The Steagle (1971)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Paul Sylbert

Writers:

Irvin Faust (novel)
Paul Sylbert (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Professor | Cuban Missile Crisis | Nudity | Living Out Fantasy | Pretender

Cast

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

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

AVCO Embassy Pictures

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.

Movie Connections:

References The Sheik (1921)

Sorely and unfairly neglected, ultimate sleeper.

My wife and I must have been among the handful of people to see this movie in original release. We thought it was funny, irreverent and well done. It was pulled from circulation so quickly that hardly anyone has seen it. Richard Benjamin on occasion has complained that it was a favorite that the studio "released in a closet" and never gave a chance. I bet it would find an audience it promoted on home video (I have never been able to find a copy).