A 1980 American Superhero Comedy directed by Martin Davidson that has a struggling actor (John Ritter) who stops a robbery while in his costume, which leads him to trying again with the encouragement of his girlfriend (Anne Archer).
The movie also stars Bert Convy, Kevin McCarthy (actor), Harry Bellaver, Jane Hallaren, Leonard Harris, Allan Rich, Anita Dangler, and Rick Podell.
It was released on February 8, 1980.
Tropes for the film:
- Big Applesauce: Takes place in New York City where Steve tries to get work as an actor.
- Broken Pedestal: Steve becomes a national hero for foiling a robbery while dressed as Captain Avenger. But when a reporter announces that the last robbery he foiled was staged, specifically to make him look like a hero, the crowd turns on him.
- Captain Superhero: The movie has Captain Avenger. Steve Nichols is an actor hired to play the in-universe-fictional Captain Avenger to promote an upcoming movie. When Nichols foils a robbery in-character, the hero becomes "real".
- Engineered Heroics: Steve (a struggling actor) becomes a superhero for foiling a robbery while dressed as "Captain Avenger". The crowd loses respect for him once a reporter reveals that the foiled robbery was staged.
- Hero's First Rescue: The climax features a burning building rescue, but a robbery in the film is the Burning Building Rescue.
- Tagline: "Help is on the way!".
