PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Australian comedy "'Crocodile' Dundee" made its U.S. debut 30 years ago this week, introducing Mick Dundee to the world, making Paul Hogan an international star and turning "G'day, mate" into a household phrase.
Released in U.S. theaters on Sept. 26, 1986, "'Crocodile' Dundee" begins with Newsday writer Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) traveling to Australia to meet the titular character, who is said to have lost half a leg in a crocodile attack. Entertained by Dundee's business partner, Walter Reilly (the late John Meillon), Charlton meets Dundee at a Walkabout Creek pub, where he makes his introduction toting a large stuffed crocodile. Dundee's leg is intact (although he refers to a large scar as a "love bite"), and along with Charlton, he sets off through the Australian Outback, where he saves her from a near-death encounter with a crocodile.
Charlton invites Dundee to return with her to New York City, where the bushman must adjust to life in the big city. What ensues is a fish-out-of-water story, with Dundee encountering a transvestite, mugger and modern amenities along the way, but none prove to be as much of a nuisance as Charlton's editor and fiancé, Richard Mason.
Hogan and co-writers John Cornell and Ken Shadie received an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay (they lost to Woody Allen for "Hannah and Her Sisters"), while the movie went on to receive mostly positive reviews and finished second behind "Top Gun" in total U.S. box office earnings.
While the on-screen romance between Dundee and Charlton developed, so did a real-life romance involving Hogan and Kozlowski. Hogan divorced his second wife the same year that "'Crocodile' Dundee" was released and married Kozlowski in 1990. Kozlowski filed for divorce in 2013.
The movie spawned two sequels -- "'Crocodile' Dundee II" in 1988 and "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" in 2001. Neither received as much praise as the original, even though "'Crocodile' Dundee II" was the sixth-highest grossing film at the U.S. box office that year and earned more than $240 million worldwide.
In the 30 years since the first film's release, Hogan has remained one of the most recognizable faces of Australia, whose government soured on the actor amid a multimillion-dollar tax fraud investigation.
Kozlowski, who lives in Los Angeles, never truly escaped the shadow of Hogan, appearing in a handful of Hollywood flops ("Almost an Angel," also with Hogan, in 1990 and "Village of the Damned" in 1995) before giving up acting altogether.
Similarly, Hogan could never escape the shadow of the on-screen persona whom he created. Aside from the "'Crocodile' Dundee" role, Hogan was unable to replicate the success of the character that made him famous. "Almost an Angel" and 1994's "Lightning Jack" (both written by Hogan) were commercial failures and lambasted by critics.
Ultimately, the now 76-year-old will carry Dundee with him to his grave. In the end, Hogan will always be remembered for the lovable Aussie who won the hearts of theatergoers on both continents 30 years ago this week.