Slap Shot (1977)

A failing ice hockey team finds success with outrageously violent hockey goonery.

Director:

George Roy Hill

Writer:

Nancy Dowd

Stars:

Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, Strother Martin

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Newman	...	Reggie
Strother Martin	...	McGrath
Michael Ontkean	...	Ned Braden
Jennifer Warren	...	Francine
Lindsay Crouse	...	Lily
Jerry Houser	...	Killer Carlson
Andrew Duncan	...	Jim Carr
Jeff Carlson	...	Jeff Hanson
Steve Carlson	...	Steve Hanson
David Hanson	...	Jack Hanson
Yvon Barrette	...	Denis
Allan F. Nicholls	...	Upton (as Allan Nicholls)
Brad Sullivan	...	Wanchuk
Stephen Mendillo	...	Jim Ahern
Yvan Ponton	...	Drouin

Storyline

Located in the US Rust Belt, Charlestown is home of the hapless Chiefs, a losing Federal League hockey team whose games are poorly attended. To make money, the team's unknown owner makes its manager, Joe McGrath, do cheesy publicity much to the players' chagrin. Rumors abound among the players that if the local mill closes, the team will fold. Just before the official announcement is made, the team's aging player/coach, Reggie Dunlop, does get wind that the mill is indeed closing and that this season will be the team's last. Beyond efforts to reconcile with his wife Francine, who loves Reggie but doesn't love his career, Reggie begins to focus on how to renew interest in the team for a possible sale as he knows if the team folds, his hockey career is over. Without telling anyone of his plan, he begins a rumor that the owner is negotiating a sale with a city in Florida. He also decides that "goon" hockey - most especially using the untapped talents of the recently acquired childlike ...

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Plot Keywords:

ice hockey | cult film | hockey violence | hockey fight | nerds | 

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Taglines:

If this movie doesn't make you laugh, you better look up a psychiatric!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PA

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the first bus trip with the Hanson brothers Reggie Dunlop reads the March 19, 1976 edition of The Hockey News.

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Goofs

In one of the game scenes, a shot shows one of the Hanson's passing the puck (ultimately assisting on a goal), yet Dunlop had not yet allowed any of the three Hansons to play.

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Quotes

[Reggie is trying to get his pre-game nap]
McGrath: Are you nuts? A bounty? We could all end up in the clinker for this. You can't put a bounty on a man's head.
Reggie Dunlop: Bullshit. I just did.
[Hangs up, Phone rings again]
Dave 'Killer' Carlson: Coach, I want that hundred dollars.
Reggie Dunlop: Ya gotta earn it, Killer.
Dave 'Killer' Carlson: My attitude's right.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to John Mitchell and his Johnstown Jets.

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Alternate Versions

The VHS and laserdisc version replaced Maxine Nightingale's recording of "Right Back Where We Started From" on the soundtrack. The DVD and TV versions retain the song.

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Connections

Referenced in The Goldbergs: The Other Smother (2014)

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Soundtracks

Say You Love Me
Performed by Fleetwood Mac
Reprise Records
Written by Christine McVie (uncredited)

User Reviews

Pure Comedy from start to finish

C'mon, this is pure comedy. No breaks, no lull parts just funny all the way through with the appropriate cheesy 70's soundtrack. This movie not being in AFI's top 100 comedy films is a travesty. If they want a period piece this was it. They sighted Fast Times, it just stands to reason that Slap Shot should fall into the listing. The Hanson's deserve special consideration. The casting is perfect

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lancer frappé

Filming Locations:

Main & Bridge Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$28,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kings Road Entertainment, Pan Arts, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1