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:

hockey violence | hockey fight | ice hockey | cult film | hockey movie | 

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Taglines:

you'll see Paul Newman doing things you'd never expect him to do... saying things you'd never expect him to say!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to David Hanson (during a Q&A on his 2008 book tour) much of the Hanson brothers' on screen antics were unscripted and improvised on the set. For example the toys in the hotel room were the Carlson brothers' own.

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Goofs

A major plot point of Slap Shot is that the Chiefs are drawing almost nobody to their games, but the Hansons draw them in with their style of play when they start in games later on. However, during the game when the Hansons are allowed to play for the first time, the arena is full of screaming fans who cheer every move by the Hansons.

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Quotes

Suzanne Hanrahan: [Lying naked in bed] You are the first man I've slept with since I left Hanrahan.
Reggie Dunlop: Aw Suzanne, a beautiful woman like you?
Suzanne Hanrahan: Well, I've been sleeping with women. Are you shocked?
Reggie Dunlop: No.
Suzanne Hanrahan: Did you ever wanna sleep with a man?
Reggie Dunlop: No.
Suzanne Hanrahan: Never?
Reggie Dunlop: No. I don't blame you though Suzanne, I mean, well see, women's bodies are beautiful. But men's bodies, see I see 'em everywhere you know, in the locker rooms, their cocks all over the place and everything...
Suzanne Hanrahan: Do you wanna know how it happened?
Reggie Dunlop: Huh? No, that's OK.
[...]

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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

Featured in Oscar's Greatest Moments (1992)

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Soundtracks

Rhiannon
(uncredited)
Written by Stevie Nicks
Performed by Fleetwood Mac
Reprise Records

User Reviews

Raunchy, Rowdy, Profane, and Sidesplitting!!

This one belongs on the list of the greatest sports comedies ever made. The humor (and the language) is some of the saltiest you'll hear in a movie but it doesn't seem excessive at all. This tale of a minor-league hockey team having one last go at greatness is boisterous and bruisingly funny, even if you don't care for the sport itself. As the aging captain of the team who's constantly amazed at the crazy happenings around him , Newman is at his roguish, charming best. Rent it with "The Longest Yard" for a perfect double-bill. A four-star **** classic.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Slap Shot

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