A down on his luck coach travels to Africa where he spots the world's greatest athlete - a white Tarzan-type. The coach brings him back to the U.S. of A. to compete.
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Title: The World's Greatest Athlete (1973)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tim Conway | ... | Milo Jackson | |
| Jan-Michael Vincent | ... | Nanu | |
| John Amos | ... | Coach Sam Archer | |
| Roscoe Lee Browne | ... | Gazenga | |
| Dayle Haddon | ... | Jane | |
| Billy De Wolfe | ... | Dean Maxwell | |
| Nancy Walker | ... | Mrs. Petersen | |
 |
Danny Goldman | ... | Leopold Maxwell |
| Don Pedro Colley | ... | Morumba | |
| Vito Scotti | ... | Games spectator | |
| Liam Dunn | ... | Dr. Winslow | |
| Ivor Francis | ... | Dean Bellamy | |
| Leon Askin | ... | Dr. Gottlieb | |
| Howard Cosell | ... | Himself - Announcer | |
| Frank Gifford | ... | Himself - Announcer | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Coach Archer is has not won anything in any sport that his school has participated during his tenure. Now the head of the Alumni Association, who was one of the people who endorsed him for the job, feels like Archer is making him look bad. He then tells him that this coming season is the last on his contract and will be his "last" unless he turns things around. He and his assistant, Milo go to Africa for a little vacation. While there they discover a man named Nanu, who grew up in the jungle after his missionary parents died, and who is also by all aspects the greatest athlete in the world. And if Archer can get him back to the States, he can save his job. However, Nanu is happy where he is. So Archer tricks him into doing an act by jungle law obligates him to be with Archer. When they arrive Archer gets him into the school and gets him a tutor, Jane. The two of them fall for each other the moment they meet each other. This does not make Leopold, her former boyfriend, very happy, so ... Written by <rcs0411@yahoo.com>
Plot Keywords:
male objectification | bare chested male | barefoot male | long haired male | tank top |Taglines:
From the Jungle to the Gym...He's the Greatest! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 February 1973 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Big Boy - Der aus dem Dschungel kam See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$22,583,370, 31 December 1973Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.75 : 1
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Milo Jackson: Now that doesn't sound quite right...
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Did You Know?
Trivia
This Disney movie's high-concept of recruiting an athlete from Africa was later used around twenty-one year's later for the 1994 basketball comedy The Air Up There (1994) which was released through Disney's adult production-house brand of Hollywood Pictures. See more »Goofs
Bengal tiger's are from India not Africa. See more »Quotes
Nanu: [Nanu is smitten on meeting Jane] Me Nanu. You Jane.Milo Jackson: Now that doesn't sound quite right...
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If you are a fan of Jan Michael Vincent and would like to see him with very little threads on, this is the film for you! Yes, there's also a cute plot about a black football/baseball/basketball coach (John Amos) who travels to Africa on safari with his hopelessly stupid assistant (Tim Conway). While in Africa, they discover Nanu (Jan Michael Vincent)a young white African boy who possesses amazing athletic abilities. Nanu travels to the USA with the coach to excel in sports. Of course his witch-doctor adoptive father disapproves, and all sorts of goofy 70's effects ensue. JMV wouldn't be remembered for his acting in this movie, but his physique certainly got attention! He's slim and muscular, with long blond hair, and he looks perfect in the skimpy Tarzan outfits. But really, the star of this film is the TIGER! You never see this in movies today - a real, live, full-size tiger wrestling with the leading actor! With his teeth around JMV's neck, no less!! Can you imagine? One false move, and CRUNCH! Dead actor! Wow. I was amazed. JMV cuddles and rolls around with this Tiger throughout the movie. It's awesome. Move on over Russell Crowe - Jan Michael Vincent takes on real tigers, not CGI ones!!!