The Iron Major

The Iron Major is a 1943 American biographical film about the famed college football coach and World War I hero, Frank Cavanaugh. Directed by Ray Enright, the screenplay was written by Aben Kandel and Warren Duff, based on Florence E. Cavanaugh's story.

The Iron Major
Directed by	Ray Enright Edward Killy (associate)
Written by	C. Bakaleinikoff Roy Webb
Screenplay by	Aben Kandel Warren Duff
Story by	Florence E. Cavanaugh
Produced by	Robert Fellows
Starring	Pat O'Brien Ruth Warrick Robert Ryan
Cinematography	Robert de Grasse
Edited by	Robert Wise Philip Martin, Jr.
Music by	Roy Webb
Production company	RKO Radio Pictures
Release date	October 25, 1943 (1943-10-25)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1 million (US rentals)

Produced and directed by RKO Radio Pictures, the film premiered in Boston on October 25, 1943. The picture stars Pat O'Brien as Major Cavanaugh, along with Ruth Warrick and Robert Ryan.

Plot

Florence Cavanaugh and a priest, Tim Donovan, recall how in the 1890s, her husband Frank was playing college football for Dartmouth and then moved west to become a coach. "Cav" is introduced to Florence and eventually moves back east where he coaches at Holy Cross, where the football team's players include Tim.

Although he is father to seven children, Cav enlists in the war effort. A major, he is involved in heavy combat and seriously wounded, but recovers, gaining his nickname in the process. He ultimately returns home to continue coaching at Boston College, but an illness causes Cav to go blind, then ultimately claims his life.

Cast

• Pat O'Brien as Frank/Cav Cavanaugh
• Ruth Warrick as Florence Ayres Cavanaugh
• Robert Ryan as Father Tim Donovan
• Leon Ames as Bob Stewart
• Russell Wade as Private Manning
• Bruce Edwards as Lieutenant Jones
• Richard Martin as Davie Cavanaugh

See also

• List of American football films

External links

• The Iron Major at IMDb