IMDb > "The Greatest American Hero" (1981)
"The Greatest American Hero"
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"The Greatest American Hero" (1981) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1981-1983

Photos (see all 4 | slideshow) Videos (see all 45)
"The Greatest American Hero" (1981): Season 3: Episode 9 -- Ralph and Maxwell battle sinister forces that have taken a young scientist's uncle hostage in exchange for an advanced weapon that could dramatically shift the world's balance of power.
"The Greatest American Hero" (1981): Season 3: Episode 8 -- Ralph's unusual new student creates international chaos when his class project of building a radio telescope for tracking orbiting satellites brings the CIA and KGB down on the school.
"The Greatest American Hero" (1981): Season 3: Episode 7 -- Ralph and Maxwell become embroiled in a bizarre scheme when a disgruntled news anchorman plots the terrorist takeover of a nuclear power plant to launch his career. William Windom guest stars.
"The Greatest American Hero" (1981): Season 3: Episode 6 -- The fake death but real kidnapping of Maxwell leads Ralph on a wild chase to a tropical island, where a demented scientist plans to use Maxwell in his genetic engineering experiments - the last of which created a hideous monster.
"The Greatest American Hero" (1981): Season 3: Episode 5 -- The biggest day in the lives of Ralph and Pam - their wedding day - is made even more complicated when the President sends Ralph on a secret mission to the North Pole.
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Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   656 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 74% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Creator:
Stephen J. Cannell
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Greatest American Hero on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | unknown full episode list
Release Date:
18 March 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | Comedy more
Plot:
A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control. full summary
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(23 articles)
Nathan Fillion Wants To Be The Greatest American Hero
 (From ReelzChannel. 29 October 2009, 9:32 AM, PDT)
Full Trailer for Timur Bekmambetov-Produced Black Lightning
 (From Slash Film. 19 October 2009, 7:39 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
heartwarming more (50 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 5 of 71)
William Katt ... Ralph Hinkley / ... (44 episodes, 1981-1986)
Robert Culp ... Bill Maxwell (44 episodes, 1981-1986)
Connie Sellecca ... Pam Davidson / ... (40 episodes, 1981-1986)
Don Cervantes ... Paco Rodriguez (23 episodes, 1981-1983)
Faye Grant ... Rhonda Blake (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
60 min | USA:30 min (43 episodes)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Iceland:L | Australia:PG
Filming Locations:
Santa Clarita, California, USA more
Company:
Stephen J. Cannell Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Ralph's name was changed back to Hinkley during the second season after the furor over his last name died down. more
Quotes:
Pam Davidson: You go in there and you know what's going to happen? You're going to be sent away for so long, when you get out this suit's going to actually be in style. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Werewolf (#10.4)" (1998) more
Soundtrack:
Believe It or Not more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
25 out of 26 people found the following comment useful.
heartwarming, 10 April 2004
Author: (hamm3961@bellsouth.net) from Mufreesboro, Tennessee

I can still recall, quite fondly, watching the pilot episode of The Greatest American Hero. It can be corny and silly at times... but it was also humorous, warm, and uplifting. A group of people suddenly thrown into a situation where they have to "save the world". And working together (more or less :) ) they do it. From saving little kids, freezing in the wilderness to "baggin' bad guys" on the streets of L.A. My life is pretty dull and uneventful... oh but what I wouldn't do if suddenly >I< had a super suit. And while I'm old and getting gray now... I still dream, every now and again, of flying around in the sky... (and over the years I've gotten better at landing on my feet). Ralph wasn't the best... but he always gave it the old team try. You gotta love him for that!

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