La poursuite mystérieuse

Could there be a more "Canadian" way to smuggle a fortune in stolen diamonds than inside of a hollowed out hockey puck? Well neither can I. And evidently, neither could the writers of this great little piece of Canadiana.

When a pair of bungling burglars mistakenly lose said item, it falls into the hands of two adventurous Montreal urchins. Now to get the darn thing to the proper authorities before the evil-doers can catch them. The climatic scene alone, which takes place at the old Montreal Forum arena (during a Canadiens game, no less) makes seeking out this little treasure well worth your while.

And if your kids can excuse the clothing we all wore in the 70's (god, I miss my giant afro with the black power comb with the fist on it!!!), then they're in for a well-crafted little piece of action, suspense and Saturday morning fun. It will remind them of movies like Home Alone. It will remind you of a time when the Montreal Canadiens were a Stanley Cup winning juggernaut. (Don't cry, gentle reader. It may happen again someday.)

Man, could that Guy Lafleur act....

This film is pretty awful and gets worse as it gets less believable. A frolic in the frigid Quebec winter that heats up with the pursuit of international jewel thieves.

Unfortunately, I have an allergy to the cold, so my flesh puffs up just thinking about this film, which was made in the Canadian winter - please forgive me if my remembrances aren't entirely accurate: An institutionalized orphan goes to a flower shop in Chicoutimi and overhears of a plot to smuggle jewels inside a Montreal Canadians puck. He tries to tell others, including the presiding nun, the police, even the legendary "Le Gros Bill" Jean Beliveau, but no one believes him. It ends up he has to take his sister along to attempt to foil the crooks.

Some funny bits, particularly by the fancy room service waiter and the flower shop clerk that is allergic to daffodils. For you mechanics and vintage snowmobile buffs, don't miss the chase scene involving a Massey-Ferguson Ski Whiz. You'll discover legendary play-by-play man Danny Gallivan was the guy to go to if you needed adult help in 1970s Montreal.

The entire Montreal Canadians roster of 1973-74 is on display. I don't think Brian and Mila Mulroney are visible in the stands behind the Canadians bench (they had season's tickets during this era), but then I haven't seen the flick in a dog's age. A possible speaking role for Bob Gainey (I think another voice was dubbed in later) and a very strong segment featuring some fine acting by Habs equipment manager/trainer Eddie Palchak. You also get to see a closeup of Bleu-Blanc-Rouge super-fan "Dutchy" and his persistent "GO HABS GO" chant. Serge Savard's insidious grin will be his lasting contribution to motion pictures.

If it comes out on video, I suggest renting it. Its not worth owning, unless, of course, you are a big Eddie Palchak, or Danny Gallivan fan.