A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich (1977)
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64% of users liked it
(60 ratings)
Adapted from Alice Childress' inspirational novel of the same name, director Ralph Nelson's sentimental addiction drama tells the story of an intelligent yet alienated ghetto youth seduced into the world of hard drugs. Unable to stand being in the same apartment as his gruff but caring… More Adapted from Alice Childress' inspirational novel of the same name, director Ralph Nelson's sentimental addiction drama tells the story of an intelligent yet alienated ghetto youth seduced into the world of hard drugs. Unable to stand being in the same apartment as his gruff but caring foster-father Butler (Paul Winfield), inner-city high school student Benjie (Larry B. Scott) opts to pass the time smoking grass and drinking with his good friend Jimmy Lee (Kenneth Green) and small-time drug dealer Carwell (Erin Blunt). Before long Benjie is hooked, and hanging out with local pusher Tiger (Kevin Hooks) in order to get the hard stuff. Increasingly alienated from both his foster-father and his grandmother (Helen Martin), young Benjie must rely on the assistance of a caring social worker (Claire Brennan) in order to stay clean and get back on his feet. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ralph Nelson
- Written By
- Alice Childress
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Feb 3, 1978 Wide
- Studio
- eOne Entertainment Distribution
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Shows how addiction can get the best of a person-eating a black hole in all the departments of life.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Cicely Tyson
as Sweets
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Paul Winfield
as Butler
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Larry B. Scott
as Benjie
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Helen Martin
as Mrs. Bell
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Glynn E. Turman
as Nigeria
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David Groh
as Cohen
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Kevin Hooks
as Tiger
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Kenneth Green
as Jimmy Lee
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Harold Sylvester
as Doctor
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Erin Blunt
as Carwell
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Claire Brennan
as Social Worker
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Arthur French
as Guard
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Bill Cobbs
as Bartender
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Sheila Wills
as Admission Clerk
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Arnold Johnson
as Patient
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Barbara Alston
as Girl Friend
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Keny Long
as Male Nurse
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Hartwell Simms
as Minister
