They had a fine concept, good writers and a fine cast. The shows were crazy-popular, both, "Mr. Terrific" and "Captain Nice". This one was conceived FIRST, and if somebody hadn't leaked the concept to another network, it would have run at least a few seasons. Mr. Strimpell's work, in the title role (Mr. Terrific), is more than adequate, he does what he needs to do, within the confines of the script. "Captain Nice", was a carbon copy, except not as funny, and since they were on at the same time, on the same day, the public got worn out on the idea, pretty quickly. Lines became blurry as to which show was, "the funny one". Both series were very formulaic. This is the superhero version of, "Get Smart". Blaming Mr. Strimpell for the show's failure (and frankly, I believe the networks came to an agreement to pull the plugs of both series together and prematurely), is absurd. I, as everyone else here has said, was a kid when they were on, I loved them both, and they were the rage. Kids didn't count, back then, however, as the networks hadn't yet done the math on the amount of dollars children pulled in. It should also be noted, that although Buck Henry was the creator and head writer of the other show, the experience was such a negative one, that he seems to have expunged his name from the records.
24 Reviews
Spoofing a whole Genre of Comic Book Characters and there was even a 2nd similar Series (CAPTAIN NICE) on a 2nd similar network (NBC)!
redryan6412 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
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!!
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!!
I loved it.
shrude7 November 2006
I remember this growing up in Australia. I was 6 years old. I loved watching this and have never forgotten the show. I have only re-visited the show, using the web just recently and had to make a comment in here, seeing as there wasn't any.
Dick Gautier was brilliant I remember him walking around acting like a turkey and uttering "Gobble gobble.. gobble"
The greatest American Hero was probably inspired by Mr Terrific, same kind of scenario of a Superman that was a clown. As someone said , "everything Clark Kent tried to be"
Directed by the one and only Jack Arnold his fame includes, Gilligans Island, Rawhide, Peter Gunn, Perry Mason, Love boat so much more..
I have been looking for recordings of this series.
Dick Gautier was brilliant I remember him walking around acting like a turkey and uttering "Gobble gobble.. gobble"
The greatest American Hero was probably inspired by Mr Terrific, same kind of scenario of a Superman that was a clown. As someone said , "everything Clark Kent tried to be"
Directed by the one and only Jack Arnold his fame includes, Gilligans Island, Rawhide, Peter Gunn, Perry Mason, Love boat so much more..
I have been looking for recordings of this series.
Remembering Mr. Terrific
RocketB5213 April 2006
I have vague memories of this show, but I knew the opening credits by heart. . "The pill would turn a lamb into a lion/like an eagle he'd be flyin'..." I also remember Stephen Strimpell turning up on some game show one summer day when I happened to be home from school, and thinking, "Hey, that's Mr. Terrific!" Little did I know that when I was 18 I'd end up at HB Studio studying acting and that Mr. Terrific would be my first--and only worthwhile--acting teacher.
I learned today that Stephen died this past weekend.
His dedication, his rock bottom, practical approach to acting, free of any method clap trap and rooted firmly in the kind of nuts and bolts reality that almost all other teachers seemed to overlook, sustained and intrigued me as a kid and still does to this day. That a cold beverage should be handled differently from a hot beverage, that careful attention should be paid to one's environment, that no action on stage should ever be undertaken unless it flowed from a logical place within the context of a scene may not seem revelatory, but very few other people taught that way. Even when I'd see veteran actors at work I'd marvel at how even they would gloss over this kind of basic stage craft. And I'd think, "Wow, Stephen would NEVER let ME get away with that."
Also, there was an bonus when you studied with Stephen--he was one of the funniest people I ever knew. He was a sweet and compassionate man, but every once in a while the rapier came out, and the result was that you were still sputtering while the next two student actors were trying to set up their scene. Mostly, he was his own favorite target, along with members of his own family.
I pretty much worshiped him as a young actor. And now he's not here anymore.
To me, and who knows how many others, he really was Mr. Terrific.
I learned today that Stephen died this past weekend.
His dedication, his rock bottom, practical approach to acting, free of any method clap trap and rooted firmly in the kind of nuts and bolts reality that almost all other teachers seemed to overlook, sustained and intrigued me as a kid and still does to this day. That a cold beverage should be handled differently from a hot beverage, that careful attention should be paid to one's environment, that no action on stage should ever be undertaken unless it flowed from a logical place within the context of a scene may not seem revelatory, but very few other people taught that way. Even when I'd see veteran actors at work I'd marvel at how even they would gloss over this kind of basic stage craft. And I'd think, "Wow, Stephen would NEVER let ME get away with that."
Also, there was an bonus when you studied with Stephen--he was one of the funniest people I ever knew. He was a sweet and compassionate man, but every once in a while the rapier came out, and the result was that you were still sputtering while the next two student actors were trying to set up their scene. Mostly, he was his own favorite target, along with members of his own family.
I pretty much worshiped him as a young actor. And now he's not here anymore.
To me, and who knows how many others, he really was Mr. Terrific.
a poor show but I love it
lrldoit22 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I was 16 when this series aired. Something clicked. I never forgot it. I also saw Captain Nice which followed on NBC. Mr. Terrific was on CBS. Captain Nice was a satire in the Get Smart tradition. It was a fairly good show. I liked it. Mr. Terrific was an average situation comedy.
Stephen Strimpell, who wished that he could have forgotten this series, played Stanley Beamish, an incompetent super hero, who in real life is a weakling. Dick Gautier in a change from Hymie the robot on Get Smart, played Stanley's partner, Hal Walters. The government Agents were played to perfection by John McGiver (Mr. Reed) & Paul Smith (Mr. Trent). Harley Trent's comments were priceless. Stanley just managed to succeed even though on one mission, he kidnaps an understudy instead of the ballerina. Of course there are funny moments along the way. You see a little bit of what it might be like to be a part time super hero.
Not much of a show. I still don't know why I'm crazy about it. I wish it would be released on DVD here. It is available only in Germany.
Stephen Strimpell, who wished that he could have forgotten this series, played Stanley Beamish, an incompetent super hero, who in real life is a weakling. Dick Gautier in a change from Hymie the robot on Get Smart, played Stanley's partner, Hal Walters. The government Agents were played to perfection by John McGiver (Mr. Reed) & Paul Smith (Mr. Trent). Harley Trent's comments were priceless. Stanley just managed to succeed even though on one mission, he kidnaps an understudy instead of the ballerina. Of course there are funny moments along the way. You see a little bit of what it might be like to be a part time super hero.
Not much of a show. I still don't know why I'm crazy about it. I wish it would be released on DVD here. It is available only in Germany.
I loved this show
mj88717 June 2019
Unaired PILOT
trevoranndouglas20 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I recently viewed the Unaired pilot from 1966 which starred Alan Young as Stanley H. Beamish. Of interest - it had four writers - George Balzer, Hal Goodman, Al Gordon and Joel Kane It was directed by Don Weis. I was amazed at the amount of familiar faces appearing - Edward Andrews as The Chief of OSA Jesse White as Mr. Finney, Department Store Manager Sheliah Welles as Gloria Dickinson Richard Merrifield as OSA Agent Tony Lawrence Al Checco as Dr Kramer Nelson Olmstead as Airline Pilot Leon Askin as Russian Agent Dick Wilson as Evol - Russian Agent and the voice of Bob Hastings dubbed for the OAS Agent in the office scene. Good special effects for '66, of course the use of the laugh track is off-putting and I can see why Mr Young decided to pass on the series. An interesting curio worth checking out at least once
Don't know why I remember this show, but I do
rcburkett15 January 2009
I, too, remember this show, when it seems nobody else had ever heard of it. I also remembered the character "Mr. Reed" and could picture the actor who played him. Must've been something there to make me remember all of that stuff. I remember also "Captain Nice" on NBC at the same time, though I never watched it. They were both kinda goofy, but a show about a man who could fly always intrigued me, whether it was Superman, Space Ghost, or others. It was so great to be young with an ope mind. Something made me think of this show the other day, and just remembered this site. Whaddaya know; everything about it is right there. I wonder where old' Stanley Beemish is right now. Seems to me like he wore horn-rimmed glasses, ala Clark Kent.
Stephen Strimpell a "Terrific Teacher" Too!
algernon45 April 2004
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.
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.
Now is Your chance to See these Series TV Shows as of 2021
info-860615 April 2021
When both these TV Series "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" first aired here in Australia in the 1960's, I only got to see a couple of the episodes of each Show as I was then 20 years of age and I had just started a New career on a rotating roster of alternating Week-about of One-week Day-shift and the Next-week Night-shift as a Cinema Film-Projectionist, so I did not get to see many of the episodes of each of these TV shows at that time ( and this was during those years before the introduction of Betamax and VHS Home Video Tape Recording ability ). But only recently: I discovered that BOTH of these TV Series "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" are now available on 4x DVD discs in the ONE BOXED-SET Containing BOTH of these Series ( and is currently available from from Europe, but for how much longer I do not know ), so I have only recently landed a Boxed-Set for myself of both of these Series and have noted that the Visual Quality of the "STEPHEN STRIMPELL" - "MR TERRIFIC" Series was Filmed in "TECHNICOLOR" so the On-Screen results are "Very Good", whereas the "CAPTAIN NICE" Series with William Daniels has been filmed in a relatively poor color process, which I suspect was the vastly inferior Eastman Color process if compared side-by-side with TECHNICOLOR, ( take it from this Cinema-Film-Projectionist of almost Forty Years of focussing Movies for all of those years ) that you simply cannot beat TECHNICOLOR for faithful Color reproduction. The color dyes as used in Eastman Color fade in a relatively short number of years and tend to go predominantly reddish, whereas TECHNICOLOR tends to Retain the Color Spectrum for MUCH Longer in comparison to Eastman Color.
I have now viewed a couple of the Episodes of Each of these shows and can happily report here, that there are many laughs, chuckles and a couple of Belly-laughs to be had along the way. You will remember from Television History that both these series are around the time of production of TV's "GET SMART" so "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" were competing with Maxwell Smart for eyeballs to be tuned in each week for Viewer Loyalty so in hindsight we can now see the results of the Ratings these two shows got relative when compared to TV's "Get Smart". If you get your own Boxed set of "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" ( which I hope you do ) for your own TV collection, you will discover as I recently did, that DICK GAUTIER appears in a featured Role in both "MR TERRIFIC" and "GET SMART". You will also note along the way in both of these series that there are many Character Actors from Feature Films and TV Shows from that era. If you know some of these Character Actors by Name ( as I do ), you will note in "CAPTAIN NICE" that Character Actor LIAM DUNN plays the Mayor of Big Town, LIAM DUNN after this series aired went on to gain a Featured-Role as the Judge in the Movie "WHAT'S UP DOC?", I am pretty sure LIAM DUNN was known to the Film Director Peter Bogdanovich, perhaps Mr Bogdanovich chose LIAM DUNN for the Judge role in "WHAT'S UP DOC?" having seen him in here "CAPTAIN NICE" on Television at that Pre-Production phase of "WHAT'S UP DOC?". If you know the Character Actors by their Name & by sight, I recommend that you check out the Listings here in IMDB to find out who you can expect to see in the various episodes of Each of these Two Comedy Series, the Laughs once again can be yours on DVDs if you Act Now and Soon... Happy Viewing Folks.
I have now viewed a couple of the Episodes of Each of these shows and can happily report here, that there are many laughs, chuckles and a couple of Belly-laughs to be had along the way. You will remember from Television History that both these series are around the time of production of TV's "GET SMART" so "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" were competing with Maxwell Smart for eyeballs to be tuned in each week for Viewer Loyalty so in hindsight we can now see the results of the Ratings these two shows got relative when compared to TV's "Get Smart". If you get your own Boxed set of "MR TERRIFIC" and "CAPTAIN NICE" ( which I hope you do ) for your own TV collection, you will discover as I recently did, that DICK GAUTIER appears in a featured Role in both "MR TERRIFIC" and "GET SMART". You will also note along the way in both of these series that there are many Character Actors from Feature Films and TV Shows from that era. If you know some of these Character Actors by Name ( as I do ), you will note in "CAPTAIN NICE" that Character Actor LIAM DUNN plays the Mayor of Big Town, LIAM DUNN after this series aired went on to gain a Featured-Role as the Judge in the Movie "WHAT'S UP DOC?", I am pretty sure LIAM DUNN was known to the Film Director Peter Bogdanovich, perhaps Mr Bogdanovich chose LIAM DUNN for the Judge role in "WHAT'S UP DOC?" having seen him in here "CAPTAIN NICE" on Television at that Pre-Production phase of "WHAT'S UP DOC?". If you know the Character Actors by their Name & by sight, I recommend that you check out the Listings here in IMDB to find out who you can expect to see in the various episodes of Each of these Two Comedy Series, the Laughs once again can be yours on DVDs if you Act Now and Soon... Happy Viewing Folks.
Hardly Terrific
JordanThomasHall27 September 2019
Mild-mannered, weak Washington D.C. gas station attendant Stanley Beamish (Stephen Strimpell) is the only successful test subject for the government's newly-developed Power Pill. It gives the powers of flight and super strength for one hour. Two booster pills are good for 10 minutes each, the maximum dosage. With silver cape, scarf and googles, Beamish secretly becomes crime fighting "Mr. Terrific". His oft-frustrated employers at the Bureau of Secret Projects, head Barton J. Reed (character actor John McGiver) and Harley Trent (Paul Smith, "The Doris Day Show", "The Gertrude Berg Show") give vital assignments as situations arise. Complications ensue when his powers vanish at the most inopportune times. Stanley hides this identity from his fellow gas station co-owner Hal Walters (Dick Gautier, "Get Smart"). The silly sitcom ran for 17 episodes in 1967 as a bit of a "Get Smart" meets "Batman". DC Comics' "Hourman" was clearly a major influence on Mr. Terrific.
Reflecting upon the series after watching each episode, "Mr. Terrific" was hardly terrific. The cast was fine and brought their characters to life. However, they were given little to work with from the writers. It is quick to see this short-lived series is geared toward children. Plot are often simplistically weak and the humor silly, but still comical at times. The writing for superhero material must be strong because you already know how it will end. Plots are predictable with most episodes a variant of Stanley going up against Russian spies with complications when his Power Pill wears off. I think its main appeal is nostalgia for those who watched it as children when it aired, and for children today even.
Reflecting upon the series after watching each episode, "Mr. Terrific" was hardly terrific. The cast was fine and brought their characters to life. However, they were given little to work with from the writers. It is quick to see this short-lived series is geared toward children. Plot are often simplistically weak and the humor silly, but still comical at times. The writing for superhero material must be strong because you already know how it will end. Plots are predictable with most episodes a variant of Stanley going up against Russian spies with complications when his Power Pill wears off. I think its main appeal is nostalgia for those who watched it as children when it aired, and for children today even.
This show's available on DVD
bigblackdude-8206422 December 2019
In Germany, from UFA, under the title Immer wenn er Pillen nahm (Whenever He Took Pills) and can be heard in German or English. If one who's from (North) America wants to buy it, Amazon Germany has it, but the DVD's in a different region from that of (North) America, requiring one to have (or get) a multi-region DVD or Blu-Ray player (ot just watch it on your computer.)
As for the show itself? Sorry, but it's tripe, just like Captain Nice and the show that these two shows were imitations of, Batman '66, plus it's a waste of a great actor. Plus, the ONLY good Mr. Terrific is the one from the DC Comics titles (spelt Mister Terrific), Michael Holt, now appearing as the leader of his own group, the Terrifics, this title of which is currently in print from DC and available at any local comic book shop.
As for the show itself? Sorry, but it's tripe, just like Captain Nice and the show that these two shows were imitations of, Batman '66, plus it's a waste of a great actor. Plus, the ONLY good Mr. Terrific is the one from the DC Comics titles (spelt Mister Terrific), Michael Holt, now appearing as the leader of his own group, the Terrifics, this title of which is currently in print from DC and available at any local comic book shop.
39 years ago...
darthcite10 December 2005
Like the previous comment, no one I know has any memory of "Mr. Terrific" whatsoever. I was five years old when this show aired, but remember that "Mr. Terrific" had to take some abnormally large pill to get his superpowers, which he kept secreted in his ring. He would make several funny faces when he swallowed it, which of course was hysterically funny to a five-year-old! He always had to wear his "flying jacket" when he flew, and he would flap his arms as he did so. Whenever his boss called for "A-C-T-I-O-N", Mr. Terrific would swallow that pill & save the day. I thought I was the only guy on Earth who remembered it!
a blast from the past
dawn-5312 June 1999
I can't believe someone else remembers this show! For twenty five years I've had a picture in my head of a portly guy in a suit talking across a desk to a skinny guy with a cape. They were in a high-rise building and the skinny guy flew out the window. I remembered he was some sort of secret agent. No one else remembered it and they thought I was thinking of Get Smart. I finally found it! I can now die in peace!
Pill-Popping Superhero
blairwitch-123 April 2002
I also remember this sitcom fondly. I remember the balding man who was the superhero's mentor. That was the man who invented the pill. Mr. Terrific pops a pill, then his face turns one color after another, then he gets super powers. I've always thought the pill was the reason this show got axed. It was a good show! But with all the pill-popping going on during the psychedelic sixties, I would imagine the network caught some blowback.
At least I'm not the only one..
mtidwell-515 January 2008
In 1967 I was just shy of five years old... but I had a recollection of a TV show where a man's powers would always leave him in the middle of a fight - I think even once when he was flying. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere her but I think he had a watch with an alarm which would go off when his powers were about to expire - I remember on fight in a garage where he was rolling under cars to avoid the criminals in the scene after his powers had run out...
Even my parents couldn't remember this show - finally a friend who is about 5 years older than me remembered it and told me the name - ahh! Thank you people for letting me know I wasn't dreaming up things...
Now if someone would just find a way to get some old clips... don't know if they allow emails here - but if you find some, please send email to me at agpbasc@aol.com
Even my parents couldn't remember this show - finally a friend who is about 5 years older than me remembered it and told me the name - ahh! Thank you people for letting me know I wasn't dreaming up things...
Now if someone would just find a way to get some old clips... don't know if they allow emails here - but if you find some, please send email to me at agpbasc@aol.com
I Have a Copy of the Mr. Terrific Pilot
Ducky-2326 May 2000
I was a big fan of Captain Nice and Mr. Terrific. I have some video of the Captain Nice program and after much searching, I recently bought the pilot for Mr. Terrific. Here's the big surprise - Alan Young, not Stephen Strimpell was the original Stanley Beamish, alias Mr. Terrific! Yes, the Alan Young from Mr. Ed. Mr Ed finished in 1966, so he must have filmed the pilot right after. Young was 47 when this was shot, but appeared to be trying to play someone in their late twenties or early thirties. He just seemed to be a little to old for the role, perhaps that's why Strimpell ended up with it.
It was very enjoyable to watch, regardless. It WAS silly. But I'll take that over the garbage that passes for comedy today!
It was very enjoyable to watch, regardless. It WAS silly. But I'll take that over the garbage that passes for comedy today!
Mr. Terrific for President and Captain Nice for Vice!
estanhere1 April 2006
Over the years I have brought up the subject of a guy name Stanley Beamish. My name being Stan subjected me to being called "Stanley Beamish" as a 9 year old kid back then. I was a skinny nerd type at that time myself. I loved the Mr. Terrific/Captain Nice shows while they were on the air and still wonder why they took them off the air. Over the years I was curious why no one remembered the show. I began to wonder if it was a figment of my imagination. Thank God for the information available by way of the internet. I feel like a little kid all over again just knowing that there were others who had the same curiosity. Let's send Mr. Terrific and Captain Nice into Iraq to stop the madness!
A satire in the tradition of "Batman" TV series
Snecko31 May 1999
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...
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...
Campy spoof of the superhero genre
stephanie.masumura5 December 2000
The show is campy (with an animated intro in the Rocky and Bullwinkle style) that talks about the great scientific invention/pill that grants super human strength but only works on 96 lb weakling Stanley Beamish. The government uses Stanley to help solve problems when no other solution will do. Stanley, who works at the gas station with another fellow, is your stereo typical (and looks similar to William H. Macy). The show itself is campy and the transformation sequence (where Stanley takes his big white pill and then becomes Mr. Terrific) is insanely campy and was shown at least three times in the episode I watched. It was cute the first time, but it wore thin the second and third times. I wondered about the Batman influence as the government office (where Stanley reports for duty) looked suspiciously like the Commisioner's on Batman. I wondered if it wasn't the same set.
Typical 60s Batman ripoff.
jimandandrealetters25 November 2005
Mr. Terrific is a show with many fathers. Batman, whose campy TV show had been burning up the airwaves, naturally inspired copycats. Another DC comic book character was also a big influence - the mildly obscure 40s hero Hourman. Rex "Tick Tock" Tyler, a pharmacist, invented a drug called Miraclo which would give him super powers for one hour. Unfortunately, following all these formulas left the series very formulaic. His powers were the standard Superman set - he could fly, was bulletproof, and could lift houses. It was not a super hero show, though. Instead of super villains, the hero battled spies. His 1 hour power pill was almost guaranteed to wear off just as he needed his powers most, leaving him to find some way of getting at his 10 minute booster pill. Plus, there was Dick Gautier's character, a Lothario of a best friend, who had to both be kept in the dark and rescued on occasion, and the hero's mother - ditto. After cancellation, they combined a couple of the episodes into a made-for-TV movie. All the elements are there - the spies, the pill problems, the hero's friends. If you see the movie, you've seen the show. Not a bad program, fitting in well with the late Sixties brand of screwball comedy. If you like Gilligan's Island, or imagined Get Smart with super powers, you would like it. But you'd like The Greatest American Hero better. Same idea, better execution.
Mr. Terrific
cavalier131 July 2006
Mr. Terrific was my favorite show at the time!
As a kid, I didn't find any fault with Strimpel.
The story was very cool for a 6 or 7 year old!
it would've been a big hit if Woody Allen was the main character.
I really looked forward to seeing Beamish and Hal every week. I even took pretend power pills.
My neighbor liked Mr. Nice.
I thought Mr. Nice was way to silly, even though I was a kid.
"The superhero in his underwear" or some such nonsense was the selling point.
As a kid, I didn't find any fault with Strimpel.
The story was very cool for a 6 or 7 year old!
it would've been a big hit if Woody Allen was the main character.
I really looked forward to seeing Beamish and Hal every week. I even took pretend power pills.
My neighbor liked Mr. Nice.
I thought Mr. Nice was way to silly, even though I was a kid.
"The superhero in his underwear" or some such nonsense was the selling point.
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