Hercules in New York

Hercules in New York is a 1970 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and starring Arnold Stang, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Deborah Loomis, and James Karen. This was Schwarzenegger's first film role, but he was credited as "Arnold Strong" because his real name was too difficult for the producers to pronounce.

The plot centers around Hercules (Schwarzenegger), the son of Zeus, who becomes bored with living on Mount Olympus and decides to visit Earth. However, due to a mistake by Hermes (Stang), Hercules ends up in New York City instead of Athens. Once there, Hercules tries to make the best of his situation and falls in love with a mortal woman named Pretzie (Loomis). However, his god-like strength causes chaos and confusion in the city, as he takes on a series of challenges and conflicts with various characters.

The film's opening sequences do not feature Schwarzenegger, as he was unable to speak English at the time and his dialogue was dubbed by another actor. Instead, his character is introduced through a series of animated sequences depicting his journey from Mount Olympus to New York City. Once the animation is completed, the action shifts to a live-action setting, with Schwarzenegger portrayed as a muscular and youthful Hercules.

Along with his physical strength, Hercules possesses an innocent and naive personality, which frequently leads him into trouble. He is constantly amazed by the wonders of modern civilization, such as skyscrapers and hot dogs, and often misinterprets the behavior of the people around him. However, his simple and direct approach to solving problems and his eagerness to help others endear him to many of the city's inhabitants.

Throughout the film, Hercules faces a variety of challenges, both physical and emotional. He competes in a weight-lifting competition against a group of bodybuilders, accidentally becomes involved in a gang war, and has a showdown with a professional wrestler named the Bear. Meanwhile, he also struggles to develop a relationship with Pretzie, who is initially put off by his unusual behavior.

Despite its fantastical nature, the film also contains a fair amount of social commentary and political satire. The characters that Hercules encounters are often exaggerated caricatures of real-life New Yorkers, such as a cynical taxi driver and an eccentric professor. The film also takes aim at the conservative values of the time, with Hercules's childlike innocence and lack of knowledge about the complexities of human society presented as a refreshing change from the jaded and corrupt world around him.

Overall, Hercules in New York is a lighthearted and entertaining romp through the world of Greek mythology and modern-day New York City. While it may not be Schwarzenegger's most acclaimed work, it remains a cult favorite among fans of both action movies and cheesy comedies.