The Return of Captain Invincible *** (1983, Alan Arkin, Christopher Lee, Bill Hunter, Michael Pate, John Bluthal, Max Cullen) – Classic Movie Review 11,654

Director Philippe Mora’s 1983 Australian musical comedy superhero film The Return of Captain Invincible [Legend in Leotards] stars Alan Arkin, Christopher Lee, Kate Fitzpatrick and Bill Hunter.

Captain Invincible (Arkin), now a boozy old-timer living in the Aussie Outback, is called out of retirement to confront the fiendish Mr Midnight (Lee) in this pleasingly zany Australian parody of comic-strip adventures.

The occasional musical numbers look strangely out of place, but Arkin and the villainous Lee (indulging his pleasure in singing) take clear delight in having obvious fun with the loony script.

The Return of Captain Invincible was a box office disappointment but it is hard to dislike and has become a cult film.

Kate Fitzpatrick plays Patty Patria, an Australian policewoman who helps Invincible get back to his former glory and Bill Hunter plays Tupper/ Coach.

Also in the cast are Michael Pate as the US president, Graham Kennedy as Prime Minister, Max Phipps as Admiral, Alfred Sandor as New York Police Captain, Ron Becks as Black Salesman, Garth Meade as Polish Salesman, John Bluthal, David Argue, Chelsea Brown, Max Cullen, Arthur Dignam, Noel Ferrier and Chris Haywood as Maitre D’.

Lyricist Richard O’Brien and composer Richard Hartley, known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, contribute three songs, including ‘Captain Invincible’ sung by O’Brien, ‘Evil Midnight’ sung by Lee and Arkin, and ‘Name Your Poison’ sung by Lee as Mr Midnight tempts Captain Invincible with a well-stocked bar.

It is written by Steven E de Souza, Andrew Gaty and Peter Smalley (additional dialogue).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,654

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