November 25, 2021
'Hoosiers'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo are way past big speech time after rewatching the 1986 classic 'Hoosiers,' starring Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and Barbara Hershey.
Notes
- $6 million budget, made $28.6 million at the box office.
- Hackman hated making the movie. Director David Anspaugh said 'Gene had me on the verge of a nervous breakdown.' Hackman's agent tried to get the director fired.
- Hackman told writer Angelo Pizzo on the last day of filming that the movie would end up 'in the dustbin of films.'
- Jack Nicholson was originally going to play Coach Dale but was sidelined by a lawsuit. Later told the director: 'The movie was great. But if I had been the star, it would have been a mega hit.'
- Harry Dean Stanton turned down the role of Shooter (which went to Dennis Hopper) and later expressed regret.
- Hopper, who had just gotten sober, convinced them to change the script so Shooter wouldn't attend the state championship game – the character would be trying to get his life together instead. They put him in the hospital.
- Hopper's trick for appearing drunk: spin in circles for 10 seconds before 'action' to get disoriented (learned from James Dean in Giant, 1956).
- The NCAA suspended 5 of the actors who were college basketball players for being paid to appear.
- Jimmy Chitwood actor (Maris Valainis) was the only one who didn't play college ball. Became a golf pro in California. The famous shooting scene was reportedly the first take.
- Based on the 1954 Milan High team; real final score was 32-30. Bobby Plump was the real-life Jimmy Chitwood.
- Final game filmed at Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Hopper received an Oscar nomination. Jerry Goldsmith nominated for his score. Neither won.
- Kent Poole, who played Merle, killed himself in 2003.
- 19 minutes of deleted scenes were cut to keep the movie under 2 hours.
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“It's a movie that is all heart. It reminded me of another wonderful Indiana sports movie, Breaking Away.”
Most re-watchable scene
- Bill: the Ollie/Linton game scene – Ollie at the free throw line.
- Russillo: Hackman recruiting Hopper to be on the staff.
- Also discussed: Norm Dale kicking George out of practice, Coach visits Jimmy / 'I don't care if you play or not' shooting scene, town meeting / Jimmy joins the team montage, the picket fence / Hopper coaching scene, pregame 'I love you guys' speech, measuring the basket at the big gym, last few minutes of the championship game.
What aged the best?
- Dennis Hopper's performance.
- Hackman as most believable basketball coach in a movie.
- Jimmy Chitwood as a sports movie trope (the savior player).
- The basketball authenticity – all actors played college ball.
- Rade Butcher's game.
- The music (Jerry Goldsmith score).
What aged the worst?
- Barbara Hershey as Myra Fleener – the 'Adrien Balboa Hall of Fame' token negative female character in sports movies.
- Any kissing scene between Hackman and Hershey.
- Spike Lee's criticism that the movie has racist undertones (white underdogs beating bigger/more talented Black players, echoing 'Rocky' vs. Apollo Creed).
- Coach Dale's actual coaching decisions (questionable throughout).
Casting what-ifs
- Jack Nicholson was originally cast as Coach Dale – sidelined by a lawsuit.
- Harry Dean Stanton turned down Shooter (Dennis Hopper's role).
Best "that guy"
- Winner: Robert Swan as Rolland Butcher (the dad who becomes assistant coach).
- Chelcie Ross (George) discussed but deemed too prominent.
Over-acting award
Dennis Hopper – fully supported.
Re-casting couch
Wouldn't touch the cast. Could discuss Barbara Hershey alternatives.
Half-assed (internet) research
- Hopper's sobriety influencing the script – convinced them to put Shooter in the hospital instead of at the game.
- Hopper's spinning trick for appearing drunk (learned from James Dean in Giant).
- Maris Valainis became a golf pro; the shooting scene was the first take.
- NCAA suspended 5 actors who were college basketball players.
- Hackman's on-set quote to Hopper about the film being destined for the dustbin.
- Kent Poole's death in 2003.
- Bobby Plump as the real Jimmy Chitwood. Hinkle Fieldhouse as the filming location.
Apex Mountain
- Gene Hackman – no. Dennis Hopper – no.
- All the basketball guys in the movie – yes.
- Sports movies as a genre – close/maybe (apex after 12 years of bangers 1974-1986).
- Indiana – yes.
Picking nits
- South Bend coach running a play when up 4 with no shot clock.
- Coach Dale not diagramming the final play for Jimmy.
- Jimmy Chitwood's unexplained hiatus from basketball.
- Buddy disappearing for 15 minutes and reappearing with no explanation.
- Shooter's scouting knowledge despite being a drunk.
Sequel, prequel, prestige TV or untouchable?
Yes – a 10-episode Netflix series. Both were bullish. Would need to keep it in the 1950s time period.
(Probably) unanswerable questions
- What did Jimmy Chitwood's next 15 years look like? (Russillo: early pregnancy, insurance office. Bill: goes to University of Indiana, drops out in 4 weeks.)
- What are Norman Dale's next 10 years?
- Did 'Hoosiers' invent the slow clap? (No – Brubaker, 1980.)
- Has the 'Hoosiers' slow clap been on more NBA jumbotrons than any other movie clip?
What memorabilia would you want (or not want!) from the movie?
- Bill: the framed 1952 state champs team picture.
- Russillo: Chitwood's jersey.
Who won the movie?
Gene Hackman – both agree.