The Making of Slap Shot: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Hockey Movie - Hardcover

Jackson, Jonathon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470159413 ISBN 13: 9780470159415

Publisher: Wiley, 2010

Synopsis

How a movie about minor league hockey became a box office hit-and an international cult classicEven thirty-odd years after Slap Shot's release, diehard hockey fans can still recite scenes of dialogue by heart, making lines like "putting on the foil" just common argot for the devoted. Yet many may be surprised to learn that the true story behind the making of the film is as captivating as the film itself. In The Making of Slap Shot, veteran sports writer Jonathon Jackson lets fans not only relive just how the film was made, but brings to light surprising facts (i.e., Al Pacino was the first choice for the role of Reggie Dunlop; almost every scene-even the absurd and unbelievable ones-depicts a real life event). With access to those involved in the making of the film, he brings to life some of the magic behind the creation of memorable scenes and characters, especially the Charleston Chiefs, one of the most popular fictional sports teams in history.

About this title

About the Author

JONATHON JACKSON’s journalism career began in his hometown of Owen Sound, Ontario, where he was far too young to see Slap Shot at the Roxy Theatre in the summer of 1977. Jackson worked as a general assignment news and sports reporter at the Owen Sound Sun Times daily newspaper for 16 years, and was part of a three-man team that won a Western Ontario Newspaper Award for spot news coverage of a deadly tainted water crisis in 2000. An article he wrote about Owen Sound hockey legend Pat McReavy was cited as an honorable mention in The Best American Sports Writing 2009. Jackson’s byline has appeared in many newspapers across Canada, including the National Post, the Montreal Gazette, the Ottawa Citizen, the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal and the Hamilton Spectator. He is also a freelance writer who has written about a variety of topics, including news, sports, entertainment and history, for Maclean’s magazine, The Hockey News, OHA Blueline, and several other publications. He lives in Owen Sound with his family.

From the Back Cover

The best hockey movie of all time

The Making of Slap Shot reveals the improbable, hilarious, behind-the-scenes story about the crazy and wildly popular film Slap Shot—a story too real and too good not to be true. Personal interviews with cast members, production staff and others offer a rare inside view of the making of Slap Shot, including little-known facts, anecdotes from the set, and, best of all, a chance to get inside the locker room with the Charlestown Chiefs, one of the best known and most popular fictional sports teams in history.

Praise for Slap Shot

#5 on Sports Illustrated’s list of the Top 50 Greatest Sports Movies

#1 on Maxim’s list of the 100 Greatest Guy Movies Ever Made

“…hockey people adored [Paul Newman] for his performance in Slap Shot. That movie was such a boon to hockey, just as he made pool more glamorous, playing Fast Eddie Felsen in The Hustler and then in The Color of Money. If Paul Newman was connected, it must be good.”—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated

“…a great working-class story. A wonderful risky performance from Paul Newman…just a terrific film.”—Gene Siskel, film critic

“It’s literally my favorite sports movie.”—Barbara Morgan, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Austin Film Festival

“...the best sports film of the past 50 years.”—Dan Jenkins, GQ

“When I coached juniors, that movie was playing on the bus every year.”—Mike Babcock, Stanley Cup-winning coach of the Detroit Red Wings

“George Roy Hill’s direction and Nancy Dowd’s script provide lusty entertainment, combining human touches with ample mayhem on the ice.”—Bob Thomas, Associated Press

“Violent, bloody and thoroughly revolting.”—Rex Reed, film critic

From the Inside Flap

How a movie about minor league hockey became a box office hit—and an international cult classic

Even thirty-odd years after Slap Shot’s release, diehard hockey fans can still recite scenes of dialogue by heart, making lines like “putting on the foil” vernacular for the devoted. Yet many may be surprised to learn that the true story behind the making of the film is as quirky as the film itself.

In The Making of Slap Shot, veteran sports writer Jonathon Jackson lets fans relive how the film was made, and brings to light surprising facts; for instance, Al Pacino was a willing first choice for the role of Reggie Dunlop; and almost every scene—even the absurd and unbelievable ones—depicts a real-life event. Based on interviews with more than 50 cast members, production staff, and anyone of note involved in the film’s creation, The Making of Slap Shot brings to life the magic behind the creation of memorable scenes and characters, especially the beloved Hanson brothers and player-coach Reggie Dunlop.

Destined to be a collectible (along with the jerseys, bobbleheads, and other paraphernalia associated with the film), The Making of Slap Shot is a must-read for fans eager to learn even more about their favorite film.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0470159413
• ISBN 13: 9780470159415
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288