Paperback Hero (1973)

A hockey player in a small town begins to lose his grip on reality, and starts to believe that he is a gunslinger in the Old West.

Director:

Peter Pearson

Writers:

Les Rose (screenplay), Barry Pearson (screenplay)

Stars:

Keir Dullea, Elizabeth Ashley, John Beck

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keir Dullea	...	Rick Dylan
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Loretta
John Beck	...	Pov
Dayle Haddon	...	Joanna
Franz Russell	...	Big Ed
George R. Robertson	...	Burdock (as George Robertson)
Margot Lamarre	...	Julie
Ted Follows	...	Cagey
Linda Sorensen	...	Mona (as Linda Sorenson)
Les Rubie	...	Jock (as Les Ruby)
Jacquie Presly	...	Marlene
Chet Robertson	...	Father
Winnie Rowles	...	Mother
Gerry Cooke	...	Noogie
John Ottenberg	...	Heavy

Storyline

A hockey player in a small town begins to lose his grip on reality, and starts to believe that he is a gunslinger in the Old West.

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Plot Keywords:

small town | hockey | beer | male star appears nude | female star appears nude | 

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Taglines:

every woman's had one... every man's been one... once...

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1973 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Der Westentaschen-Cowboy

Filming Locations:

Delisle, Saskatchewan, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Agincourt Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in Delisle, Saskatchewan.

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Soundtracks

If You Could Read My Mind
Written and performed by Gordon Lightfoot

User Reviews

Underappreciated Canadian film that should not be taken simply at face value

There are a few really good reasons why people should make an effort to see this film.

First of all, it is a rare feature film unapologetically set in Saskatchewan that is above all entertaining. More importantly though, it is a good comment on Canadian culture being influenced by American culture in a fatal way.

I found Keir Dullea's character, Rick, charming as the wanna be sheriff of a small Saskatchewan town in the 70s, equipped with a holster, cowboy hat and chaps, and a sheriffs star on the side of his bright red car. More importantly, the town never mocked him, and when they did he would always stood up for himself and beat the crap out of people making fun of him .

In fact, as this dreamer he becomes the only interesting thing in the town which has you rooting for him throughout the film. If you're not reading between the lines of what this film is about though, it's still enjoyable to watch. And in its defence, it was made before the Tax Shelter era, so you can't write it off as a product of those days. It actually took heart to make this film, and it shows on screen.