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The Gladiator (1938 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Gladiator' is a 1938 American comedy and fantasy film starring Joe E. Brown, Dickie Moore and June Travis. The movie is an adaptation of Philip Gordon Wylie's 1930 novel 'Gladiator', which is often credited with having influenced the creation of Superman.Jones, Gerard. 'Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book'. New York: Basic Books, 2004 , p.80. Also see Moskowitz, Sam 'Explorers of the Infinite: Shapers of Science Fiction', Cleveland, Ohio: The World Publishing Co., 1963 , pp.278295
Plot
A man returns to college and is talked into joining the football team. He is a real joke on the team, until he is given a drug that gives him super strength.
After the formula from Professor Danner turns him into a campus hero, Hugo Kipp enters a wrestling ring against Man Mountain Dean to raise money for an orphanage. He finds out too late that the serum is only temporary, losing his strength with the match in progress. Only a few lucky moves enable Hugo to win the match.
Cast
;Main cast
*Joe E. Brown - Hugo Kipp
*Dickie Moore - Bobby
*Man Mountain Dean - Himself
*June Travis - Iris Bennett
*Lucien Littlefield - Professor Danner
*Ethel Wales - Mrs. Danner
*Robert Kent - Tom Dixon
*Donald Douglas - Coach Robbins
;Uncredited appearances
*Richard Alexander - Tough Guy
*William Gould - Professor
*Harrison Greene - Trophy Giver/Jokester
*Sam Hayes - Announcer
*Eddie Kane - Speed Burns
*Marjorie Kane - Miss Taylor, Student
*Milton Kibbee - Assistant Coach
*Wright Kramer - Dr. DeRay
*Edward LeSaint - Committee Member
*Frank Mills - Man in Movie Audience
*Jack Mulhall - Spectator at Wrestling Match
*Lee Phelps - Coach Stetson
*Harry Semels - Hamburger Man
*John Shelton - Student
*Charles Sullivan - Football Fan
*Charles C. Wilson - Theatre Manager
*Robert Winkler
Production
The movie reached theatres two months after the publication of the first appearance of Superman in a comic book.
References
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