"The Greatest American Hero" (1981) TV series 1981-1983

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Creator:

Stephen J. Cannell
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | unknown

Release Date:

18 March 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | Comedy

Plot:

A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.

Plot Keywords:

Suit | Teacher | Alien | Superhero | California

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Arnold Laven		(7 episodes, 1981-1983)
Ivan Dixon		(6 episodes, 1981-1983)
Rod Holcomb		(6 episodes, 1981-1982)
Bruce Kessler		(5 episodes, 1981-1983)
Robert C. Thompson		(4 episodes, 1981-1982)
Lawrence Doheny		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Gabrielle Beaumont		(2 episodes, 1981)
Chuck Bowman		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Robert Culp		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Sidney Hayers		(2 episodes, 1982)
Christian I. Nyby II		(2 episodes, 1983)

Series Writing credits
Stephen J. Cannell		(28 episodes, 1981-1986)
Frank Lupo		(10 episodes, 1981-1983)
Patrick Hasburgh		(7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Juanita Bartlett		(5 episodes, 1981)
Babs Greyhosky		(5 episodes, 1982-1986)
Rudolph Borchert		(3 episodes, 1982-1983)
Danny Lee Cole		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Robert Culp		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
J. Duncan Ray		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Jeff Ray		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Stephen J. Cannell	....	executive producer (16 episodes, 1981-1986)
Juanita Bartlett	....	co-executive producer (14 episodes, 1980-1983)
Christopher Nelson	....	associate producer / co-producer / ... (13 episodes, 1981-1986)
Alex Beaton	....	producer (8 episodes, 1980-1981)
Frank Lupo	....	producer / supervising producer (8 episodes, 1981-1986)
Jo Swerling Jr.	....	supervising producer / co-executive producer (7 episodes, 1981-1986)
Gary Winter	....	associate producer (5 episodes, 1982-1983)
Babs Greyhosky	....	producer (2 episodes, 1982-1986)

Series Original Music by
Pete Carpenter		(2 episodes, 1981-1986)
Mike Post		(2 episodes, 1981-1986)
Garry Schyman		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Andrew Jackson		(1 episode, 1981)
Jacques R. Marquette		(1 episode, 1982)
Richard M. Rawlings Jr.		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Film Editing by
Rod Stephens		(6 episodes, 1981-1982)
Patrick M. Ryan		(2 episodes, 1981)
John Carrol		(unknown episodes)
Mario Di Mambro		(unknown episodes)
John Elias		(unknown episodes)
Dave Goldson		(unknown episodes)
Arthur Schneider		(unknown episodes)
Chris G. Willingham		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Simon Ayer		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Production Design by
John D. Jefferies Sr.		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Mary Dodson		(1 episode, 1981)
Carlos Berben		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Set Decoration by
Robin Royce		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Makeup Department
Frankie Bergman	....	hair stylist (1 episode, 1986)
John Inzerella	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1986)

Series Production Management
Nick Anderson	....	unit production manager (1 episode, 1986)
Matthew N. Herman	....	executive in charge of production (1 episode, 1986)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steve Stafford	....	second unit director (17 episodes, 1982-1983)
Lindsley Parsons III	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Jeffrey Bellamy	....	property master (1 episode, 1986)
Kenneth Milfred	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
George Tuers	....	property master (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Nick Alphin	....	re-recording (1 episode, 1986)
Jim Cook	....	re-recording (1 episode, 1986)
Vince Garcia	....	sound mixer (1 episode, 1986)
Robert L. Harman	....	re-recording (1 episode, 1986)
Dick Wahrman	....	sound effects editor (1 episode, 1986)

Series Special Effects by
Frank Ceglia	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)
John Cole	....	special effects (unknown episodes)
Ken Speed	....	special effects assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Tony Epper	....	stunts (1 episode, 1981)
Bob Minor	....	stunts (1 episode, 1981)
Mark Riccardi	....	stunts (1 episode, 1981)
Glenn R. Wilder	....	stunts (1 episode, 1981)
Shawn Coulter	....	stunts (1 episode, 1983)
Christopher Doyle	....	stunt coordinator (1 episode, 1986)
Kenny Bates	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Tony Brubaker	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Gene LeBell	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Tony Snegoff	....	stunt rigger (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Richard L. Carden	....	key grip (1 episode, 1986)
Howard Ford	....	camera operator (1 episode, 1986)
Larry Kennedy	....	gaffer (1 episode, 1986)
John Burnett	....	second assistant camera: second unit (unknown episodes)
Jim Marquette	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Michael R. Marquette	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Stan McClain	....	assistant camera: aerial unit (unknown episodes)
David Morton	....	electrician (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Victoria Tarazi	....	casting assistant (15 episodes, 1981)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gregory B. Peña	....	daily set costumer (8 episodes, 1981)

Series Music Department
John Caper Jr.	....	music supervisor (1 episode, 1986)
Andy D'Addario	....	music scoring mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Mario Simon	....	transportation co-captain (1 episode, 1981)
Steve Imbler	....	transportation coordinator (1 episode, 1986)

Series Other crew
Patrick Hasburgh	....	staff consultant / creative consultant / ... (9 episodes, 1981-1983)
Daniel Cameron	....	security officer (unknown episodes)
Ira S. Rosenstein	....	location manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Distributors

• AXN (????) (Japan) (TV)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Cuatro (2005) (Spain) (TV)
• Lorimar Television (1984) (USA) (TV) (syndication rights)
• Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) (1982) (Japan) (TV)
• Taki Corporation (2004) (Japan) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Magicam

Other Companies

• Inter Video  24 frame video services

Runtime:

60 min | USA:30 min (43 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Trivia:

According to Stephen J. Cannell, the emblem on the suit (and also on the clothing of the aliens) was inspired by the square-handled scissors on Cannell's desk.

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.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Dead End (1985)

Soundtrack:

Believe It or Not

The superhero who couldn't fly straight

I really wish this show was done today, because I just watched it on DVD, and found it incredibly entertaining, and very funny. The story begins with Ralph Hinkley(William Katt) a high school teacher, is lured out in the dessert, comes across FBI Agent Bill Maxwell(Robert Culp) and they are approached by a UFO, and is told they must work together as a team, they give Ralph a suit that has magical powers whenever he wears it. The funny part comes when Ralph loses the instruction book on how to use the suit, he keeps getting in trouble, because he does not use the power too well. But he seems to make the best out of the bad situation. I enjoyed the show, I still wish it was made today.