SLAP SHOT (1977): WHY THE HANSONS MEAN SO MUCH TO FANS

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Now with enhanced closed captioning (cc).
Warning: Spoilers
Since first viewing George Roy Hill’s Slap Shot (1977), I have been fascinated by the average fan’s relationship to the Hanson brothers. Despite people’s adoration of the three young players, I nevertheless thought that the characters were vastly underestimated. That is, they really do come close to stealing the entire show (though theft is not in their repertoire and one doesn’t ‘steal’ a movie from Mr. Newman, one of the most compelling actors of his or any other generation). It would be more accurate to say that the film wouldn’t work nearly so well without the Hansons. They add an unexpected layer of credibility and watchability to the film.
To my way of thinking, the brothers gin up the level of verisimilitude, give it an injection of grit that would surely be present on most minor league teams, elevating the film to cult status. The actors who play Jack, Jeff and Steve are gregarious, charismatic real life players whose natural love for their sport shows up on screen in their performances. They make their characters compelling and totally believable.
Three others who understood how much the Hansons would add to the film include:
1) Paul Newman, who was widely known to be both generous, professional and mature on set (never threatened by other actors), 2) George Roy Hill, who always knew what viewers would find compelling, and 3) Nancy Dowd, whose timeless, hilarious and insightful script gave life to these three immortal characters.
There is something else as well: in today’s era of extreme ‘wokeness’, Slap Shot feels more daring and naughty and boundary-breaking than it might otherwise. It is something we rarely see anymore: a comedy for adults, which tells an interesting story, without too much fanfare…and somehow the film only gets better with age. It decidedly does not attempt to reinvent the wheel. The film succeeds because of strong, memorable acting, a visionary director and a solid script, created by a gifted screenwriter.
Here, in this video, I will discuss how much the Hanson brothers enhance the ‘hockey IQ’ of this film, why their characters continue to fascinate and entertain fans, and also how (the actual techniques) which Nancy Dowd employs in her script to so endear the three brothers to viewers.
0:00 Pre-Intro
0:09 Introduction
1:24 Nancy Dowd's Technique
2:28 Arrival
4:44 Team Hanson
5:50 Wish Fulfillment
9:32 Hansons in their own words and the words of others
13:55 The Slot Car Scene
17:53 The Team First Mindset
24:27 Devil-May-Care Attitude
25:53 Their Basic Characters
27:16 Getting Into the Game
27:49 "They're not just bullies?"
30:16 Outro
30:35 End Screen
#SlapShot #hockey #ReggieDunlop #PaulNewman #Hansonbrothers #GeorgeRoyHill #hockeyfights #Hansons

[@sowhatsyourstories]

“Fu*kin machine took my quarter” is iconic. I have a tee shirt with that on it. When someone recognizes the line I know I have a friend for life.

[@vincentperiolat4610]

Indeed!

[@jonathanmol4489]

Classic.

[@scottallan6770]

or “Fu*kin embarrassing." 😂🤣😂

[@kathleenrossi4840]

Almost every line in this movie is hysterical!

[@gregputz1735]

“And none of that stinkin’ Rootbeer! ” saw this movie at the drive-in , back in the day. Great Movie!!!!

[@jimcampbell8061]

They had some of the best lines ever. " I'm listening to the f__kin' song" is my favorite.

[@notathaiguy]

When interviewed on Jonny Carson show, Paul Newman said Slap Shot was his favourite movie he had done

[@doork01]

It was! He wasn’t a “celebrity” while in Johnstown. From what I was told, he mentions the Aces so much because that was one of his hangouts while in town.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Wow! My grandmother was one of the many extras who sat in the crowd at the arena in Johnstown. Paul Newman was such a timeless human being.

[@chrismair8161]

I have "Dropped" the Gloves a few times. Adult Safe Hockey League is not so much. On a Sunday night ?Clown said he was going to kill me in the corner. This is Amateur league. How many times I buried him in the corner? In an Event that lasts an hour? A lot.

[@olafthebent8820]

My father played junior hockey in the 1950's. When he saw Slapshot he said "That's not entirely fiction you know"

[@bearb664]

Agreed. Because the film makers took real life situations and distilled into a movie. THAT is great film making.

[@mckessa17]

The Philadelphia Flyers in the 70s were animals.

[@dieterhoch8273]

Your father knows. I played with and against the Hanson(Carlson) brothers at the Golden Valley Ice Center in Minneapolis in the 70’s. Boards were six feet high on three sides, with no give. You can guess the rest.

[@jasoncharles8651]

​@dieterhoch8273 Just reading this, I got the same feeling I had when I was there as my father brought us boys, my brother and I, because he knew it was going away to a game that was so incredible, I thought it was like all star wrestling. It was so great that is all we wanted but sadly that was the end. Farewell

[@captainscarlett1]

The Hansons are a team within a team, a strike force, an A Team, a force multiplier. Brothers and brothers in arms. Individually and collectively they're awesome.

[@deadalready7467]

Great way of putting it. Many Blessings 🙏🇺🇸

[@CarlCrisp]

The Hansons are the best teammates you could have.

[@penelopegreene]

Especially if the other side thought they were gonna mess with you... 😆

[@zekelucente9702]

“What we have here is a failure to communicate”. RIP Paul Newman and Strother Martin.

[@andywood5699]

'Iron League eh? -Lots of fights'? -'Nah'... I loved this exchange because the Hanson's didn't think the fight's they had been in were noteworthy.

[@Orangefan77]

"I'M LISTENING TO THE F***ING SONG!" - Jeff Hanson, 1977 ...or maybe it's Dave. I'll have to check that later

[@StuJo2]

That was Steve.

[@viperswhip]

I have used that line a few times in my life haha Nobody I used it on knew where it was from though lol

[@thesquishywafflesanddoopvi1277]

That line makes me laugh every fucking time. Delivered perfectly. 😂

[@rossbabcock3790]

Best line in the movie!

[@karlfonner7589]

I remember watching this when I was 14 years old. I loved it. Then, in high school, I watched the movie, the deadliest season. It’s very interesting.

[@jossuasanterre8783]

Dave's a Killer - might be the best line in movie history.

[@tonykasunic1]

"Dave's a mess!"😂

[@vincentperiolat4610]

It's a matter of opinion. The brothers say he's a killer, well, I believe it's safest to also believe he's a killer.

[@alanosterman7130]

My fave is, We can call the pizza man.

[@luisrodrigues8702]

I still say "Dave's a killer" today.

[@skanderbeg1751]

No you brought 2 too many is

[@ZekenStreak]

What’s overlooked or skimmed over is they can play the game. Skate, shoot, check, score & fight. Great review of a classic movie & three memorable characters.

[@hueydevotedUH1]

I was never a hockey player....not even really a hockey fan, but this movie and in particular those 3 characters made this one of my favorite movies. I never saw them so much as thugs but just three young guys who were excited to play the game and be a part of a team. They did what the team needed and asked of them. Simple and uncomplicated. Team mates I would surely want on my side.

[@adammckenzie6074]

This was and still is the most relatable hockey movie ever made. All life time players recognize this movies greatness

[@adammckenzie6074]

Most movies about hockey do a horrible job at replicating game play. These guys look like 70s hockey players out there they are good on their skates . No other movie has done it this good since on and off the ice

[@henrylicious]

​IIRC They were actual minor league players.

[@adammckenzie6074]

@@henrylicious that and philly broad street bullies they pulled some ideas from for sure

[@Steve-nu1md]

110 percenters....those are the men I want around me me when the sh t hits the fan

[@paulh2423]

I always loved this movie BECAUSE of the Hanson brothers. I even sat down and thought "why?" I would think "because they are underdogs" but realized ...they arent. This video from beginning to end really sums it up. Not going to lie the analysis about their door being open really struck a chord. Amazing video

[@justinsavoie4872]

Slap shot and mighty ducks are the go to hockey movies lol the ducks has the bash Brothers

[@solitaryman777]

They are that indomitable force that enables the 'good guys' to succeed against the odds. The video mentions "wish fulfillment", and that's exactly what they embody: as a vessel for the 'little guy' to deliver them to the 'promised land'. Horn-rimmed Mighty Samsons

[@feschum]

The "Hansons" (Carlsons) are from Virginia, MN on the Mesabi Iron Range. This is a mining town, and much of their character (separate from the script) comes from the rough and tumble heritage of mining towns. Go into the new civic center in Virginia (which has two hockey rinks) and their photos are right at the entrance. The neighboring town of Eveleth has the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Hockey is a part of life in the frozen north.

[@adammckenzie6074]

Just like western canada

[@alanosterman7130]

There's something about that cold climate, that binds the people there together. Brotherhood, man against the elements.

[@kentkearney6623]

❤Beauty Eh❤

[@alanosterman7130]

PS, When they're not on the rink that is.

[@brandonletzko2472]

Go Blue Devils. (Formerly, anyway)

[@TM-bn8pv]

I grew up playing in the Johnstown War Memorial (Charlestown is Johnstown and Slap Shot was shot in Johnstown/War Memorial arena...loosely based on the Johnstown teams of that time period) for the Chiefs pee-wee on up until I moved to the Amateur Penguins organization. The arena was the same as shown in the movie when I played late 80s-mid 2005s . A few years ago Johnstown won the first Kraft Hockeyville and got $150k for renovations (new seats, not the ones in the movie anymore which were old wooden seats + new scoreboard)....They also got 1 NHL preseason game of Pens vs Lightning, so the NHL did some little renovations to the bench (before, they were tiny). I had ECHL Johnstown Chiefs season tix late 90s, early 2000s and our fans were always taunting players, especially the goalies...but the team was a loser and every year threatened to leave which they did in 2011 to Greensboro NC. We now have an NAHL team. Steve Carlson (Jeff Hanson I believe) lives in town and does a lot of events as well as the other 2 brothers. Great guys! It's worth a trip for hockey history.

[@doork01]

I love that they didn’t change the overall look to the arena itself. The concourse still looks the same as it did in the movie. There’s a lounge on the concourse over by section 6 that’s dedicated to Slap Shot and has a lot of memorabilia in it. The press box is painted like a Camtran bus, and it’s a little rickety (or at least it feels that way during concerts…it seems to absorb every bass hit) but it’s the best seat in the house lol. Steve still lives in Johnstown. Him and his wife are absolute sweethearts. They both show up to concerts sometimes (IIRC they sometimes give Chiefs jerseys to acts that come to town). Iirc, Dave lives down in Pittsburgh. I think I remember seeing that he either is or was involved with Robert Morris University’s hockey program. I haven’t seen Jeff around in years though, I don’t know if he’s still in Johnstown or not.

[@kevinlogozzo3952]

Steve Carlson played the role of Steve Hanson. He got cancer a couple of years ago and has beaten it but he didn’t have enough games in the NHL to get a pension. He sells Slap Shot items with autographs to pay for the hospital bills. Also has a gofundme page. After beating cancer, he took a header off his bicycle when hit by a car. He seems to be recovering but he had serious facial injuries. Hopefully he can get back on track and promote The Hanson Brothers again.😊

[@alanosterman7130]

​@@kevinlogozzo3952Wish Steve the best. Fans'll be enjoying this movie a hundred years from now.

[@Winterstick549]

Players with glasses kick asses!

[@mito88]

did you forget the helmets or lack thereof? :]

[@burtonfisher6244]

This is the most positive, accurate analysis of these characters I have ever heard. Thank you for this. And plz continue with your wonderfully embracing diatribe

[@123wertyk]

Nancy Dowd didn't create the Hanson brothers, they were a genuine unit and pretty much improvised a lot of the scenes they were in. (due to being unable to memorize the actual lines and being rather bad at acting. Director told them to act like they normally would - and it actually worked out quite nicely). The Carlson brothers were well-known among minor league hockey fans even prior to their debut in the movie. They weren't used to fighting in actuality, and barely pushed each other while playing highschool hockey (Virginia Blue Devils, their hometown team, their dad played for it as well). When Carlsons arrived to the "pro world", they got beaten up hard. Like gruesomely hard. That's when they had to adapt to the playstyle to progress in the league. Jack and Jeff were renown fighters, while Steve kept scoring for the team. He wasn't the biggest fan of dishing out punches, and wanted to play the "real hockey", more of a European style one. Filming Slapshot was nothing more than a side gig for the brothers and they didn't think much of it initially. However, later on, the infamy that the movie brought to them, kind of shaped their careers. Not in the positive way. The movie wasn't an instant hit with the hockey crowd, most were utterly repulsed by it. And by Carlsons in association. Wherever they went there were people calling them out for "disgracing" hockey. Coaches benched Steve and Jeff a lot because they thought they were lackluster players and inherently violent. Steve had hard time coming to terms with his sudden rise to fame and was embarrassed by it, trying to omit being associated with the movie. Jeff got verbal abuse for just appearing on ice. In one interview he states that he is upset that people view him only as an enforcer, skimming over his other abilities. Violence really was a means to an end for them, as they were just tying to do all they could to stay afloat and earn money. And boy, they didn't earn a lot back then. The joke about rootbeer isn't random. Dave makes such a remark because most of the food they could afford at the time was - bacon and rootbeer. And they have grown sick of it, having to eat the same thing over and over again.

[@THESANDMAN9]

They all fought on the same line and won the NAHL Championship 3 years in a row. BEAUCE was put together to beat them and beat the up . We Did.

[@ontherez7860]

The Hanson brothers are the reason I started playing hockey. Long after my career ended ( minor and Europe no nhl) I got to meet all three in person in Prescott Arizona at a sundogs (chl) game

[@obsessedwithcinema]

I am glad to know that this video stimulated a pleasant memory for you. Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience.

[@THESANDMAN9]

I met them in person, ON the ice. They had 3 tough guys we had 7, guess who won ?

[@Winterstick549]

I miss the Sundogs. They won some league championships.

[@bodabing3]

Sundog games were the best and always played to sold out crowds in prescott Valley. Other teams loved to play in prescott Valley against them because they liked playing in front of large crowds. And yes, the Hanson Brothers (three dedicated sundog/Hanson brothers fans) always had season tickets on the glass lined up on the side even with the goal. Used to party with players on famous whiskey row in downtown Prescott az. Rip az Sundogs, thanks for thee great memories.🎉🎉❤

[@stevedugas8988]

Just came across this surfing You Tube and it really struck a chord. My wife and I lived in Johnstown, PA when the movie was being shot there. It was a lot of fun for many of the residents to actually be in the movie, of course only as extras. It was not much later that Johnstown would be devastated (again) by a catastrophic flood and since then, it has gone ever more downhill. Kind of a national metaphor, really.

[@williamosgood3565]

The roller derby movie Whip It pays tribute to the Hanson brothers with the Manson sisters. Their introduction was a shot of the gals beating up a snack machine.

[@JayAr709]

Kansas City Bomber

[@DavidHerbert-pq6ze]

I could not agree more with this video. The Hanson's are the sole reason why I keep watching Slapshot over and over. Priceless video review and an excellent analysis.

[@wolfhound45]

Best breakdown of the Hansons I have ever seen. Well done.

[@dasnutnock6408]

Hanson brothers are exactly what you want from team mates. Brave, team-focussed, enthusiastic, supportive, positive and absolutely driven by a will to play and win.

[@dasnutnock6408]

Not to mention, they have a DOPE slotcar setup 👍

[@AntonXul]

Slapshot is one of 3 of my all time favorite movies. The Warriors, Goodfellas & Slapshot at any given moment are my favorite movies ever. I can watch these over and over and never tire of it. All 3 have great dialogue and scenes that I love to quote randomly when the situation presents itself. Great video!

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Thanks for your kind note. Scorsese's Goodfellas is also a favourite of mine. (R.I.P. Mr. Liotta and Mr. Sorvino.) In case it may be of interest, I made a couple of videos about Scorsese's Taxi Driver. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnyUZKR5lJmFbbc kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6GmfKd8d9-mipY

[@simoncampbell3144]

I'm adding Major League to that list

[@chonqmonk]

Apocalypse Now, High Plains Drifter, & Slapshot!

[@jmichael34]

Agree! For me this is the definition of a "Classic Film" -- a film you can watch over and over again and never tire watching it!

[@t.j.payeur5331]

Swap American Graffiti for Goodfellas and I'm there..but then there's Clockwork Orange and Apocalypse Now...and Outlaw Josey Wales...

[@anotherpeasant]

Man I just noticed how many times they reused that coke machine lol. Another great video, RIP Nordiques

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Yes, they are missed. The rivalry with the Habs really energized things, especially during the playoffs.

[@turkeytrac1]

Great post about a great movie. My favourite is when Steve tells the ref "I'm listening to the f**king song!". Epic!

[@tcaprecap1448]

Slapshot was one of the first R-rated movies I saw as a kid because I played hockey from age 7 onwards, and my dad thought it was a good inspirational movie for a 10 year old hockey player...and he was right! Great video! Your video on The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly was also great, and got me to subscribe. Keep up the excellent work!

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Thanks for your kind words. And thank you for the sub.

[@brianglade848]

Mine was The World According to Garp.....great bi scene. Who knew as an adult, my wife did that bj scene to our daughters boyfriend few months ago, hot hot

[@1joshjosh1]

Even with the nudity. 😮

[@johnryan1069]

Beautiful. I could use this vid to teach juniors and seniors how to write at the college level.

[@jmichael34]

I thought the same thing. When I taught college I could have used this video as an example of effective writing.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

One of the best sports movies of all time . Anyone that played hockey in and around that time can confirm it’s scary accurate and like a compilation of all the stories and all the things that happened .

[@JSargeK]

Honestly just makes me think two things 1. Some of my favorite hockey lines of all time 2. Some iconic enforcers And both of those things make me smile That is on top of the fact that this is an amazing video already.

[@patrickwhitfield5079]

I've watched Slap Shot a million times. I'll watch with a new level of understanding. Good video.

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Thank you for your kind note. I'm pleased that you enjoyed the video.

[@StuJo2]

The Slap Shot series has been amazing. Thanks for all of the work you have put into this!

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Thank you for your kindness. Editing is never easy and takes forever.

[@pablosanchez3489]

@@obsessedwithcinema it doesn't go unnoticed my friend. You've gone above and beyond with your editing and analysis of this amazing movie. Thank you!

[@larrysorenson4789]

I cannot believe that I just spent 1/4 of the time of the movie watching what used to be called “literary criticism”. This video hits all the buttons. It is insightful beyond the screen play and the movie. I enjoyed it a lot. I sort of wish that this could have followed the movie in theaters. It takes a feel good flick to art in a very special way. Thank you so much.

[@RichGilpin]

Once again, your series on Slapshot is great! Yes, the Hanson brothers were the type of teammates that you wanted on your team. Selfless with their enthusiasm to wait to take part and relentless with their drive on the ice, and humble and respectful (usually to people) off the ice. As an athlete in other sports I saw individuals like this, but never a set of brothers (I know there were I few I observed, but can't recall their names - do I recall the Van Arsdales in basketball who also went on to coach?). I have a good older friend who coached hockey when his sons played and I had to call him to tell him to watch this movie again (I know he has seen it) and look for your series. When watching these it always brings back the memories of close to sixty years ago when the Portland Buckaroos (of the WHL) packed the new 10,000 seat Veterans Memorial Coliseum, before the NBA arrived. One of the winningest teams in all of professional hockey, from 1960 -1974. The names of Art Jones, Connie Madigan, Bill Saunders, Jim McLeod, Jack Bionda, Don Head, and Gordie Fashoway, are ingrained in my mind even though I was not a hockey fan - I was busy following Elgin Baylor at Seattle University and his meteoric rise to NBA fame. Still the Buckaroos were THE name in town for many years. Keep up the good work, you will attract more followers!

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

As a born and raised Philly guy and someone who played hockey through college the Hanson's are the best characters in any movie ever. My pop had Flyers season tickets from 71 till 93 and I got to go to literally every game. Best thing I ever saw was game 5 of ECF in 89 when Hextall trashed Chelios. I'll never forget that. The Spectrum was going ballistic

[@hopealwaysfoundation]

Why we love the Hansons? 3 Things We all love soda, the National Anthem and Old Time Hockey. Who doesn't want teammates like that?

[@mito88]

eyeglasses and no helmets!

[@JohnDoe-yr4wc]

I know nothing about ice hockey, but this is one of my fave movies! Great channel btw.

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Thank you for your kind note.

[@melissae1116]

I have seen this movie many times and it's wonderful. I've always thought of it as a character study of Reggie Dunlop. As funny as this film is, there is a serious thread running thru it. The ending always makes me sad.

[@brucejoslin1040]

Excellent clip!!! The Hanson brothers would perform at hockey games when I was in my 20s. Hilarious stuff!!!

[@100hooker]

Got them to sign my Jersey at a Kings game at the Forum. I asked them if they were going to take the ice. Steve said don’t go for a piss after the first period. I asked him if I could by him a soda after they skated. Sure, just none of that stinkin’ root beer!

[@frankjames4743]

'Dave's a killer' 'Dave's a mess' 'Old time hockey'

[@allansbullet]

I played amateur hockey for 33 seasons from the time I was 5. I must have been reasonable, getting a scholarship to university, but then deciding to follow the profession I worked scholastically for 4 hard years to attain, rather than pursue anything with hockey. I wasn't THAT good. But I continued playing until I was 37 - and got my tibia and ankle broken in a game. This video is a great analysis of the Hansons contribution to Slap Shot, very thought-provoking! I would have loved them as teamates. Favorite line?? "Listen to the fuckin' song!!" Would have LOVED to say that to some referees over the years!!

[@orangemanok5800]

Your insights here are spot-on, and I doubt that anyone has ever given the boys as thoughtful a retrospective as you have.

[@nathanashby4918]

Awesome channel, with this sort of quality you're likely to get picked up by the algorithm sooner or later. All the best!

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Most kind of you. Thanks.

[@kevinducharme1263]

I remember when this movie came out, I loved every thing about it (except for that strip scene by Ontkean). I immediately identified with the Hanson brothers for many of the reasons quoted in this vid (just never realized why, at the time).

[@brianburton1843]

Thank you for this video. Slap Shot is a very under appreciated film. Some people only speak of it as won of the most vulgar films produced at the time. But it is much more than that. Once at previous job we were having a discussion about best sports movies by sport. I said for hockey it is Slap Shot. Most of the other guys had never heard or seen of the movie and said Young Bloods. I said watch Slap Shot before you put any movie ahead of it.

[@brucejoslin1040]

Used to watch the Johnstown Chiefs play in the East Coast Hockey League when they’d play my home team.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

I'm glad you mentioned one of my favorite lines, and scene, although I'll admit my Sister and I, (huge Montreal fans), have changed the onus a bit. Although I totally agree with the video's creator, I just lose it, (Laughing until it hurts) whenever I here Reggie talking calmly and the Hanson's, turning each line into a cattle call. The line, "we've got a lot of loses," has become our favorite, "pick me up" when our team is playing poorly, i.e.......... THE LAST 5 PLUS YEARS, minus the gift from God, playoff run, a few years back. It's something I'm going to put on a shirt, one of these days, and then sell at the flea market ;) A guaranteed badge of "honor", akin to fans wearing paper bags on their heads, when they go to see their crappy team play. Although, I feel the bag, along with throwing your team's jersey on the ice, to be disrespectful but wearing a shirt like "mine" is like being a part of the real tough times, before your team eventually puts it togetherl........eventually:) Cheers to all tha fans, of any sport, who stick it out through the crappy times. Sure, when things turnaround, there will be bandwagon jumpers but we know who has truly, stayed Loyal. Winning is so much sweeter when you have to suffer so much to get there!!

[@Pariah_Larry]

This is such a good, descriptive deep dive. Very underrated channel! Happy I found your content:)

[@Dontleavemedimi]

Your breakdown is superb and enlightening. Thanks for the effort.

[@Scottocaster6668]

And thats why these older movies are iconic and deeply loved. It just doesnt happen like this these days. Great movie, the Hansons are why fans gravitate to Slap Shot.

[@joeyboedeker2047]

"Puttin' on the foil!"😂😂😂😂

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

5:48 Is one of the funniest, most subtle "joke" in the film. It's a line that reminds me of the comaradery of the best trio, in movie history. The ones I'm referring to are the Ghostbusters, as seen in the 1984 film ( sorry Winston). A movie with so many subtle jokes, it begs for repeat viewing! With the Hansons, it's the reaction to Paul Newman's line, "...you brought you cars..." to which one of them replies, "we're on the road." Its so subtle, I sometimes wonder if it was in the script, or even meant to be a pun. But that one line says so much with only a few words. It shows their friendly side, (if you're lucky enough to be on it.) It shows their innocence. Like how a kid would respond to their Mother, if it was time for dinner :) We also see that they may have a screw (or two) loose, but without making them into idiots, like many current movies do. The scene also shows a little slice of life, on the road and how there can be a lot of downtime-sometimes. There's also another line of dialogue, very close to the last, that shows us The Hansons may "play games" during their downtime but as we're going to shortly see, they are all business once the puck drops. Paraphrasing, one Hanson says, "We're ready to go coach, anytime you need us." Again we get a peek at what makes them tick. The love of the game and the fact that they would drop anything, (including the gloves) if their team needs them!!! I'll stop there, before I take up all of your time. I've got to get back to playing with my Tonka trucks anyway ;) Cheers from Canada

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Sorry, I didn't see this comment. Yes, you are right that there are levels to Nancy Dowd's script, jokes within jokes and so on. I have noticed this a lot, but I am sometimes unsure whether others will find it germane, so I usually stick to the broader stufff. This may have been a mistake. In the end, Ms. Dowd's talent lies in being able to rapidly establish a character, to the point that we often think we know these men. Each member of the team has their own unique identity. Thanks for your note and thanks for watching.

[@jmichael34]

Your analysis of the Hanson brothers' central role in the success of this iconic film was extremely well done -- one of the top analyses of a film I've ever seen on KZbin! You made a lot of interesting and valid points. I also loved the reference near the end to the Strategic Air Command and the reason for its success, like that of the Hansons. Your video was an absolute joy to watch!

[@gonzalojgiannotti]

Brilliant, and most insightful. Thank you very much.

[@wandacircus1667]

every good hockey team has some kind of hanson brothers.... as their heart and soul, it´s not just about winning, it´s the chemetry, the hockey family and what´s growing out of it and i for myself can say, i have been a hanson on my teams which i played for, a hockey nerd since 1975 when i started playing hockey around those ponds around our town... my problem was, in germany, no money and no hockey rings, i could have been an early kopitar, cause i´m croatian, one of my fellow canadian teammate called me coffey, cause of my vision stickhandling and drive

[@henryblanton6992]

I first saw “Slap Shot” when I was Stationed aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan at the Club 19 on a Friday Night. Someone brought it to our Hangout on the Airwing side of the Air Station. We all loved the story line and had the Opinion/Theory that the Hanson Brothers had been Recruited from the Marine Corps After a two year hitch as Grunts (Infantry) into being Hockey Players. One of the Gunny’s (Gunnery Sergeant) who had made a Lateral Move from being a Cannon Cocker (Artillery Man) to the Airwing just smiled and said that the Hansons were too Intelligent to be Grunts. 🤪😂😎

[@alpussycatthesubstantialch4049]

As a JV goalie who was brought up to Varsity to play second line, I love this game. The characters of the Hanson Brothers was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen on the movie screen. To me they are the antithesis of what it means to have heart. Without being an a******.

[@lutherkoch421]

You give an excellent analysis of the nature and functions of the Hansons. Well done! I see them as Achillies-type characters. Happy to mix it up with anyone and loyal to whomever their loyalty is owed, but definitely more lighthearted than Achilles. They never really bellyache nor give anyone grief. They are modest, happy to do what is asked of them, not bitter nor spiteful. For what they are, they are perfect.

[@user-yi6nb9sj9i]

Well as an extra when they filmed at the Utica, New York War Memorial Auditorium I will never forget that time in my life . What a riot me and my friends had . I got to see the Hanson brothers in all their glory ." I'm listening to the FORKING song !!"

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video. This is The Best Hockey Film ever. Two points: First, The Hanson Brothers, I hear, were actually originally called The Carlson Brothers, but, one of The Carlsons was called up, as you mentioned; Second, Paul Newman says, Who Are These Guys?, which was his Famous Line as Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, about The Posse that's pursuing them (Robert Redford & he)

[@richardclegg5853]

Great job, you nailed it, God luck with the channel, especially enjoyed your inclusion of the 80's Islanders, my favorite and best team of all time...

[@obsessedwithcinema]

The Islanders 19 straight playoff series wins remain one of the most incredible achievements for any franchise before or since. Was sorry to hear that Monsieur Bossy passed away last year.

[@richardclegg5853]

@@obsessedwithcinema and sadly Clark Gillies less than 6 months earlier

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

@@obsessedwithcinema Well said, Mon Ami. I actually kinda met Mike Bossy once. I was in College and studying film, radio and television. Through a connection, we were able to gain use of one of the local T.V. stations, to film our student project. When we signed in at the gate, I noticed the name Mike Bossy as the last person to sign in. I thought, is it possible?? I've lived in Montreal my entire life and knew that Mr. Bossy had become an on air personality and did a lot of different shows, in French & English. I'm also a huge hockey Card fan and on the back of Mike Bossy's rookie card, (along with all cards in that set) there was a facsimile of the player's autograph. And because he was always one of my favorite players, I cherished and knew that card by heart. And in my mind, at least, the signatures did look similar. Anyway, we worked on our film and I kept my eyes peeled for Mike, the entire time. Unfortunately, by closing time, I had not seen him and had been concentrating on our film too. So just before we were about to leave, me and my friend decided to take a leak. Lol The bathroom was empty and had 3 stand up stalls. I took the left, my friend the right. After a couple of seconds, a third, imposing figure walked in the bathroom and used the stall in the middle. My friend and I tried to look slightly to the side, also not wanting to look like a creep. Anyway, my friend and I finished first and went to wash our hands. After a few seconds, I got to finally see the 3rd man approaching us, to use the sink. At this point there was no doubt! We had just TAKEN' A LEAK, next to one of the greatest goal scorers, EVER. MIKE BOSSY!! Of course, by this point we were both freakin' out and he must have noticed because he looked over to me and said, "Ca Va?" , which is French for, "how's it going?" I was agape, agog and amazed but somehow I manged to get out a, "Ca Va. Merci." Essentially meaning, "things are good, thanks." I turned to my friend, who looked like he had blown a fuse, looked back at Mike and said, "We're big fans, nice to meet you" he said "Thanks", my friend said, "Love your hockey" (which we still bug him about, around 30 years later. Lol) ,Mr. Bossy smiled, sympathetically, I think and left the bathroom. I turned to my bud and said, "are you high?" then I smacked him on his shoulder, as we both laughed, like the idiots we were ;) And that's my truelly, embarrassing story of meeting a Hockey LEGEND, and totally making fools of ourselves :) Rest in Peace to Mike Bossy and all the greats who are no longer with us. Merci beaucoup P.S. No, I didn't get to shake his hand, for fairly obvious reasons. Lol

[@kellismith4329]

@@obsessedwithcinema never again will there be such a team that can flip the switch come playoffs, they were the best ever

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

Great video. Am 54 and just saw Slapshot for the first time time. Most fun I’ve had watching a movie in years.

[@jaketm4500]

The best line in the movie is a bit of a sleeper.When Reggie asked them .where did you guys play?"Iron league ", oh yeah? Lots of fights? Nah! Lol. That one always makes me laugh.

[@hatednyc]

This is an excellent analysis. I love it.

[@fatboyrowing]

The analysis was enlightening and I enjoyed the video.

[@manitobasailor]

I enjoyed your insightful look at the Hanson brothers and to the Slap Shot Movie. I lived for that movie and our team would watch it on the long bus rides to out of province games. I met all three of the guys who played the Hansons several years ago and they where very nice to have a conversation with. I can think of countless times when some one on the guys on the bench would yell " old time hockey " when ever it was time to raise the elblows a little higher. Thanks for your video.

[@64dougee]

OUTSTANDING!!!

[@davidg2122]

Excellent episode, great job!

[@GulfCoastJohnny]

“Putting on the FOIL! Every GAME! Want SOME?”🤣🤣🤣

[@user-ts5qw6tr9b]

I'm Canadian northern Ontario in 60 70ties and early eighties. We were tough like this. We fought for anything. It's Canada's character until 20 years ago.

[@kevynhansyn2902]

I'm not Canadian or anything but I used to watch a lot of hockey before I was deployed back in '97. When I got out I tried to watch Hockey again, but it was unbearable to watch. The borefest was in full swing and it's only gotten worse.

[@curtiscalcaterra8890]

This movie is the perfect sports movie for all it embodies_Dowd is a Genius.

[@obsessedwithcinema]

Amen.

[@kencollie8429]

great video, very interesting, could not stop smiling! Thank you!

[@jeremysametz1699]

Check out 29:55. The Hanson Brothers' numbers blend, showing how intertwined they are.

[@clincher2626]

I've REALLY enjoyed your Slap Shot series. They've been insightful, and simply fun to watch. One nitpick...the Stastny brothers are from Slovakia, and you referred to them as Czechs. Granted, when they played in the NHL, it was one unified nation. But they're very proud of their Slovak heritage, and Peter was highly responsible for the development of the Slovakian National Team.

[@hibob418]

When they talk about real life hockey brothers, they always seem to forget about Bill, Bob and Barclay Plager, who skated for the Blues in the early 1970’s.

[@brucejoslin1040]

That was a fun league to watch. Those were the days when the enforcers figured into the strategy of the game in a big way. I remember a couple enforcers: Bob “The Hammer” Fleming and Louis Bedard. They were a couple of rough ones.

[@champisthebunny6003]

I was quite young when I 1st saw Slapshot, and the Hanson bros. made an immediate and lasting impression on all of us that watched the movie. They were so well cast and written it was hard not to like them. I am pretty sure we all wanted to BE like them to some degree. Nice video and a trip down memory lane.

[@JoshMaxPower]

I have not seen this movie since it came out in theatres in '77, but it had enough of an impact on my two older brothers and I that we remember the Hanson Brothers to this day. Two of us even started playing hockey around the neighborhoon on frozen local ponds because of this movie! Great analysis, thanks!

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

Truly one of the best movies ever made !!! Im 47 and i show this movie to all the kids who love it !! This movie will be around as long as our generation shows the next. Cant wait to watch more from this channel 👍 👍👍👍

[@randalllivingston6925]

I personally have an acquaintance with Steve Carlson and Dave Hansen. They're good people, and talented players.

[@bsowers22]

Is Dave still around Pittsburgh? I know he was running some things over at Neville Island Ice Arena and doing work for the Penguins, but haven’t heard anything out of him for awhile.

[@theax40]

The Hansons are such fucken beauties

[@Jefe692]

Great perception. Reasonable indeed. Good job bud!

[@denverprator5806]

as the olde saying goes, "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out."

[@edcliffe2988]

Very, very insightful. I couldn't stop giggling the whole way through. Love those Hansons.

[@bajaborracho9139]

I played with guys like the Hanson brothers. Guys who were just kids off the ice but were absolute homicidal maniacs on the ice. 😊 Good times!

[@brucejoslin1040]

One of these days I am going to watch it again for nostalgia purposes.

[@leerollins]

This was a fantastic analysis. I'm really pleased it came across my feed today. One thought I had about Reg says "...these guys don't leave the bench." to Ned is not that Reg at that time is scared of them or thinks they are crazy fighters, but rather their behavior with the foil just reinforces all the other odd behavior prior. He's afraid to put them out on the ice in my opinion because the he as a coach and the rest of the team will be embarrassed by them. As good as the lines the Hanson's have, my favorite is still Lily's response to Reg when he tells her the statue is to the dog that saved Charlestown from the 1938 flood. She's quite succinct.

[@blucheer8743]

Awesome episode!

[@bobbycv64]

SLAPSHOT was one of the greatest. YES, BRING THE FAMILY ;-)

[@BeardLAD]

I remembered nothing & nobody about this movie, except those three brothers… …could never remember the film’s name, and always wondered since seeing it on TV in the eighties: ‘what was that hockey film with those three brothers?’. Great exposé on this film, and The Hansons; and I’m actual proof of your hypothesis about how they’re so very very well written. Worth noting I don’t have a rote memory, but a meaningful one; and, I was born in 1977!

[@toshikotanaka3249]

I've seen Slapshot multiple times and while I found the Hanson's behavior hilarious I always thought of them as low I.Q. goons who blatantly toady to the coach. Thanks for this video. You've helped me see these men in a new light. They're part of a team and will do their part to insure the teams success. They're loyal and non-judgemental, a mindset I should practice achieving for myself.

[@brianhunt9614]

I loved slap shot then and l love it now. As kid and later in beer league I’ve appreciated the role of the protectors in the game. Paul Newman played the player/ coach role well. He realized the Hanson Brothers are an asset for the team. And loved by their fans. Great hockey film.

[@LouisEmery]

The brothers are pure 70s hockey. They would not stand for the present day NHL shoot-out to determine a winner of a tie game.

[@MrROTD]

I played hockey for a few years in high school, theres is so many dynamics among people within the teams and with other teams but mostly everyone understands everyone wants to win and theres no hard feelings for the most part.

[@WayneBraack]

Haven't seen this movie in decades but the Hansons have come up so often over the years.

[@llYossarian]

3:43 - I don't know how I never noticed the final hit to the soda machine _literally_ "puts its lights out".

[@Pug71]

God I miss old time 70, 80, & 90s NHL Hockey‼️❤️

[@HOTICE976]

one thing that impressed me during the 'listening to the song' scene was just how still the brothers stood during the national anthem. they were like statues. the actors either side of them were jiggling all over the place but the brothers were rocks.

[@mito88]

10:06

[@robertcartwright4374]

The Hansons are the Ramones of hockey.