‘Indiana Jones’ and the Rip-offs of Doom

By Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

When he debuted in 1981, Indiana Jones was never meant to be a wholly original character. He was a throwback, an homage to the cliffhanger heroes of yesteryear. His appearance and personality owed a debt to everyone from Humphrey Bogart to James Bond. But somehow, from out of those purposely unoriginal seeds, formed something that was unique. And when Hollywood finds something unique -- espeically when it does the kind of business Indiana Jones did -- it gets copied and cloned and ripped off in every way imaginable.

To see just how influential Indiana Jones became, take a look at these pretenders to the bullwhip. Then read the Times’ review of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”  (David James / Associated Press)