Saturday, April 14, 2007

Rainbow Brite TV Series

Rainbow Brite Cartoon Series

Rainbow Brite, a colorful cartoon tv series introduced by Hallmark in 1984, the story of a young girl who tries her best to bring peace, beauty and happiness to the Earth. Rainbow Land was a place of total darkness and emptiness, done by two bumble-headed Murky Dismal and Lurky from the gloomy Pits who prefers gray color instructed by Evil One.

A little orphan girl named Wisp is brought to the land of no colors with missions to rescue the seven color kids, find the tool Color Belt that could bring color to the land. With the help of her white sprite sidekick 'Twink' (he used to be red but Murky removed his color), and her egotistical talking horse 'Starlite' with rainbow-colored mane and tail and can fly on the rainbow, she take her journey to find the Sphere of Light in the castle. Wisp rescued all seven color kids, set a fight and won against Dark One using her magical Color Belt and she activate the Star Sprinkles using Color Crystal from mine cave and spread the colors all over the land. Sphere of Light name Wisp as Rainbow Brite with her task as the color keeper.

Rainbow Brite Cartoon show ran from December 1984 until March 1985 with total of 13 episodes, now available on DVD.

Rainbow Brite DVD at Movies and TV Shows on DVD


Rainbow Brite Voice Casts:
  • Bettina ............... voice of Wisp/Rainbow Brite
  • Peter Cullen ............... voices of Murky, Monstromurk & Narrator
  • Pat Fraley ............... voices of Lurky, Buddy Blue & Evil Force
  • obbie Lee ............... voices of Twink, Shy Violet, Indigo, Lala Orange & Sprites
  • Mona Marshall ............... voices of Red Butler, Patty O'Green & Canary Yellow
  • Andre Stojka ............... voice of Starlite
  • Scott Menville ............... voice of Brian

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends TV Series

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated TV series, a 1981 Saturday morning show from Marvel Productions Ltd., starring Marvel comic characters Spider-Man and Iceman and introduced new character, Firestar (instead of Fantastic Four's Human Torch to keep away children thinking playing with fire is ok, Firestar have no appearance being of fire) to complete the group. that fight against various villains. The series made it very interesting and awesome with it's excellent balance of action, humor, suspense and occasional touch of romance, plus the popular appearances of common Marvel villains such as Magneto, Videoman, Electro, Doctor Octopus, Juggernaut, The Green Goblin, Scorpion, Dr. Doom, Red Skull, The Beetle etc., as well as pop up of Marvel Universe guest appearances like Iron Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Sunfire, The Hulk and many more.

Peter Parker (Spiderman), Bobby Drake (Iceman) and Angelica Jones (Firestar) were college students at Empire State University, living with Peter's Aunt May and team-up with together calling themselves “Spider-Friends” fighting various supervillains and defend New York City. Iceman and Firestar first have arguments with their powers counteracting each other (ice and fire) contribute to their failure, Spidey had to play matchmaker for the two by arranging 'date' for them. Angelica grew up poor in a single parent home and posh kids harassing her especially Bonnie which trigger Angel's power resulting to disaster (melt toys, snowmen and set off fire sprinklers) calling her “Miss Angelica Jinx” but she able to control her power and eventually discovered her ability to fly by saving his father falling from a construction accident. Cyclops and Iceman spotted her and give her X-Men sales pitch where she happily join and use her power for good. Their adventures began with their amazing skills as nylon rope web-shooter, freezing ice and flaming fire.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends premiered on September 12, 1981 and lasted until September 10, 1983, a total of 3 seasons with 24 episodes, now fully available on DVD.


Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends Voice Cast Actors:
  • Dan Gilvezan .............. voice of Peter Parker/Spider-Man
  • Frank Welker .............. voice of Bobby Drake/Ice-Man, Flash Thompson, Ms. Lion
  • Kathy Garver .............. voice of Angelica Jones/Firestar
  • William Woodson .............. voice of J. Jonah Jameson
  • June Foray .............. voice of Aunt May Parker
  • Chris Latta .............. voice of The Sandman
  • Michael Bell .............. voice of Dr. Octopus
  • William Marshall .............. voice of Juggernaut
  • Dick Tufeld .............. voice of Narrator (Season 1)
  • Stan Lee .............. voice of Narrator (Season 2)

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Flipper - 1960s TV Series

Flipper TV Series

The 1964 Flipper TV Series was the television adaptation from 1963 film “Flipper”, about the adventures of a young park ranger with his two son in protecting a Coral Key Park in Florida against crooks and poachers doing something illegal, with the aid of their super-intelligent dolphin pet named Flipper. A female dolphin “Mitzi” played Flipper stunts from nudging of wayward boats, knocking poachers' pistols/guns and other close-up shots, while the famous tail walk and other athletic stunts were done by a male dolphin named Mr. Gipper.

Chief ranger Porter “Po” Ricks was the responsible widowed father for his two young son, 15-year old Sandy and 10-year old Bud living is a cottage near the shore and befriended with Flipper, a precocious dolphin with a distinctly unnatural degree of intelligence. Porter manage the fictitious Florida Everglades, “Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve” with the help of his sons and of course Flipper, in all park's game fish and skin divers activities, up to protecting the park. Young boys with Flipper always observing around and trying to capture those poachers, hunters and crooks doing illegal things but ending up Sandy and Bud being captured, smart Flipper always get help and rescue the boys or someone in danger and save the day.

The Flipper TV Series ran from September 1964 till May 1967, for total of 3 seasons and 88 episodes of adventures, now the best episodes collection from 1960's Flipper TV Series available on DVD.

The Best of Flipper DVD at Movies and TV Shows on DVD

The Flipper TV Series Casts:
  • Brian Kelly ............ as Porter Ricks
  • Mr. Gipper ............ as Stunt Double for Flipper
  • Mitzi the Dolphin ............ as Flipper
  • Tommy Norden ............ as "Bud" Ricks
  • Luke Halpin ............ as Sandy Ricks
  • Ulla Stromstedt ............ as Ulla Norstrand
  • Andy Devine ............ as Hap Gorman

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The Tick Cartoon TV Series in the 1990s

The Tick TV Series

Based from character from the comic book created Bed Edlund in 1986, The Tick became a cult hit and captured wide audience when it was produced as cartoon TV series in 1994. A 7-feet tall, 400-pound, square-jawed muscular and high-spirited superhero named 'The Tick' in his blue-clad costumes, despite he's just like other superheroes with those powers, he's a hero with hilarious characteristics and mixed metaphors: he got muscle, super strength, nigh-invulnerability and 'drama power' (he's power increase in more dramatic situations), and he's an absurdist spoof superhero, a clueless and somewhat stupid guy but with a good-heart, a combination of heroic-insane character, showing a different but remarkable superhero that is so funny and entertaining.

In fictional city called The City protected by a powerful guy in his blue tights with radio controlled antennae sticking on his head named The Tick, against criminals, ninjas, hoods or clowns, all manner of evil-doers. Good thing on his patrolling he met and got a reliable sidekick, Arthur who wears a white moth suit (he can fly) with long ear-like antennae (often mistaken as bunny), give up his career as accountant and pursue as superhero, the two became partners where Tick got the muscle while Arthur serve as brain. Their team along the way saving the city, they've met skilled acrobat & accurate knife thrower American Maid; batman parody Die Fledermaus; Rain Man parody Sewer Urchin, Captain Liberty and many more, they've gave enough actions, comic reliefs and appealing characteristics in this 90s Saturday morning show.

The Tick Cartoon TV Series was aired from September 1, 1994 lasted until November 27, 1996 completed 3 seasons with 36 episodes of fun, action and comedy, now available on DVD.

The Tick on TV Shows on DVD


The Tick Voice Actors:
  • The Tick ............. voice byTownsend Coleman
  • Arthur ............. voices byMicky Dolenz & Rob Paulsen
  • American Maid ............. voice byKay Lenz
  • Die Fledermaus ............. voice byCam Clarke
  • Sewer Urchin ............. voice byJess Harnell
  • Doorman/Evil Midnight Bomber ............. voice byMaurice LaMarche
  • Bigshot ............. voice byKevin Schon
  • Jungle Janet, Jet Valkyrie ............. voice bySusan Silo

Saturday, March 31, 2007

The Looney Tunes Cartoon TV Series

Looney Tunes Golden Collection DVD

Way back 1930, Warner Bros. started developing a series of musical animated shorts to promote their music - Merry Melodies and Looney Tunes were born. The two series storylines were based from Warner's vast music library, in 1934 Merrie Melodies produced in color while Looney Tunes (sometimes misspelled 'Looney Toons') in black & white and produced in color on 1943. Looney Tunes become the umbrella for WB's various recurring characters, the success in many medium specially in television, successfully become children favorites to grow up with.

Some Looney Tunes character appearance histories: long cartoon favorite Bugs Bunny (to the talent voice of Mel Blanc) first appeared in 1940 in Looney Tunes Porky Pig film “Porky's Hare Hunt”, Porky with his dog, 'Zero', hunting a rabbit who can pull himself out of a hat, fly with his ears, bounce on his head and like a bug that put Porky in the hospital, that's why he was called 'Bugs Bunny'. The most infamous short cartoon 'A Wild Hare' in 1940, featured a matured Bugs Bunny who did not fear danger from hunters, he simply sat beside next to Porky and calmly asked, "Eh, What's Up Doc?”, the producers then demanded more film from the rabbit. Porky Pig character began in 1935 “I Haven't Got A Hat” of Merrie Melodies, as a humorously stammering character loosely based on the 'Our Gang' live action shorts and his popular trademark voice in closing titles "Th-th-That's all, Folks!" WB's second hit star was Daffy Duck, an insaned counterpart to mild-mannered Porky Pig, he was first featured in 1937's short "Porky's Duck Hunt", bouncing around with his head and the yelling trademark “Woo hoo! Woo hoo!”. The cute & lovable but brutal yellow canary, 'Tweety Pie' appeared in "A Tale of Two Kitties" in 1942 while the lisping alleycat Sylvester Cat as WB's most versatile character appeared on 1945's “Life with Feathers”, Tweety and Sylvester paired in 1947's 'Tweetie Pie', the short where WB cartoon won it's first Oscar. The small but dangerous loud speaking cowboy 'Yosemite Sam' appeared on 1945's “Hare Trigger”, a loud, cranky and stubborn outlaw cowboy against Bugs Bunny.

In 1949 in the short “Fast and Furry-ous”, debuted the smiling gray-purple bird with incredible speed 'Road Runner' with trademark sound 'Beep Beep', as well as featuring the eternal loser “Wile E. Coyote” who despite of genius plans and tricks, he always failed to catch his prey, Road Runner and ending up blown up, flattened, mangled or dropped from dizzying heights.

Warner Brothers released The Looney Tunes Golden Collection started on 2003, volumes (Volume 5 on 2007) of broad selection of Looney Tunes black & white and colored animated shorts created from 1930s until 1960s, now available on DVD.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Fraggle Rock TV Series

The Fraggle Rock DVD

Another Jim Henson's creative, artistic and imaginative children television show, The Fraggle Rock, a colorful and fun world of creatures where Jim successfully express his visions on friendship, being true to yourself and how to love & appreciate others. The show features happy, amusing & colorful humanoid creatures of different races, differ in their personal identities, spirituality with their social conflicts, but the series show how they are importantly interconnected & helpful for each other's existence. Simply the best show for children to learn how magical & powerful the imagination could be.

While Jerome 'Doc' Christian busy in his workshop, he's dog Sprocket watching from small hole to a secret busy world behind the wall, a magical land called Fraggle Rock. Inhabitants in different races; The colorful humanoids 'Fraggles', 22 inches tall, have tails with fur in the end, living in carefree life (playing, running, exploring, telling jokes & laughing and have ability to share dreams by sleeping with their heads touch), led by explorer Gobo with spiritual artistic Mokey, athletic exuberant & swimmer Red, the nervous Wembley & Boober who always worry. Another, the green ant-like Doozers 6 inches tall species (Fraggle knee high), in their hardhats, boots, march songs & chants, they are dedicated to work in industry constructing beautiful buildings out of edible candy-like substance made of radish (Fraggles eat their construction and then Doozers build again). While the 22 feet tall 'Gorgs' creatures (husband, wife and son chasing & catching Fraggles) calling themselves King, Queen & prince Junior on Universe, simple farmers on radish farm where Fraggles steal. Also, Madame Trash Heap 'Marjory' (a compost pile seems with immortal life) who considered an oracle give guidance, lessons/advises to Fraggles "The Trash Heap knows all! The Trash Heap tells all!", with her rat-like heralds Philo & Gunge who provide humor and puns. Humans didn't know the magical world existence while Fraggles call humans 'Silly Creatures of Outer Space, in the end Doc learned about Fraggles, he make friends with them.


The magical life/adventures in Fraggle Rock was started on January 1983 until March 1987, completed 5 seasons with 96 episodes, now collection of best 70 episodes available on DVD.

The Best of Fraggle Rock DVD at TV Show son DVD

The Fraggle Rock Voice Actor Casts:

  • Cheryl Wagner ............ Bonehead Fraggle, Lou Fraggle,Marjory/Marjorie the Trash Heap
  • Dave Goelz ........... 7-Words-Max, Boober Fraggle, Large Marvin Fraggle, Philo, Sidebottom, Skenfrith, Uncle "Traveling" Matt Fraggle, World's Oldest Fraggle & Wrench Doozer
  • Gerry Parkes ......... Doc
  • Gordon/Gord Robertson ........... Inkspots, Pa Gorg, Rumple Fraggle, Tumbrell Doozer
  • Jerry Nelson ............ Archbanger, Architect Doozer, Feenie Fraggle, Fishface Fraggle, Gobo Fraggle, Mervin Merggle, Uncle Gobo
  • Karen Prell ........... Baby Tree Creature,Beast, Judge Gavel Doozer, Marly Fraggle, Modem Doozer, Red Fraggle, Wingnut Doozer
  • Kathryn/Kathy Mullen .......... Cotterpin Doozer, Crosscut Doozer, Flutebird, Mama Tree Creature, Merboo Merggle, Old Gypsy Fraggle, Rock Hockey Hannah, Wimple Fraggle
  • Steve Whitmire ............ Crusty Doozer, Flying Batworm, Marlon Fraggle, Mermer Merggle, Murray the Minstrel, Phil Fraggle, Sir Blunderbrain, Sprocket, Venerable Sage Hambo, Wembley Fraggle

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Teen Titans Animated TV Series

Teen Titans

Teen Titans Animated TV series, based DC Comic Book series 'Teen Titans Go!' in 1980s by Marv Wolfman & George Perez, was another great cartoon show created by Sam Register/Glen Murakami (hybrid of Western/Japanese style animations) and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. A group of character-driven teen-aged super heroes, the series not all about superpowers & bad guys but also about young adolescents who love to hang out with friends, play video games, go to parties, etc. just super heroes and maintain their identities at all times (sleep in their customs) and in their own mutual relations ships & limitations, the series made to be cool and entertaining and clean for the viewers.


“When there's trouble, you know who to call: TEEN TITANS! Five teenage superheroes fight aliens, evildoers and dirty dashes for the good of all humanity”.

The Teen Titans: de facto leader Robin, the former sidekick of legendary vigilant Batman, the fearless and determined leader with no special power but relies on his awesome wits & reflexes (from years of martial arts training) with his fully loaded utility belt (Bo-Staff, Birdarangs, Smoke Pellets, Freeze Disks, Explosive Bombs, Electro Disks, Grappling Hook), peacekeeping alien Starfire from planet Tamaran with her star-bolts hand energy blasts, eye lasers, strength and flying ability. Team joker Beast Boy can shift into any animal form, the most powerful member Hulking Cyborg (half-man and half-machine) and the spooky deadpan Raven control objects with her powerful mental abilities, they live in giant T-shaped tower part high-tech command center & part dormitory for their hang outs. Their new high-adventures fighting for truth, justice, for last piece of pizza & soda in refrigerator against criminal conspiracies, bad guys, alien invasions and world domination schemes.

Teen Titans animated TV series completed 5 seasons with 65 episodes, aired from July 2003 until January 2006, now available on DVD.


The Teen Tians DVD at TV Shows on DVD

Teen Titans Voice Actors Casts:

  • Scott Menville ........... the voice of Robin
  • Greg Cipes ........... the voice of Beast Boy
  • Hynden Walch ........... the voice of Starfire
  • Tara Strong ........... the voice of Raven
  • Khary Payton ........... the voice of Cyborg
  • Ron Perlman ........... the voice of Slade
  • Kevin Michael Richardson ........... the voices of Trigon and Mammoth
  • Lauren Tom ........... the voices of Gizmo and Jinx
  • Tom Kenny ........... the voice of Mumbo
  • Malcolm McDowell ........... the voice of Mad Mod
  • Ashley Johnson ........... the voice of Terra
  • Wil Wheaton ........... the voice of Aqualad
  • Mike Erwin ........... the voice of Speedy
  • John DiMaggio ........... the voice of Brother Blood
  • T'Keyah Keymah ........... the voice of Bumblebee
  • Freddy Rodríguez ........... the voice of Mas Y Menos

Heroes

Villains

Teen Titans


  • Robin
  • Cyborg
  • Raven
  • Starfire
  • Beast Boy
  • Slade
  • Brother Blood
  • Trigon
  • Brain
  • Monsieur Mallah
  • Madame Rouge
  • General Immortus

Titans East

  • Bumblebee
  • Speedy
  • AqualadMás y Menos

H.I.V.E.(Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination)

  • Jinx (later become Honorary Titan)
  • Gizmo
  • Mammoth
  • See-More

Private H.I.V.E.

  • Billy Numerous
  • Kyd Wykkyd

Honorary Titans

  • Argent
  • Bobby
  • Bushido
  • Gnaark
  • Herald
  • Jericho
  • Hot Spot
  • Lightning
  • Melvin
  • Kid Flash
  • Killowat
  • Kole
  • Pantha
  • Red Star
  • Teether
  • Terra
  • Thunder
  • Timmy Tantrum
  • Wildebeest
  • Wonder Girl


Saturday, March 24, 2007

Richie Rich TV Series Adventures

Richie Rich was created by publisher/cartoonist Alfred Harvey in 1930s, and Richie's first appearance was on 1953 Harvey Comics issue titled “Little Dot” (a girl who likes polka dots) as back-up character, then in 1957 they produced Richie Rich Comic books, issues and stories (over 2000 issues, possibly the character with most number of published issues in history). In 1980, Hanna-Barbera produced Richie Rich Cartoon TV series based on the comic books (characters appeared to be about 12 years old instead of 7 or 8), featuring the 'poor little rich boy' Richie Rich - the richest boy in the world, who take different mystery adventures, he spend a lot of money for expensive gadgets & devices he used just to solve the mysteries. The Show became popular for being crisp, clear and clean cartoon with humorous slant that poked fun at the Rich's immense wealth, a Saturday morning block (along with cartoon Scooby Doo Show).


Richie Rich with his friends Freckles, Pee-Wee, girlfriend Gloria Glad and his dog named Dollar, they take adventures solving mysteries and situations using incredible expensive gadgets. Even living in big mansion and get almost everything he want (that money could buy), Richie is a kind boy who knows the importance of family and friends in his life, he wants to be known by sharing his fortune with others, friends, their loyal employees and even to his robot maid, Irona.


Richie Rich Animated TV Series was aired from November 1980 until October 1983, completed 4 seasons and 62 episodes, now available on DVD.

Richie Rich DVD at TV Shows on DVD

Richie Rich Cartoon TV Series Voice Casts:

  • Katie Leigh ................ Richie Rich & Irona voices
  • Susan Silo ............... Regina Rich voice
  • Rene Auberjonois ................. Richard Rich Sr, Professor Keenbean & Chef Pierre voices
  • Martin Jarvis ................ Cadbury & Bascomb voices
  • Pat Fraley ............... Dollar voice
  • Jeannie Elias ................. Gloria Glad, Reggie Van Dough,Freckles & Tiny voices

Thursday, March 22, 2007

"Static Shock" Animated TV Series

- Static Shock -

Static Shock, based from the Milestone comic books notably Blood Syndicate (published by DC Comics) with the same title created by Dwyane McDuffie & produced by Warner Brother, no doubt to be one of the finest, mass appealing with high quality animated TV series of 2000. For almost half decade of the show, it holds strong ratings for its four seasons, nominated and won many awards from Humanitaz Prize and Daytime Emmy Awards. Viewers found the series cool & very entertaining for having light-hearted episodes, funny dialogues with a good storyline depicting real life characters in more realistic situations audience can relate such as schoolings, gangs, social issues, family problems, death, racism, judging by appearance, etc.


Typical African-American teenager Virgil Ovid Hawkins, high school student in a fictional city in Dakota, got in big trouble being pressured to join a street gang where one night they got involved in a major rumble in a chemical storage yard. Police interrupt by tear gassing the place, accidentally detonates series of chemical explosions, Virgil and others exposed in mutagenic gas, he discovered his powerful ability to project & control electromagnetic electricity at his will while others who called themselves “Bang Babies” from being bullies now gain superpower, they terrorize people around the city. Virgil use the identity of “Shock”, with his inventive and genius best friend Richie Foley(later also gained special power and call himself “Gear”), even had a day job & facing normal kids pressure with peers, gangs, family & growing up, they decided to be superheroes, they patrol the sky, fight crimes & super-powered villains/bad Bang Babies(some later back into normal kids) and make positive difference for community as they save the city.

Static Shock Cartoon TV was premiered on September 2000 and lasted until May 2004, total of 4 seasons and 52 episodes. now available on DVD.


Static Shock DVD at TV Shows on DVD


Static Shock Voice Casts:

  • Phil LaMarr.............. Virgil Hawkins / Static
  • Jason Marsden .............. Richie Foley / Gear
  • Michele Morgan ............. Sharon Hawkins
  • Kevin Michael Richardson ............. Robert Hawkins

  • --------- Recurring Roles ---------------
  • Kadeem Hardison ................. Rubberband Man
  • Brian Tochi ................ Shiv
  • Danica McKellar ............ Frieda
  • Maria Canals ............ Shelly Sandoval
  • Kimberly Brooks ............ Puff
  • Tia Texada ............ Talon
  • Crystal Scales ............ Daisy
  • Michele Morgan ............ Sharon
  • Danny Cooksey ............ Hotstreak
  • Kevin Michael Richardson ............ Kangor
  • Kerrigan Mahan ............ Edwin Alva
  • Matt Ballard ............ Carmen Dillo
  • Gary Sturgis ............ Ebon

Static Shock Allies:
  • Adam Evans / Rubberband Man
  • Alfred
  • Anansi
  • Dr. Anoyke
  • Chief Barnsdale
  • Batman
  • Bullock and Gordon
  • Clark Kent / Superman
  • Flashback
  • Green Lantern
  • Hoop Squad
  • Justice League
  • Richie Foley / Gear
  • Robert Hawkins
  • Robin
  • Sharon Hawkins
  • Shenice Vale / Shebang
  • Virgil Hawkins / Static
Static Shock Villains:
  • Brainiac
  • Edwin Alva
  • D.J. Rock
  • Harley and Ivy
  • Heavyman
  • Imgora and Onini
  • The Joker
  • Jokerz
  • Kobra
  • Mrs. Moore (Darcy)
  • Omnara
  • Osebo
  • Prof. Odium
  • Sinestro
  • Specs and Trapper
  • Speedwarp
  • Starburst
  • Timecode
  • Toyman
Good Bang Babies:
  • Adam Evans / Rubberband Man
  • Derek / D-Struct
  • Nails
  • Nightbreed
  • Permafrost
  • Richie Foley / Gear
  • Virgil Hawkins / Static

Bad Bang Babies:
  • Aquamaria
  • Boom and Mirage
  • Carmendillo
  • Chainlink
  • Dwayne & Aron
  • Ebon
  • Ebon / Hotstreak
  • Ferret
  • Frankie / Royce
  • Francis Stone / F-Stop / Hotstreak
  • Hyde
  • Kangor
  • Leech
  • Omnefarious
  • Madelyn
  • Puff and Onyx
  • Ragtag
  • Replay
  • Replicon
  • Run, Jump & Push
  • Shiv
  • Slipstream
  • Talon
  • Tamara Lawerence
  • Tantrum
  • Tarmack

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

"Ark II" - 70s Sci-Fi TV Series

- The Ark II -

Ark II was one of 70s Saturday morning CBS line-up, a live-action sci-fi tv series aimed for children - show the effects of mankind's environmental carelessness resulting to Earth devastation and few good guys & scientists try to help and educate survivors & rebuild civilization. Remarkable things in this series were the futuristic six-wheeled rover vehicle Ark II, size of a tractor-trailer with hi-tech lab, scientific equipments and gadgetry on board such as 4-wheeled all-terrain Ark Roamer (built on a Volkswagen van chassis) and a flying jetpack Jet Jumper use for aerial scouting (all vehicles built by Brukaber Group for the show). Also the characters named with Biblical inspiration including a well-trained speaking (dubbed) chimpanzee, they bring morality, lesson and educative fantasy for young viewers.


Set in the post-apocalyptic 25th century, in year 2476 where the Earth was devastated, the collapse of human civilization now comparable to the level of Dark Ages, effects of environmental abuse, heavy pollution & waste plus nuclear war. Remained scientists pooled all their knowledge and resources, they built Ark II, a mobile storehouse of scientific knowledge, manned with highly trained crew led by captain Jonah, two young scientists Ruth and Sam who provide support and finally, Adam, a talking chimp with intelligence like a human. They travel around the country, encounter dangers from hostile areas and unknown attackers, but using a device to blind and disable the opponents they avoid violence. They must accomplish their primary missions; to search & bring aid to the remnants of scattered community, educate them and give understanding, promote peace to humanity and bring hope of a new future to mankind.


Ark II was debuted on September 1976, lasted until December 1976 and re-runs until 1979 a total of 15 episodes in a season, now available on DVD.


The Ark II DVD at TV Shows on DVD


The Ark II Casts:
  • Terry Lester ............ Jonah
  • Jean Marie Hon ............ Ruth
  • José Flores ............ Samuel
  • Adam ............ Himself - The Chimp
  • José Flores ............ Samuel
  • Lou Scheimer ............ Adam's voice
  • Jonathan Harris ............ Fagon
  • Malachi Throne ............ War Lord Brack

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

"ReBoot" – First Computer Animated TV Series

Guardian Bob opening narration:

"I come from the Net--through systems, peoples, and cities--to this place: MAINFRAME. My format: Guardian. To mend and defend--to defend my new found friends, their hopes and dreams, and to defend them from their enemies."

ReBoot, ABC's 1994 half-hour Saturday morning tv show, was credited to be the first full length, completely computer animated TV series produced by Mainframe Entertainment. The show features great computer generated characters, background, mouth-watering animation, intelligent use of computer references with stories based on the computer industry where children audience learn computer terms and when the show went on, it got more complex; actions & sceneries increased, jokes were funnier, characters changed and it attracted older audiences.


ReBoot is about the extraordinary adventures of life within a computer world, a city/system called Mainframe where thousands of friendly binomes (little creatures represent values 1s & 0s) and Sprites (humanoid creatures) who lives and work to make the computer system run smoothly, and a guardian named Bob (sent from the net) protects them and the city against Megabyte and Hexadecimal who plague viruses and malicious codes to infect and control the system. Guardian Bob, assisted by Dot Matrix and her hyper brother Enzo, he tries his best using his versatile key-tool “Glitch” as his weapon against enemies. Another Mainframe threat is the game called GameCube loaded by the User who turn a part of a city into a 'gamescape', on “Reboots”, Bob become a game character and fight the User's character to prevent Sprites and Binomes residing gamescape location turn into energy-draining, worm-like parasite called Nulls. More adventures as they encountered super virus Gigabyte and the Web tries to infect the city but Bob and his team always there to fight and keep the citizens safe.


ReBoot Animated TV series completed 4 seasons with 47 episodes, premiered on September 1994 and lasted until November 2001, now available on DVD.


The ReBoot DVD at TV Shows on DVD



ReBoot Voice Casts:

  • Bob .......... Michael Benyaer
  • Glitch-Bob .......... Ian James Corlett
  • Dot Matrix ........... Kathleen Barr
  • Enzo Matrix #1 ............ Jesse Moss
  • Enzo Matrix #2 ........... Matthew Sinclair
  • Enzo Matrix #3 ........... Christopher Gray
  • Enzo Matrix #4 ............ Giacomo Baessato
  • Matrix ............. Paul Dobson
  • Megabyte ............. Tony Jay
  • Hexadecimal ............. Shirley Millner
  • AndrAIa .............. Sharon Alexander, Andrea Libman
  • Ray Tracer ............ Donal Gibson
  • Slash .............. Gary Chalk
  • Mouse ............ Louise Vallance
  • Hack #1 ............ Phil Hayes
  • Hack #2 ............ Scott McNeil
  • Phong .............. Michael Donovan

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

"The Battle of the Planets" : Animated 70's TV Series

- The G-Force -

Adapted from 1972 original Japanese cartoon animated TV series “Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman” (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman), Battle of the Planets become one of the most cult favorite and interesting cartoon tv series that hooked most international viewers and fans in 70s & 80s. Battle of the Planets' great appeal for western audience were; Gatchaman was edited to make the story simplified & more mature, professional voices (dub) and superb new music made the show fun to watch, some episodes were dissected/substituted to reduce amount of violence and objectionable language, remove profanity and transgerderism (from Gatchamn 105 episodes to Battle of the Planet 85 episodes), making scenes environmentally-themed (other planets look like Earth) so that even young viewers able to see through certain kidvid cop-outs.

The main story, the Earth and space colonies were threatened by some world criminal organization and from the minion forces of dying Planet Spectra ruthless ruler Great Spirit and the evil Zoltar, they attempt to conquer the Earth to enslave people and plunder natural resources. The Intergalactic Federation bring out five orphans augmented with cerebrionic implants and trained in ninja ways, costumed with bird garb, armed with remarkable science weaponry, and ride with warship “The Phoenix” (supplied with rockets and flaunted with solar-powered energy blaster transform into flaming bird-shape spaceship like phoenix), they are called the “G-Force”. Compose of heroic leader Mark, grumpy hot-headed Jason, pointless space burger-scarfing Tiny, stuttering kid-cloned Keyop and beautiful Princess, with their incredible enhanced capabilities they watch from Centre Neptune and fight alien Spectrans and depend Earth's entire galaxy with the help of computerized coordinator 7-Zark-7 and supervision of Security Chief Anderson, Colonel Cronos, President Kane, Susan and robotic dog 1-Rover-1.


Children favorite Battle of the Planets Animated TV series was aired from September 1978 and lasted until August 1985, with total of 4 seasons and 85 episodes, now full 4 seasons available on DVD.