Hooper (1978)

Hollywood aging stuntman Sonny Hooper wants to prove that he's still got what it takes to be a great professional in this risky and under-recognized line of work.

Director:

Hal Needham

Writers:

Thomas Rickman (screenplay), Bill Kerby (screenplay)

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Reynolds	...	Sonny Hooper
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Ski
Sally Field	...	Gwen
Brian Keith	...	Jocko
John Marley	...	Max Berns
Robert Klein	...	Roger Deal
James Best	...	Cully
Adam West	...	Adam
Alfie Wise	...	Tony
Terry Bradshaw	...	Sherman
Norman Grabowski	...	Hammerhead (as Norm Grabowski)
George Furth	...	Bidwell
Jim Burk	...	Jimbo
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Sheriff
Princess O'Mahoney	...	Wanda

Storyline

Aging stuntman Sonney Hooper is still on top as one of the best stuntmen in the business. But up and coming Ski is starting to do bigger and better stunts. Hooper has the experience to setup a stunt safely, and Ski lacks the common sense to know when a stunt is too dangerous. Maybe together, along with their fun loving buddies, they can do a stunt together that will surpass anything that anyone has done.

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Plot Keywords:

stuntman | stunt | director | brief female frontal nudity | cowboy hat | 

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Taglines:

The greatest stuntman alive!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Danish title for this film is "Hård hud over hele kroppen," which translates into "Rough Skin over the Entire Body."

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Goofs

During the bar fight in the Palomino several lines of dialogue by different actors don't match their mouth movements.

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Quotes

Amtrac, SWAT man: [Sonny has smashed the jukebox to get Amtrac's money back] Well, if you wanted to make somebody look like an asshole, boy, you did! That was you.
Sonny Hooper: [counting the SWAT guys] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12... six against twelve!
Ski: [joins in] Seven.
Sonny Hooper: Seven against twelve. Well, that's a little uneven. Looks like you guys'll have to go back to Houston and get some more guys!

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Crazy Credits

Outtakes from stunts performed in the movie are shown over the closing credits.

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Alternate Versions

TV versions have included numerous outtakes which include a much longer party scene following the fight at the Palomino Club in which: Ski discusses his marital woes with Gwen in Hooper's kitchen (a dropped subplot); an awake, and very rowdy, crowd views "stunt reels" culled from "Deliverance"; and Jocko and Sonny have a lengthier sunrise discussion about babies. Later on, Sonny and Ski also get into a hairy fistfight outside of Sonny's trialer.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Master Ninja II (1992)

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Soundtracks

Hooper
Sung and Written by Bent Myggen

User Reviews

Whenever you feel a little down ....... Just watch "HOOPER"

"Hooper" is one of the most upbeat films I've ever seen. Everyone in the movie is so positive. The stunt men believe they can do the stunts, the director believes in getting the big shot, and everyone seems to be having a great time. You can't help but be entertained. The chemistry between Burt Reynolds and Sally Field is believable, and some interesting supporting actors make major contributions to the fun. Even Terry Bradshaw and Robert Tessier in the barroom brawl are memorable. So the next time you are feeling a little down, I recommend watching "Hooper" for immediate relief, because everybody loves a good time and a good movie. - MERK

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 July 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hollywood Stuntman

Filming Locations:

Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Santa Susana, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$78,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$78,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1