Something to Cheer About

Betsy Blankenbaker's documentary tells the story of the basketball squad of Crispus Attucks High in Indianapolis, a once-segregated school whose Tigers became the first all-black team to win a state championship in 1955. Coach Ray Crowe encouraged his players, including the legendary Oscar Robertson, to use the innovative style of play the teens had mastered in neighborhood games—to win, rather than just put on a good show—while also teaching them the virtues of discipline, self-esteem, and grace under pressure. Something to Cheer About doesn't have much cinematic flair, offering a straightforward combination of archival footage and stills, interview excerpts (with players, supporters, neighborhood figures, and especially Crowe, conducted shortly before his death in 2003), and film from an NBA game during which the coach and team were feted. But while technically rudimentary, the film serves up an overdue tribute to a team that changed basketball—and more importantly, attitudes—at a crucial moment in American history. A fitting counterpart to Hoosiers—the crowd-pleasing movie about the victory of the small-town Milan team in the Indiana state championship battle of the preceding year—this is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 49-minute “1955 Indiana High School Championship Game,” “50th Anniversary Celebration Footage” (7 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a solid documentary.] (F. Swietek)