FROM THE ARCHIVES: 'HARVARD MAN'
ETOBICOKE, Ont -- Basketball fans remember Ray Allen, a ten-time NBA All-Star, on the big screen when he made his acting debut in 1998. Allen co-starred alongside Denzel Washington in the Spike Lee film He Got Game as high-school basketball phenomenon Jesus Shuttlesworth.
Little do people know, Allen also appeared as Marcus Blake in the 2001 film Harvard Man and the basketball scenes were shot right here at Humber’s north campus gymnasium.
The crime comedy-drama thriller was written and directed by James Toback, and starred Adrian Grenier, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Joey Lauren Adams, Eric Stoltz, and Rebecca Gayheart.
The story concerns Harvard student Alan Jensen (Adrian Grenier), the point guard of the Harvard men’s basketball team. When his parents' house is destroyed by a tornado, Alan is desperate for $100,000 to replace their home. He is approached by his girlfriend Cindy Bandolino (Sarah Michelle Gellar), whose father is an organized crime boss. Cindy convinces Alan to throw a game for the money. She tells Alan that her father is behind the deal, but actually she goes to her father's associate, Teddy Carter (Eric Stoltz), and Carter's assistant, Kelly Morgan (Rebecca Gayheart) for funding. What she does not know is that Carter and Morgan are undercover FBI agents.
In 1970, a filming on location at Harvard University caused extreme damage which led to a ban on film production. That’s why James Toback, a graduate from Harvard, was forced to shoot the bulk of his autobiographical film in Toronto.
During the filming, Humber’s gym was repainted in the Harvard Crimson; however in multiple basketball scenes OCAA championship banners can be seen hanging from the rafters. In the photo above, the crimson colour is prominent and Humber’s distinct wooden bleachers (upgraded in 2007) are clearly visible.
*Movie trailer can be found by clicking on the video button*
