Peter Fonda on The Hired Hand

by Greta Cunningham, Minnesota Public Radio

Say the name Peter Fonda to most people and they think Easy Rider. Fonda played the laid back, wrap-around-shades-wearing Captain America. That's been a problem for Fonda. In 1971 he directed The Hired Hand, A western about a man who returns home to his wife after seven years of drifting. The critics loved it, but the audiences wanted Captain America and stayed away. Now, the movie's been restored and Fonda has come to Minneapolis to introduce a special screening at the Oak Street Cinema Friday evening. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Curtis that he wasn't looking to direct a film when he found the script to The Hired Hand.