‘It Happens Every Spring’ (1949) is adorable sports sci-fi comedy (review)

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1949 sports sci-fi comedy “It Happens Every Spring” stars Ray Milland, Paul Douglas, and Jean Peters in a zany baseball flick about a chemistry professor-turned pitcher extraordinaire. With a goofy premise, straightforward plot, and delightful execution, it’s among the wittiest, and most enchanting, sports films to date.
College chemistry professor Veron K. Simpson (Ray Milland) is a brilliant scientist with a crush on the university president’s daughter, Deborah (Jean Peters). However, Simpson fears his modest professor’s salary won’t be enough to sway her father, Professor Greenleaf (Ray Collins). His superior, Prof. Joe Forsythe (William E. Green) praises Simpson as a brilliant scholar, an upstanding gentleman, and reveals Simpson as his pick for head of the forthcoming research laboratory. However, Forsythe admits that Simpson becomes absent-minded in the spring explaining “it happens every spring.”

While teaching a class, Vernon glances at his watch, then turns on a radio to listen to a broadcast of a St. Louis baseball game. Debbie queries Vernon about his feelings for her, to which Simpson reveals that his lack of financial capital prevents him from marrying her. His major experiment, methylethylpropylbutyl, is poised to change that. However, while Debbie and Vernon check on the methylethylpropylbutyl, a stray baseball crashes through a window and smashes the beaker. Distraught, Simpson cleans up the mess when he accidentally discovers that his mysterious substance is repelled by wood, a property he plans to exploit by trying out for pitcher with St. Louis.

Armed with his newfound chemical compound, Vernon requests an emergency leave of absence. Traveling to St. Louis, Vernon tries out and amazes team management with his astonishing ability to strike out every batter. Quickly, Simpson rises to stardom in the big leagues, winning the pennant for St. Louis and leading his team to the World Series under the moniker Kelly.

“It Happens Every Spring” seamlessly fuses sci-fi and sports. The laboratory scenes present a “Frankenstein” vibe, with lovely set design. Bubbling liquids, bulbous beakers, and billowing smoke paint a vivid backdrop. While none of the equipment is explained, it masterful creates an atmosphere. Once Vernon reaches St. Louis, the tone shifts dramatically, and the narrative becomes increasingly comedic. St. Louis Manager Jimmy Dolan (Ted de Corsia), believing Vernon a crackpot, enlists catcher Monk Lanigan (Paul Douglas) in keeping an eye on Simpson. Monk steals virtually every scene he’s in with an earnest goofiness.

The delightful effects mimic a zany occurrence in a “Three Stooges” skit. Baseballs doused in Vernon’s special substance hop over bats with a hilarious zipping noise and jumping motion. Unfortunately, Simpson as Kelly lies to Monk, explaining the multiple bottles of methylethylpropylbutyl as hair tonic. Before the final game of the World Series, Monk gives a bottle to Jimmy, thereby depleting Simpson’s stock and forcing him to win the game without performance-enhancing chemicals.

Though most of the movie ripples with hilarity and pizzaz, the ending dips into cliche territory. Vernon wins the game, clinching the World Series for St. Louis. In the process, he fractures his hand thereby ending his baseball career. Returning to the university, Vernon is met by Debbie, Professor Greenleaf, and a veritable parade including the university marching band. Through his injury, Simpson gains an easy means of returning to Debbie, now with a small fortune from his baseball success, and becomes the head of the university’s facility. It’s a bit too convenient. Nevertheless, “It Happens Every Spring” remains enchanting with a simple yet effective charm.