Paper Lion (1968)

Sportswriter George Plimpton poses as a rookie quarterback for the Detroit Lions for a "Sports Illustrated" article.

Director:

Alex March

Writers:

George Plimpton (book), Lawrence Roman

Stars:

Alan Alda, Lauren Hutton, Joe Schmidt

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Alda	...	George Plimpton
Lauren Hutton	...	Kate
Joe Schmidt	...	Joe Schmidt
Alex Karras	...	Alex Karras
John Gordy	...	John Gordy
Mike Lucci	...	Mike Lucci
Pat Studstill	...	Pat Studstill
Bill McPeak	...	Bill McPeak
Jim Martin	...	Jim Martin
Jim David	...	Jim David
Chuck Knox	...	Charles Knox (as Charles Knox)
John North	...	John North
Carl Brettschneider	...	Carl Brettschneider
Roger Brown	...	Roger Brown
Lem Barney	...	Lem Barney

Storyline

George Plimpton wants to write a story for Sports Illustrated on what it is like to be a quarterback for an NFL team. No one is willing to allow a klutzy amateur to go on the field for fear he'll kill himself. After several teams turn him down, Plimpton got the Detroit Lions to let him go to training camp. He tries to keep his true identity a secret from the real players. This is based on a true incident and many of the players play themselves in the movie.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | touch football | reference to sugar ray robinson | reference to the afl | reference to the los angeles rams | 

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Taglines:

The Paper Lion is About to Get Creamed

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time of the book and movie, Alex Karras was a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions. However, after his playing career ended, Karras became a commentator for Monday Night Football before embarking on an acting career appearing in movies like Blazing Saddles as well as starring in his own hit TV show, Webster.

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Goofs

After George enters the game and the team is penalized for Delay of Game, the referee is shown winding the clock. The clock is not started after a Delay penalty.

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Quotes

Vincent Lombardi: You know, George, we carry four quarterbacks now. And to ask us to carry five, I think would be a real headache. I just don't think it will work.
[Shows George the door]
Vincent Lombardi: Have you tried the AFL?

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Crazy Credits

Disclaimer from the opening credits: "This film is an amiable fiction based on the book 'Paper Lion' by George Plimpton and is not intended to be a literal depiction of its author."

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Connections

Referenced in Family Ties: Paper Lion (1986)

User Reviews

OK film, more interesting to see NFL in those days

A fairly good adaptation of George Plimpton's book. A young Alan Alda did pretty well playing Plimpton. But as another commenter pointed out, it was most interesting to see pro football in the days when the coaches were the bosses, the players did what they were told, and no thuggishness or criminality was tolerated. Football was tough, and masculine, and that was okay. No strutting, no trash talk. Ah, those were the days.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paper Lion

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stuart Miller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1