Jim Thorpe -- All-American (1951)

Charles Bickford: Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner

Photos 

Quotes 

• Governor Roy J. Turner : May I present to you one of the immortals of the world of sports: the greatly beloved Pop Warner.

  [the audience applauds] 

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Thank you, Governor Turner, Mrs. Turner. Ladies and gentlemen, I am, of course, highly honored to make this presentation. But this event has special significance for me, and I feel a deep sense of personal pride and pleasure. Fifty years is a long time; many exciting people and events have had their moment on the American scene. Tonight we pay recognition to a man who had more than a brief moment - a man who, during the past half-century, has carved a permanent place for himself in all our hearts. And on this memorable occasion, I can't help but think back to a young Indian lad, who grew up on a reservation. As a boy, he roamed the woods with his father, hunting and fishing. Then one day, he was faced with the prospect of school: that frightening institution of the white man's world. But being cooped up indoors was more than young Thorpe could stand. His father had deposited him at the front door, and Jim left immediately by the back door.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : As a boy, he roamed the woods with his father, hunting and fishing. Then one day, he was faced with the prospect of school: that frightening institution of the white man's world. But being cooped up indoors was more than young Thorpe could stand. His father had deposited him at the front door, and Jim left immediately by the back door. And then, running with the wild grace of a young deer, the boy headed home.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [narrating]  When he could stand it no longer, he began to run. And once again, he found relief in the sheer physical joy of running.

  [Jim runs and hurdle-jumps over a bench] 

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [Jim keeps running and approaches the athletic track]  On your marks, get set...

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [the timekeeper fires a starting gun as the runners take off, with Jim catching up to them]  Who is that?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [a runner says 'Go!' as Jim keeps running and jumping the hurdles]  Either I need a new watch, or we've got a new runner.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [inside the cafeteria]  You're Jim Thorpe.

  Jim Thorpe : That's right.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Glad to meet you Jim, I'm Pop Warner. You mind if I sit down? I'd like to talk to you a minute.

  Jim Thorpe : No.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : That was quite an exhibition you put on this morning.

  Jim Thorpe : Exhibition?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Don't you know what you did? You ran the 2:20 flat in 23 seconds flat with your clothes on. Why haven't you come out for the team?

  Jim Thorpe : Well, I hadn't figured on coming out for the team.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : You just run for exercise, is that it?

  Jim Thorpe : I don't rightly know why I run.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : You don't like it here, do you?

  Jim Thorpe : No, I don't.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Then why have you come?

  Jim Thorpe : Because I promised someone; he's dead.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : You know, you're the first Sac & Fox I've met here. That's Oklahoma territory, isn't it?

  Jim Thorpe : Yes.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Originally from Wisconsin?

  Jim Thorpe : Illinois.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Oh yes, Illinois; part of the Algonquins?

  Jim Thorpe : Yes, that's right.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : A great warrior tribe, great traditions. What do they do now?

  Jim Thorpe : Oh, a little farming, a little weaving. They sell blankets at the railway station.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Yes, I know. That's why Carlisle was founded, Jim: so that your people can do more than sell blankets at the railway station. The trouble is, too many Indian boys take the easy way out; they quit school and go back to the reservation.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : How are you getting along with your studies?

  Jim Thorpe : Well, not very good, I'm afraid. I never was much with books.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Yes, I know what you mean: studying, reading, doing a lot of things, they come awfully hard. I had the same problems when I went to school. It's always hard at the beginning.

  Jim Thorpe : Well, it's - it's more than that, Mr. Warner; I don't know what I want to do, or what I want to be.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Look around you, Jim, look at those faces. All of those kids have problems; a lot of them don't know what they want to be, what they want to do. They'll find out soon enough what they want most in life, so will you. All I'm trying to say is: give Carlisle a chance. And incidentally, don't be afraid of sports, Jim, they're good for you, teach you how to relax, make you sleep well. Look me up; you'll find me in my office or the athletic field. Been nice talking to you.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Get some lift into that takeoff foot!

  [Ed Guyac attempts a high jump, but fails to clear the bar] 

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : No, no, no Ed, you dragged it off with your hand, watch that. Hello, Jim. Like to take a whack at it? Go ahead, it won't bite you.

  [Ed attempts another high jump and fails to clear the bar] 

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : No, no, you're doing the same thing. Watch that, will you? Get some lift into it.

  [Jim backs up to get a running start, and clears the bar] 

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Pretty good, Jim. Very good for a first jump. Let's try it again.

  [Pop Warner raises the bar a notch higher] 

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [narrating, with a montage of Jim Thorpe participating in such sports as shotput, high jump, hurdles, discus throwing, pole vault, long jump, javelin throwing, and track running]  Watching Thorpe in succeeding weeks was like watching a magnificent young stallion: untamed and unbroken, but with a natural athletic aptitude that was incredible. And as he found the means of expression in sports, the hard shell which had always surrounded him seemed to soften a little. Finally one day, for the first time, Jim found himself facing competition against other college athletes.

• Lafayette Track Coach : Pop, it's 2:30, the meet's supposed to start.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Well, let's get started.

  Lafayette Track Coach : Well, where's your team?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Right here.

  Lafayette Track Coach : Now wait a minute, you're joking, aren't you?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : This is Louis Tewanema; he runs the mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, and up. And this is Jim Thorpe.

  Lafayette Track Coach : And what does he do?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Everything else.

  Lafayette Track Coach : Well, I guess you know what you're doing, Pop; remember, these people came here to see a track meet.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : They'll see one; call your first event. Come on, team.

• Ed Guyac : See? Captain of the football team: that's how you get the prettiest girls and the biggest letters.

  Peter Allendine : [strolls by with Margaret at his side]  Hello, Bright Path.

  Margaret Miller : Hello.

  Ed Guyac : [reading a billboard notice]  "All candidates for football squad, please report to coach Glenn S. Warner at 3 p.m."

  Wally Denny : [elsewhere on campus]  Every time I look at this football schedule, I get dizzy! We can't play teams of this caliber, Glenn: Harvard, Army, Minnesota, Penn...

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Very impressive schedule.

  Wally Denny : What am I gonna do for material? Half the kids think a pigskin's something to eat for breakfast.

  Jim Thorpe : Pop.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Hi, Jim.

  Jim Thorpe : I saw your notice on the bulletin board. Kind of thought I might want to look into this game of football.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Forget it, Jim, you're a track man. Those legs of yours are too valuable to be risked in a tough game like football.

  Jim Thorpe : But I thought maybe if you needed someone for...

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Thanks for trying to help; forget it, Jim.

  Ed Guyac : Any chance of using me, Mr. Warner?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : What for?

  Ed Guyac : Well, some kind of executive job. I've been taking a class in business management, I thought perhaps I could help out...

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : I've got just the job for you.

• Ed Guyac : [on the football field after finding out his job is a waterboy]  "Executive job..."

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [blows a whistle]  Now boys, remember what I told you: Heads up, eyes open, dig those legs in, and charge! Hit 'em hard. Ready? Charge!

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [the players run through and fall on the ground, failing to tackle the linemen]  No, no, no, Little Boy, I told you to dig those legs in and hit him.

  Little Boy Who Walk Like Bear : But him no stand still.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Well, that's very inconsiderate of him. All right now, try it again. Hit him hard this time. Ready? Come on, come on, now charge!

  [the players do a better job at taking the linemen down on the practice field] 

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [Jim shows up in a football uniform]  What are you doing in that outfit?

  Jim Thorpe : I thought I'd come out for the team.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Jim, how many times do I have to tell you? Go back inside and take off those clothes.

  Jim Thorpe : I'm coming out for the team.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Oh, so you're coming out for the team, no matter what I say? All right, what do you know about dropkicking?

  Jim Thorpe : Nothing, but I can learn.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Get over there with those men.

  [Jim goes over and starts practicing dropkicking] 

  Wally Denny : I thought you were saving him for track?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Just because he's on the squad doesn't mean I'll let him play.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [Jim and Pop Warner enter the infirmary]  Nurse, will you check this man, please?

  Jim Thorpe : Margaret.

  Margaret Miller : Hello, Jim.

  [Pop Warner leaves] 

  Margaret Miller : i'm working in the infirmary; Pop got me the job. I've been reading a lot about you in the newspapers.

  Jim Thorpe : Why did you do it?

  Margaret Miller : I don't know; I was confused and mixed up. For both our sakes, it seemed the best thing to do.

  Jim Thorpe : Why didn't you write?

  Margaret Miller : There was nothing I could say. You spoke about background and heritage; they seemed to mean so much to you. It's taken me all this time to realize that they aren't really important. What counts is that we're people.

  Jim Thorpe : I told you once I loved you. I still love you. Does that answer you?

  Margaret Miller : Oh, Jim!

  [Jim and Margaret hug each other] 

  Jim Thorpe : Oh, I've missed you, Margaret; more than I've ever missed anybody in all my life. Will you marry me?

  Margaret Miller : That's why I came back to Carlisle.

  Jim Thorpe : Are you sure you won't mind being married to a coach?

  Margaret Miller : A coach? Jim, where?

  Jim Thorpe : Anywhere, whenever they get around to making me an offer.

  Margaret Miller : They will; darling, you'll be a wonderful coach!

  [Jim and Margaret hug again] 

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [in the locker room]  All right boys, your attention. Boys, I've never made a speech to you before. I don't have to make speeches, and I don't have to tell you that Penn is a powerhouse, a football team that's been unbelievable for 2 years. But I'll say this: If there's any team that can beat them, it's this Carlisle bunch right here with me. Believe me, boys, I'm proud of you, but remember this: This is going to be the toughest football game you've ever played. Penn is a hard-hitting, rough bunch that asks no quarter and gives no quarter; that's why they're champions. Also, they have one of the greatest breakaway runners in the country: Tom Ashenbrunner, All-American for 2 years. We've got an All-American too.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [the players cheer]  I guess I don't have to say any more. All right, Carlisle, take the field.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [quietly]  All right, here we go fellas. Come on, let's go.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [to Jim]  Jim?

  Jim Thorpe : Yes, Pop?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : This game may be more important than you think. I've just learned that Allegheny's scouting for a football coach; they've got their eye on you and Tom Ashenbrunner.

  Jim Thorpe : Thanks, Pop. Better tell Ashenbrunner to stay out of my way; I need that job.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Yes, I know; Margaret told me.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [Jim enters Pop's office]  Hello, Jim. Sit down.

  Jim Thorpe : What's all the mystery about? They're sure taking a lot of time to make a decision.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : They've already made the decision: Ashenbrunner.

  Jim Thorpe : That's too bad. Margaret will be disappointed.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Don't let it get you down. You have lots of other chances.

  Jim Thorpe : Well, I... that's that. Thanks, Pop.

  [heads for the door, turns around and talks with Pop again] 

  Jim Thorpe : Maybe I shouldn't say this, Pop, but I outplayed Ashenbrunner.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : You did everything a man could do on a football field.

  Jim Thorpe : Then why?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Evidently, they thought Ashenbrunner was better equipped for the job.

  Jim Thorpe : You don't believe that, Pop.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : There's a lot more to coaching than simply being a great player. The second half, you knew Little Boy had a bad knee; you kept it from me and let him play.

  Jim Thorpe : We tied up the game, didn't we?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : That's not the point!

  Jim Thorpe : Pop, that job was important to me, I needed it!

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Not that way.

  Jim Thorpe : The reason I didn't get it is because I'm an Indian, isn't it?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : I don't know, Jim. I honestly don't know. But supposing it was, that's simply another hurdle for you to take. From what I've seen, that shouldn't be too difficult, not for you. You'll clear it, I'll make sure of it. What's on your mind?

  Jim Thorpe : [Looking at the poster for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm]  I want to go over there, to the Olympics. I want to make a record they won't be able to ignore.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Good boy, that's the spirit. Which event would you like to compete in?

  Jim Thorpe : What events are there?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : The 100 meter, the 200 meter, the hurdles, the pentathlon...

  Jim Thorpe : The pentathlon. That's five events, isn't it?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : That's right.

  Jim Thorpe : And this, the decathlon, that's ten events?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Right.

  Jim Thorpe : Enter me into both.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Jim, you're crazy.

  Jim Thorpe : Am I?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : That's fifteen events. You'll be competing against the greatest athletes in the world.

  Jim Thorpe : Pop, I've worked hard, hard to make a name for myself. If it isn't enough that I'm an Indian, I'll just have to work that much harder to get the kind of coaching job that I want. I'm not in this for glory; I just want a chance to prove myself. Will you help me? Will you?

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : You know I will.

• Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : [narrating]  For three solid days, Jim Thorpe gave an exhibition of physical prowess such as the world has never seen. The five events of the grueling pentathlon: sprinting, jumping, the javelin, the discus, the torturous 1,500 meter run, and a great victory, which would have been sufficient glory for any athlete. But almost without cause and without precedent, Jim tackled the supreme test: the decathlon, ten events covering every form of track and field competition.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : Merely to compete in these events would have been accomplishment enough, but Jim achieved victory again. Another great victory for himself and for his country.

  Glenn S. 'Pop' Warner : When it was over, the King of Sweden asked to meet Jim Thorpe, to pay personal tribute.

  King Gustav : Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.

  Jim Thorpe : Thank you, your Majesty.