Hercules in New York 1969 Arnold Schwarzenegger first Movie
Hercules in New York (1969), also released under the title Hercules Goes Bananas, is a fantasy-comedy film marking the acting debut of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was credited as “Arnold Strong ‘Mr. Universe'” due to concerns about the pronunciation of his surname. Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and written by Aubrey Wisberg, the film was produced on a modest budget of $300,000 and shot entirely on location in New York City .(TV Tropes, Internet Archive)
The plot centers around Hercules, the son of Zeus, who grows weary of his life on Mount Olympus and desires to experience the mortal world. Despite Zeus’s initial refusal, Hercules is accidentally sent to Earth by one of Zeus’s lightning bolts. He lands in New York City, where his unfamiliarity with modern society leads to a series of comedic misadventures. Hercules befriends a pretzel vendor named Pretzie, played by Arnold Stang, and becomes involved in various escapades, including a stint as a professional wrestler and encounters with gangsters .(IMDb, The Film Magazine)
A notable aspect of the film is that Schwarzenegger’s lines were dubbed over by another actor due to his thick Austrian accent, a decision that was later reversed in some home video releases, which restored his original voice track . Despite its low-budget production and critical reception, Hercules in New York has gained a cult following over the years, appreciated for its campy humor and as a glimpse into the early career of a future Hollywood superstar .(DVD Database)
For a visual experience of this film, you can watch it on YouTube:
