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| Hero at Large | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Martin Davidson |
| Written by | AJ Carothers |
| Produced by | Stephen J. Friedman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | David Garfield |
| Music by | Patrick Williams |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | United Artists (United States/Canada) Cinema International Corporation (International) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $15.9 million |
Hero at Large is a 1980 Americansuperherocomedy film starringJohn Ritter andAnne Archer.[1] The film was written byAJ Carothers and directed byMartin Davidson. The original music score was composed byPatrick Williams.
Steve Nichols is a struggling New York City actor who accepts the job of posing as comic-book hero for the needs of a film's promotion. After he stops a robbery while wearing the "Captain Avenger" costume, his life becomes unexpectedly complicated. Nichols decides to continue "playing" superhero and discovers that a hero's life is more complex than he expected.[2]
Nichols is hired by the Mayor's staff who hope the Captain Avenger's tie-in will win votes for an upcoming election. The plan is ultimately discovered and exposed by the media, leaving Captain Avenger on the outs with the public. Encouraged by his girlfriend, Jolene, to not rely on the costume and mask to gain adulation, Nichols later becomes a bona fide hero when he rescues a child from a burning apartment building.
In addition,Joyce Brothers has a cameo as herself, whilePenny Crone, anEmmy Award-winning reporter in the New York City market, has an uncredited cameo as a reporter, and a youngKevin Bacon appeared as "2nd teenager" in a brief scene with Ritter's character.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars and called it "a big, dumb, silly, good-hearted albatross of a comedy". He said that although the film might appeal to fans ofJohn Ritter, it did not appeal to him.[1]Gene Siskel had a different reaction, stating the movie was a fun comedy that was appropriate for family viewing and recommending viewers of their TV show see it.
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