There are times when we want to institute a “Gene Hackman Rule” which basically means if you see his name in the opening credits, you know the movie won’t stink (or at least he will give it a redeeming quality). This isn’t to say that Hoosiers would not have worked with someone else cast as Coach Norman Dale, but don’t you buy Hackman as a sage sports authority figure before he even utters a word? Norman Dale was a lot more than just a coach. He was a student himself, learning from past mistakes (he was fired from Ithaca after striking a student), a wall when dealing with the local townspeople who questioned his style, and compassionate when needed. Norman Dale did a lot in this movie to grab your attention, but it is what he didn’t do that made you watch more. Come to think of it, we take it back…only Gene Hackman could be Norman Dale. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Hoosiers (1986) Actor: Gene Hackman Role Portrayed: Coach of the Hickory H.S. Basketball Team Why you should vote for him: We will play the acting card here. Also, my we add, they won the big one at the end. Why you should not vote for him: Take away Chitwood, and Dale is nothing. Nothing we tell you! {youtube}
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Although Bas Rutten had limited acting experience, we enjoyed him as the Niko, the Mixed Martial Arts instructor for Scott Voss (Kevin James) in “Here Comes the Boom”. It felt natural, had good comedic moments and was better than most supporting roles in Hollywood. We can’t see him doing much else, but he did a great job in what will probably be his biggest role ever. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Here Comes the Boom (2012) Actor: Bas Rutten Role Portrayed: Scott Voss’ MMA Instructor Why you should vote for him: It was one of the most natural performances we have seen. Why you should not vote for him: Was this really a big enough hit to generate any inductees to the F.A.H.O.F.? {youtube}
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A lot of people did not want to see the Longest Yard remade as many (and count us in that) thought that this was a Mount Rushmore character (The others being Jack Horner, the Bandit and Gator McKlusky) for cinematic superstar, Burt Reynolds. However, with a shift in tone, and Reynolds recast as Nate Scarborough, Reynolds again hit it out of the park as the former Heisman Trophy winner facing life in jail. Some would say that he eclipsed the original Scarborough, and by the end of the movie, many forgot that he was Paul Crewe in the original. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: The Longest Yard (2005) Actor: Burt Reynolds Role Portrayed: Coach of the Mean Machine Why you should vote for him: Burt Reynolds was good enough here, that you forgot he was the Quarterback in the original. Why you should not vote for him: Maybe we lied. You can NEVER forget that Reynolds was the Quarterback in the original. {youtube}
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Like every Longest Yard character which was duplicated, it is impossible to avoid looking at both versions. In this case we like both Nate Scarboroughs, though there is something colossally cool about Michael Conrad and old school toughness he brought to the role. However, in his case, Conrad had the misfortune of having his character covered by one of the film originals (Burt Reynolds who played the QB in the original) take on the Scarborough role and perhaps stealing both films. This is why we have a ballot, as we are very curious to see which Nate Scarborough gets better traction. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: The Longest Yard (1974) Actor: Michael Conrad Role Portrayed: Coach of the Mean Machine Why you should vote for him: It was equal parts tough and equal parts cool. Why you should not vote for him: Many thought that Reynolds did the role better in the remake. {youtube}
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