John T. Ryan
WHEN the "BATMAN" TV Series hit the airwaves proving it to be a truly uniquely formatted, one of a kind series concept; there were naturally a whole sh*t-house full of imitators waiting in the wings. From the Saturday Morning Cartoons (NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, FANTASTIC FOUR, MIGHTY MITOR, SPACE GHOST, SPIDERMAN, THOR, HULK, SUB-MARINER, CAPTAIN America and IRON MAN) all filled the airwaves with comic book adaptations and comic-like character series.IT was inevitable that someone would choose the old "if you can't beat 'em, Spoof 'Em instead" route to the screen. In this case it could be argued that Producer William Dozier's BATMAN was already, at least in a sense, a Parody of the Super Hero/Costumed Crime-fighter Comic Book stories; a notion with which we cannot agree. The main reason we dare to differ is that like so much other Movie & TV produced output, the BATMAN Show had appeal on several levels. It's just that no one ever did it in such an off the wall manner.ANYWAY, we were confronted with not one, but two (count 'em Schultz, that's "2" different "Long Underwear Character" Spoofs. There was CAPTAIN NICE, and our featured production of the day, MR. TERRIFIC (Universal TV/CBS Television Network, 1967-68). Of the two, we personally preferred the MR. to the CAPTAIN; which isn't really much, as we would seem to be splitting hairs in finding any non-similarities. Doubtless we could also find both apologists and detractors for both THE MUNSTERS and THE ADDAMS FAMILY; even though there are so many obviously same type of premise, humor, gags and storyline employed in each.OUR STORY, IN THE PROVERBIAL NUTSHELL
..Stanley Beamish (Stephen Strimpell) is a sort of meek, little, nondescript Auto Mechanic who runs a Service Station in Washington, in the District of Columbia. He is suddenly brought into the forefront of Public Attention when he takes a special super powers pill. It is dispensed by a Secret Governmental Agency and gives him Super Powers (Much like Superman's) for one hour.THE humor provided by the particular episodes was mainly of the obvious and "we knew that'd happen" variety; and this is not so bad. It is the principal type in most sitcoms and often is quite funny, when handled properly.THE Supporting Cast did a great job in providing the necessary foils and complications to the mostly spy involved spoofs. The cast was made up of Government Boss & Handler B.J. Reed (John McGiver), Fellow Mechanic Hal Walters, Harley Trent (Paul Smith), Gloria (Susan Seaforth Hayes) and the Ambassador ("Mr. Lucky", himself, John Vivyan) AS far as his being an agent of a Top Secret Governmental Bureau, 'the Bureau of Special Projects, it was a completely natural occurrence, Remember, this was not only the Superhero/Camp/Pop Art Era, but also the time of 007, Man From U.N.C.L.E., OUR MAN FLINT and GET SMART.WITH regard to his Super Hero pedigree, it's obvious that the creator and writers had more than just a passing familiarity with the Comic Book exploits of the Superhero/Costumed Crime-fighter as the various elements of the Mr. Terrific Origin were borrowed from several prominent comic characters of the Golden Era of the Superhero Stories; which was in full flower in that period just prior to World War II and for the duration, say from 1938-46.THE elements used are all clearly traceable to those from some of the many characters featured in the Joke Books of the day. Stanley took a pill that gave him the super powers of strength, flight, etc. for only one hour at a time. HOURMAN was secretly chemist "Tick-tock" Tyler, who was a feature in DC's Adventure Comics in the early 1940's. Timely (Atlas/Marvel) gave us CAPTAIN America, whose origin was as a prototype super agent via the use of a super drug injection (anabolic steroids?). Of course, there were some noticeable elements of Fawcett Publications' CAPTAIN MARVEL and of SUPERMAN, himself.BECAUSE the BATMAN Craze and its collateral Pop Art & Superhero interest revival was a mere flash in the pan, the Stanley Beamish/MR. TERRIFIC saga, as well as its near carbon copy, CAPTAIN NICE* (NBC TV Network, 1967-68) bit the dust and burned out after only one season. BOY Schultz, this American Public sure is one fickle bunch! NOTE: * The rival CAPTAIN NICE had William Daniels in the lead role, playing the part as if he were aping Paul Lynde. The origin and source of his amazingly similar powers was a liquid that he'd developed in his capacity as Carter Nash, Police Criminologist. The similarities mustn't be regarded as an act of plagiarism on the part of one or the other's writing staff; but rather as a case of inevitability.POODLE SCHNITZ!!
algernon4
I was studying acting with Stephen Strimpell at the HB Studio in New York City when he got the offer to fly to Hollywood to do MR. TERRIFIC. He was a wonderful instructor and told me, "you don't need to study anymore, really. You need to go out and ACT. That's the best way to become a good actor." I took his advice and struck out on my own. But, not before studying with William Hickey ("Prizzi's Honor" "Hat Full of Rain"). Mostly, he'd observe my classroom scenes and then start talking about HIMSELF! He was not in the same class as Strimpell.Of course, since I knew Stephen, I watched MR. TERRIFIC religiously every week and thought it was cute, but a waste of good talent. Looking at Mr. Strimpell's film output surprised me. An actor THIS good, should have been used to better advantage by Hollywood.As a result, I auditioned and got many parts on the New York stage. For that, I am eternally grateful to Stephen Strimpell. My experience on stage will live with me forever.
Snecko
This was meant to be a spoof on the superhero genre, just as the Batman TV series of the same era was intended to be. I believe that the Batman series prompted at least two "copycats" in the fall of '67, Mr. Terrific and Captain Nice. I was only ten when these were on, but I thought they were funny. I expect, however, that adults tired of the rather juvenile humor. That may be why they only lasted a season (or less).However, I wonder if the producers of the early '80s show, "Greatest American Hero" were somehow influenced by these programs. GAH was also a total "deconstruction" of superheroes, though the humor was much more adult and thoughtful. Just wondering...
