The Strongest Man in the World (1975)

Some highlights, but overall kinda lame RELEASED IN 1975 and directed by Vincent McEveety, "The Strongest Man in the World” chronicles events at a Southern California college where Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell) & his pals inadvertently discover that a concoction of a new chemical mixed with a certain cereal will grant anyone or anything superhuman strength. It’s interesting seeing Kurt when he was so young (23 years-old during shooting) and there’s a fun all-star cast of familiars who were popular at the time (Joe Flynn, Dick Van Patten, Phil Silvers, Cesar Romero, etc.). I also like the mid-70s fashions & décor; and there are a few laughs or well-done scenes, like the great conference room sequence. But, with the exception of Eve Arden as a cereal mogul, there’s zero emphasis in the female department. In other words, the story takes place at a Southern Cal college, but there are no women, except in a very peripheral sense. Someone might argue that this is a film for kids. Yes, real LITTLE kids; and maybe adults on a nostalgia trip. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 32 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles, Glendale and Pasadena, California. WRITERS: Joseph L. McEveety and Herman Groves. GRADE: C-

Worst of the trilogy. While 'The Strongest Man in the World' isn't anything atrocious, it most certainly fails to land on the same level as the two Robert Butler directed films. The plot, which is about strength this time, isn't as finely executed or as entertaining. Kurt Russell (Dexter), the star of the last two productions, barely features in this one. I can see why they kept the focus on Higgins (Joe Flynn), as it worked well in 'Now You See Him, Now You Don't', but to switch eyes from Dexter to Schuyler (Michael McGreevey) is a strange choice. Cesar Romero (Arno) and Richard Bakalyan (Cookie) are also too forced into things. There is still minor enjoyment in there, but everything's just a little duller than in the other sequel and 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' original. A decent set of films, still.