Kill the Umpire (1950): cast, story & where to watch
1950 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1950, Kill the Umpire is a comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon, running about 78 minutes. “Columbia's Bases Full of LAUGHS!!!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Ex-baseball player Bill Johnson, failing at many jobs when his ball-playing days are over, reluctantly takes the advice of his father-in-law, Jonah Evans, a retired umpire, and enters an umpire-training school. Assigned to the Texas League, he does fine until the championship play-offs when a riot develops over one of his calls. The involved player is knocked unconscious in the proceedings and cannot verify that Bill made the correct call. Despite lynch mob plans to at least tar-and-feather him, Bill's family - his daughters Lucy (Gloria Henry and Susan and his wife Betty - help Bill reach the ballpark safely the next day through a series of hair-raising encounters.
Who’s in it. Kill the Umpire stars William Bendix as Bill 'Two Call' Johnson, Una Merkel as Betty Johnson, Ray Collins as Jonah Evans and Gloria Henry as Lucy Johnson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, Kill the Umpire has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kill the Umpire page.
If you liked it. Fans of Kill the Umpire tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Kill the Umpire (1950)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Kill the Umpire change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Kill the Umpire worth watching?
- Kill the Umpire holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Kill the Umpire?
- Kill the Umpire stars William Bendix, Una Merkel, Ray Collins, Gloria Henry and Jeff Richards.
- When was Kill the Umpire released?
- Kill the Umpire was released in 1950, with a runtime of about 78 minutes.