Fast Break

This is a good film which is thoroughly entertaining with some snappy dialogue. None of the actors had really spectacular film careers but in this effort all came to the front of the class with very good performances. The cast mixes well. Without a doubt this is Gabe Kaplan's best effort, even overshadowing his TV role as Mr. Cotter.

To be clear, this was a Columbia Pictures theatrical-release film, not something slapped together for a network on a Tuesday night. Nevertheless, with Gabe Kaplan as the star and with an upbeat "believe in yourself"-type of soundtrack, it FEELS like a TV movie - and that is OK. I saw if on the small screen in the '80s, probably on a weekend afternoon, sometime during my early teen years. And with the advent of video-sharing internet sites I have watched it a couple of times over the last few years.

Why claim it "could not be made today"? Because the characters express, in no uncertain terms, disapproval and disgust of homosexuality. If they had done so BUT completely changed at the end of the story, that obviously would not only be OK but laudatory. That is not what this movie is. It IS a straightforward "take a chance/beat the odds/happy montage" movie from the long-ago 1970s.

Gabe Kaplan, of WELCOME BACK, KOTTER fame, stars as a NY restaurant manager who loves basketball. He plays street ball with the ghetto kids, studies sports journals and high school yearbooks, and dreams of coaching. When a remote Nevada university offers him a coaching position for Room & Board, he jumps at the chance, leaving his frustrated wife behind, but taking 4 talented black kids with him to outfit the team. (One of these is a real NBA player.. check it out).

Unless you have a magic vhs copy that has lasted for decades (if you do, get it transferred to DVD now!), you will be hard-pressed to find this great movie. However, GOOD NEWS! There are a couple of versions on YouTube for which I'd gladly pay $ 5.00 for a viewing, but, as of today, they are free of charge. Enjoy!

I saw this movie when I was ten years old or so and it still has one of the funniest scenes all-time in movie history. I still remember so much about this movie but you can't find it anywhere today. This needs to be released on DVD. There's a woman pretending to be a man so she can get a scholarship to play basketball. One of the guys on the team is attracted to her/him and starts to think he is gay. The funny scene has the team traveling in a station wagon across country when a cop gets on their tail. The coach discovers that one of the players is carrying a bag of pot and he suggests that they eat the pot to escape detection. " How much you got?" ONE POUND! SO funny you have to see it to believe it. Too bad its impossible to find.

Gabe Kaplan was born to play this guy. He's totally believable as a basketball coach. Kaplan gives a very good performance in "Fast Break". He's given a lot of great dialogue and he nails every line. Kaplan also does a nice job with the movies more serious moment. Kaplan's supporting cast is also very good. I've seen this movie quite a few times, including in the theater when it first came out (Bellerose, NY). It's always a fun watch.