1988 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1988 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1980s sports drama films]]
[[Category:1980s sports drama films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:1980s teen romance films]]
[[Category:American baseball films]]
[[Category:American baseball films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American teen romance films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Suicide in film]]
[[Category:Films about suicide]]
[[Category:Films directed by Steven Kampmann]]
[[Category:Films directed by Steven Kampmann]]
[[Category:Films scored by David Foster]]
[[Category:Films scored by David Foster]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Steven Kampmann]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Steven Kampmann]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]
[[Category:English-language sports drama films]]

Latest revision as of 05:13, 10 October 2024

Stealing Home
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySteven Kampmann
William Porter (as Will Aldis)
Written bySteven Kampmann
William Porter (as Will Aldis)
Produced byHank Moonjean
Thom Mount
Chana Ben-Dov (associate producer)
Starring
CinematographyBobby Byrne
Edited byAntony Gibbs
Music byDavid Foster
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • August 26, 1988 (1988-08-26)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$7.46 million[1]

Stealing Home is a 1988 American coming of age romantic drama film written and directed by Steven Kampmann and William Porter (billed as Will Aldis). The film stars Mark Harmon, Blair Brown, Jonathan Silverman, Harold Ramis, William McNamara, and Jodie Foster. The movie focuses on a failed baseball player, Billy Wyatt, who discovers that his childhood sweetheart, Katie Chandler, has died by suicide. Billy must confront the past via reminiscence and nostalgia, while also dealing with grief, as he embarks on a journey to fulfill one of Katie's last wishes; that he spread her ashes.

Stealing Home was released theatrically on August 26, 1988 by Warner Bros. Upon release the film was a critical and commercial failure, although David Foster's musical score garnered universal praise. Since its release, with television reruns, and DVD releases, the film has attained cult classic status, praised by audiences for its melancholic and nostalgic themes, performances, and musical score.

Plot

[edit]

In the present, Billy Wyatt is a washed-up baseball player in his thirties, living in a hotel with a cocktail waitress. One afternoon, he receives a phone call from his mother, Ginny, informing him that his childhood babysitter and friend, Katie Chandler, has committed suicide. She also tells him that Katie left a will specifying that Billy is responsible for her ashes, claiming Billy was "the only one who would know what to do with them." Saddened and confused, Billy promises to come home that night.

Flashbacks to the 1960s show Billy and Katie's relationship. Katie was a slightly older girl who babysat Billy for the Wyatts, who were best friends with the Chandlers. Katie mentored Billy, giving him advice on girls and dating. As a birthday gift, she gave him a baseball pendant on a necklace to always remind him that he is a baseball player.

While Billy is still in high school, his father, Sam, dies in a car accident. Two months later, Katie, Billy, Ginny, and Billy's friend Alan Appleby decide to spend the Fourth of July week at the Chandlers' summer home, Seasmoke. During their vacation, Billy feels that Katie is encouraging his mother to move on too quickly, leading to a shouting match between them.

The next day at sunrise, Billy seeks Katie's forgiveness, and they spend the rest of the weekend together at Seasmoke. As the weekend comes to a close, Katie encourages Billy to pursue his passion for baseball. In the present, Billy remembers that this was the last time he saw her.

In the present, Katie's father, Hank, visits the Wyatt family to deliver Katie's ashes to Billy, who still has no idea what to do with them. Hank suggests a church service. Billy drives to Seasmoke to think and reminisce.

Billy reunites with Appleby, and they spend the night reminiscing and carousing while driving around in Katie's car with her ashes, trying to figure out what to do with them. Still unsure, Billy goes to Katie's parents' house to give them her ashes. While there, Billy recalls Katie telling him how she wanted to jump off the pier and fly free with the birds. Billy goes to the pier, runs down the dock, and scatters her ashes just as she described in her fantasy.

Billy joins a minor league baseball team, taking pride in grooming the field each morning before a game. The film ends with Billy stealing home, the same thing he did in his last game before his father died.

Cast

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Production

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The film was mostly shot in the Philadelphia area and in New Jersey. Exterior scenes, as well as scenes of Billy's house and Alan Appleby's sporting goods store, were filmed in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.[2] Carlton Academy scenes were filmed at Chestnut Hill Academy.[2]

The interiors of Billy's childhood home were filmed in a house in Springfield, Pennsylvania.[2] Scenes in Bob's Diner were filmed at Ridge Avenue in Roxborough.[2]

Billy and Alan Appleby also sneak into and play baseball at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.[2]

The opening scene and the closing scenes were shot at Fiscalini Field in San Bernardino, California, the home field of the minor-league San Bernardino Spirit. Mark Harmon was a part-owner of the Spirit at the time of filming, which led his character to be shown playing for that team.[3]

Soundtrack

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No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Stealing Home"David FosterDavid Foster3:35
2."Sherry"Bob GaudioThe Four Seasons2:30
3."And When She Danced (Love Theme From Stealing Home)"
David Foster & Marilyn Martin3:50
4."Poison Ivy"The Nylons3:21
5."All I Have To Do Is Dream"Boudleaux BryantThe Everly Brothers2:20
6."Home Movies"David FosterDavid Foster2:10
7."Great Balls Of Fire"Jerry Lee Lewis1:50
8."Baby It's You"The Shirelles2:38
9."Stealing Home (Reprise)"David FosterDavid Foster5:08
10."Bo Diddley"Bo DiddleyBo Diddley2:19
11."Katie's Theme"David FosterDavid Foster1:30
Total length:31:11

Reception

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The film received negative reviews around the time of its release. In her review for the New York Times, Janet Maslin wrote, "The era is simply established as a dreamily idyllic past, thanks to sand dunes at twilight, waves that crash in the distance, shiny red convertibles without seat belts and a musical score that may make you want to weep, for all the wrong reasons".[4] In his one-star review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert wrote, "I detested Stealing Home so much, from beginning to end, that I left the screening wondering if any movie could possibly be that bad".[5] On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 20% based on reviews from 10 critics.[6]

When asked about the film in 2006, Mark Harmon said, "That was about a bunch of actors loving a script, going there and burning it on both ends for five weeks just to get it done. That was a fun one to make. I hear a lot about that role. People really found that movie on video."[7]

Summer of '42

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Ever since the release of Summer of '42, Warner Bros. has attempted to buy back the rights to the film, which they sold to author Herman Raucher in lieu of paying him a flat fee for the script on the belief that the film would not be financially successful. Stealing Home was greenlit shortly after Raucher denied their latest attempt to purchase the rights, leading to Summer star Jennifer O'Neill's assertion that Stealing Home was "stolen" from Summer. Regardless, she said that she enjoyed the film and called it a "lovely film."[8] Rita Kempley, in her review for the Washington Post, also saw similarities with Summer, describing the film as a "pale comedy-drama by mediocrities Steven Kampmann and Will Aldis. Admittedly a pastiche of their memories, the movie bespeaks the dust of '60s yearbooks and greeting card sentiment. Of course, that stuff can be touching (Summer of '42) or quirky (Gregory's Girl), but here only allergy sufferers will leave with soggy Kleenex."[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stealing Home". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Stealing Home (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Mullins, Brock (August 21, 1988). "League's Ownership Includes Some Heavy Hitters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 26, 1988). "Growing Up, and Into Baseball". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  5. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 26, 1988). "Stealing Home". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2008 – via RogerEbert.com.
  6. ^ "Stealing Home (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Rice, Lynette (February 22, 2006). "Making His Mark". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Bray, Tony. "Jennifer O'Neill in 2002". tv-now.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2006. Retrieved August 11, 2006.
  9. ^ Kempley, Rita (August 26, 1988). "Stealing Home". Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
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