Changes: Legends of the Superheroes

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A Hanna-Barbera series

Legends of the Superheroes

Seasons

Episodes

NONE

2

Aired

January 18, 25, 1979

Original Channel

NBC

Original Run

January 1979

Production

Creator(s)

Writer(s)

Mike Marmer
Peter Gallay

Director(s)

Bill Carruthers
Chris Darley

Producer(s)

Bill Carruthers

Executive Producer(s)

Joseph Barbera
Joel Stein

Production Company

Hanna-Barbera

Legends of the Superheroes is an umbrella title for two 60-minute live-action television specials produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on NBC on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on SuperFriends cartoon show, then airing on Saturday mornings on ABC. It also served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' Batman TV series, as it brings back together three of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on videotape and with a laugh track.^[1]

Both specials preempted Project UFO, which aired on NBC from February 19, 1978 – July 19, 1979.

Episodes

The Challenge

Legends_Of_The_Super_Heroes_-_Generique — Legends Of The Super Heroes - Generique

*The Challenge*

In the first episode, which aired on January 18, 1979, the superheroes must race against time to stop the diabolical supervillains’ plot to destroy the world. It opens in the cavernous lair of the superheroes arch-enemies. Meanwhile a few members of the Justice League of America gather together at the Hall of Heroes to celebrate elderly retired superhero Scarlet Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the Legion of Doom, who announce the spreading of deadly bombs in several places, and the heroes must follow clues to find them. It's all, actually, a trap to make the heroes drink Dr. Sivana's de-powering potion, which succeeds, but the heroes disarm the bombs and recover their powers. It is only after the whole battle is done that Scarlet Cyclone arrives to give his aid.

The Roast

In the second episode, which aired on January 25th, the superheroes pay tribute to Batman and Robin in the form of a roast which even the villains attend. It is hosted by Ed McMahon. What's special about this roast is that it's a bunch of people in the hot seat, not just one guy. All of the heroes from the previous episode get their turn to be ripped on.

Cast

It starred Adam West and Burt Ward, reprising their roles as Batman and Robin from the live-action Batman TV series. It also had a large ensemble cast of other DC Comics superheroes that included Garrett Craig as Captain Marvel, Howard Murphy as the Green Lantern, Bill Nuckols as Hawkman, Barbara Joyce as the Huntress, Rod Haase as the Flash, Alfie Wise as the Atom and Danuta (Danuta Rylko Soderman) as the Black Canary.

Notable guest stars

Notable guest stars in the two specials included Frank Gorshin reprising his role as the Riddler from Batman, Howard Morris as Dr. Sivana, Gabriel Dell as Mordru, Charlie Callas as Sinestro, Jeff Altman as the Weather Wizard, Ruth Buzzi as Aunt Minerva, Mickey Morton as Solomon Grundy, June Gable as Rhoda Rooter, Pat Carroll as Hawkman's Mother, A'leshia Brevard as Giganta, William Schallert playing the Scarlet Cyclone (more commonly referred to as "Retired Man") and Brad Sanders as "Ghetto Man". Ed McMahon played himself, hosting the celebrity super-hero roast.

Characters

Gary Owens as the Narrator (voice)

Ed McMahon

Host

Woman in phone booth

uncredited

Played by:Marsha Warfield

Rhoda Rooter

Reporter

Played by:June Gable

Esther Hall

Hawkman's mother

Played by: Pat Carroll

Villains

Mordru the sorcerer

Played by: Gabriel Dell

Mordru is an obscure but recurring villain from DC’s far-future Legion of Super-Heroes comic book.

The Weather Wizard

Played by: Jeff Altman

Sinestro

Played by: Charlie Callas

The Riddler

Played by: Frank Gorshin

Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana

Played by: Howard Morris

Solomon Grundy

Played by: Mickey Morton

Giganta

Played by: A'leisha Brevard

Aunt Minerva

Played by: Ruth Buzzi

Heroes

Retired Man / Scarlet Cyclone

Played by: William Schallert

Ghetto Man

Played by: Brad Sanders

Captain Marvel

Played by: Garrett Craig

File:14 Batman.jpg

Batman

Played by: Adam West

Robin

Played by Burt Ward

Green Lantern

Played by: Howard Murphy

The Black Canary

Played by: Danuta Wesley

Hawkman

Played by: Bill Nuckols

The Flash

Played by: Rod Haase

The Huntress

Played by: Barbara Joyce

The Atom

Played by: Alfie Wise

Notes

The producers were not able to use Wonder Woman or Superman for these television specials because both of those characters were already being used elsewhere. Superman was at the beginning of his theatrical film franchise a month earlier and Wonder Woman was still having her own television series on CBS.
This series reveals that Captain Marvel (and apparently all Fawcett characters) co-exist with the other heroes all on one earth. In the majority of comics, the DC characters were part of Earth-One and the Fawcett characters were part of Earth-S. However, there were Earths that had a close analog called Captain Thunder which includes Earth-Forty where he coexisted with Batman and Wonder Woman. In the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths Captain Marvel co-existed with DC characters on at least two Earths: New Earth and Earth-85.

LegendsoftheSuperHeroesDVD-Cover — *Legends of the Superheroes* DVD release cover from Warner Archive.

DVD release

Warner Home Video's Warner Archive Collection released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.^[2]

It is also available on DVD from amazon.com.
- Legends Of The Super Heroes (1979), DVD

External links

References

↑ A History of Batman on TV IGN. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
↑ "Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios". Retrieved 2010-12-25.

[1] A History of Batman on TV IGN. Retrieved 2010-12-25.

[2] "Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios". Retrieved 2010-12-25.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 | Seasons=NONE
 | Episodes=2
-| Airdate=January 1979
+| Airdate=January 18, 25, 1979
-| Channel=NBC
+| Channel=[[NBC#NBC in the real world|NBC]]
 | run=January 1979
 | Creators=
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 }}
+'''''Legends of the Superheroes''''' is an umbrella title for two 60-minute live-action television specials produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] that aired on [[NBC#NBC in the real world|NBC]] on ''January 18'' and ''25'', 1979.  The series was loosely based on [[Hanna Barbera’s Super Friends |''SuperFriends'']] cartoon show, then airing on Saturday mornings on [[ABC]].  It also served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' Batman TV series, as it brings back together three of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on [[videotape]] and with a laugh track.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/17/a-history-of-batman-on-tv?page=6 ''A History of Batman on TV''] IGN. Retrieved 2010-12-25.</ref>
-'''''Legends of the Superheroes''''' is a NBC live-action version of [[Hanna Barbera’s Super Friends |''SuperFriends'']] and was an umbrella title for ''two'' one-hour [[Hanna-Barbera]] TV specials based on the ''SuperFriends'' cartoon show that aired on NBC in January 1979.
+Both specials preempted ''Project UFO'', which aired on NBC from February 19, 1978 – July 19, 1979.
 __TOC__
-===The Challenge===
+==Episodes==
+===[[The Challenge]]===
-[[Video:Legends Of The Super Heroes - Generique|thumb|250px|left|Legends of the Superheroes: ''The Challenge'']]
+[[File:Legends Of The Super Heroes - Generique|thumb|225px|left|''The Challenge'']]
-In a remote island hideaway, the new [[Legion of Doom]] are scheming up a plan to destroy the world. They are [[Solomon Grundy]], [[Sinestro]], [[Dr. Sivana]], [[Mordru]], [[Riddler]], [[Giganta]] and the [[Weather Wizard]]. The villains are engaged in heavy conversation and Mordru is having a hard time getting their attention, so he uses his [[magic]] powers to create lightning so as to get all of their attention. After all of them are finally attentive toward him, he tells them they shall proceed, and that the secretary, who is the [[Riddler]], is going to do a roll call. He then does so in the form of Riddles, only to find that each of the [[supervillain]]s keep using their powers on him, and he begins to think that his job as a secretary is a thankless one. After the roll call, Sivana introduces his incredible [[Sivana's Doomsday Machine|Doomsday Machine]], which he then activates and tells the other villains that in one hour all life on [[earth]], with the exception of their own, will be wiped out. The other villains are amazed by the device. He then tells them that they will leave clues that will lead the [[Superfriends]] to their lair. [[Giganta]] asks why they would lead them there, and he says just to delay them, so that they will lead to believe they can stop them. Mordru then elects the Riddler to be the one to drop some clues for the [[Superfriends]]. So Mordru asks what clues Riddler has in mind, and he tells him not to rush him, even though he is a genius, because even [[Rome]] wasn't built in a day. Mordru then reminded him that he only had an hour. Riddler tells him he understands but it wouldn't be his best work. He tells him he needs a moment to think. Then it hit him, and he tells them it's a beautiful plan, and that if [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] had had his mind there's no telling how far he would have gone.
+In the ''first episode,'' which aired on January 18, 1979, the [[superheroes]] must race against time to stop the diabolical [[supervillains]]’ plot to destroy the world. It opens in the cavernous lair of the superheroes arch-enemies. Meanwhile a few members of the [[Justice League of America]] gather together at the [[Hall of Heroes]] to celebrate elderly retired superhero ''[[Scarlet Cyclone]]'s'' birthday. The party is interrupted by the [[Legion of Doom]], who announce the spreading of deadly bombs in several places, and the heroes must follow clues to find them. It's all, actually, a trap to make the heroes drink [[Dr. Sivana]]'s de-powering potion, which succeeds, but the heroes disarm the bombs and recover their powers. It is only after the whole battle is done that ''Scarlet Cyclone'' arrives to give his aid.
-Meanwhile, at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the [[Superfriends]] are honoring one of the first [[superheroes]] there ever was: [[Retired Man]]. The heroes attending the celebration are [[Batman]], [[Robin]], [[Flash]], [[Green Lantern]], [[Hawkman]], [[Huntress]], [[Captain Marvel]] and [[Black Canary]]. Batman gives him a watch as a token for their appreciation. And [[Retired Man]] tells him he wishes he would call him by his old name, the [[Scarlet Cyclone]]. But he really hasn't been the same since he tried to stop a speeding bullet, and because of that, he's a bit too decrepit to be a [[superhero]], and that's apparently why his name was changed. Just then, a message came in over the Message center. Robin hands the message to Batman and he reads it. And it reads: '''The buttons in a secret room, find it and you're free from doom. You'll never make it is what we're betting, 'cause 50 minutes is all you're getting.''' Batman and Robin then try to decipher the riddle, and Batman finally figures it out, and he thinks that if Shakespeare had Riddler's mind there's no telling how far he'd go. Captain Marvel asks what it all means. Batman tells him that the [[Legion of Doom]] has apparently set off a Doomsday Device and they only have 50 minutes to save the world. The [[Huntress]] asks where the Doomsday Device is, and Batman says he doesn't know, but they have to find it. Batman tells them all to split up and search the globe, and that if they have anything to report to the others while they are separated then leave the necessary information at the gas station just down the road. The [[superheroes]] then disperse, and start searching for the Doomsday Device.
+===[[The Roast]]===
-Meanwhile, outside the Hall of Heroes, Sinestro is sabotaging the [[Batmobile]]. He runs off unseen before the [[Dynamic Duo]] arrive, and they get in their car and drive off. All the other [[Justice League]] members leave as well. Black Canary leaves in her [[Black Canary's motorcycle|motorcycle]]. Green Lantern teleports himself with his [[Power Ring]]. Captain Marvel flies off.
+In the ''second episode,'' which aired on January 25th, the [[superheroes]] pay tribute to [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] in the form of a roast which even the villains attend. It is hosted by [[Ed McMahon]]. What's special about this roast is that it's a bunch of people in the hot seat, not just one guy. All of the heroes from the previous episode get their turn to be ripped on.
+==Cast==
-Meanwhile, back at the lair of the Legion, they are monitoring the Justice League's progress from a oval view screen on the floor. Sinestro says that in a few moments Batman and Robin should be looking for some roadside service. Then Mordru tells Grundy that it's he who will see that they get it. And he magically disguises him as a mechanic and his hat keeps his identity safe. They then teleport Grundy down.
+It starred [[Adam West]] and [[Burt Ward]], reprising their roles as [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] from the live-action ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman TV series]].'' It also had a large ensemble cast of other [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]es that included [[Garrett Craig]] as [[Captain Marvel]], [[Howard Murphy]] as the [[Green Lantern]], [[Bill Nuckols]] as [[Hawkman]], [[Barbara Joyce]] as the [[Huntress]], [[Rod Haase]] as the [[Flash]], [[Alfie Wise]] as the [[Atom]] and Danuta ([[Danuta Rylko Soderman]]) as the [[Black Canary]].
-Meanwhile, at [[Calabasas Automotive|service station]], which is right across the street from [[Sagebrush Cantina]], Batman and Robin pull up in the Batmobile, and a woman is talking to her friend [[Alice]] on the phone and tells her that she sees some weird dudes in capes just pull in. She tells her that one of them has funny [[Leprechaun]] shoes. Just then [[Solomon Grundy]] disguised as a mechanic asks the [[Caped Crusader]] and [[The Boy Wonder]] if he could help them. Batman asks him to fix the Batmobile because they are in a hurry. Grundy tells him he'll fix it, he reaches in under the hood and rips out what he refers to as "loose parts." Batman then asks him if he's sure he's a licensed mechanic. Grundy takes off his hat and points to it and says "Sure, it says so right here." Just then Batman and Robin recognize him, and a fight begins, but they realize they are no match for his might, so they leave. (Recap incomplete)
+===Notable guest stars===
-In the ''first episode,'' which aired on January 18, 1979, the [[superheroes]] must race against time to stop the diabolical [[supervillains]]’ plot to destroy the world.  It opens in the cavernous lair of the superheroes arch-enemies.  Meanwhile a few members of the [[Justice League of America]] gather together at the [[Hall of Heroes]] to celebrate elderly retired superhero ''Scarlett Cyclones'' birthday. The party is interrupted by the [[Legion of Doom]], who announce the spreading of deadly bombs in several places, and the heroes must follow clues to find them. It's all, actually, a trap to make the heroes drink Dr. Sivana's de-powering potion, which succeeds, but the heroes disarm the bombs and recover their powers. It is only after the whole battle is done that ''Scarlett Cyclone'' arrives to give his aid.
+Notable guest stars in the two specials included [[Frank Gorshin]] reprising his role as the [[Riddler]] from ''Batman'', [[Howard Morris]] as [[Dr. Sivana]], [[Gabriel Dell]] as [[Mordru]], [[Charlie Callas]] as [[Sinestro]], [[Jeff Altman]] as the [[Weather Wizard]], [[Ruth Buzzi]] as [[Aunt Minerva]], [[Mickey Morton]] as [[Solomon Grundy]], [[June Gable]] as [[Rhoda Rooter]], [[Pat Carroll]] as [[Hawkman's Mother]], [[A'leshia Brevard]] as [[Giganta]], [[William Schallert]] playing the [[Scarlet Cyclone]] (more commonly referred to as "[[Retired Man]]") and [http://www.babysittersproductions.com/about.htm Brad Sanders] as "[[Ghetto Man]]". [[Ed McMahon]] played himself, hosting the celebrity super-hero roast.
-===The Roast===
-[[Video:Legends of the Superheroes roast challenge|thumb|250px|left|Legends of the Superheroes: ''The Roast'']]
+===Characters===
+{| cellspacing="8" valign="top" width="100%"
-In the ''second episode'' the [[superheroes]] pay tribute to [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] in the form of a roast which even the villains attend.  It is hosted by Ed McMahon.  What's special about this roast is that it's a bunch of people in the hot seat, not just one guy. All of the heroes from the previous episode get their turn to be ripped on.
-The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on videotape, and with a laugh track.
-==Cast==
-{| cellspacing="8" valign="top" width="100%"
 |-
-| valign="top" width="33%" |'''Miscellaneous Characters'''
+| valign="top" width="33%" |
 *'''Gary Owens''' as the Narrator (voice)
 {{Character Profile - Version 3
@@ Line 71: / Line 53: @@
 {{Character Profile - Version 3
 |image=[[image: Marsha_Warfield_2.jpg|100px]]
-|name= Woman in phone booth
+|name= [[Woman in phone booth]]
 |details=''uncredited''<br><br>'''Played by:'''Marsha Warfield
 }}
@@ Line 140: / Line 122: @@
 }}
 {{clear}}
-| valign="top" width="33%" | '''Heroes'''<br>
+| valign="top" width="33%" | '''Heroes'''<br />
 {{Character Profile - Version 3
@@ Line 151: / Line 133: @@
 |image=[[image: 12 ghetto man.jpg |100px]]
 |name= [[Ghetto Man]]
-|details='''Played by:''' Brad Sanders
+|details='''Played by:''' [[Brad Sanders]]
 }}
 {{clear}}
@@ Line 210: / Line 192: @@
 ==Notes==
-* [[Wonder Woman]] and [[Superman]] couldn't be used for copyright issues.  Superman was in his new movie and Wonder Woman was on Television.
+* The producers were not able to use [[Wonder Woman]] or [[Superman]] for these television specials because both of those characters were already being used elsewhere. Superman was at the beginning of his [[wikipedia:Superman in film|theatrical film franchise]] a month earlier and Wonder Woman was still having her own [[wikipedia: Wonder Woman (TV series)|television series]] on CBS.
-* This series reveals that [[Captain Marvel]] (and apparently all ''Fawcett characters'') co-exist with the other heroes all on one [[Earth-1A|earth]]. In the comics, the DC characters were part of [[Earth-One]] and the Fawcett characters were part of ''Earth-S''. That is, until the ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', when all the earths were merged into one.
+* This series reveals that [[Captain Marvel]] (and apparently all ''Fawcett characters'') co-exist with the other heroes all on one [[Earth-1A|earth]]. In the majority of comics, the DC characters were part of [[Earth-One]] and the Fawcett characters were part of ''Earth-S''. However, there were Earths that had a close analog called Captain Thunder which includes Earth-Forty where he coexisted with Batman and Wonder Woman. In the aftermath of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' Captain Marvel co-existed with DC characters on at least two Earths: New Earth and Earth-85.
+[[File:LegendsoftheSuperHeroesDVD-Cover.jpeg|right|thumb|''Legends of the Superheroes'' DVD release cover from Warner Archive.]]
+==DVD release==
+Warner Home Video's Warner Archive Collection released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.<ref>[http://www.wbshop.com/Legends-of-the-Super-Heroes-1979/1000180131,default,pd.html "Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios"]. Retrieved 2010-12-25.</ref>
+*It is also available on DVD from [http://www/amazon.com amazon.com].
+**[http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Super-Heroes-Adam-West/dp/B0049IHWYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300026767&sr=8-1 Legends Of The Super Heroes (1979), DVD]
@@ Line 218: / Line 208: @@
 * [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0131675/ ''Legends of The SuperHeroes''] at the [http://www.imdb.com/ Internet Movie Database]
 * [http://www.legionsofgotham.org/TVLEGENDS ''Legends of The SuperHeroes'' - History & Pics] at [http://www.legionsofgotham.org/index.html Legions Of Gotham]
+* [http://www.legendsofthesuperheroes.webs.com/ ''Legends Of The SuperHeroes'' Homepage!]
-__NOTOC__
+* [http://www.reocities.com/Hollywood/Chateau/4427/ ''Legends Of The SuperHeroes'' In Lurid Videotape!]
+* [http://www.tvobscurities.com/2009/01/legends-of-the-superheroes/ Television Obscurities &raquo; Blog Archive &raquo; ''Legends of the Superheroes'']
+* [http://legendsofthesuperheroes.com Legends of the Superheroes Fan Page]
+==References==
+<small><references/></small>
 [[Category:Hanna-Barbera]]
 [[Category:Continuity Related Series]]