Greatest American Hero-Gift Set (1981)

"...well written, wonderfully acted...  JackassCritics.com
"...gently funny and whimsically smart...  MaryAnn Johanson, The Flick Filosopher

Editor's Note Created by well-known TV executive Stephen J. Cannell (HUNTER, THE A-TEAM, 21 JUMP ST.), THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO was an acclaimed show that was cancelled before its time. ABC seemed unsure how to market the show's blend of superhero action with comedy, which seems prescient in regards to later superhero satires like MYSTERY MEN and THE INCREDIBLES. Ralph Hinkley is a normal high school teacher who has a close encounter of the third kind, and is rewarded with a super-powered pajama suit. The problem is, he doesn't quite know how to work the thing. Gung-ho FBI agent Bill Maxwell knows Ralph's secret, and with his connections and the help of girlfriend Pam, Ralph travels around the world to save the day. The unfairly cancelled spoof can now be re-appreciated after years as a cult curiosity. This special collector's set gathers all three seasons of the beloved series, as well as cast interviews, and the spinoff which never reached the air, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HEROINE.

	Bob Saget
	Connie Sellecca
	Don Cervantes
	Faye Grant
	Joe Mantegna
	Michael Pare
	Robert Culp
	William Katt
	Alex Beaton - Producer
	Gabrielle Beaumont, et. al. - Director
	John Carrol, et. al. - Editor
	Juanita Bartlett - Executive Producer
	Pete Carpenter, et. al. - Original Music By
	Stephen J. Cannell, et. al. - Writer

DVDFanatic.com 9 of 10
The show first aired on the ABC network in March 1981, and was a creation of Stephen J. Cannell (The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, The Commish). The brief first season was an instant success and brought the fledgling superhero genre back to life...The second season began in November '81 and finished in April of '82. This was the season that elevated the show to cult status and made a lasting impression on fans everywhere...While the second season continues with entertaining storylines, good acting, fun characters and many comical moments, the terrible early '80s special effects never improve...But again, it doesn't detract from the genuine greatness of the show. - Ken Shallcross

Film Freak Central 8 of 10
You'll argue that "The Greatest American Hero" is a fantasy/comedy and never meant to confront any of the deeper issues that will arise when the balance of power in a relationship suddenly skews; or when an FBI agent goes Commissioner Gordon with his secret Batman and yet never receives a commendation or promotion; or when a tree-hugging peacenik is granted the power of the universe by the alien Chinese. (Did I mention that the idiot Chinese aliens give Ralph his replacement instructions in some alien, symbol-based language?) But at every moment in this series, there's the chance that it will become something valuable to more than the eight-year-olds in their own magical jammies. - Walter Chaw