In Dizzy & Daffy, two minor league pitchers (Dizzy & Daffy Dean) and their half-blind coach (Shemp Howard) are recruited to the St. Louis Cardinals. And then they lead their team to the World Series against Detroit.
Review
In short, Dizzy & Daffy is an interesting short — if you’re a baseball fan. If not, the best parts of the comedy short are when Shemp Howard’s on-screen, He does his well-known blind with his glasses routine, multiple times.
Synopsis of Dizzy and Daffy
Dizzy & Daffy (1934) is a comedic short film (about 20-23 minutes) that loosely and humorously depicts the rise of real-life baseball stars Jerome “Dizzy” Dean and his brother Paul “Daffy” Dean.
The story centers on Lefty Howard (played by Shemp Howard), a hilariously inept, half-blind (severely nearsighted) minor league pitcher for a team like the “Farmers.” Amid his comical struggles and blunders on the mound, he encounters the talented Dean brothers and — through his antics — unintentionally gives them their famous nicknames “Dizzy” and “Daffy.”
The brothers are soon recruited to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, bringing their quirky pitching coach Lefty along for the ride. The film features plenty of slapstick baseball comedy (including a stuttering announcer played by Roscoe Ates), showcases the Deans’ real pitching skills, and follows their ascent to fame, culminating in leading the team toward the World Series against the Detroit Tigers.
It’s a lighthearted, fictionalized take on the famous Gashouse Gang era, with Shemp Howard stealing the show through his physical comedy. The real Dizzy and Daffy Dean make appearances as themselves.
Funny movie quotes
Dizzy Dean: How do you throw a curve?
Lefty Howard: I normally use a baseball!
Ball player: That’s Dean.
Lefty Howard: Dean? The only Dean I know is Gunga!
Cast of characters
- Dizzy Dean … Dizzy Dean (as Jerome Dean)
- Paul ‘Daffy’ Dean … Daffy Dean (as Paul Dean)
- Roscoe Ates (Freaks; The Ladies Man) … ‘Call-‘Em-Wrong’ Jones, the Umpire
- Shemp Howard (Scrambled Brains; Dopey Dicks; Buck Privates) … Lefty Howard
- Richard Cramer (Saps at Sea) … Nick, Farmers Baseball Team Manager (as Dick Cramer)