Jared Keeso returns two years later to continue the story of Don Cherry. This one covers his segue from coach to commentator in a 2 part mini-series (3 parts if you consider KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, KID as the first part).
The makers of this sequel wisely chose to intersperse flashbacks of Cherry's early years to balance the more familiar events of recent times. We see him working on a railroad team at the behest of his father, leaving home at 15 years of age, playing junior with the Boston Bruins farm team, and playing (mostly fighting) with the Rochester Americans where he played with such greats as Al Arbour and Ed Litzenberger. The production of these flashbacks (1940s Kingston, 1950s Springfield, 1960s Rochester, 1970s Denver) is meticulous with automobiles, clothing, furnishings appropriately provided. As coach and general manager, Don Cherry built competitive teams out of, as he put it, "character not money" both battling the frugal Harry Sinden in Boston and the cash strapped owners in Denver. For example, he tries to convince Rockies' management to hire grinder Ron Delorme and the ilk to make his team tougher.
The second part of the story covers Cherry's controversial but maddeningly popular tenure on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada". Here, the film makers cover his anti-Francophone comments and his adamant adoption of hockey advise. Part 1 ends with a comment of his dislike of hockey visors. These issues did not endear him with many viewers, especially calling all-stars Mario Lemieux a "floater" and Brian Propp "a coward" for promoting visors.
Keeso seems to be perfecting his Cherry mannerisms and Tyler Johnston ("Less Than Kind") does a good version as the teen Cherry. Another beauty, eh!
