DAMN YANKEES (1958)

Directed by: George Abbot, Stanley Donen
Written by: George Abbot
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon, Ray Walston, Jean Stapleton
Rated: Not Rated

About the film:
A Washington Senators fan makes a pact with the devil because he wants his beloved but beleaguered team to win the pennant. His bargain is accepted and the devil turns him into a baseball phenomenon who becomes known as “Shoeless Joe Hardy.” But as the pennant race grows tighter, Hardy learns that the devil doesn’t play fair.

Movie Quote:
“You’ve gotta have heart. All you really need is heart. When the odds are sayin’ you’ll never win, that’s when the grin should start.”
Benny Van Buren (Russ Brown) in Damn Yankees (1958)

Bible Quote:
“The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.”
Judges 7:7 (NIV)

Commentary:
The singing ballplayers of Damn Yankees make a great spiritual point. As we sojourn in this world, we will come across situations that will appear to be unbeatable and unconquerable to our eyes. During those times, we must learn to look at the situation through the eyes of God, our Father.

As long as God is around, there is no such thing as unbeatable odds. When we put the Word of God deep into our hearts, believing without doubt His promises and assurances, we can know with certainty what the inevitable outcome will be.

For example, God promised Gideon a victory over the much more powerful Midianites. The promise came not because Gideon was stronger or had more forces in his control. It came because Gideon had strong believing and continually looked to God for guidance and direction.

God told Gideon to dwindle his forces down to a mere three hundred men and then armed them with nothing more than empty pitchers and lanterns. Because Gideon did not falter in his believing, Gideon’s three hundred men were able to defeat a force many times their size.

The scripture remains true: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How does the film illustrate the old adage, “You don’t know what you have until you lose it?” How does this apply to God’s exhortation regarding thankfulness?
2. What is “heart” in the context of the movie quote? What would be some synonyms for it?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com