Lacrosse legends of the first americans. Lacrosse Legends: Unveiling the Rich Heritage of Native American Sport

How did lacrosse originate in Native American cultures. What roles did the sport play in tribal societies. How has lacrosse evolved from its traditional roots to the modern game. What legends and myths surround the origins of lacrosse.

Table of Contents

The Origins and Significance of Lacrosse in Native American Culture

Lacrosse holds a revered place in the cultural heritage of many Native American tribes. Far more than just a game, it served vital functions in traditional societies:

Conflict resolution between tribes
Healing rituals for the sick
Development of strength and virility in men
Spiritual connection to divine forces

The sport’s deep roots are explored in Thomas Vennum’s “Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans”, which compiles 13 legends from five tribes: the Cherokee, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Seneca, Ojibwa, and Menominee. These oral traditions offer a window into the spiritual and practical significance of what was known as the “Creator’s Game”.

Mythical Origins: The Great Game of Birds vs. Quadrupeds

One of the most fascinating origin myths recounted in the book is the Great Game, in which the Birds defeated the Quadrupeds. This legend speaks to the perceived connection between the natural world and the sport of lacrosse. Why was this mythical match so significant? It established lacrosse as a game that bridged the animal and human realms, imbuing it with spiritual power.

Symbolic Elements in the Great Game

Birds representing agility and freedom
Quadrupeds symbolizing strength and earthly connection
The victory of flight and skill over brute force

This myth reinforced the idea that lacrosse was not merely a test of physical prowess, but a demonstration of higher qualities valued by Native American cultures.

The Spiritual Dimension: Lacrosse as a Sacred Ritual

In many tribal traditions, lacrosse transcended the boundaries of sport to become a sacred ritual. How did this manifest in practice? Medicine men, serving as spiritual guides and team “coaches”, played a crucial role:

Conjuring protective potions to prevent injuries
Performing rituals to weaken opponents
Guiding players in spiritual preparation

These practices underscore the holistic approach Native Americans took to the game, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual elements.

The Art and Craft of Traditional Lacrosse Equipment

The creation of lacrosse equipment was steeped in tradition and spiritual significance. How were the iconic lacrosse sticks made? The process was far from mundane:

Identifying the perfect tree, often marked by a lightning strike
Ritually harvesting the wood
Skilled crafting of the stick by tribal artisans
Using materials like hickory, ash, leather, and catgut

Each piece of equipment carried deep cultural meaning, connecting players to their heritage and the natural world.

High Stakes and Harsh Consequences: The Intensity of Traditional Lacrosse

While modern lacrosse is a competitive sport, traditional games often had far more serious implications. What were the stakes in these ancient contests? In some cases, they were literally life and death:

Games played to settle inter-tribal disputes
Matches where losers could forfeit their lives
Contests determining tribal hunting grounds or other resources

This intensity reflected the central role lacrosse played in Native American societies, where the outcome of a game could have far-reaching consequences for entire communities.

The Evolution of Lacrosse: From Miles-Long Fields to Modern Arenas

The transformation of lacrosse from its traditional form to the modern sport is a story of both preservation and adaptation. How has the game changed over centuries?

Field sizes reduced from mile-long expanses to standardized dimensions
Player numbers decreased from large tribal contingents to fixed team sizes
Equipment evolved from natural materials to modern synthetics
Rules standardized and formalized for competitive play

Despite these changes, the core spirit of the game – skill, teamwork, and strategic thinking – remains intact, honoring its Native American origins.

Lacrosse Legends: Preserving Native American Oral Traditions

Vennum’s work in collecting and preserving these lacrosse legends serves a crucial cultural purpose. Why is the preservation of these oral traditions so important?

Maintaining connection to ancestral heritage
Educating younger generations about cultural values
Providing context for the modern sport
Honoring the wisdom and creativity of Native American storytellers

By documenting these legends, “Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans” ensures that the rich cultural tapestry surrounding the sport is not lost to time.

The Legacy of Lacrosse in Contemporary Native American Communities

While lacrosse has become a popular sport far beyond its original cultural context, it continues to hold special significance in many Native American communities. How does the sport’s heritage manifest in modern tribal life?

Lacrosse programs fostering youth development and cultural pride
Tribal tournaments celebrating traditional aspects of the game
Educational initiatives using lacrosse to teach history and values
Craftsmanship of traditional equipment as a preserved art form

These modern expressions of lacrosse’s cultural importance demonstrate the enduring legacy of the “Creator’s Game” in Native American life.

The Intersection of Sport and Culture

The story of lacrosse offers a compelling case study in how sports can embody and transmit cultural values. What lessons can be drawn from the Native American approach to lacrosse?

The potential for sports to serve higher social and spiritual purposes
The importance of maintaining connections to cultural roots
The value of oral traditions in preserving historical knowledge
The role of physical activities in holistic community well-being

By examining the rich traditions surrounding lacrosse, we gain insights not only into Native American culture but also into the broader significance of sports in human societies.

The Global Spread of Lacrosse: From Tribal Grounds to International Fields

The journey of lacrosse from a localized tribal practice to an international sport is a fascinating tale of cultural exchange and adaptation. How did this Native American game gain worldwide popularity?

Early adoption by European settlers in North America
Formalization of rules and establishment of leagues in the 19th century
Introduction to educational institutions, particularly universities
Gradual spread to other countries through cultural exchange and migration

Today, lacrosse is played competitively in numerous countries, with international tournaments showcasing the sport’s global appeal. This worldwide embrace of lacrosse speaks to the universal elements of the game that transcend its specific cultural origins.

Lacrosse in the Modern Olympic Movement

The inclusion of lacrosse in major international sporting events marks a significant milestone in its global journey. Has lacrosse been featured in the Olympic Games? While it was a medal sport in the 1904 and 1908 Olympics, it has since been featured as a demonstration sport in subsequent Games. Efforts are ongoing to reinstate lacrosse as a full medal sport in future Olympics, which would be a profound recognition of its Native American heritage on the world stage.

The Role of Women in Lacrosse: Past and Present

While traditional Native American lacrosse was primarily a male domain, the modern sport has seen significant participation and growth in women’s lacrosse. How has the role of women in the sport evolved?

Development of distinct rules and equipment for women’s lacrosse
Establishment of women’s leagues and collegiate programs
Growing participation at youth and amateur levels
Increasing professional opportunities for female players

The expansion of women’s lacrosse not only broadens the sport’s appeal but also offers new perspectives on its traditional values of skill, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

Empowering Native American Women Through Lacrosse

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in lacrosse among Native American women, reconnecting them with their cultural heritage through the sport. Programs focusing on girls’ and women’s lacrosse in tribal communities are helping to:

Preserve and transmit cultural knowledge
Promote physical and mental well-being
Foster leadership skills and community engagement
Bridge generational gaps through shared activity

These initiatives demonstrate how the sport continues to evolve while maintaining its deep cultural roots.

The Science and Technology of Modern Lacrosse

The evolution of lacrosse equipment and playing techniques has been influenced by advancements in science and technology. How has modern innovation impacted the sport?

Development of high-performance synthetic materials for sticks and balls
Use of biomechanics to optimize player movements and techniques
Implementation of video analysis and data analytics in training and strategy
Advances in protective gear to enhance player safety

These technological advancements have not only changed how the game is played but also how it is taught, analyzed, and experienced by players and spectators alike.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The challenge for modern lacrosse lies in balancing respect for its traditional roots with the demands of contemporary sport. How can the sport maintain its cultural integrity while embracing necessary innovations? This ongoing dialogue between past and present ensures that lacrosse remains a living, evolving cultural practice rather than a static historical relic.

Lacrosse as a Tool for Cultural Understanding and Reconciliation

Beyond its role as a competitive sport, lacrosse has the potential to serve as a bridge between Native American communities and wider society. How can the sport contribute to cultural understanding and reconciliation?

Educational programs highlighting the Native American origins of lacrosse
Cross-cultural exchanges through lacrosse tournaments and events
Incorporation of traditional elements in mainstream lacrosse celebrations
Use of the sport as a platform for discussing Native American issues and history

By acknowledging and honoring the Native American heritage of lacrosse, the sport can play a role in fostering greater awareness and respect for indigenous cultures.

The Healing Power of Sport

Just as traditional lacrosse served healing functions in Native American societies, the modern game can contribute to individual and community well-being. How does participation in lacrosse benefit players and communities today?

Physical fitness and health promotion
Mental health benefits through teamwork and goal-setting
Community cohesion through shared activities
Personal growth and character development

These benefits echo the holistic approach to well-being that characterized the traditional Native American view of lacrosse.

The Future of Lacrosse: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

As lacrosse continues to grow and evolve, what does the future hold for this ancient sport? The challenge and opportunity lie in maintaining a connection to its rich cultural heritage while adapting to the demands of modern sport and society. Potential developments include:

Further international expansion and cultural adaptation
Integration of virtual and augmented reality in training and spectator experiences
Increased focus on sustainability in equipment manufacturing
Greater emphasis on inclusive participation across genders and cultures

By embracing innovation while respecting tradition, lacrosse can continue to thrive as a sport that bridges past and present, cultures and communities.

The Enduring Spirit of the “Creator’s Game”

Despite centuries of change and adaptation, the core spirit of lacrosse as the “Creator’s Game” endures. The values of teamwork, skill, strategy, and respect that were central to its Native American origins continue to resonate with players and fans around the world. As lacrosse moves into the future, it carries with it the rich tapestry of legends, traditions, and cultural significance that make it far more than just a sport â€“ it remains a living link to an ancient and profound understanding of physical activity as a means of connecting individuals, communities, and the broader world.

Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans – HFS Books

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Format	Paperback / softback
Published	July 15, 2007
ISBN-13	9780801886294
Language	English
Pages	184
Words	62455
Halftones, black and white	11
Line drawings, black and white	8
Height	9.25 Inches (US)
Width	6.13 Inches (US)
Thickness	0. 49 Inches (US)
Unit weight	.65 Pounds (US)
List Prices	$29.00 USD, £24.00 GBP
ONIX	v2.1 Reference

By Thomas Vennum

Johns Hopkins University Press

An ancient Native American sport, lacrosse was originally played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, and develop strong, virile men. In Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans, Thomas Vennum draws on centuries of oral tradition to collect thirteen legends from five tribes—the Cherokee, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Seneca, Ojibwa, and Menominee. Reflecting the game’s origins and early history, these myths provide a glimpse into Native American life and the role of the “Creator’s Game” in tribal culture.

From the Great Game in which the Birds defeated the Quadrupeds to high-stakes contests after which the losers literally lost their heads, these stories reveal the fascinating spiritual world of the first lacrosse players as well as the violent reality of the original sport. Lacrosse enthusiasts will learn about game equipment, ritual preparations, dress, and style of play, from stick handling to scoring. They will discover how the “coach”—a medicine man—conjured potions to prevent game injuries or make the opponent’s leg cramp as well as how early craftsmen identified the perfect tree—marked by a lightning strike—from which to carve a lacrosse stick.

The game is no longer played by large numbers of men on mile-long fields, and plastic, titanium, and nylon have replaced hickory and ash, leather, and catgut. As lacrosse continues to evolve, this collection will help us remember and understand its rich and complex history.

About the Author

Thomas Vennum is senior ethnomusicologist emeritus at the Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. He is the author of American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War. He is retired and living in Tucson, Arizona, where he continues research among Indian tribes in Sonora, Mexico, specifically the Seri.

Reviews

“A strong contribution to Native American studies, sports history, and folklore.”

“As this book amply demonstrates, lacrosse has an impressive history and a vibrant contemporary culture.”

– Alan Bairner
– Journal of Sports Sciences

“It is to Vennum’s credit that he has brought these legends to a wider audience and demonstrated the relevance of what might seem at first glance unpromising territory for sport scientists.”

– Alan Bairner
– Journal of Sports Sciences

Format	Paperback / softback
Published	July 15, 2007
ISBN-13	9780801886294
Language	English
Pages	184
Words	62455
Halftones, black and white	11
Line drawings, black and white	8
Height	9. 25 Inches (US)
Width	6.13 Inches (US)
Thickness	0.49 Inches (US)
Unit weight	.65 Pounds (US)
List Prices	$29.00 USD, £24.00 GBP
ONIX	v2.1 Reference

Add to Cart

Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans By Thomas Vennum | New | 9780801886294

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An ancient Native American sport, lacrosse was originally played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, and develop strong, virile men. In Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans, Thomas Vennum draws on centuries of oral tradition to collect thirteen legends from five tribes-the Cherokee, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Seneca, Ojibwa, and Menominee. Reflecting the game’s origins and early history, these myths provide a glimpse into Native American life and the role of the “Creator’s Game” in tribal culture. From the Great Game in which the Birds defeated the Quadrupeds to high-stakes contests after which the losers literally lost their heads, these stories reveal the fascinating spiritual world of the first lacrosse players as well as the violent reality of the original sport. Lacrosse enthusiasts will learn about game equipment, ritual preparations, dress, and style of play, from stick handling to scoring. They will discover how the “coach”-a medicine man-conjured potions to prevent game injuries or make the opponent’s leg cramp as well as how early craftsmen identified the perfect tree-marked by a lightning strike-from which to carve a lacrosse stick. The game is no longer played by large numbers of men on mile-long fields, and plastic, titanium, and nylon have replaced hickory and ash, leather, and catgut. As lacrosse continues to evolve, this collection will help us remember and understand its rich and complex history.

A strong contribution to Native American studies, sports history, and folklore. Recommended. Choice 2008 As this book amply demonstrates, lacrosse has an impressive history and a vibrant contemporary culture. — Alan Bairner Journal of Sports Sciences 2008 It is to Vennum’s credit that he has brought these legends to a wider audience and demonstrated the relevance of what might seem at first glance unpromising territory for sport scientists. — Alan Bairner Journal of Sports Sciences 2008

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Animals as Star Players
The Great Game in Which the Birds Defeat the Quadrupeds
A Dog’s Power Beats the Old Chief
2. Game Equipment from the Upper World
The Pale Moon
Playing with an Evil Head
The First Lacrosse Ball
3. Wagers and Warriors
Playing for Heads
Wakayabide Is Killed Playing Lacrosse and Later Takes Revenge
The Warriors of the Ho-Chunk Nation Struggle on Home Turf
4. Tricksters and Culture Heroes
He Who Wears Human Heads for Earrings Defeats the Giants
Manabus Is Dogged by Waves
Why the Turkey Buzzard Has a Red Scabby Neck
5. Trees to Stop the Action
Snakes around the Neck
An Unusual Penalty Box
Conclusion
Appendix: Ethnographic Index
Bibliographic Note
Index

“Pion-NKS” is a radar reconnaissance satellite, which is part of the advanced marine space reconnaissance and target designation system (MKRTS) 14K159 “Liana”. It is intended for constant monitoring of the World Ocean in order to determine the location of enemy ships, and above all aircraft carrier strike groups, and to issue target designation to naval strike weapons to destroy these ships.

So, the first Pion-NKS should have been launched a long time ago, which is necessary for training on the interaction of all elements of the system, that is, passive radio and active radar satellites. But this event was postponed several times to a later date. And now the full-fledged debugging of the Liana ICRTs has begun, the general developers of which are the Central Research Institute of Radio Engineering (TsNIIRTI) named after A.I. Mints, KB “Arsenal” (St. Petersburg) and Rocket and Space Center “Progress” (Samara).

And this was not only an economic trouble, but also a reputational and political one. Three times there were accidents, as a result of which the satellite with the reactor could not be taken into the burial orbit. Satellites were destroyed in the atmosphere, and radioactive fragments flew down. Twice the fall occurred in the Indian Ocean. But once 65 kilograms of debris hit the territory of Canada. It’s good that they fell in a sparsely populated area. But it’s bad that some of them had radioactivity of 200 roentgens per hour.

In 1982, during the Falklands War between Argentina and Great Britain for the islands of the same name, all the data from Legends about the situation in the region were collected and analyzed at the General Staff of the USSR. It was clear how many British landing ships were approaching the Falklands, what the defense of the islands was. As a result of the information received from the “Legend”, the place of the landing of the British troops and the exact time of the start of the operation were predicted.

Data on the capabilities of the third generation of the system are classified. They are revealed by the second generation. The accuracy of determining the location of marine objects reaches 1-3 kilometers. That is, the system cannot be used for target designation of missile weapons. The third generation of the system has greater accuracy, but it is also used to reflect the surface situation throughout the oceans, and not for target designation

Sitting down to write “American Pie”, debutant screenwriter Adam Hertz did not at all imagine himself rediscovering the teen comedy genre – he simply actively did not like what he was used to seeing on the screen. According to Adam, at the end of the last century, the genre of youth sex comedy was in a terrible state and needed an injection of something potent. It was just a matter of getting the recipe right. “The genre sucked itself out, Hollywood is all 9The 0s filmed solid rubbish, as if forgetting that teenagers also love movies, Hertz later recalled. “All I wanted was to make the studios think.”

At the University of Michigan, where Adam studied, he liked film studies much more than other subjects. Deciding that a career as a lawyer was not for him, in 1996, Hertz said goodbye to his native Grand Rapids and went to New York for a six-week filmmaking course. There it became completely clear to him that he did not have enough data for acting, but there were other professions that allowed him to penetrate the Hollywood kitchen.

Adam started working as an assistant in the production of various TV shows, and in his free time he dabbled in writing, however, without much success. Disillusioned with modern cinema, Hertz wanted to write a good comedy in the spirit of the 80s, but the 15-hour working day squeezed all the strength out of him, not allowing him to focus on creativity. After suffering for some time and sending several unsuccessful drafts to the trash, Hertz found a way out of the situation – he quit his job.

By the time all of his bank cards had credit limits set, the 26-year-old author managed to squeeze out 30 pages of a script and hopefully showed them to his potential managers. “They said the first two pages were brilliant, but the other 28 were crap,” Adam later described the reaction of his first reviewers. “And I decided, okay, let it be just a movie about guys who want to have sex. And when the idea took concrete shape, I dashed off the rest of the script in two or three weeks.

The plot that took shape involved a group of high school friends desperately dreaming of parting with their innocence. There are still a few weeks left until the end of classes, and in order to spur each other, they make a corresponding bet. Now, finding a “fail-safe” prom partner is becoming a matter of honor for the conspirators, and everyone is trying to resolve this issue in their own way. The shameless jerk Steve Stifler constantly interferes in the plans of friends, with whom they are friends only because it is at his house that the after-prom party will take place – the one at which everything should be decided …

It was the winter of 1997, just in time for the New Year holidays. While the country was resting and skiing, Hertz pounded on the keys, generously drawing the described situations and plot conflicts from personal baggage. Adam wrote off positive characters from his friends and acquaintances, whose habits and favorite phrases he had not yet forgotten after school. In order not to get confused who is who, in the first draft he even called them the names of real prototypes. Stifler, on the other hand, was largely a composite character, without whose foul language, according to the author, the plot would not have been so vital: “Everyone knows Stifler, a freakish moron like him studied with everyone at school. A couple of such bespredelschikov also fell to my lot. All they wanted was to get laid, and for some reason the people around them had to respect them for it. In general, these two inspired me. Well, I also, of course, wrote off a lot of things from myself. ” According to Hertz, the main character, Jim Levenstein, was and remains his favorite, because he inherited his character in many ways. And even in some matters he turned out to be bolder, having done what Adam himself only dreamed of at one time.

The completed 113-page manuscript began circulating in film studios. Instead of a headline, the author wrote on the title page: “An as-yet untitled teen comedy that can be made for less than 10 million and that will probably outrage many readers, but I think you will like it.” As a result, the script was bought by Universal Pictures for 650 thousand, and the production of the tape was entrusted to the debutant brothers Paul and Chris Weitz. The brothers’ directing experience was zero; they entered the cinema through a side door, attracting the attention of the studio with the script for the animated film Antz written for DreamWorks. A teen comedy was a good way for them to make themselves known, and there was a reason for self-realization since childhood: Paul and Chris’s mother, Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Susan Kohner left the big screen at the peak of her career to devote herself to children, and this is what In a sense, it placed responsibility on the brothers.

Future directors saw the drama of growing up in the story written by Hertz: in their opinion, despite the abundance of very rude gags, the need for an early parting introduced an obviously sad counterpoint into the relationship of the characters, pushing them to various madness. Having thus determined for themselves the tone of the future picture, they began casting and staffed the team with serial actors who were ready to work for a modest fee for an interesting role.

Alyson Hannigan was hired due to the fact that before the screen test she did not have time to run to the toilet and, as a result, genuinely impressed the directors with her twitchiness. Initially, she was considered for the role of Heather, but, after reading the script, the girl asked to give her the part of the geeky flutist Michelle. Some of the young actors who got into the team managed to get to know each other on other projects: for example, Natasha Lionni starred with Mena Suvari in The Slums of Beverly Hills, and she, in turn, played with Eddie Kay Thomas in Carrie 2. Tara Reid managed to participate in such iconic tapes 90’s, like The Big Lebowski, Urban Legends and Cruel Intentions, but the rest had nothing to brag about – they still had ahead. Even Eugene Levy, who by that time had almost thirty years of acting experience and more than fifty roles behind him, was remembered by the audience as the sexually liberated dad of the protagonist, whom he, correctly sensing the direction of the wind, later played more than once.

Locations for filming were chosen not far from Hollywood. Although Hertz’s action takes place in the town of East Great Falls, written off from his native Grand Rapids, trips to the outback were not needed: all suitable nature was found in Los Angeles and its suburbs. The role of “East Great Falls High”, in which the characters of the tape study, was played by two schools located on Long Beach: interior scenes were filmed in one, the second was used for external plans.

Filming began on July 21, 1998 and ran until September 11. Despite the fact that the Weitzes were debutants, none of them pulled the blanket over themselves: the brothers understood each other without words, never argued, and even “Cut!” at the end of the takes they screamed at the same time. The coherence of their work impressed the rest of the team, so that the shooting of a number of rather sensitive episodes went off without incident. The unbridled script of Hertz only helped the actors in this. Jason Biggs, who played the role of Jim, was very excited when the turn came to the famous pie scene, but he could not help but admit that it was she who helped him overcome his complexes. A ridiculous striptease involving an office chair was given to Jason after that much easier. “I tried to act loose, because the dumber I looked, the less I became in it, and the easier it was to play,” the actor said years later.

Biggs literally experienced both heat and cold: during the filming of the opening scene, to simulate an erection, only a cooked and still hot sausage was stuffed into his shorts; on the set of another scene where his character rushes home, Jason overheated so much that he had to put ice under his shirt. When the required number of takes had been filmed, Biggs was taken to the hospital. On another occasion, the actor overate zinc tablets, poisoned himself and became so weak that he lost his ability to work for the whole day: the scene with Finch (Eddie Kay Thomas) playing golf had to be filmed without him. But perhaps the biggest test for Jason was the relatively simple breakfast scene at the Dog Years diner: as Biggs later admitted, during takes he had to eat more than five dozen hot dogs. This experience was also not easy for directors: Chris Weitz noted in his memoirs that “shooting a group of people sitting around a table is something impossible. ”

Sean William Scott, for whom Stifler was the first opportunity to shine on the big screen, approached his duties creatively: improvisations were allowed on the set, and he came up with so many things that Adam Hertz was eventually forced to recognize Scott as a full co-author: “ This character basically became Sean’s creation. The more he got used to the role, the more detached Stifler became. Shockingly worked on the image of the sophisticated alcoholic Paul Finch and Eddie Kay Thomas. The rest of the actors also gave their best: for example, for the role of handsome Oz, Chris Kline had to learn how to play lacrosse in two days, and Mena Suvari personally performed all the musical numbers.

For the late 1990s, the plot of American Pie was an unheard of audacity, but the young actors were not afraid to take risks, and the opportunity to feel like schoolchildren again entertained them a lot. The only one who asked to make fundamental changes to the drawing of his role was Eugene Levy – Jim’s dad. He wanted to play a good, caring father who really cares about his son, and does not encourage him in every possible way, pushing him into the abyss of debauchery. The production brothers agreed that Jim’s dad should not act like a dirty old man, but there was no time to rewrite the role, so the new image was born as a result of multiple improvisations right on the set. Levy later recalled, “Jim’s dad! When I first read the script, I thought, this guy doesn’t even have a name. It’s like playing some kind of “salesman”. But the role turned out to be a hit, and I’m glad about it. I have never heard a bad word about my character, so when someone on the street shouts “God, you’re Jim’s dad!”, I can only be proud.

The name of the tape was not born immediately. Initially, Hertz wanted to equip his creation with the title “East Great Falls High” – an allusion to the school in which he once studied, then the title was reduced to the name of the town – “Great Falls”. As a result, the punning “American Pie” appeared (“pie” in English is not only “pie”, but also “chaos”, “jumble”; in addition, there is a saying “As American as apple pie” – “As American as apple pie”), which suited everyone and turned into a kind of brand.

The live band invited to shoot the prom was selected on the basis of the most stupidity: the directors wanted to bring down the sentimental pathos of the event and show that the event that all schoolchildren are looking forward to may not actually look cool at all. “This went on for three days in a row,” the Weitz later recalled with a laugh. “Three days of never-ending graduation!” God forbid, to experience it again … Sherman, by the way, didn’t really wet himself there – there was a tube hidden in his trousers, through which water was supplied at the right moment.

In most of the scenes where music was involved (for example, at Stifler’s parties), the dancers had to twitch their limbs in complete silence, otherwise it would not have been possible to record dialogues normally – which, however, did not prevent the Weitz from later adding an amusing a set of more than three dozen melodies. So, the song of the Simple Minds group “Don`t you forget about me”, which the musicians play at the prom, is a reference to the youth comedy “Club” Breakfast “(1985). When Finch, who has drunk a laxative, rushes to the toilet, The Ventures song “Walk Don’t Run” (“Go, don’t run”) is played off-screen. And the music he seduces Stifler’s mom to is “Mrs. Robinson” from the film “The Graduate” (1967). The members of the group “Blink 182” not only donated their songs “Mutt” and “Going Away To College” for the soundtrack, but also played casual viewers spying on Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) masturbating. Other cameos include Casey Affleck in the tiny role of Tom Myers, Kevin’s older brother. The future singer Christina Milian wormed his way into the group of outsider musicians, and in the crowd of girls laughing at Finch who came out of the women’s toilet, one can see fashion model Stacy Fuson (Miss February of Playboy magazine for 1999 g). Director Chris Weitz chose the most amusing role for himself – it is in his voice that the porn actor shouts from the TV at the beginning of the film: “Go smack my hairy ass!”

for example, the golf scene was advised to be inserted into the film by the father of actor Eddie Kay Thomas, and Chris Weitz came up with the idea of using the monkey in the scene where Nadia appears topless (despite the fact that all unwanted spectators were removed from the site, the animal found by the producers got nervous and pissed himself right on in the hands of Shannon Elizabeth’s boyfriend, who was watching the filming). At the same time, not everything from Hertz’s initial script migrated to the film. Some scenes were longer, some looked different, and Nadia not only smiled dazzlingly and showed off her body, but also talked. When Vicki (Tara Reid) and Jessica (Natasha Lionne) discussed methods of achieving orgasm at a party, Nadia put in her five cents: “Hands are not always even needed. I can teach you my own method, which I came up with when I attended a ballet school in Prague. You just have to forget about everything except the muscles of the inner thigh … “After the departure of Nadia, Jessica concluded:” It’s no wonder that in the lessons she always has her head in the clouds. At the end of the prom, when Jim was alone with Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), it was assumed that the girl would play the flute in the process of intercourse, and Stifler’s younger brother would watch the couple from the closet. As a result, they decided to cross out the flute and brother, but they left a cry improvised by Alison in front of the camera: “Call me by my name, bitch!” The waiter told them the next bottle of champagne to the bellboy: “Here’s a lucky one!” – “I’ve already seen this couple somewhere,” the bellboy answered. “This guy is some kind of dancer.”

Knowing that an inexpensive film is more likely to be made, Hertz tried to get rid of everything that could weigh the budget even at the stage of writing the script. The consequence of this principle was, for example, the number of night scenes brought to a minimum, since Night shots are more expensive than daytime shots. As it turned out later, the screenwriter nevertheless miscalculated a little with the budget declared on the title page: the cost of the tape was not 10, but 11 million. But the money had already been invested – all that remained was to reap the rewards.

When the filming was completed and post-production began in the fall of 1999, it turned out that the tape did not fit into any censorship limits. Watching a rough cut of “American Pie” made the motion picture association of America’s (MPAA) moral watchdogs eyes wide open, and they declared that the film deserved no other rental rating than NC-17. This meant that the tape could not be advertised in the media, and no one under the age of 17 could enter the sessions. Since “Pie…” was filmed primarily for young people, the Weitzes returned to the editing room several times, replacing the most “shocking” shots with alternative shots and removing the most obscene lines. In the fourth version of the montage, Jim fucked the pie while standing to his full height, and not lying on the kitchen table upside down, and the “man’s soup” accidentally drunk by Stifler (made, by the way, from beer and egg white) sounded like a “milk shake” . In the end, the MPAA gave in: the tape received the coveted rating of R and 9July 1999 successfully released in the US box office. The Weitz, unwilling to put up with censorship, put back much of what was cut in preparation for the “Director’s Cut” for the DVD release.

Further known: $235,483,004 in global screen and home video grosses, scandalous status, nominations and awards, MILF acronym entering everyday language, follow-up sequels and direct-to-video spin-offs labeled “American Pie Presents” “In which only Jim’s dad remained from the previous composition, but numerous relatives of Stifler appeared . .. Then, at 19In 1999, the Weitzes could hardly have imagined that in just a few years, showing male genitalia in comedies and smearing various bodily fluids on the screen would become commonplace; at that time, the authors were quietly happy, if only because they were able to show Shannon Elizabeth’s bare breasts and joke about the flute stuck in a causal place.

The fact that the testosterone injection, which Hertz dreamed of doing to the comedy genre, had an effect, the screenwriter found out even before the premiere. He recalls this moment not without pride: “At first, the studio did not really believe in the success of our film, but after the test screenings, the marketers were on their ears: “God damn it, guys, how did you do it? The audience is delighted! ..” Well, it was a hit, and he changed a lot in the industry. But as time went on, Hollywood again began to shoot nonsense instead of comedies, and now, like in the nineties, everything is preparing to die again .

The Origins and Significance of Lacrosse in Native American Culture

Mythical Origins: The Great Game of Birds vs. Quadrupeds

Symbolic Elements in the Great Game

The Spiritual Dimension: Lacrosse as a Sacred Ritual

The Art and Craft of Traditional Lacrosse Equipment

High Stakes and Harsh Consequences: The Intensity of Traditional Lacrosse

The Evolution of Lacrosse: From Miles-Long Fields to Modern Arenas

Lacrosse Legends: Preserving Native American Oral Traditions

The Legacy of Lacrosse in Contemporary Native American Communities

The Intersection of Sport and Culture

The Global Spread of Lacrosse: From Tribal Grounds to International Fields

Lacrosse in the Modern Olympic Movement

The Role of Women in Lacrosse: Past and Present

Empowering Native American Women Through Lacrosse

The Science and Technology of Modern Lacrosse

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

Lacrosse as a Tool for Cultural Understanding and Reconciliation

The Healing Power of Sport

The Future of Lacrosse: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

The Enduring Spirit of the “Creator’s Game”

Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans – HFS Books

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Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans By Thomas Vennum | New | 9780801886294

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Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans Summary

Lacrosse Legends of the First Americans by Thomas Vennum

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Not a single NATO ship can hide from the space Liana

How the American pie”

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