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The Bob Mathias Story Reviews

  • 1954
  • 1 hr 20 mins
  • Drama, Kids
  • NR
  • Watchlist
    Where to Watch

The Olympic decathlon winner and his wife (Melba Mathias) portray themselves in this account of his life up to the time of his entering the Marines. Dr. Mathias: Howard Petrie. Coach: Ward Bond. Mrs. Mathias: Ann Doran. Pat: Diane Jergens. Directed by Francis D. Lyon.

It's hard to imagine anyone who would be any more convincing in the role of Olympic great Bob Mathias than Bob Mathias, and the producers of this biopic obviously didn't feel like trying. Two years after winning his second gold medal in the decathlon (only Britain's Daley Thompson has duplicated this feat), Mathias plays himself in this low-budget effort that makes interesting use of documentary footage from the 1948 and 1952 Summer Games. Mathias' wife, Melba, also makes the big stretch and plays herself.