The Greatest Man in the World 1980

     This version of James Thurber's tale tells the story of a young amateur pilot who beats Charles Lindbergh's feat of nonstop flying around the world.  He has his own unique ways of conserving fuel and energy.  Fortified with only a gallon of gin and a salami, Jack Smurch bests even Lindberg.

     During the four days he's airborne, this unknown kid becomes a world hero.  But on the ground a young reporter anxious to tell the world about their new idol learns that Smurch is bad news!!  He is an arrogant, illiterate lout with a police record.  Smurch's only interests are “parties, broads and dough.”  But the reporter is silenced and Smurch is locked up until the press and politicians can make him into their kind of American hero at any cost!!  This in old-fashioned spoof originally broadcast on PBS as part of a series showcasing great American short stories.  It gives us the opportunity to appreciate the work of two somewhat forgotten figures.  James Thurber the wry humorist presents us with Jack Smurch, the Anti-Lindbergh.  Brad Davis, one of the great and explosive young actors of the 1970’s brings Smurch to life.  Thurber and Davis both left this world too soon!!  Watch and remember or watch and forget!!  3* (This movie is OK)    

     You couldn't go wrong making a film that's true to a James Thurber story, could you?  Well, no, but that doesn't mean the movie will be particularly interesting or entertaining?  Once getting over the initial laugh about a world class aviator who sounds and acts like a redneck, where do you go from there?  One major surprise toward the end but it's neither funny nor flattering to the establishment that runs things?  A junior college Freshman class D+ movie at best.  Poor acting and Henry Fonda is NOT in it.  Not one laugh.  No real plot.  Totally pointless story line.  No emotional response of any kind but disappointment!!  Please do yourself a favor and watch anything else!!


51 min Comedy directed by Ralph Rosenblum and written by James Thurber and Jeff Wanshel with Brad Davis, Reed Birney, John McMartin, Henry Fonda, Howard Da Silva, Russell Horton, Carol Kane, Melinda Rosenthal, William Prince, Sudie Bond.

Note:  Imdb 6.4* out of 10* with 38 reviews, Amazon 3* out of 5* with 6 reviews, fandor.com 3.6* out of 5*, hoopladigital.com 2 1.2* out of 5* with 2 reviews.