Silver screen legend John Wayne stars as a former top-notch college football coach who tries to maintain custody of his daughter during a tough divorce while earning back self-respect by coaching a small-town Catholic scho... more »ol's football team. A unusually sentimental role for the Duke, in which he proves his amazing gift for comedy and sentiment. Co-starring Donna Reed ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and directed by Michael Curtiz ("Casablanca").« less
Actors:John Wayne, Connors, Donna Reed Director:Michael Curtiz Genres:Comedy, Drama, Sports Sub-Genres:Comedy, Drama, Family Life, Football (American) Studio:Warner Home Video Format:DVD - Black and White,Widescreen - Closed-captioned,Subtitled DVD Release Date: 05/22/2007 Original Release Date: 01/01/1953 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1953 Release Year: 2007 Run Time: 1hr 50min Screens: Black and White,Widescreen Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 6 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English Subtitles:English, French
Brian Hamm | United States of America | 11/16/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This movie features John Wayne not as a cowboy but as a football coach. It is not one of his most famous ones probably because it is not the genre of what most fans think of when they think of John Wayne, comedy. It is a good movie though. When I first watched it I was amazed. Everyone (from Wayne to the actress that plays his daughter) does an excellent job. John Wayne's first role was in a silent in which he played a football player, and he also played football at USC for a couple of years with Ward Bond. So it is a subject he knows well. Overall, it gives light to a new side of the Duke, the comical side (which isn't bad). It isn't one of the best, I grant you, but it is great because it shows Duke's acting talents with a great script and cast."
I like this movie
A 12-year old viewer | Diamond Springs,CA USA | 07/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I thought this was a very good movie. It was different having John Wayne as a football coach instead of a cowboy. I reccomend this movie to people who like John Wayne movies, and to people who like older movies.The reason why I watch these movies is because my family likes them so I watch them to."
Amongst the hidden gems in Duke's career-
Frank J. Houlihan | Schenectady,New York,USA | 11/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This film is still ahead of it's time,today.What a surprise it was for me one day,long ago,to sit down in front of this movie and find myself enjoying it as much as I did,and still do.A quiet masterpiece,I must agree with a previous reviewer who mentioned how mature the approach is here.If you love The Duke and haven't seen this film,do it now.You'll enjoy yourself so much.It works on so many levels,this movie is one of those for which the phrase-"They don't make 'em like they used to..." applies so well.Understated,intelligent,good-humored and sweet,all at the same time.A Classic waiting for Time to discover it."
Where's the DVD?
Red Dragon | New York | 07/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I won't bore you with story details as this film has already been reviewed. Being in my mid-50's I have seen everything the Duke has done and this wonderful, light romantic comedy has been a favorite of mine for years. A divorced father raising a daughter on his own...it went against the Hollywood stereotypical ideal of family. I continue to watch this film on my off-air copy. I only wish it would come out on DVD. Let's face it, if Wayne's early Lone Star westerns can get the DVD treatment, surely this little gem deserves the same. If you've never seen "Trouble Along the Way", sit and enjoy!"
Where is Sherry Jackson Anyway
Allan Maurer | 05/31/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Trouble Along the Way," is one of my favorite "little" movies -- films I loved growing up in the 1950s, often for quite personal reasons, ranging from Tony Curtis in "The Great Imposter," to this gem.
Sherry Jackson, who plays Football coach Wayne's precocious daughter, also starred in the Danny Thomas show on TV and all grown up as one sexy android on Star Trek. She turned out so beautiful that I don't think she got as much of a chance to act as one might have wished. She's wonderful in this and I get a crush on her in a paternal sort of way everytime I watch it, and I can't say the same about that Star Trek role, ah hem.
Donna Reed as Wayne's love interest never looked more beautiful nor exuded more charm with the possible exception of her turn in "It's a Wonderful Life."
Charles Colburn as the old priest at suffering St. Anthony's is utterly convincing and entertaining every second he's on screen.
When I first saw this in the 50s, I liked Wayne in it very much because my father looked a bit like him, probably more in my imagination than reality. Still, as another reviewer notes, this film holds up remarkably well and I still enjoy it every time I see it."