Bobby "Slick" Leonard: Heart of a Hoosier
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Bobby "Slick" Leonard is Indiana basketball. No one better embodies its toughness; no one better personifies its passion. And no one takes more pride in being a native Hoosier. "Heart of a Hoosier" chronicles Leonard's journey as never before, from the poorest part of Depression-era Terre Haute to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
With stunning new footage and an all-star cast, the 90-minute documentary takes viewers:
- On the floor for Leonard's national-title-winning shot for IU;
- On the blizzard-enshrouded plane as Leonard and the Minneapolis Lakers crash-landed in an Iowa cornfield;
- On the road and in the locker room with the best and wildest team in the ABA, the Indiana Pacers;
- Into the booth for Leonard's "Boom Baby" calls that have defined Pacers fervor for the past three decades.
Come along for the ride and learn the inside story of a seminal figure in Indiana history.
Other collaborations between Ted Green Films and WFYI:
"Undefeated: The Roger Brown Story;" "Naptown to Super City;" "Hoosier Veterans: Faces of War;" and "John Wooden: The Indiana Story."
IN THE MEDIA
From 1070 The Fan:
So you thought you knew Slick
"The Emmy-award-winning documentarian who brought the Roger Brown story to life in his last project, 'Undefeated,' has followed up with an emotional, revealing, funny and ultimately heartwarming film of Leonard’s life."
From Indianapolis Monthly:
Bobby 'Slick' Leonard: Heart of a Hoosier, Reviewed
"Bobby 'Slick' Leonard: Heart of a Hoosier isn’t about Slick Leonard exclusively. True, the film relays the linear tale of a destitute Terre Haute wanderer turned basketball legend and Hall of Famer. Director Ted Green’s real intent, however, is to depict the impact one man can have on a family, a team, a city."
From the Indianapolis Star:
Photo Gallery: Bobby Leonard 'Heart of a Hoosier' at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
From the Indianapolis Star:
"Like his previous projects, this one pulled him in from the start. Sixteen months and countless hours later, interviews in tow with a murderer's row of basketball royalty — Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West among them — and award-winning Indianapolis filmmaker Ted Green has finished his latest work."
From WTHR:
Bobby "Slick" Leonard documentary premiers Tuesday night
"There are not many people who can go all the way back in their life and see it LIVE again," Leonard told Scott Swan during Monday's Eyewitness News at Noon. "Ted Green, the guy that did the documentary, did a good job."
From WRTV:
WATCH: Filmmaker Ted Green on 'Slick Leonard' documentary
"The filmmaker behind the film 'Bobby Slick Leonard: Heart of a Hoosier,' sat down with RTV6 Sports Director Dave Furst."
From Art at IU:
And he scores! Professor Tyron Cooper pens music for documentary on Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard
"Beyond all of the hoopla is a new film that follows the accomplished life of a man who helped the Hoosiers win an NCAA banner in 1953. And behind the film is original music composed and performed by Indiana University’s Tyron Cooper."
From the IBJ:
Former newspaper editor now telling stories on screen
"Green recently completed production of “Bobby Slick Leonard: Heart of a Hoosier,” a 90-minute documentary that will debut at Bankers Life Fieldhouse July 29. The television premiere will air on WFYI Channel 20 Aug. 7—the day before Leonard is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame."
From Indianapolis Monthly:
'Slick' Leonard Flick Coming Soon
"Leonard, who made appearances in Green’s other features 'Undefeated: The Roger Brown Story,'' Naptown to Super City,' and 'John Wooden: The Indiana Story,' revealed a rarely seen personal side during the filming. Green wouldn’t divulge details (“You’ll have to watch the film”), but he let on that Leonard’s hometown, Terre Haute, plays a pivotal role, and key portions of the film delve into the basketball icon’s hardscrabble formative years."