Del Ruth next directed "The Babe Ruth Story" (1948), with Babe Ruth played by William Bendix. Bending historical truths lest he offend, Del Ruth's biopic was rushed through production amidst news of the ailing Ruth's declining health. Del Ruth remained unsatisfied with the results, and the film received largely negative reviews from critics. He directed George Raft again in the "noir" crime drama "Red Light" (1949), Milton Berle and Virginia Mayo in the comedy "Always Leave Them Laughing" (1949), and James Cagney in the vibrant "The West Point Story" (1950). Two Doris Day musicals, "On Moonlight Bay" and "Starlift" (both 1951), "Stop, You're Killing Me" (1952) and the military musical "About Face" (1953) followed.