Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl is a live action superhero children's television series from 1976 created by Sid and Marty Krofft. 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.
| Electra Woman and Dyna Girl | |
|---|---|
Title card | |
| Created by | Joe Ruby Ken Spears[1] |
| Starring | Deidre Hall Judy Strangis Norman Alden |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Sid and Marty Krofft |
| Running time | 12 minutes (per episode) |
| Production companies | Sid and Marty Krofft Television Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 11, 1976 – September 2, 1977 |
Premise
The program followed the crime-fighting exploits of caped superhero Electra Woman (played by Deidre Hall) and her teen sidekick Dyna Girl (Judy Strangis), who worked in their normal lives as reporters for Newsmaker Magazine (the two's surnames were never revealed -- just their first names: Lori and Judy, respectively). In each episode, the duo dons brightly-colored spandex costumes, 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 while keeping in continual contact with the pair through their "ElectraComs".
Cast and characters
Main
- Lori / Electra Woman was played by Deidre Hall
- Judy / Dyna Girl was played by Judy Strangis
- Professor Frank Heflin was portrayed by Norman Alden
- Marvin Miller as Narrator
The "ElectraEnemies" with their henchpersons
- The Sorcerer and Miss Dazzle
- The Empress of Evil and Lucretia
- Ali Baba and the Genie
- Glitter Rock and Side Man
- The Spider-Lady with Leggs and Spinner
- The Pharaoh and Cleopatra
The ElectraComs
The ElectraComs were bulky wrist devices worn by the title characters. They could function as two-way radios with video capabilities; they also 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 have 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 it 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 the target's skeleton or identity beneath any 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.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Special Guest Villains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 | "The Sorcerer's Golden Trick" | Walter Miller | Dick Robbins and Duane Poole | September 11, 1976 (Part 1) September 18, 1976 (Part 2) | The Sorcerer (Michael Constantine) and Miss Dazzle (Susan Lanier) | |
| The Sorcerer escapes from prison and plans to rob Fort Knox with a powerful mirror. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl are trapped as the Sorcerer unleashes his mirror trick. Guest star: James Mock | ||||||
| 3 4 | "Glitter Rock" | Chuck Liotta | Dick Robbins and Duane Poole | September 25, 1976 (Part 1) October 2, 1976 (Part 2) | Glitter Rock (John Mark Robinson) and Side Man (Jeff David) | |
| The evil Glitter Rock and his assistant Side Man kidnap Electra Woman's friend in a plot to hypnotize the world. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl race to stop Glitter Rock from activating his hypno-music satellite. Guest star: Michael Blodgett | ||||||
| 5 6 | "Empress of Evil" | Walter Miller | Dick Robbins and Duane Poole | October 9, 1976 (Part 1) October 16, 1976 (Part 2) | The Empress of Evil (Claudette Nevins) and Lucretia (Jacquelyn Hyde) | |
| The Empress of Evil attacks ElectraBase and kidnaps Dyna Girl. Electra Woman faces off with the Empress of Evil, who is immune to her Electra-powers. Guest star: Jean Sarah Frost | ||||||
| 7 8 | "Ali Baba" | Walter Miller | Dick Robbins and Duane Poole | October 23, 1976 (Part 1) October 30, 1976 (Part 2) | Ali Baba (Malachi Throne) and the Genie (Sid Haig) | |
| Ali Baba wants the Metamorphosis Formula to turn everyone evil. Electra Woman confronts Ali Baba - and an evil Dyna Girl. Guest star: Ian Martin | ||||||
| 9 10 | "Return of the Sorcerer" | Walter Miller | Dick Robbins and Duane Poole | November 6, 1976 (Part 1) November 13, 1976 (Part 2) | The Sorcerer (Michael Constantine) and Miss Dazzle (Susan Lanier) | |
| The Sorcerer steals Merlin's Mirror and embarks on a crime wave. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl are trapped in another dimension beyond Merlin's Mirror. Guest star: Billy Beck | ||||||
| 11 12 | "The Pharaoh" | Jack Regas | Greg Strangis | November 20, 1976 (Part 1) November 27, 1976 (Part 2) | The Pharaoh (Peter Mark Richman) and Cleopatra (Jane Elliot) | |
| The Pharaoh plans to use a magical pyramid to release Solaris - a being of pure energy. Solaris takes over the city as Electra Woman and Dyna Girl speed to the Pharaoh's hideout. Guest stars: Bruce Hoy, H.B. Haggerty | ||||||
| 13 14 | "The Spider Lady" | Walter Miller | Gerry Day and Bethel Leslie | December 4, 1976 (Part 1) December 11, 1976 (Part 2) | The Spider Lady (Tiffany Bolling), Spinner (Bruce Fischer), and Leggs (Robert Raymond Sutton) | |
| The Spider Lady disguises herself as Electra Woman to frame her in a heist. Dyna Girl finds herself confronted by two Electra Women. Guest stars: Andrea Lovell, Andy Veneto | ||||||
| 15 16 | "Return of the Pharaoh" | Jack Regas | Greg Strangis | December 18, 1976 (Part 1) December 25, 1976 (Part 2) | The Pharaoh (Peter Mark Richman) and Cleopatra (Jane Elliot) | |
| The Pharaoh is back and on his way to stealing the mystical Coptic Eye. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl find the Pharaoh - in a booby-trapped pyramid. Guest star: Sterling Swanson | ||||||
Other adaptations
Unaired WB 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, chain smoking 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, taking her bank account and car and leaving her as trailer trash. 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.
Web series
YouTube personalities Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart starred in a reboot of the original series.[2][3][4] The show, 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.
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl was digitally released by Fullscreen through its streaming platform as a series of eight 11-minute webisodes in April 2016. It was released on all major platforms on June 7, by Legendary Digital Studios and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A DVD version was released in late July through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.[5][6][7]
Parody
In 1992, comic-book writer Bryan J. L. Glass and artist Michael Avon Oeming created Lycra Woman and Spandex Girl, an "Aerobic Duo" of super-heroines parodying Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. After the DuPont chemical company successfully sued the creators for unauthorized use of its Lycra trademark, copies of all issues using the name were destroyed and the lead character's name was changed to Flex Woman. The pair appeared in several limited series and one-shot specials, most recently in 1997.[8]
References
- ^ Ruby-Spears' Filmography. Received on 15 September 2007.
- ^ "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
- ^ Dry, Judith. "'Electra Woman and Dynagirl' Review: Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart Fly High in Female Superhero Spoof". Indiewire. Posted June 10, 2016.
- ^ Poon, Tim. "Electra Woman And Dyna Girl Review — In The Middle" 2016-06-09 at the Wayback Machine. Platform Nation. Posted June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ^ Fowler, Matt. "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl: The Life of an Underappreciated Superhero". IGN (Canada). Posted April 25, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ^ "Flex Woman". Comic Vine. from the original on 2016-07-12. Retrieved 20 May 2021.