''Hero at Large'' is a 1980 American superhero

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

starring

John Ritter Johnathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor. Ritter was a son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. He is known for playing Jack Tripper on the ...

and Anne Archer. The film was written by

AJ Carothers A. J. Carothers (October 22, 1931 – April 9, 2007) was an American playwright and television writer, best known for his work with Walt Disney. Life and career Born in Houston, Texas on October 22, 1931, Carothers was older than his two s ...

and directed by

Martin Davidson Martin Davidson (born November 7, 1939) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, television director. After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he spent four (five counting tours) years as an actor in Off Broadway shows ...

. The original music score was composed by Patrick Williams.

Plot

Steve Nichols is a struggling New York City actor who accepts the job of posing as comic-book hero for a movie he's hired to help promote. 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. 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.

Cast

In addition,

Joyce Brothers Joyce Diane Brothers (October 20, 1927 – May 13, 2013) was an American psychologist, television personality, advice columnist, and writer. She first became famous in 1955 for winning the top prize on the American game show '' The $64,000 Ques ...

has a cameo as herself, while

Penny Crone Barbara Penny Crone Forney (born 1950 in New York City) is a former American television and radio reporter, media personality, and current real estate broker for the Douglas Elliman real estate company in New York. Career Born in New York to Haro ...

, an Emmy Award-winning reporter in the New York City market, has an uncredited cameo as a reporter.

Reception

Roger Ebert gave the film 2 out of 4 stars and called it "a big, dumb, silly, good-hearted albatross of a comedy". He said that although the film might appeal to fans of Ritter, it didn't appeal to him.

References

External links

* * * * 1980 films 1980 comedy films American superhero comedy films 1980s English-language films Films about actors Films directed by Martin Davidson Films scored by Patrick Williams Films set in New York City Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films 1980s American films {{1980s-comedy-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Reception

See also

References

External links