Console best movie i've ever seen.

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

csteidler Joe E. Brown stars as Frank X. Farrell, rookie pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Talented but quirky, Farrell quickly picks up the nickname Alibi Ike—it seems that he apologizes for everything, even his accomplishments: Cap: "How many games did you win last year?" Ike: "Only 28. Had malaria most of the season." Brown is hilarious as the alternately boastful and bashful Ike. William Frawley (looking almost young!) is fine as Cap, the often frazzled team manager. Ruth Donnelly is solid as always as Frawley's wife. Olivia de Havilland, at the very beginning of her career, is lively and cute as the girl who wins Ike's heart, dumps him when he makes one excuse too many, and then roots for him to redeem himself when it counts. Brown's charm really carries the picture; his reluctance ever to give a straight answer is humorous, sometimes almost poignant, but never as irritating as it would be in real life. Sometimes his excuses are very funny, too—like when his buddies, hoping to pin him down, ask him if he gave de Havilland a ring, and he says no, he lent it to her. Lots of laughs, with some great on field baseball action too.

classicsoncall Some time ago I caught Joe E. Brown in another baseball flick, "Elmer the Great". His character Elmer in that one was quite arrogant, and not at all the way I remembered Brown from flicks I caught as a kid back in the Fifties. In "Alibi Ike", Brown brings back that old time magic for me, right down to that siren like "Heeeyyyyy" whenever he gets into a tight spot. And then there's that fantastic double triple loopy windmill windup he makes when setting up to pitch. Man, I could have used that delivery as a Little Leaguer to confound the opposing batters. In both baseball flicks, Brown's character winds up on the Chicago Cubs, this time by way of Sauk Center. I guess we've all run across someone at one time or another who makes excuses for just about everything, but with Frank X. Farrell (Brown), he just never gives it a rest. Most of the time I had to wonder why too, because a lot of the situations on screen were slice of life stuff, like buying an engagement ring. I guess Ike was so much into the Alibi persona he just couldn't quit. Speaking of which, that was quite the double talk line he threw at the jeweler; I don't remember Brown ever using that before.After a false start with his gal Dolly, Farrell rises to the occasion on both the ball field and in the romance department. Some of the baseball stuff is just plain silly, like calling all the players around to the pitcher's mound while Ike strikes out the side. There's also a brief interlude involving mobsters attempting to get Ike to 'throw' some games, but it's done somewhat haphazardly and blows by without much consequence. It's the physical comedy that entertains, along with Joe E. Brown's unique facials that make "Alibi Ike" a fun diversion.

canterburyroads The Chicago Cubs finally win the pennant! And it takes Joe E. Brown's immortal character Alibi Ike to do it. William Frawley once again is superb in the supporting role, as the manager. Olivia De Havilland shines as the love interest. The rest of the supporting cast which includes Ruth Donnelly and Roscoe Karns are excellent. Director Raymond Enright keeps the film moving along in good fashion. The movie is predictable but it's a lot of fun getting to the end. The ending puts a lasting smile on one's face reminiscent of the movie "Some Like It Hot". This feel good movie hits a home run with this viewer. Take yourself out to the ballgame and enjoy!

Neil Doyle While A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM was really Olivia de Havilland's first film, the studio in the meantime put her in ALIBI IKE which was released first--so this gave the public their first view of her. She's a pretty ingenue here with just a hint of stardom about her. Joe E. Brown was very popular at the time and had already done a couple of baseball comedies. Apparently, his fans considered this Ring Lardner tale one of his best.I couldn't work up much enthusiasm for it, although I did find several scenes rather amusing. However, unless you're a die-hard fan of Joe E. Brown with an addiction for baseball, ALIBI IKE comes across more as a curiosity piece than anything else. The night baseball scenes came as a surprise to me. Brown does his usual genial job in the title role and obviously relishes the limelight.William Frawley plays a baseball manager and Ruth Donnelly has a brief role as Olivia's sister.Trivia note: Ruth Donnelly would join Olivia thirteen years later for 1948's THE SNAKE PIT, as a fellow inmate.