Mild-mannered, weak Washington D.C. gas station attendant Stanley Beamish (Stephen Strimpell) is the only successful test subject for the government's newly-developed Power Pill. It gives the powers of flight and super strength for one hour. Two booster pills are good for 10 minutes each, the maximum dosage. With silver cape, scarf and googles, Beamish secretly becomes crime fighting "Mr. Terrific". His oft-frustrated employers at the Bureau of Secret Projects, head Barton J. Reed (character actor John McGiver) and Harley Trent (Paul Smith, "The Doris Day Show", "The Gertrude Berg Show") give vital assignments as situations arise. Complications ensue when his powers vanish at the most inopportune times. Stanley hides this identity from his fellow gas station co-owner Hal Walters (Dick Gautier, "Get Smart"). The silly sitcom ran for 17 episodes in 1967 as a bit of a "Get Smart" meets "Batman". DC Comics' "Hourman" was clearly a major influence on Mr. Terrific.
Reflecting upon the series after watching each episode, "Mr. Terrific" was hardly terrific. The cast was fine and brought their characters to life. However, they were given little to work with from the writers. It is quick to see this short-lived series is geared toward children. Plot are often simplistically weak and the humor silly, but still comical at times. The writing for superhero material must be strong because you already know how it will end. Plots are predictable with most episodes a variant of Stanley going up against Russian spies with complications when his Power Pill wears off. I think its main appeal is nostalgia for those who watched it as children when it aired, and for children today even.
Reflecting upon the series after watching each episode, "Mr. Terrific" was hardly terrific. The cast was fine and brought their characters to life. However, they were given little to work with from the writers. It is quick to see this short-lived series is geared toward children. Plot are often simplistically weak and the humor silly, but still comical at times. The writing for superhero material must be strong because you already know how it will end. Plots are predictable with most episodes a variant of Stanley going up against Russian spies with complications when his Power Pill wears off. I think its main appeal is nostalgia for those who watched it as children when it aired, and for children today even.