Roy Hobbs, fictional character, the ambitious and talented but flawed baseball player who is the protagonist of The Natural (1952), the first novel by American writer Bernard Malamud. The character was portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1984 film version of the novel.

Who was the character Roy Hobbs based on?

According to Wikipedia, Author Malamud, supposedly not a baseball fan himself, created “the Natural” story and his Roy Hobbs character from the real life of Eddie Waitkus, a major leaguer in 1941 and 1946-55.

Did Roy Hobbs actually strike out?

*OK, I'll spoil it for you: Hobbs does strike out in the book version. So maybe having the umpire say “strike” on that first pitch was Levinson's homage to the book. I should ask him about that. *There are those who point out that before 1950, the home team had the option to bat first.

Is there any truth to the movie The Natural?

"The Natural," loosely based on a true story of a young phenom who was all set to try out for a Major League team when tragedy struck him, has that lovely old time feel. Taking place several decades ago, with a team called the New York Knights, the movie hasn't lost its touch.

Was Roy Hobbs a pitcher?

The movie Natural was named Roy Hobbs.

Hobbs was from Nebraska, a young phenom pitcher who had a gift for baseball at an early age. His dad tells him, “you got a gift, Roy, but it's not enough…you rely too much on your gift, and you'll fail.” Roy was going to have a tryout with the Cubs in 1923 at age 19.

The Final Homerun - The Natural (8/8) Movie CLIP (1984) HD

How old was Robert Redford in The Natural?

Robert Redford was 46 during filming, but he played Roy Hobbs at 19 and 35. In Reel Life: When Roy makes it to the majors, he's 35 years old. In Real Life: Redford was 46 when the film was made, and even plays Roy as a 19-year-old in the movie.

How far was Roy Hobbs home run?

Hobbs' homer is not humanly possible. According to the Home Run Distance Calculator, a hit at 13 degrees and 150 miles per hour would hit our rightmost light bank at its apex and would go on to land around 550 feet from home plate.

Why was Hobbs bleeding in The Natural?

He awakens in the hospital and learns that an old silver bullet, removed from his stomach, has caused him long-term damage.

Who is the bad boy in The Natural?

Savoy, played by George Wilkosz, was the bat boy in Redford's movie “The Natural.”

What was the point of the movie The Natural?

The Natural focuses on the redemption of Roy Hobbs, who figures out that he has something to prove - and sets out to do it. And, as he rounds the bases amidst a shower of sparks in a scene that could only happen in a Hollywood-born field of dreams, he knows he has accomplished his goal and fulfilled his dream.

Why did Roy Hobbs wear number 9?

Towne explained, “Some have asked if the on-screen Roy Hobbs was modeled after Ted Williams. In a way, yeah, but that was mostly because Williams was a hero of Redford's, and both were lefties, so Bob decided to wear number nine.

Why did they shoot Roy Hobbs?

Roy was a big shot as a teenager, and he believed he had a promising future ahead of him. Harriet thought so, too, which is why she only shot Roy after he answered her question about whether being the “best there ever was,” was an accurate assessment. Roy doesn't hesitate, confirming he would be the best in baseball.

Did Memo poison Roy in the natural?

Not knowing that Memo poisoned him, he nonetheless realizes she's playing against him. Injured and recovering from the poison, Roy struggles during the play-off game for the pennant. Iris, in the stands with her son, sends him a note telling him he's the father.

How old was Roy Hobbs supposed to be?

The two eras of the film show Roy Hobbs at age 19 and age 35. Robert Redford was 47 at the time of filming. The filmmakers scouted the country for a stadium to use in game scenes.

Was Roy Hobbs in a Redford movie?

The Natural is a 1984 American sports film based on Bernard Malamud's 1952 novel of the same name, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close, and Robert Duvall.

What happened to Eddie Waitkus?

Remarkably, Waitkus returned to play with the Phillies in 1950, where he was the leadoff hitter for the National League pennant winners. He went onto play through the 1955 season. Waitkus died in 1972 of esophageal cancer at age 53.

How old was Roy Hobbs when he died?

Roy Hobbs , a former WAGA-TV anchor from 1996 to 2003, has died in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 64.

Who is red in The Natural?

The Natural (1984) - Richard Farnsworth as Red Blow - IMDb.

What type of girl does a bad boy like?

Bad boys like the same thing good boys like. They like a girl who is understanding, accepting, and fun to be with. The catch is 'fun to be with' can mean different things to different people. In general, it's going to mean you're not impulsive in a scary way, but you're also not uptight and insecure with yourself.

Did Robert Redford do his own hitting in the natural?

I loved playing baseball and I loved the Boston Red Sox and Ted Williams and I wanted to go in that direction [as a ballplayer] if I could, but never could until this.” Johnson confirms that Redford did all of his own batting for the film, and made some solid hits.

Why does Roy eat so much in the natural?

It is significant that after Roy decides not to pursue Iris, he suddenly develops a great craving for food. He is attempting to fulfill himself in a way that Memo and his own self-centered playing cannot; only Iris has the ability to provide the true fulfillment that would end his desire for both food and Memo.

What does the ending of the natural mean?

This is the tragic end of our hero. Roy's lost his honor and his self-respect. He can't look his fans in the face, and he surely can't go back to baseball. He finally realizes that it was his own mistakes that brought him to this point, but that realization is too little and way too late.

How far was Mark McGwire farthest home run?

Who is the female lead in the natural?

Movie Info

On the way to a tryout with the Chicago Cubs, young baseball phenom Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is shot by the unstable Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey).