Bobby and Johnny Hanson move from a chicken farm into the high-profile pro hockey world. These were hockey's ORIGINAL 'Hanson Brothers.' The classic Paul Newman film 'Slap Shot' would introduce a less sympathetic version some 40 years hence (and none of that stinking root beer..).
And while the hockey is a bit hokey, 'Idol' had some good things going for it. First of all, it was a hockey movie, which endears itself to me for that reason alone. Secondly, 'Duke' Wayne is dashing and handsome in this 'B' film from the dawn of his cinematic career. Its the typical 'small-town-boy-does-good, has-a-brush-with-gangsters, but-emerges-with-the-girl-unscathed' story of its era.
One feels great sympathy for the goalie Johnny (Wayne) scores all his goals against. Looks like his pants had to be patched up by 1/2 a roll of hockey tape! Like so many big time Hollywood actors who portrayed hockey players, "The Duke" looks awkward skating in this flick - you can see plenty of chicken farmer thigh between the socks and pants most of the time - but he seems to be as good (or maybe as BAD...?) as the other players. Fortunately for his career in westerns, he eventually learned to ride a horse...
And while the hockey is a bit hokey, 'Idol' had some good things going for it. First of all, it was a hockey movie, which endears itself to me for that reason alone. Secondly, 'Duke' Wayne is dashing and handsome in this 'B' film from the dawn of his cinematic career. Its the typical 'small-town-boy-does-good, has-a-brush-with-gangsters, but-emerges-with-the-girl-unscathed' story of its era.
One feels great sympathy for the goalie Johnny (Wayne) scores all his goals against. Looks like his pants had to be patched up by 1/2 a roll of hockey tape! Like so many big time Hollywood actors who portrayed hockey players, "The Duke" looks awkward skating in this flick - you can see plenty of chicken farmer thigh between the socks and pants most of the time - but he seems to be as good (or maybe as BAD...?) as the other players. Fortunately for his career in westerns, he eventually learned to ride a horse...