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{{Short description|Television series}}
{{Short description|Television series}}
{{About|the TV series|the film|The Monster Squad}}
{{About|the TV series|the film|The Monster Squad}}
{{Multiple issues|
⚫
{{No plot|section|date=October 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| name = Monster Squad
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| camera =
| camera =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| picture_format =
| creator =
| audio_format =
| developer = [[Stanley Ralph Ross]]
| runtime = 30 minutes
| producer = [[Michael Mclean]]
⚫
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist |
| creator =
| developer = [[Stanley Ralph Ross]]
| producer = [[Michael Mclean]]
⚫
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist |
* [[Willam P. D'Angelo]]
* [[Willam P. D'Angelo]]
* [[Harvey Bullock (writer)|Harvey Bullock]]
* [[Harvey Bullock (writer)|Harvey Bullock]]
* [[R.S. Allen|Ray Allen]] }}
* [[R.S. Allen|Ray Allen]] }}
| starring = {{Plainlist |
| starring = {{Plainlist |
⚫
* [[Fred Grandy]]
* [[Henry Polic II]]
* [[Henry Polic II]]
* [[Buck Kartalian]]
* [[Buck Kartalian]]
* [[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]] }}
* [[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]]
⚫
* [[Fred Grandy]] }}
| composer = [[Richard La Salle]] (1.1)
| country = United States
| composer = [[Richard La Salle]] (1.1)
| language = [[English language|English]]
| company = D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions
| network = [[NBC]]
| country = United States
| first_run =
| language = English
| first_aired = {{Start date|1976|09|11}}
| network = [[NBC]]
| last_aired = {{End date|1977|09|03}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1976|09|11}}
| num_episodes = 13
| last_aired = {{End date|1976|12|04}}
| list_episodes =
| num_episodes = 13
| website =
| list_episodes =
}}
}}


'''''Monster Squad''''' is a [[television series]] produced by D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions that aired Saturday mornings on [[NBC]] from September 11, 1976 to September 3, 1977.<ref name="Woolery">{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years (1946-1981) Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series |date=1985 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-1651-2 |pages=350}}</ref> It is unrelated to the later [[The Monster Squad|film of the same name]].
'''''Monster Squad''''' is a [[television series]] produced by D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions that aired Saturday mornings on [[NBC]] from September 11, 1976, to September 3, 1977.<ref name="Woolery">{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years (1946–1981) Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series |date=1985 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-1651-2 |pages=350}}</ref>


==Premise==
==Premise==
The series stars [[Fred Grandy]] (who also starred in ''[[The Love Boat]]'' and was later elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]]) as Walt, a [[criminology]] student working as a night watchman at "Fred's Wax Museum". To pass the time, Walt built a prototype "Crime Computer" hidden in a large stone [[sarcophagus]] near an exhibit of legendary monsters. When Walt plugged in his computer, "oscillating vibrations" brought to life the wax statues of [[Dracula]] ([[Henry Polic II]]), the [[Werewolf|Wolfman]] ([[Buck Kartalian]]) who here was named "Bruce W. Wolf" (with one episode revealing that the "W" stood for "Were"), and the [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein Monster]] ([[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]]) who was referred to as "Frank N. Stein" in the credits.
The series stars [[Fred Grandy]] as Walt, a [[criminology]] student working as a night watchman at "Fred's Wax Museum". To pass the time, Walt built a prototype "Crime Computer" hidden in a large stone [[sarcophagus]] near an exhibit of legendary monsters. When Walt plugged in his computer, "oscillating vibrations" brought to life the wax statues of [[Count Dracula|Dracula]] ([[Henry Polic II]]), the [[Werewolf|Wolfman]] ([[Buck Kartalian]]) – who here was named "Bruce W. Wolf" (with one episode revealing that the "W" stood for "Were") – and the [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein Monster]] ([[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]]), who was referred to as "Frank N. Stein" in the credits.


The monsters, wanting to make up for the misdeeds of their pasts, became [[superhero]] crimefighters who used their unique abilities to challenge and defeat various [[supervillain]]s. In most episodes, Walt would send the monsters out to investigate crimes and fight the villains while monitoring the activities from the wax museum via the Crime Computer, presumably because his job required him to be at the [[wax museum]] at all times. However, Walt would sometimes join the climactic battle with his comrades in some episodes and come to the rescue when needed.
The monsters, wanting to make up for the misdeeds of their pasts, became [[superhero]] crimefighters who used their unique abilities to challenge and defeat various [[supervillain]]s. In most episodes, Walt would send the monsters out to investigate crimes and fight the villains while monitoring the activities from the wax museum via the Crime Computer, presumably because his job required him to be at the [[wax museum]] at all times. However, Walt would sometimes join the climactic battle with his comrades in some episodes and come to the rescue when needed.


Though the Squad are supposed to be wax statues, it often appears that they are something else entirely, as they apparently have all the memories of the monsters they are based on as well as their powers. The gentle giant Frank, for example, possessed superhuman strength and could smash through walls, while the dapper [[cloak]]-clad and fearsome-fanged Drac could turn into a [[bat]], and the short and furry Bruce was a ferocious fighter who could climb up the sheer sides of buildings [[Spider-Man]]-style and had a super-sensitive sense of smell.
⚫
The Squad had their own customized black Monster Van, and each monster had a "utility belt" with a communicator device used to keep in touch with Walt, who had apparently created them for the monsters to use. Their [[Citizen's band radio|CB]]-style codenames were "Chamber of Horrors" (Walt), "Nightflyer" (Drac), "Green Machine" (Frank) and "Furball" (Bruce).


⚫
The Squad had their own customized black Monster Van, and each monster had a "utility belt" with a communicator device used to keep in touch with Walt, who had apparently created them for the monsters to use. Their [[Citizen's band radio|CB]]-style codenames were "Chamber of Horrors" (Walt), "Nightflyer" (Drac), "Green Machine" (Frank) and "Furball" (Bruce).
⚫
The show was comparable to the 1960s ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' TV show, not surprising considering that creator [[Stanley Ralph Ross]] had been one of the main writers on that series. The villains were often exaggerated [[Camp (style)|camp]] villains much like the ones on ''Batman'' in keeping with the "[[superhero]]" tone of the show, and were often played by familiar-faced [[guest stars]] of the time, like [[Alice Ghostley]] ("[[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]]"), [[Marty Allen (comedian)|Marty Allen]] ("[[Lorenzo Music]]a"), [[Jonathan Harris]] ("the [[Astrology|Astrologer]]"), [[Julie Newmar]] ("Ultra Witch"), [[Avery Schreiber]] ("the Weatherman") and [[Vito Scotti]] ("[[Hermaphrodite|Albert/Alberta]]").


⚫
The show was comparable to the 1960s ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' TV show; its creator [[Stanley Ralph Ross]] had been one of the main writers on that series. The villains were often exaggerated [[Camp (style)|camp]] [[supervillain]]s much like the ones on ''Batman'' in keeping with the "[[superhero]]" tone of the show, and were often played by familiar-faced [[guest stars]] of the time, like [[Alice Ghostley]] ("[[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]]"), [[Marty Allen (comedian)|Marty Allen]] ("[[Lorenzo Music]]a"), [[Jonathan Harris]] ("the [[Astrology|Astrologer]]"), [[Julie Newmar]] ("[[witchcraft|Ultra Witch]]"), [[Avery Schreiber]] ("the Weatherman") and [[Vito Scotti]] ("[[Hermaphrodite|Albert/Alberta]]").
A later, unrelated [[animated television series]] by [[Hanna-Barbera Productions]] called ''[[Drak Pack]]'' had a similar premise.


Though the Squad are supposed to be wax statues, it often appears that they are something else entirely, as they apparently have all the memories of the monsters they are based on. In several episodes, a statue of the [[Invisible Man]] can be seen in an alcove on the opposite side of the monsters' exhibit. It is never explained why this statue remains unaffected by the Crime Computer's oscillating vibrations.
In several episodes, a statue of the [[Invisible Man]] can be seen in an alcove on the opposite side of the monsters' exhibit. It is never explained why this statue remains unaffected by the Crime Computer's oscillating vibrations.


==Cast==
==Cast==
=== Main ===
* [[Fred Grandy]] - Walt
* [[Henry Polic II]] - [[Count Dracula|Dracula]]
* [[Fred Grandy]] – Walt
* [[Henry Polic II]] – [[Count Dracula|Dracula]]
* [[Buck Kartalian]] - [[Werewolf|Bruce W. Wolf]]
* [[Buck Kartalian]] – [[Werewolf|Bruce W. Wolf]]
* [[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]] - [[Frankenstein's monster|Frank N. Stein]]
* [[Mike Lane|Michael Lane]] – [[Frankenstein's monster|Frank N. Stein]]


===Recurring===
===Recurring===
Line 63: Line 64:
* '''Mimi Falters''': (portrayed by [[Caren Kaye]])
* '''Mimi Falters''': (portrayed by [[Caren Kaye]])
* '''Farmer''': (portrayed by [[Frank Cady]])
* '''Farmer''': (portrayed by [[Frank Cady]])
* '''Dandy Andy''': (portrayed by [[Johnny Brown (actor)|Johnny Brown]])
* '''[[Famous Amos|Dandy Andy]]''': (portrayed by [[Johnny Brown (actor)|Johnny Brown]])
* '''King Fooey''': (portrayed by [[Nathan Jung]])
* '''King Fooey''': (portrayed by [[Nathan Jung]])
* '''Store Manager''': (portrayed by Patrick Campbell)
* '''Store Manager''': (portrayed by Patrick Campbell)
Line 70: Line 71:


===Villains===
===Villains===
* '''[[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]]''': (portrayed by [[Alice Ghostley]])
* '''[[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]]''': (portrayed by [[Alice Ghostley]]) – A [[bee]]-themed villainess who controls a swarm of [[Africanized bee|killer bees]]
** '''Spelling Bee and Bumble Bee''': (portrayed by [[Hamilton Camp]] and [[Al Mancini]]) - Queen Bee's henchmen
** '''[[Spelling Bee]] and [[bumblebee|Bumble Bee]]''': (portrayed by [[Hamilton Camp]] and [[Al Mancini]]) – Queen Bee's henchmen
* '''Mr. Mephisto''': (portrayed by [[Barry Dennen]])
* '''Mr. Mephisto''': (portrayed by [[Barry Dennen]]) – Creator of life-sized living [[dolls]]
** '''Baby Doll and Arlene Doll''': (portrayed by Cathy Worthington and Mindi Miller) - Mr. Mephisto's henchwomen
** '''[[Baby Doll]] and [[Arlene Dahl|Arlene Doll]]''': (portrayed by Cathy Worthington and Mindi Miller) – Mr. Mephisto's [[hypnosis|hypnotic]]-eyed henchwomen
* '''The Tickler''': (portrayed by [[Ivor Francis]])
* '''The Tickler''': (portrayed by [[Ivor Francis]]) – Sad-faced [[clown]]/criminal mastermind
** '''Twitter and Snicker''': (portrayed by Al Stellone and Doug Stevenson) - The Tickler's henchmen
** '''Twitter and Snicker''': (portrayed by Al Stellone and Doug Stevenson) – The Tickler's henchmen
* '''The Ringmaster''': (portrayed by [[Billy Curtis]])
* '''[[Ringmaster (circus)|The Ringmaster]]''': (portrayed by [[Billy Curtis]]) – Diminutive [[circus]] owner who holds an audience of children hostage as revenge against those who made fun of his size
** '''Sam Strongman and Bonnie Bon''': (portrayed by [[H.B. Haggerty]] and [[Simone Griffeth]]) - The Ringmaster's henchmen
** '''Sam Strongman and Bonnie Bon''': (portrayed by [[H.B. Haggerty]] and [[Simone Griffeth]]) – The Ringmaster's henchmen
* '''Lorenzo Musica''': (portrayed by [[Marty Allen]])
* '''[[Lorenzo Music]]a''': (portrayed by [[Marty Allen]]) – A failed musician who robs a [[telethon]] so he can pay people to attend his concert
** '''Andante and Allegro''': (portrayed by Tom Sherohman and [[Michael McManus (American actor)|Michael McManus]]) - Lorenzo Musica's henchmen
** '''[[Andante (tempo)|Andante]] and [[allegro (music)|Allegro]]''': (portrayed by Tom Sherohman and [[Michael McManus (American actor)|Michael McManus]]) – Lorenzo Musica's henchmen
* '''No Face''': (portrayed by [[Edward Andrews]])
* '''No Face''': (portrayed by [[Sid Haig]] and [[Edward Andrews]], although his actual voice was supplied by an uncredited third actor) – A literally faceless master of disguise
** '''Pillage and Plunder''': (portrayed by [[Timothy Scott (actor, born 1937)|Timothy Scott]] and [[David Proval]]) - No Face's henchmen
** '''Pillage and Plunder''': (portrayed by [[Timothy Scott (actor, born 1937)|Timothy Scott]] and [[David Proval]]) – No Face's henchmen
* '''[[Astrology|The Astrologer]]''': (portrayed by [[Jonathan Harris]])
* '''[[Astrology|The Astrologer]]''': (portrayed by [[Jonathan Harris]]) – A TV prognosticator planning to use an [[atomic bomb]] to make his prediction of an [[earthquake]] come true
** '''[[Castor and Pollux]]''': (portrayed by [[Sandy McPeak]] and [[James Gammon]]) - The Astrologer's henchmen
** '''[[Castor and Pollux]]''': (portrayed by [[Sandy McPeak]] and [[James Gammon]]) – The Astrologer's henchmen
* '''Ultra Witch''': (portrayed by [[Julie Newmar]])
* '''[[Witchcraft|Ultra Witch]]''': (portrayed by [[Julie Newmar]]) – A sexy sorceress who has made all the world's [[milk]] turn sour
** '''Toil and Trouble''': (portrayed by [[Richard Bakalyan]] and [[Joe E. Tata]]) - Ultra Witch's henchmen
** '''Toil and Trouble''': (portrayed by [[Richard Bakalyan]] and [[Joe E. Tata]]) – Ultra Witch's henchmen
* '''The Wizard''': (portrayed by [[Arthur Malet]])
* '''[[Wizard (comics)|The Wizard]]''': (portrayed by [[Arthur Malet]]) – A [[Merlin]]-like magician miniaturizing monuments
** '''Mumbo and Jumbo''': (portrayed by Victor Paul and Mickey Morton) - The Wizard's henchmen
** '''Mumbo and Jumbo''': (portrayed by Victor Paul and Mickey Morton) – The Wizard's henchmen
* '''The Skull''': (portrayed by [[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]])
* '''The Skull''': (portrayed by [[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]]) – A sinister scientist who revives a [[mummy]] as the first step in his plan to create an army of the evil dead
** '''Blue Tooth and [[Mummy (undead)|The Mummy]]''': (portrayed by Peter Zapp and Pete Kellett) - The Skull's henchmen
** '''[[Igor (character)|Blue Tooth]] and [[Mummy (undead)|The Mummy]]''': (portrayed by Peter Zapp and Pete Kellett) – The Skull's henchmen
* '''The Weatherman''': (portrayed by [[Avery Schreiber]])
* '''The Weatherman''': (portrayed by [[Avery Schreiber]]) – A would-be dictator causing [[blizzards]] in July
** '''Phoebe Snow and David Frost''': (portrayed by [[Cheryl Miller (actress)|Cheryl Miller]] and Owen Orr) - The Weatherman's henchmen
** '''[[Phoebe Snow]] and [[David Frost]]''': (portrayed by [[Cheryl Miller (actress)|Cheryl Miller]] and Owen Orr) – The Weatherman's henchmen
* '''Lawrence of Moravia''': (portrayed by [[Joseph Mascolo]])
* '''[[T. E. Lawrence|Lawrence of Moravia]]''': (portrayed by [[Joseph Mascolo]]) – [[Arabian]] [[billionaire]] who steals for fun rather than profit
** '''Fouad and Abdul''': (portrayed by Winston Roberts and Joe Tornatore) - Lawrence of Moravia's henchmen
** '''Fouad and Abdul''': (portrayed by Winston Roberts and Joe Tornatore) – Lawrence of Moravia's henchmen
** '''Night Watchman''': (portrayed by [[Whitney Rydbeck]]) - Lawrence of Moravia's henchman
** '''Night Watchman''': (portrayed by [[Whitney Rydbeck]]) – Lawrence of Moravia's henchman
* '''[[Hermaphrodite|Albert/Alberta]]''': (portrayed by [[Vito Scotti]])
* '''Albert/Alberta''': (portrayed by [[Vito Scotti]]) – A [[sideshow]]-style half-and-half [[hermaphrodite]] using a [[laser]] to melt the [[polar icecap]]
** '''Half-Wit and Half-Nelson''': (portrayed by Raymond Singer and Phil Diskin) - Albert/Alberta's henchmen
** '''Half-Wit and [[half nelson choke|Half-Nelson]]''': (portrayed by Raymond Singer and Phil Diskin) – Albert/Alberta's henchmen


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
⚫
{{No plot|section|date=October 2015}}
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |title=22 |director=18 |writer=22 |airdate=18 |episodes=
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |title=22 |director=18 |writer=22 |airdate=18 |episodes=


Line 105: Line 105:
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Queen Bee
| Title = Queen Bee
| DirectedBy = James Sheldon
| DirectedBy = [[James Sheldon]]
| WrittenBy = Richard M. Bluel
| WrittenBy = Richard M. Bluel
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|9|11}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|9|11}}
Line 209: Line 209:


==Home video==
==Home video==
''Monster Squad: The Complete Series'' was released in Region 1 on June 23, 2009 by Virgil Films and Entertainment. The Region 2 release followed on August 3, 2009 by Fabulous Films.
''Monster Squad: The Complete Series'' was released in Region 1 on June 23, 2009, by Virgil Films and Entertainment. The Region 2 release followed on August 3, 2009, by Fabulous Films.


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
A later, unrelated [[animated television series]] by [[Hanna-Barbera Productions]] called ''[[Drak Pack]]'' had a similar premise, as did the [[DC Comics]] characters the [[Creature Commandos]], although they fought [[Nazis]] rather that super-criminals. A similar group of Universal-inspired monsters appeared in a [[The Monster Squad|film of the same name]], given the name and iconography the influence is clear.
⚫
In ''[[Teen Titans Go! (TV series)|Teen Titans Go!]]'' episode 8, "Monster Squad", the Titans want to be the scariest trick-or-treaters in town, so Raven casts a spell to turn them into real monsters.

⚫
In ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' episode 8, "Monster Squad", the Titans want to be the scariest trick-or-treaters in town, so Raven casts a spell to turn them into real monsters.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* Jones, Stephen, ed. ''The Illustrated Werewolf Movie Guide''. London: Titan Books, 1996, p. 137. {{ISBN|1-85286-658-6}}
* Jones, Stephen, ed. ''The Illustrated Werewolf Movie Guide''. London: Titan Books, 1996, p.&nbsp;137. {{ISBN|1-85286-658-6}}
* {{cite book | last=Terrace | first=Vincent | title=The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs (1947-1979) Volume 2 | isbn=0-498-02177-7 | publisher=[[Alfred Smith Barnes]] | chapter=The Monster Squad | year=1979 | edition=second | page=666 }}
* {{cite book | last=Terrace | first=Vincent | title=The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs (1947–1979) Volume 2 | isbn=0-498-02177-7 | publisher=[[Alfred Smith Barnes]] | chapter=The Monster Squad | year=1979 | edition=second | page=666 }}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0128000|The Monster Squad}}
* {{IMDb title|0128000|The Monster Squad}}
* [http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/monster-squad-tv-series/ ''Monster Squad'' - Pilot episode in-depth review with screenshots]
* [http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/monster-squad-tv-series/ ''Monster Squad'' – Pilot episode in-depth review with screenshots]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090511150320/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Monster-Squad-Box-Art/11839 TV Shows on DVD news]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090511150320/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Monster-Squad-Box-Art/11839 TV Shows on DVD news]


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{{Frankenstein}}
{{Frankenstein}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Monster Squad, The}}
[[Category:NBC original programming]]
[[Category:NBC original programming]]
[[Category:1976 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1976 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1977 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1977 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1970s American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:1970s American children's television series]]
[[Category:1970s American horror television series]]
[[Category:Vampires in television]]
[[Category:Vampires in television]]
[[Category:Television about werewolves]]
[[Category:Television about werewolves]]
[[Category:American superhero comedy television series]]
[[Category:American children's horror television series]]
[[Category:Works based on Frankenstein]]
[[Category:Works based on Frankenstein]]
[[Category:Batman (TV series)]]
[[Category:Batman (TV series)]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 7 November 2024

This article is about the TV series. For the film, see The Monster Squad.
Monster Squad
Developed byStanley Ralph Ross
Starring
ComposerRichard La Salle (1.1)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
ProducerMichael Mclean
Running time30 minutes
Production companyD'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 11 (1976-09-11) –
December 4, 1976 (1976-12-04)

Monster Squad is a television series produced by D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions that aired Saturday mornings on NBC from September 11, 1976, to September 3, 1977.[1]

Premise

[edit]

The series stars Fred Grandy as Walt, a criminology student working as a night watchman at "Fred's Wax Museum". To pass the time, Walt built a prototype "Crime Computer" hidden in a large stone sarcophagus near an exhibit of legendary monsters. When Walt plugged in his computer, "oscillating vibrations" brought to life the wax statues of Dracula (Henry Polic II), the Wolfman (Buck Kartalian) – who here was named "Bruce W. Wolf" (with one episode revealing that the "W" stood for "Were") – and the Frankenstein Monster (Michael Lane), who was referred to as "Frank N. Stein" in the credits.

The monsters, wanting to make up for the misdeeds of their pasts, became superhero crimefighters who used their unique abilities to challenge and defeat various supervillains. In most episodes, Walt would send the monsters out to investigate crimes and fight the villains while monitoring the activities from the wax museum via the Crime Computer, presumably because his job required him to be at the wax museum at all times. However, Walt would sometimes join the climactic battle with his comrades in some episodes and come to the rescue when needed.

Though the Squad are supposed to be wax statues, it often appears that they are something else entirely, as they apparently have all the memories of the monsters they are based on as well as their powers. The gentle giant Frank, for example, possessed superhuman strength and could smash through walls, while the dapper cloak-clad and fearsome-fanged Drac could turn into a bat, and the short and furry Bruce was a ferocious fighter who could climb up the sheer sides of buildings Spider-Man-style and had a super-sensitive sense of smell.

The Squad had their own customized black Monster Van, and each monster had a "utility belt" with a communicator device used to keep in touch with Walt, who had apparently created them for the monsters to use. Their CB-style codenames were "Chamber of Horrors" (Walt), "Nightflyer" (Drac), "Green Machine" (Frank) and "Furball" (Bruce).

The show was comparable to the 1960s Batman TV show; its creator Stanley Ralph Ross had been one of the main writers on that series. The villains were often exaggerated camp supervillains much like the ones on Batman in keeping with the "superhero" tone of the show, and were often played by familiar-faced guest stars of the time, like Alice Ghostley ("Queen Bee"), Marty Allen ("Lorenzo Musica"), Jonathan Harris ("the Astrologer"), Julie Newmar ("Ultra Witch"), Avery Schreiber ("the Weatherman") and Vito Scotti ("Albert/Alberta").

In several episodes, a statue of the Invisible Man can be seen in an alcove on the opposite side of the monsters' exhibit. It is never explained why this statue remains unaffected by the Crime Computer's oscillating vibrations.

Cast

[edit]

Main

[edit]

Recurring

[edit]

Others

[edit]

Villains

[edit]

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Queen Bee"James SheldonRichard M. BluelSeptember 11, 1976 (1976-09-11)
2"Mr. Mephisto"H. Wesley KenneyAlan Dinehart and Herbert FinnSeptember 18, 1976 (1976-09-18)
3"The Tickler"H. Wesley KenneyCharles IsaacsSeptember 25, 1976 (1976-09-25)
4"The Ringmaster"Herman HoffmanJay ThompsonOctober 2, 1976 (1976-10-02)
5"Music Man"James SheldonEarle Doud and Chuck McCannOctober 9, 1976 (1976-10-09)
6"No Face"James SheldonGreg StrangisOctober 16, 1976 (1976-10-16)
7"The Astrologer"William P. D'AngeloGreg StrangisOctober 23, 1976 (1976-10-23)
8"Ultra Witch"Herman HoffmanRoy KammermanOctober 30, 1976 (1976-10-30)
9"The Wizard"William P. D'AngeloBill Freedman and Al SchwartzNovember 6, 1976 (1976-11-06)
10"The Skull"Herman HoffmanRoy KammermanNovember 13, 1976 (1976-11-13)
11"The Weatherman"Herman HoffmanBruce ShellyNovember 20, 1976 (1976-11-20)
12"Lawrence of Moravia"William P. D'AngeloStanley Ralph RossNovember 27, 1976 (1976-11-27)
13"Albert/Alberta"James SheldonCourtney Andrews & Laurie SamaraDecember 4, 1976 (1976-12-04)

Home video

[edit]

Monster Squad: The Complete Series was released in Region 1 on June 23, 2009, by Virgil Films and Entertainment. The Region 2 release followed on August 3, 2009, by Fabulous Films.

[edit]

A later, unrelated animated television series by Hanna-Barbera Productions called Drak Pack had a similar premise, as did the DC Comics characters the Creature Commandos, although they fought Nazis rather that super-criminals. A similar group of Universal-inspired monsters appeared in a film of the same name, given the name and iconography the influence is clear.

In Teen Titans Go! episode 8, "Monster Squad", the Titans want to be the scariest trick-or-treaters in town, so Raven casts a spell to turn them into real monsters.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years (1946–1981) Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. Scarecrow Press. p. 350. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.
  • Jones, Stephen, ed. The Illustrated Werewolf Movie Guide. London: Titan Books, 1996, p. 137. ISBN 1-85286-658-6
  • Terrace, Vincent (1979). "The Monster Squad". The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs (1947–1979) Volume 2 (second ed.). Alfred Smith Barnes. p. 666. ISBN 0-498-02177-7.
[edit]
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