MovieChat Forums > 12 Angry Men (1957) Discussion > The baseball joke (Modjelewski)

The baseball joke (Modjelewski)

posted 9 years ago by astat-2
5 replies | jump to latest

Before the juries take their seats, #7 makes a joke to #2 about a baseball player named Modjelewski:

We've got this kid Modjelewski in there. He's a real bull, this kid. You know... Real jug-handled. You know?

And he makes a funny sound, imitating a flying ball. It is supposed to be funny but #2 clearly is not a baseball fan and does not get the joke.
Neither do I. 😶 So, here comes my question. What is so funny in the joke and what reaction was #7 expecting from #2?

[–] First_Epistle_of_John 9 years ago

It wasn't a joke. When #2 didn't respond to #7's remarks about the hot pitcher, #7 makes the comment about #2 not being a fan and walks away.

The whole exchange was just #7's love for baseball contrasted with #2's lack of it. #7 was just lost at what to say when #2 didn't respond.

[–] astat-2 9 years ago

So, how would a real baseball fan respond?
And you say it was not a joke - so why is judge #6 laughing in the background?
Here is the scene BTW:
https://youtu.be/mzjpJ1J-oQo?t=444

[–] manage-932-700755 9 years ago

I think you misunderstood the nature of the joke.

The joke was not in what Warden (Juror #7) says. The joke is in the little milqetoast's (Juror #2) reaction or lack of reaction to the statement about the pitcher. And the expressions on their faces are funny. Juror #2 has no idea what Juror #7 is saying, and Juror #7 finds it hard to believe that Juror #2 is so ignorant of baseball.

[–] astat-2 9 years ago

I think I finally understood  Thank you for explaining the "joke", it was bothering me for years.

[–] manage-932-700755 9 years ago

Thanks you. Glad to be of help. This is my all time favorite movie. Mainly because of the dialogue and interactions between the jurors; as well as their different, and in many cases, funny, personalities.