Feature Film Biopic of Everton and England Soccer Star ‘Dixie’ Dean Underway

I've had a vision of a story about Dixie Dean in my mind ever since seeing the excellent Cinderella Man, a film about 1920s American Depression era boxer James J Braddock, starring Russell Crowe, ever since I saw it on the cinema. I thought that was a brilliant film, so well made and a real "triumph over adversity" story.

I don't know all the personal side of the stuff for the Dixie Story, such as the mental health issues suggested in the article, but the great man overcame so much. I memorised so much of the story as a kid, which was during our period of glory, as it all just seemed so far-fetched. This legendary footballer who almost died, is told he will never walk again, then comes back to score 60. Then Everton get relegated (can you imagine Man City going down within 2 years of winning the league?) then win the second tier, and then win the league again, in a never-to-be-repeated sequence.

I love the story of him in hospital, bedridden, never going to play again, but the doctor doing his rounds and when querying where Dixie is, being told he's out collecting apples for the other patients, then when he looks out of the window, he's actually swinging from the branches to get the best ones! "If you can do that, then you should be reporting back for training!" the doctor said, or something similar.

And of course, his death. Dying at Goodison, during or just after a Derby. There is so much to the story that is just so far-fetched you wouldn't believe it if it wasn't true.

I hope the filmmakers can do Dixie justice.

I actually have the framed picture of him running out at Goodison – the only Everton memorabilia hanging up here in my house in Scotland.

Harry Kane would not hold a candle against him for goal scoring.

Could and should raise the club's profile immensely.

Even in today's football, I bet Dixie would be leading the goal scoring charts.

They've picked a fast-rising actor to play Dixie – the guy was in Fantastic Four and the Ben-Hur remake. Hope he can play a bit of footy.

I'll be first in line to see this.

Please God, don't let the Dixie movie be anything like the disgraceful ones made about the Babe over here.

So, since everyone here came along after Dixie's time, let me ask.

When you were a kid, what were the Dixie stories you heard from the adults?

And,

Many of you must have saw him around Goodison after he played. Your memories of that, too.

Love hearing that stuff.

"Well, if you know yer history..."

On a trip to the UK, the Bambino took in a match at Goodison, just to see this 'Dixie' fellah everyone was going on about. After the game he and Dixie met. The meeting was said to be very friendly, with expressions of mutual admiration all round.

ps: There were bits of the Babe Ruth biopic with John Goodman I enjoyed, though not as much as 'The Natural', based on the excellent Bernard Malamud novel, with music by Randy Newman.