Inspired by a visit to New York that left him feeling like a true fish-out-of-water, Australian film star Paul Hogan sat down and helped pen the script that would go on to become one of the most successful films of 1986 and make him into an international sensation.

The story actually begins in New York City where the legendary exploits of Australian bumpkin Michael J. “Crocodile” Dundee reach the ears of reporter Sue Charlton (played by Hogan’s eventual spouse, Linda Kozlowski). Lured by the irresistible human interest story, Sue ventures down under to meet the man and discovers an easy-going Mick Dundee willing to take her on a hike through the outback that will retrace the steps of his battle with a crocodile and escape back to civilization. Sue’s brave attempts to weather the elements meet with grumpy water buffaloes, poisonous snakes, and near death in the jaws of a sly crocodile. Mick saves her at every turn, his simple charm giving way to survivor instinct in the critical moments. Awed, grateful, and perhaps a little smitten, Sue invites Mick back to New York.

Thus begins the second leg of the double fish-out-of-water story as Mick endures his first plane ride, fights with pimps, terrifies muggers, and outs transvestites in the urban jungle of New York City. Confused at seemingly every turn by the strange world around him, Mick does his best to befriend everyone. Everyone, that is, except Richard (Mark Blum), Sue’s arrogant fiance who is determined to humiliate Mick at every turn. In the end, Sue’s citified sensibilities give way to the call of the wild as she chases down Mick in a crowded subway station.

Buoyed by a light-hearted script and an organic blending of genres, the film’s success nevertheless lies almost uniquely in the relaxed charisma of the title character. The film’s success would spawn one respectable sequel, Crocodile Dundee II a couple of years later and a forgettable third installment, Crocodile Dundee in L.A., in 2001. Hogan would go on to star in other largely mediocre films, but remain known to the world at large as Mick “Crocodile” Dundee.