Twenty years of 'Die Hard'

'Die Hard' — proof that Bruce Willis once had hair"Die Hard" was released in U.S. theaters 20 years ago today, simultaneously reinventing the action genre and launching Bruce Willis' film career.

Yippee-ki-yay, indeed.

The basic formula of "Die Hard" became the template for countless inferior copycats, and a handful of cool knockoffs. "Speed," starring Keanu Reeves, was billed as "Die Hard" on a bus and it rocked. "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," billed as "Die Hard" in a chocolate factory, was not so good. Kidding.

Hey, here's a little known fact for ya. There's a sort-of prequel out there for "Die Hard." See, "Die Hard" was adapted from Roderick Thorp's 1979 novel, "Nothing Lasts Forever." That novel was actually a sequel to Thorp's 1966 book, "The Detective," which was adapted for the screen in 1968 and starred Frank Sinatra.

I've never seen "The Detective," so I have no idea how well the two would make for a double feature, but if any of you Frankie fans have seen it, let me know what you think.

OK, enough blathering from me. Check out the original "Die Hard" trailer below if you're bored.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)