Comments for Virginia Podcasting Network http://www.virginiapodcast.net Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:36:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Deadlier Than the Male by B. Mccann http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-885 B. Mccann Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:36:25 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-885 <i>Review by B. Mccann for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Richard-Johnson/dp/B00008K7AG%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00008K7AG" rel="nofollow">Deadlier Than the Male</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/4.png" ></b> Jumping on the Bond wagon, producer Sydney Box decided to take on one of 007's antecedents and update him to the swinging sixties. Thus Sapper's square jawed, colonial defender of the Empire, Bulldog Drummond, became international insurance investigator Hugh Drummond, played with suave charm by one time Bond candidate Richard Johnson. The other shrewd move by the producers was to avoid the over spoofing of Bond's world that the other rivals had laden themselves with and instead devise a film that balanced the right amount of tongue in cheek thrill with a neatly structured script, above average production values, a cool theme song by Scott Walker, and a cracking finale worthy of a Bond caper itself. <br /> <br />Elke Sommer breezes across like a force ten hurricane as the film's titular assassin, working for the world class villain Carl Peterson, portrayed with the right blend of light and dark by Nigel Greene. The film's climatic showdown between hero and nemesis, in which Drummond traps Peterson on his own giant chess set and crushes him with the robotic pieces, is a memorable piece of imagery that helped lift the film above the bigger budgeted hackwork of Matt Helm or Derek Flint. <br /> <br />A hit in its time, Johnson returned as Drummond three years later in an uninspired follow up that, with its use of "fembots" and a younger Peterson back from the dead without explanation, strayed too much into the territory of the other Bond spoofs and was deservedly buried. <br /> <br />Deadlier Than the Male, after decades of neglect, now appears to be re emerging as a cult film, thanks in part to Quentin Tarentino naming it as one of his favourite movies. This led to a newly restored printed being screened at Cannes and is now finally on DVD, complete with its sequel. <br /> Review by B. Mccann for Deadlier Than the Male
Rating:
Jumping on the Bond wagon, producer Sydney Box decided to take on one of 007′s antecedents and update him to the swinging sixties. Thus Sapper’s square jawed, colonial defender of the Empire, Bulldog Drummond, became international insurance investigator Hugh Drummond, played with suave charm by one time Bond candidate Richard Johnson. The other shrewd move by the producers was to avoid the over spoofing of Bond’s world that the other rivals had laden themselves with and instead devise a film that balanced the right amount of tongue in cheek thrill with a neatly structured script, above average production values, a cool theme song by Scott Walker, and a cracking finale worthy of a Bond caper itself.

Elke Sommer breezes across like a force ten hurricane as the film’s titular assassin, working for the world class villain Carl Peterson, portrayed with the right blend of light and dark by Nigel Greene. The film’s climatic showdown between hero and nemesis, in which Drummond traps Peterson on his own giant chess set and crushes him with the robotic pieces, is a memorable piece of imagery that helped lift the film above the bigger budgeted hackwork of Matt Helm or Derek Flint.

A hit in its time, Johnson returned as Drummond three years later in an uninspired follow up that, with its use of “fembots” and a younger Peterson back from the dead without explanation, strayed too much into the territory of the other Bond spoofs and was deservedly buried.

Deadlier Than the Male, after decades of neglect, now appears to be re emerging as a cult film, thanks in part to Quentin Tarentino naming it as one of his favourite movies. This led to a newly restored printed being screened at Cannes and is now finally on DVD, complete with its sequel.

]]> Comment on Deadlier Than the Male by David M. Goode http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-884 David M. Goode Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:04:35 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-884 <i>Review by David M. Goode for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Richard-Johnson/dp/B00008K7AG%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00008K7AG" rel="nofollow">Deadlier Than the Male</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/4.png" ></b> Deadlier Than The Male is one of the dozens of films to come out during the James Bond craze of the 1960s.It's good tongue in cheek fun,but it doesn't go over the top like the Derek Flint films or Matt Helm movies do.Though in some spots you get the feeling you've walked into an episode of the Avengers.Not that that's a bad thing.There are some purists who don't care for this movie because they say the character Richard Johnson portrays in it isn't really Bulldog Drummond.That's like someone saying that they don't like Kiss Me Deadly because Ralph Meeker isn't really Mike Hammer.You can still enjoy the movie.Johnson is a little bit more Pierce Bronson than Sean Connery,but he's an effective hero.And Nigel Green is all you could want from a villian in this type of film.Also good are the beautiful Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina as two bitchy and bickering assassins.Also along for the ride is Milton Reid,a British pro wrestler who made a second career of playing villians in gladiator movies and spy films.He was considered for the role of Oddjob in Goldfinger and has a judo match with Johnson in this film.Overall this is a good,entertaining movie.Not quite Goldfinger.But not bad. Review by David M. Goode for Deadlier Than the Male
Rating:
Deadlier Than The Male is one of the dozens of films to come out during the James Bond craze of the 1960s.It’s good tongue in cheek fun,but it doesn’t go over the top like the Derek Flint films or Matt Helm movies do.Though in some spots you get the feeling you’ve walked into an episode of the Avengers.Not that that’s a bad thing.There are some purists who don’t care for this movie because they say the character Richard Johnson portrays in it isn’t really Bulldog Drummond.That’s like someone saying that they don’t like Kiss Me Deadly because Ralph Meeker isn’t really Mike Hammer.You can still enjoy the movie.Johnson is a little bit more Pierce Bronson than Sean Connery,but he’s an effective hero.And Nigel Green is all you could want from a villian in this type of film.Also good are the beautiful Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina as two bitchy and bickering assassins.Also along for the ride is Milton Reid,a British pro wrestler who made a second career of playing villians in gladiator movies and spy films.He was considered for the role of Oddjob in Goldfinger and has a judo match with Johnson in this film.Overall this is a good,entertaining movie.Not quite Goldfinger.But not bad.

]]> Comment on Deadlier Than the Male by P. Moy http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-883 P. Moy Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:53:03 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-883 <i>Review by P. Moy for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Richard-Johnson/dp/B00008K7AG%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00008K7AG" rel="nofollow">Deadlier Than the Male</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> For me and anyone who grew up in the 60's loved this type of movies the James Coburn Flint and the Dean Martin Matt Helm series are also enjoyable. As a previous reviewer points out the 2 hottest 60's babes Elke Sommer & Sylva Koscina were never select for a Bond film. What their loss is our gain in this movie the only negative no extras of any sort (duh). <br /> Review by P. Moy for Deadlier Than the Male
Rating:
For me and anyone who grew up in the 60′s loved this type of movies the James Coburn Flint and the Dean Martin Matt Helm series are also enjoyable. As a previous reviewer points out the 2 hottest 60′s babes Elke Sommer & Sylva Koscina were never select for a Bond film. What their loss is our gain in this movie the only negative no extras of any sort (duh).

]]> Comment on Deadlier Than the Male by Stephen Kaczmarek http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-882 Stephen Kaczmarek Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:35:31 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-882 <i>Review by Stephen Kaczmarek for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Richard-Johnson/dp/B00008K7AG%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00008K7AG" rel="nofollow">Deadlier Than the Male</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/4.png" ></b> "Deadlier Than the Male" certainly copies the James Bond movie formula--and star Richard Johnson, reputedly once considered for the role, looks like a cross between Sean Connery and Martin Landau. Ultimately, the film lacks enough stylish excitement to be a true Bond contender, though its jazzy score and myriad locations are on par with many 1960s adventures. It may even remind some viewers a bit visually of Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 film, "To Catch a Thief." Johnson plays Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, a well-tailored investigator who drives an expensive car, lives in a swinging but upscale London flat, and beds every woman he's interested in. If that sounds like Bond, the resemblance is understandable; Ian Fleming was likely inspired by the fictional Bulldog Drummond mysteries that preceded the Bond books. His quarry here is a two-woman assassination squad (luscious Elke Sommer and kooky Sylva Koscina) that is brutally knocking off contenders for a multi-million-dollar oil deal. Who is really behind the shady goings-on probably won't surprise you, but some of the kinky violence might, even if much here is tame by contemporary standards and already familiar to "The Avengers" fans. "Deadlier Than the Male" works best when it lets the assassins be cold-blooded and Johnson relax and be naturally smooth (as he was in "The Haunting" and numerous other films); it breaks down with its frequently desert-dry, sometimes racist humor and often lethargic, oddly-edited action sequences. Though a climax on a human-sized chessboard is visually impressive, trying to make complete sense of how and why the characters react to it might challenge you. Perhaps the biggest flaw, though, is that despite being suave and handsome, Johnson fails to bring sparks to the romantic scenes; as a female friend told me, "Now I see why he didn't get Bond." Review by Stephen Kaczmarek for Deadlier Than the Male
Rating:
“Deadlier Than the Male” certainly copies the James Bond movie formula–and star Richard Johnson, reputedly once considered for the role, looks like a cross between Sean Connery and Martin Landau. Ultimately, the film lacks enough stylish excitement to be a true Bond contender, though its jazzy score and myriad locations are on par with many 1960s adventures. It may even remind some viewers a bit visually of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film, “To Catch a Thief.” Johnson plays Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond, a well-tailored investigator who drives an expensive car, lives in a swinging but upscale London flat, and beds every woman he’s interested in. If that sounds like Bond, the resemblance is understandable; Ian Fleming was likely inspired by the fictional Bulldog Drummond mysteries that preceded the Bond books. His quarry here is a two-woman assassination squad (luscious Elke Sommer and kooky Sylva Koscina) that is brutally knocking off contenders for a multi-million-dollar oil deal. Who is really behind the shady goings-on probably won’t surprise you, but some of the kinky violence might, even if much here is tame by contemporary standards and already familiar to “The Avengers” fans. “Deadlier Than the Male” works best when it lets the assassins be cold-blooded and Johnson relax and be naturally smooth (as he was in “The Haunting” and numerous other films); it breaks down with its frequently desert-dry, sometimes racist humor and often lethargic, oddly-edited action sequences. Though a climax on a human-sized chessboard is visually impressive, trying to make complete sense of how and why the characters react to it might challenge you. Perhaps the biggest flaw, though, is that despite being suave and handsome, Johnson fails to bring sparks to the romantic scenes; as a female friend told me, “Now I see why he didn’t get Bond.”

]]> Comment on Deadlier Than the Male by Matthew Bradford http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-881 Matthew Bradford Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:39:53 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/deadlier-than-the-male/#comment-881 <i>Review by Matthew Bradford for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Richard-Johnson/dp/B00008K7AG%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00008K7AG" rel="nofollow">Deadlier Than the Male</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> If you like James Bond, get this movie. Yes, this is the best of all the Bond knock-offs produced in the mid-to-late Sixties, and there were a lot of them! Unlike spoofs like Modesty Blaise and Casino Royale, Deadlier Than the Male is actually a good movie in its own right. The production values are higher than most other sub-Bond spy films of the period (although nowhere near as high as those of Mr. Bond himself), the acting is good, the action is good, and the script is witty. Elke Sommer (at her absolute hottest!) steals the show as a voluptious assassin, but Richard Johnson makes a darn good hero, too. His character's relationship with his nephew is quite well-done, and a scene where the nephew brings a lady back to his uncle's apartment is a comedic hightlight (somewhat reminiscent of The Pink Panther). The murders are all very creative (think Avengers) and rather violent for the time period. The setpieces are great, especially the climax where hero Bulldog Drummond faces the villain (an amazing Nigel Green) on a giant chessboard filled with oversize pieces. If you like Sixties James Bond movies, or the Pink Panther movies, or TV shows like The Avengers, you'll like Deadlier Than the Male. (The Walker Brothers theme song is amazing, too, on par with many of the great Bond themes!) All in all, a great Bond-style action-comedy. Deadlier Than the Male is to Thunderball as XXX is to Die Another Day (only both those sixties movies are better to their 2002 counterparts). Bond in everything but name. (And budget.)I'm so glad this movie is finally on DVD! As far as I know, it had never been officially released even on VHS before, so all I'd seen previously was a poor-quality bootleg. The dvd offers no features, and the print is a bit scratchy at times, but the widescreen transfer looks nice and it's infinitely superior to the bootlegs! I'd like to see the sequel, Some Girls Do, released as well, though it's nowhere near as good as this one. Review by Matthew Bradford for Deadlier Than the Male
Rating:
If you like James Bond, get this movie. Yes, this is the best of all the Bond knock-offs produced in the mid-to-late Sixties, and there were a lot of them! Unlike spoofs like Modesty Blaise and Casino Royale, Deadlier Than the Male is actually a good movie in its own right. The production values are higher than most other sub-Bond spy films of the period (although nowhere near as high as those of Mr. Bond himself), the acting is good, the action is good, and the script is witty. Elke Sommer (at her absolute hottest!) steals the show as a voluptious assassin, but Richard Johnson makes a darn good hero, too. His character’s relationship with his nephew is quite well-done, and a scene where the nephew brings a lady back to his uncle’s apartment is a comedic hightlight (somewhat reminiscent of The Pink Panther). The murders are all very creative (think Avengers) and rather violent for the time period. The setpieces are great, especially the climax where hero Bulldog Drummond faces the villain (an amazing Nigel Green) on a giant chessboard filled with oversize pieces. If you like Sixties James Bond movies, or the Pink Panther movies, or TV shows like The Avengers, you’ll like Deadlier Than the Male. (The Walker Brothers theme song is amazing, too, on par with many of the great Bond themes!) All in all, a great Bond-style action-comedy. Deadlier Than the Male is to Thunderball as XXX is to Die Another Day (only both those sixties movies are better to their 2002 counterparts). Bond in everything but name. (And budget.)I’m so glad this movie is finally on DVD! As far as I know, it had never been officially released even on VHS before, so all I’d seen previously was a poor-quality bootleg. The dvd offers no features, and the print is a bit scratchy at times, but the widescreen transfer looks nice and it’s infinitely superior to the bootlegs! I’d like to see the sequel, Some Girls Do, released as well, though it’s nowhere near as good as this one.

]]> Comment on Hotel West Virginia by Sara Golden http://www.virginiapodcast.net/hotel-west-virginia/#comment-799 Sara Golden Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:58:19 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/hotel-west-virginia/#comment-799 <i>Review by Sara Golden for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-West-Virginia-Rust-Kings/dp/B000KJU1PA%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000KJU1PA" rel="nofollow">Hotel West Virginia</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/4.png" ></b> I've had this cd for over a year now and find myself CRAVING certain songs when it is absent from my cd player for too long. <br /> <br />Not only is this great "driving" music, but there is such a range of moods from beginning to end that there is literally something for everyone-- I even used one of the songs as framework for the choreography of a dance. Each song tells its own story and has its own voice. <br /> <br />"Maggie's Field" is definitely a favorite on the cd, and one that lingers in my heart and brain time and time again... this is a true taste of the beautiful music of Appalachia. Review by Sara Golden for Hotel West Virginia
Rating:
I’ve had this cd for over a year now and find myself CRAVING certain songs when it is absent from my cd player for too long.

Not only is this great “driving” music, but there is such a range of moods from beginning to end that there is literally something for everyone– I even used one of the songs as framework for the choreography of a dance. Each song tells its own story and has its own voice.

“Maggie’s Field” is definitely a favorite on the cd, and one that lingers in my heart and brain time and time again… this is a true taste of the beautiful music of Appalachia.

]]> Comment on Hotel West Virginia by J. Houle http://www.virginiapodcast.net/hotel-west-virginia/#comment-798 J. Houle Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:51:51 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/hotel-west-virginia/#comment-798 <i>Review by J. Houle for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-West-Virginia-Rust-Kings/dp/B000KJU1PA%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000KJU1PA" rel="nofollow">Hotel West Virginia</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> I was lucky enough to see these guys when they toured in Massachusetts. They are awesome live and this record will not let you down. Review by J. Houle for Hotel West Virginia
Rating:
I was lucky enough to see these guys when they toured in Massachusetts. They are awesome live and this record will not let you down.

]]> Comment on Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia Reviews by Mothman http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-739 Mothman Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:37:03 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-739 <i>Review by Mothman for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Ball-Small-College-Basketball-ebook/dp/B003OBY0LM%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003OBY0LM" rel="nofollow">Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> I love underdog stories with alot of drama and this book delivers pretty much to the fullest. I loved it because not only does it tell a fascinating story (a near extinct college with a six man basketball team that dramatically turns everything around) but it also raises a very interesting and relevant topic, in what technology does to deteriorate community. There are so many fascinating sub-stories that are the building blocks to the overall story that I found it tough to put down. <br /> <br />It is very well written. The author builds drama very well; almost cinematic. If you are a sports fan who likes underdog stories (Rudy, Cinderella Man, Hoosiers, etc) then this is a must read. Review by Mothman for Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia
Rating:
I love underdog stories with alot of drama and this book delivers pretty much to the fullest. I loved it because not only does it tell a fascinating story (a near extinct college with a six man basketball team that dramatically turns everything around) but it also raises a very interesting and relevant topic, in what technology does to deteriorate community. There are so many fascinating sub-stories that are the building blocks to the overall story that I found it tough to put down.

It is very well written. The author builds drama very well; almost cinematic. If you are a sports fan who likes underdog stories (Rudy, Cinderella Man, Hoosiers, etc) then this is a must read.

]]> Comment on Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia Reviews by Gomer Jung http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-738 Gomer Jung Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:39:03 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-738 <i>Review by Gomer Jung for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Ball-Small-College-Basketball-ebook/dp/B003OBY0LM%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003OBY0LM" rel="nofollow">Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> I felt this is as good a book as I've gotten off the internet. It takes you inside small college basketball in what I'm sure is a very realistic light. If there is something else out there by this author dealing with the same subject matter I would look forward to reading it. Review by Gomer Jung for Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia
Rating:
I felt this is as good a book as I’ve gotten off the internet. It takes you inside small college basketball in what I’m sure is a very realistic light. If there is something else out there by this author dealing with the same subject matter I would look forward to reading it.

]]> Comment on Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia Reviews by D. Smith http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-737 D. Smith Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:02:13 +0000 http://www.virginiapodcast.net/cinderella-ball-a-look-inside-small-college-basketball-in-west-virginia-reviews/#comment-737 <i>Review by D. Smith for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Ball-Small-College-Basketball-ebook/dp/B003OBY0LM%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIPDG5YYLB63BO3MQ%26tag%3Dblog0723-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003OBY0LM" rel="nofollow">Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia</a></i> <b>Rating: <img src="http://www.virginiapodcast.net/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/5.png" ></b> I grew up and went to school in Philippi and attended Alderson-Broaddus. I traveled with the basketball team for four years as the student sports information director and PA announcer at Rex Pyles Arena. What a great trip down memory lane as I relived the excitement of a snowy Saturday night with a packed arena and a fierce rival like Fairmont State on the court! Considering the author's last-minute decision to follow Alderson-Broaddus instead of Shepherd College, it's unbelievable how the next four years turned out for the Battlers. A modern day "Hoosiers" and "Rudy" all rolled into one! <br /> <br />As thrilling as the story was, it is sad to see the effect that cable sports and the economy have had on small-time college sports. As the author suggests, time is running out to enjoy quality basketball on a local level. A poignant and powerful read. Review by D. Smith for Cinderella Ball: A Look Inside Small-College Basketball in West Virginia
Rating:
I grew up and went to school in Philippi and attended Alderson-Broaddus. I traveled with the basketball team for four years as the student sports information director and PA announcer at Rex Pyles Arena. What a great trip down memory lane as I relived the excitement of a snowy Saturday night with a packed arena and a fierce rival like Fairmont State on the court! Considering the author’s last-minute decision to follow Alderson-Broaddus instead of Shepherd College, it’s unbelievable how the next four years turned out for the Battlers. A modern day “Hoosiers” and “Rudy” all rolled into one!

As thrilling as the story was, it is sad to see the effect that cable sports and the economy have had on small-time college sports. As the author suggests, time is running out to enjoy quality basketball on a local level. A poignant and powerful read.

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