Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
| Electra Woman and Dyna Girl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by |
Joe Ruby Ken Spears[1] |
| Starring |
Deidre Hall Judy Strangis Norman Alden |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Sid and Marty Krofft |
| Running time | 0:15 (per episode) |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 11, 1976 – September 2, 1977 |
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl is a Sid and Marty Krofft live action science fiction children's television series from 1976. The series aired 16 episodes in a single season as part of the umbrella series The Krofft Supershow. During the second season, it was dropped, along with Dr. Shrinker. When later syndicated in the package "Krofft Super Stars" and released on home video, the 16 segments, which were each about 12 minutes long, were combined into eight episodes.
Premise
The program playfully, but deliberately, lampooned the superhero combo of Batman and Robin, taking many of its cues from the earlier Batman television series. The show followed the crime-fighting exploits of female caped crusader Electra Woman (played by Deidre Hall) and her teen sidekick Dyna Girl (Judy Strangis), who worked in their off-time as reporters for Newsmaker Magazine (The full real names of the two were never revealed in any of the installments, although their first names were—Lori and Judy, respectively.) In each episode, the duo would don skintight spandex in a bright flash of light called an "Electra-Change," get into the "ElectraCar," and use an array of technically advanced gadgets to thwart an eclectic collection of supervillains. They were assisted by Frank Heflin (Norman Alden), a scientist who stayed at their "ElectraBase," operating its highly sophisticated "CrimeScope" computer, a parody of the BatComputer, while keeping in continual contact with the pair through their "ElectraComs."
The ElectraComs
The ElectraComs were bulky wrist devices that the title characters wore. They could function as two-way radios with video capabilities akin to those Dick Tracy used. Much like Batman's utility belt, they served a variety of other specialized functions, which allowed the duo to escape various traps devised by their enemies. With the addition of special cartridge attachments, the ElectraComs were additionally seen to perform the following functions on the show:
- Direct-A-Scan – navigates the title characters through buildings to the exact location of the villain.
- Electra-Change – allows the title characters to change from their civilian clothing to the costumes of their super-powered alter-egos instantaneously.
- Electra-Beam – emits a focused kinetic beam of energy that can "push" or "pull" objects much like a tractor or pressor beam.
- Electra-Degravitate – allows the title characters to defy gravity for very short distances so that they can circumvent obstacles in their path or levitate themselves to higher ground.
- Electra-Force – apparently breaks steel bars. (Was not available the one time it was attempted.)
- Electra-Force Shield – is essentially a force field used to detain villains once they've been caught. The shield was also used defensively as a protective barrier that can shield against physical and energy attacks.
- Electra-Freeze – lowers the temperature of the target to below freezing.
- Electra-G – increases the weight of the target.
- Electra-Split – replicates target to create a copy. Both objects are left in an unstable state and does not work on human beings.
- Electra-Strobe – speeds the wearer's motions, thoughts, and actions 10,000 times faster than normal.
- Electra-Vibe – creates a localized sonic field that can shatter glass or disorient an opponent who is not equipped with earplugs.
- Electra-Vision – emits a blindingly bright light, turning night into day.
- Electra-X – is a portable X-ray that reveals target's skeleton or identity beneath disguise.
Other resources
- The ElectraCar is a shield-shaped, three-wheeled vehicle that can also convert into the "ElectraPlane" with its wheels folded under/inside it. As the ElectraPlane, the ElectraCar is capable of flying into low Earth orbit. It also has a Tracking Beam for pursuing villains.
- The ElectraBase, located beneath the duo's civilian home and accessible by a hidden elevator, not only houses Frank Heflin's lab and the ElectraCar but also serves as the home to "CrimeScope," one of the most powerful computers ever built – much like the BatComputer, which it parodies. CrimeScope is always kept up-to-date with what is going on in the world, can analyze any data transmitted through the ElectraComs, and can also operate the ElectraCar via remote control.
The "ElectraEnemies" with their Henchmen and -women
- The Sorcerer and Miss Dazzle
- Empress of Evil and Lucrecia
- Ali Baba and The Genie
- Glitter Rock and Side Man
- The Spider-Lady with Leggs and Spinner
- The Pharaoh and Cleopatra
Cast
- Lori / Electra Woman was played by Deidre Hall, better known later for her years playing Dr. Marlena Evans on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives.
- Judy / Dyna Girl was played by Judy Strangis, a regular on Room 222 as student Helen Loomis. Although Dyna Girl is portrayed as Electra Woman's young sidekick (a la Robin to Batman), Strangis is only two years younger than Hall. (Producer Sam Strangis, her brother, had worked on the Batman television series in the 1960s.)
- Professor Frank Heflin was portrayed by Norman Alden, who also provided the voice of Aquaman and Green Arrow in Hanna-Barbera's long-running animated series, Super Friends.
Unaired television pilot
The WB Television Network commissioned a pilot for a new version of the show in 2001 starring Markie Post as Electra Woman and Anne Stedman as Dyna Girl. The new series was written in the form of a cynical parody of the original show – and the superhero genre in general. It was set 25 years after the original series, with a retired Electra Woman brought back into action by a fan who ends up becoming the new Dyna Girl.
The pilot portrayed Electra Woman as a disillusioned, bitter, sexually promiscuous alcoholic, much in contrast to the character's original portrayal. In the pilot, Electra Woman had been married and divorced since the end of the original series, her husband having left her for the original Dyna Girl. Although the pilot was shot, the series was not picked up.
The pilot omits the character of Frank Heflin, but includes an in-joke reference to Norman Alden, who had portrayed him in the original. The university's alumni function is attended by Aquaman, whose character voice Alden had provided on the Super Friends animated series.
Although the pilot never aired, it has been posted on YouTube[2] and it tends to be included on fan-made "bootleg" compilations of the series.
Reboot
On February 26, 2015, it was announced via various media outlets that YouTube personalities Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart will star in a reboot of the series.[3][4][5] The series, which is produced by Tim Carter and Tomas Harlan through their Contradiction shingle, was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero and shot in Vancouver during February and March 2015.
References
- ↑ Ruby-Spears' Filmography. Received on 15 September 2007.
- ↑ Electra Woman And Dyna Girl (2001 Unaired Pilot) on YouTube
- ↑ "Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart are the new 'Electra Woman and Dyna Girl'". Mashable.com. 2015-02-26. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
- ↑ Electra Woman & Dyna Girl - Announcement
- ↑ Electra Woman and Dyna Girl on Twitter
External links
- Electra Woman and Dyna Girl at the Internet Movie Database
- The Krofft Supershow at the Internet Movie Database
- Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2001 pilot) at the Internet Movie Database
- The Electra Woman & Dyna Girl Webopedia (Original)
- The Electra Woman & Dyna Girl Webopedia