Information/Write-up
“Faceoff” is the dramatic and moving story of the growing love between two young and exceptionally talented people, Billy Duke (played by Art Hindle) and Sherrie Lee Nelson (played by Trudy Young).
It is also the story of Billy’s rookie year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and of the thousand and one pressures on the most publicized and highest-paid rookie in hockey history. Coach Fred Wares (played by John Vernon) of the last-place Leafs sees Billy as the key to winning the title and makes the twenty-year-old defenceman his first choice on the junior draft — against the wishes of club president Graydon Hunter (played by Austin Willis).
A hockey player’s life is more than the team and the rink, as Billy gradually discovers. There lives in a very different world, that of rock music, with different friends, a world that trembles Billy’s hopes and dreams — and the future of both the team and its coach.
The movie is an adaptation of the best-selling novel, “Faceoff,” described as a brilliant mixture of insight and knowledge. George Robertson and Scott Young revised their original screenplay for the movie, using many actual National Hockey League game films and scenes filmed on the ice with players of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frank Moore plays the part of Trudi’s sidekick. Barney. Frank Moore also wrote and performed the songs. Ron Collier composed, arranged and conducted the score.
Side One
Musically the album follows the story lines as close as possible starting with “Billy Boy”; this is the opening title music which visually and musically told the story of an ambitious youngster who is on his way to a career in pro-hockey.
“The Hub” was the Club that Billy and his teammates went to, to celebrate a junior hockey championship and where Sherrie was performing.
“Morning Sun” carried us through a romantic tour of downtown L.A. and also heard earlier sung by Sherrie at “The Hub Club.”
“Sweet and Tight” was background dance music for Sherrie and the girls’ number, which also included her wardrobe change.
“You Were a Good One” sung by Barney was first heard through the walls.
“Happy to be Near You” was background music in a Club where Sherrie and Billy became more acquainted with each other.
Side Two
“Happy to be Near You” was sung over the travel montage as Sherrie and Billy each pursue their own careers while attempting to hold their relationship together.
“Winter Comes Early” musically and visually showed the rise of the Leafs.
“Time Runs Out” dramatized a walk in the snow with no prior to Billy’s family.
“Reflection One” showed him walk into town after being suspended for a few games and his break-up with Sherrie.
“Reflection Two” Sherrie meets Barney at the bus depot — but he has not said the air of Westhold, which enabled them to reform the group out west.
“Winter Comes Early” was one of his most important game sequence; Sherrie returns from her tour and proposes to her but they are confronted by Coach Wares.
“Winter Comes Early” (vocal) Closing title music as Billy reflects on memories that preceded Sherrie’s fatal accident.
Arranged, conducted and produced by Ron Collier
Engineered by Phil Sheridan and Moses Znaimer
Puck Productions, Thunder Sound, Toronto, Ontario
Manufactured and distributed in Canada by Quality Records Limited, 380 Birchmount Road, Scarborough
Agincourt International Presents a John F. Bassett Production
Starring Trudy Young and Art Hindle, Frank Moore, Austin Willis, Vivian Reis, and John Vernon
Screenplay by George Robertson
Produced by John F. Bassett
Directed by George McCowan
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