The Steagle (1971)

In the midst of the Cuban missile crisis, a mild-mannered professor decides to live out all of his daydreams, travelling across the country and adopting a different persona in each city.

Director:

Paul Sylbert

Writers:

Irvin Faust (novel), Paul Sylbert

Stars:

Richard Benjamin, Chill Wills, Cloris Leachman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Benjamin	...	Harold Weiss, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Chill Wills	...	Tall-Guy McCoy
Cloris Leachman	...	Rita Weiss
Jean Allison	...	Florence Maguire
Suzanne Charney	...	Marcy (as Suzanne Charny)
Ivor Francis	...	Reverend
Susan Tyrrell	...	Louise
Jack Bernardi	...	Marty Panesh
Susan Kussman	...	Joan
Peter Hobbs	...	Dr. Payne
Joseph Bernard	...	Max Levine
Frank Christi	...	Mr. Forbes
Diane Ladd	...	Mrs. Forbes
Harold Reynolds	...	Dr. Plymile
John Hiestand	...	Matt Mahew

Storyline

In the midst of the Cuban missile crisis, a mild-mannered professor decides to live out all of his daydreams, travelling across the country and adopting a different persona in each city.

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Plot Keywords:

professor | cuban missile crisis | nudity | living out fantasy | pretender | 

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Taglines:

How Long Has It Been Since You Did Something You Always Wanted to Do--But Didn't Dare?

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1971 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,850,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to the National Football League's World War Two-era Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Eagles-Steelers that fans and sportswriters dubbed "The Steagles". In 1943, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers combined teams due to an NFL contraction to eight teams caused by a lack of quality players due to armed services obligations. The Steagles played four games at Philadelphia's Shibe Park and two games at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, going 5-4-1, the first winning record in the history of pro football in Philadelphia. In 1944, the Eagles went back to being their own team, while the Steelers merged with the Chicago Cardinals (converting back to singular status in 1945). Thus, a "Steagle" is a one-year phenomenon, a unique, exciting event for Philadelphia football fans. Richard Benjamin's character, an alienated English literature professor, is a Walter Mitty-type who daydreams about war, old movies and professional sports; thus, "The Steagle" symbolizes him being stuck in an idealized past.

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Connections

References Hell's Angels (1930)

User Reviews

Great idea...Empty result

A Bored middle aged man decides to drop out of society and travel the country playing out his unfulfilled fantasies and personas. Although this is a really fun idea, with Benjamin playing the part quite well, it fails to deliver. Having no real conclusion doesn't help either. The best part comes when Benjamin gives his students a completly incomprehensible lecture. Character actors Francis and Wills help immeasurably.