Penny Marshall’s first film in 13 years will be the baseball biopic Effa

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Penny Marshall has made an impact both behind the camera and in front of it. As an actress, she starred on the popular sitcom LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY before segueing to the director’s chair. Her short filmography includes movies like BIG, AWAKENINGS, THE PREACHER’S WIFE, and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. Her last film as director was the 2001 movie RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS. Despite producing and directing some television, Marshall has been a noticed absence from big screens.

That will change next year as Marshall is set to begin production on a biopic about the life and career of Effa Manley. This will return Marshall to the 1940s era of women’s baseball but in a much different league. Manley was manager of the National Negro League’s Newark Eagles and the first female Baseball Hall Of Fame inductee. There have been no casting announcements but it sounds like this may be Marshall’s chance to show Hollywood that she has still got it.

Both Penny and Garry Marshall have turned in some duds but both are talented comedy and drama directors. Penny Marshall deserves this shot and if turns out half as good as A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, we should be in for a fun movie.