It’s coming up on 40 years since the tragedy took place, yet the memories remain fresh for those who lived through it, around it or even actually were involved in the horrific, life-changing event.
Pelle Lindbergh, clearly on the path to stardom as a goaltender with the Flyers, had the dream cut short on Nov. 10, 1985, when he died from injuries suffered in a car crash in Somerdale, New Jersey, near the team’s practice facility.
Also in Lindbergh’s Porsche 911 were two passengers, friends of the young Swede, who managed to survive.
Their recollections, along with those of numerous Lindbergh teammates, friends, first responders, team staff, journalists and more, are part of a new documentary “The Swede of Philadelphia,” (Charlie Minn Films) which is scheduled to premier on Nov. 7 in several regional theaters.
According to the production’s website, “The Swede of Philadelphia” is “an in-depth and intense look at the goalie, the man, the decision.”
“The goal of the film,” said Minn, “is to humanize what happened. How it affected people and what lessons were learned. What message can we walk away with that could help save a life in the future.”
The two survivors of the crash, Kathyleen McNeal and Ed Parvin Jr., talk extensively about the events leading up to the crash, what took place during the rescue from the wreckage and the fallout in the hours and days afterward.
Among those interviewed by Minn for the documentary were former Lindbergh teammates Mark Howe, Brian Propp, Rick Tocchet, Bernie Parent, Murray Craven, Bob Froese, Dave Brown, Bobby Taylor and Glenn “Chico” Resch.
Other interviewees included former Flyers equipment manager Kevin Cady, Flyers beat writer Al Morganti, former Flyers equipment manager Derek Settlemyre, lead investigator Charlie Pope, first police officer on the scene Frank Rizzo and EMT BettyAnn Cowling Carson.
Over the years there have been numerous types of media offerings going over the events of 1985 along with the fallout but “The Swede of Philadelphia” is just about the most comprehensive look at the subject we’ve seen so far.
“Kathy [McNeal] poured her heart out, she bared her soul,” Minn disclosed in an interview. “I didn’t think she was going to get that emotional. This is something that she’s been living with. The whole night, morning became a state of mind for her.
“Ed Parvin had some problems neurologically, had to go through speech therapy.”
Parvin’s father, Ed Sr., did all of the real estate deals for the Flyers back in the ‘80s.
Minn said there were a lot of back stories which were woven into the film.
And many details of the fateful night are brought back to light.
It’s common knowledge that Lindbergh, not known for any late night escapades, was uncharacteristically over-served that night. After the crash, it was determined that his alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
“The story is deep,” Minn said. “I think most Flyer fans only know that Pelle drank too much [that night after a ‘party’ at the Coliseum], got into a car and crashed it. And that’s that. I understand back in ’85 there was no social media. People cannot comment on things. The information back then was a lot different. You had to wait for the morning paper.”
Much is made of the friendship which developed between Lindbergh and Parent over the years.In perhaps his last interview before his death last month, Parent went into detail about how much he loved his young protégé.
“They were literally like father and son,” Minn said. “The fact that Bernie passed away and both died on a Saturday night going into a Sunday, there are just some symbolic parallels there between the two.”
Parent told Minn that his wish was to one day have his jersey (No. 1) and Lindbergh’s (No. 31) hanging side-by-side from the rafters.
The documentary will premier at three New Jersey theaters: AMC Voorhees 16 (Voorhees, N.J.), AMC Cherry Hill 24 (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and AMC Fashion District 8 (Philadelphia).
For more information, visit the website: swedeofphiladelphia.com.
Source: Berkshire mont