Trouble Along the Way (1953): Cast & Plot
Trouble Along the Way is a 1953 comedy drama directed by Michael Curtiz, starring John Wayne as Stephen Aloysius Williams, Sherry Jackson and Charles Coburn. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Trouble Along the Way About?
The premise of Trouble Along the Way without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following a divorce, football coach Steve Williams is desperate to retain custody of his daughter. At the same time, he takes a job at a tiny Catholic college, hoping to rebuild its football program. His plans are quickly derailed when a recruiting scandal erupts, jeopardizing both his career and his chance to prove the school’s reputation.
Trouble Along the Way Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- catholic
- college
- college football
- window smashing
- student athlete
- family court
- new york city
- unwanted kiss
- pool hall
- single father
- absent mother
- serenade
+38 more Show fewer
- hangover
- precocious child
- bookie
- restaurant
- new job
- chapel
- moving
- 1940s
- letter
- quitting a job
- hat
- tomboy
- dog
- retirement
- american football sport
- college comedy
- neighborhood bar
- catholic bishop
- catholic cardinal
- catholic university
- child custody fight
- based on story
- football coach
- contact sport
- financial debt
- satire comedy
- college graduation
- child's birthday party
- catholic priest
- sporting goods salesman
- football stadium
- financial straits
- rector
- child custody court hearings
- 11 year old daughter
- ex husband ex wife relationship
- extortion
- marriage annulment
Trouble Along the Way Cast & Characters
John Wayne leads the cast as Stephen Aloysius Williams, with Sherry Jackson as Carol Williams and Charles Coburn as le Père Matthew William Burke. Directed by Michael Curtiz; 52 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Michael Curtiz
-
John Wayne as Stephen Aloysius Williams - Sherry Jackson as Carol Williams
- Charles Coburn as le Père Matthew William Burke
-
Marie Windsor as Anne Williams McCormick
Also Starring in Trouble Along the Way
· 48 more- Tom Helmore Harold McCormick
- Donna Reed Alice Singleton
- Frank Marlowe Drunk in Bar with Dog
- James Flavin Coach Buck Holman
- Chuck Connors Stan Schwegler
- Ned Glass Pool Player
- William H. O'Brien Bartender Joe
- Jack Mower Domestic Court Staffer
- Mike Lally Priest
- Frank Ferguson Mike Edwards
- Murray Alper Bus Driver
- Frank McLure Priest
- Arthur Tovey Football Spectator
- Jack Gargan Bailiff
- Lester Matthews Cardinal William Patrick O'Shea
- Dabbs Greer Father Peterson
Show all 52 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Fred Graham Bill Sackheim
- Paul Kruger Bailiff
- Barry Norton Party Guest
- Leif Erickson Father Provincial aka Ed
- Douglas Spencer Father Procurator aka George
- Tom Tully Father Malone
- James Dean Football Spectator (uncredited)
- Gayne Whitman Lawyer Grummet
- Olan Soule Cardinal's Secretary
- Charles Watts Mr. Wallace
- Ralph Volkie Referee
- Renata Vanni Maria's Italian Mother
- Howard Petrie Marvin Adams
- Merv Griffin Football Broadcaster (voice)
- Guy Way Football Player
- Phil Chambers Bishop
- Richard Garrick Judge
- Sydney Mason Priest
- Robert Keys Santa Clara Team Manager Joe
- Fritz Ford Football Player
- Vici Raaf Beanie
- Tom Hernández Butler
- Jack Pepper Irish Tenor / Pianist in Saloon
- Jeri Weil Young Carol
- Angi O. Poulos Saloon Waiter
- Bill Radovich Moose McCall
- Larry Merrill Jeffrey Marlowe
- Anitra Stevens Bobo
- Doris Cole Redhead
- Ted Eckelberry Joe Ostrow
- Keith Clarke Scholastic
- Ray Kyle Student
Trouble Along the Way Plot Summary
What happens in Trouble Along the Way from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Small, obscure St. Anthony’s College, a Catholic and Jesuit university, is in dire financial straits and on the verge of closing. To save the college and shield himself from forced retirement, the elderly rector, Charles Coburn as Father Burke, hires a down-and-out former big-time football coach, John Wayne Steve Williams. Steve initially declines the job, but when he learns that his ex-wife, Anne Williams McCormick, Marie Windsor — now remarried — has gone to Social Services to allege he is an unfit father and plans to sue for custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Carole Williams, Sherry Jackson, he decides to take the chance.
Full summary
The whole story of Trouble Along the Way, scene by scene
Trouble Along the Way Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer 1953 - Trouble Along the Way - L'Homme de Bonne Volonté
How Well Do You Know Trouble Along the Way?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the down‑and‑out football coach Steve Williams?
Cars in Trouble Along the Way
4 cars on screen, including the 1933 Mack AB and the 1946 Mercury Eight.
-
1933 Mack AB Minor role -
1946 Mercury Eight Minor role -
1953 De Soto Powermaster Background role -
1947 Lincoln Club Coupe Background role
Trouble Along the Way Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Un homme pas comme les autres” and “L'irresistibile Mr. John”.
- Also known as
-
- Un homme pas comme les autres
- L'irresistibile Mr. John
- Ärger auf der ganzen Linie
- Camino de adversidad
- Atalhos do Destino
- Życiowe kłopoty
- Un conflicto en cada esquina
- Tie voittoon
Seen Trouble Along the Way?
Movies Like Trouble Along the Way
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Trouble with the Curve, The Trouble with Angels and Father Was a Fullback.
Trouble Along the Way FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Trouble Along the Way, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Trouble Along the Way?
Trouble Along the Way runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Trouble Along the Way released?
Trouble Along the Way was released on April 4, 1953.
Who directed Trouble Along the Way?
Trouble Along the Way was directed by Michael Curtiz.
More films by Michael Curtiz Who is in the cast of Trouble Along the Way?
Trouble Along the Way stars John Wayne as Stephen Aloysius Williams, Sherry Jackson as Carol Williams and Charles Coburn as le Père Matthew William Burke, among 52 credited actors.
Does Trouble Along the Way have a post-credit scene?
No. Trouble Along the Way has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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