In his first feature film, Gabe Kaplan stars in "Fast Break" (1979). Barkey reviews this small, laid back comedy about a wannabe basketball coach who quits his job in a New York delicatessen when offered a chance to coach a team at an underdog college in Nevada. There are several familiar faces and a real NBA star in this interesting little picture directed by Jack Smight. Does Kaplan's first picture make the team? Barkey scouts the players and gives you the play-by-play.
00:00 "Fast Break" (1979)
00:23 What is "Fast Break" (1979) about?
01:50 Gabe Kaplan
02:29 The cast of "Fast Break" (1979)
04:53 Director Jack Smight
05:16 A believable basketball coach
05:43 Real New York City locations
06:01 A laid back form of comedy
06:39 Barkey's score and final thoughts
Barkey reviews more movies from the 1970's here:
• BARKEY REVIEWS 1970s
Barkey's Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
Yet again Barkey reveals an interesting-looking film I spent my entire lifetime being unaware of; thanks as always!
My pleasure!
I always get this confused with "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh", lol. Both came out in '79 (big year for basketball movies). Good stuff, Barkey!
I'll hafta get to that one eventually.
Great review Barkey! Thanks for finding this Gabe Kaplan movie. He beat Robert Conrad in a race on Battle of the network stars so he must have liked sports and been fit for this role.
For such a talented guy, it's surprising just how few credits Kaplan has. He's only been in about a dozen shows and movies all told. He did a great Grouch Marx in his 1982 "Gabe Kaplan as Groucho" special. I watched that the other night on KZhead. Crappy transfer, but worth a watch anyway.
Grew up watching this. Was available for 9.99 on good times video. 😂
Never heard of this 🇺🇸
Why didn't Mr. Kotter get "Boom Boom" on the team?
How come a delicatessen worker/basketball coach doesn't have a player called "Salami" on the team? "The White Shadow" did.
I guess they didn't have room for him in the car when they went to Nevada.