The Mighty Hercules
Along with a centaur named Newton (the half-boy, half-horse), a little mute satyr named Tewt, King Dorian, and the beautiful maiden Helena, the Mighty Hercules protects the Learien Valley of Ancient Greece from villains such as the evil Daedalius and his cat Dydo, Willamene the Sea Witch and the Mask of Vulcan.
Produced and directed by Joseph Oriolo for Adventure Cartoons for Television and Trans-Lux, this series was originally syndicated in 1963. The episodes were written by former DC Comics writers/editors, George Kashdan and Jack E. Miller. Featuring a memorable theme song written and sung by Johnny Nash, this series presented the adventures of the mythological Greek hero from Mount Olympus, Hercules. Montreal TV and radio personality, Jimmy Tapp, provided the voice of Hercules.
JAMES ANTHONY (JIMMY) TAPP (1917 - 2004)
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Bruce Eder of New York wrote me the following additional information regarding the musical score of The Mighty Hercules: "Winston Sharples may have taken credit for the music, and Johnny Nash may have written and sung the title song, but a major part of the music scoring for this show -- including the horn-dominated piece that accompanied Hercules putting on his magic ring and holding it up to the lightning -- was derived from the music for the Universal feature film THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH, which starred Tony Curtis and the late Janet Leigh. The music can be found, intact and as we remember it from the cartoon show, as part of a suite comprised of the movie's score on the Intrada label CD entitled "Creature From The Black Lagoon," released from the personal collection of the late Universal composer Hans J. Salter."
John Nash wrote me a
short email on January 9, 2009, regarding The Mighty Hercules theme song:
"FYI, AND THOSE WHO AREN'T SURE, HERCULES THEME SONG WAS SUNG BY THE SAME "JOHNNY NASH" who later
wrote, produced, and sang THE CLASSIC "I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW". TO VERIFY YOU MAY CONTACT THE PUBLISHER AT
NASHCO-MUSIC@COMCAST.NET. THANK YOU."
A Trans-Lux Television Presentation
Produced by Adventure Cartoons For Television Inc.
Produced and Directed by Joseph Oriolo
Executive Producer : Roger Carlin
Production Coordinators : Arthur P. Brooks
"Big" Sid Ginsberg For Trans-Lux
Director, Animator : Reuben Grossman, Frank X. Endres,
George Germanetti, George H. Rufle, Grim Natwick
Animation : John Gentilella, Doug Crane,
Anthony Tarricone, Earl James
Music : Win Sharples
Camera : William Fox
Editor : A. Rosenblum
Background : Johnny Vita
Character Design : George Peed
Story : George Kashdan, Jack E. Miller
Hercules Theme Sung by Johnny Nash
VOICES:
Hercules/Zeus: Jimmy Tapp
Helena: Helene Nickerson
Newton/ Daedalus: Gerry Bascombe
Click on an image above to see a larger version
Hercules, hero of song and story!
Hercules, winner of ancient glory!
Fighting for the right,
fighting with his might;
With the strength of ten,
ordinary men!
Hercules, people are safe when near him!
Hercules, only the evil fear him!
Softness in his eyes,
iron in his thighs;
Virtue in his heart,
fire in every part of
The Mighty Hercules!
EPISODES
Hercules vs. The Many-Headed Hydra | Hercules Saves The Villagers |
Hercules And The Magic Arrows | Hercules Battles The Krudes Beast |
The Chair Of Forgetfulness | The Cave Of Death |
Medusa's Scepter | Search Of The Golden Apples |
The Defiant Mask Of Vulcan | Hercules Protects Helena And Newton |
The Sun Diamond Of Helios | The Thunderbolt Disc |
The Bewitch Birds | The Enchanted Pool |
The Endless Chasm | The Golden Goblet |
The Lexas Lagoon | Guarding Of The Olympic Torch |
Hercules Helps King Neptune | Hercules vs. The Hideous Bird-Beast |
The Return Of The Mask | The Magnetic Stone |
Hercules Saves Helena | The Magic Rod |
The Minotaur | Hercules And The Eternal Sleep |
The Clutching Clay Pool | Princess Rhea |
The Valley Of Whirlwinds | The Wild Boar |
The Magic Belt Of Hercules | The Errand Of Mercy |
The Neamean Legion | The Magician |
Dorian's Wreath | The Unicorns |
Wilamene | The Witch And The Magic Ring |
Diomedes' Evil Plot | Hercules' Unwanted Powers |
The Enchanted Wolf | Hercules Saves The Kingdom |
Hercules And His Two Rivals | Hercules Saves The King |
The Thracian Army | The Gems Of Venus |
The Golden Torch | The Chameleon Creature |
Earthquake Valley | Newton The Centaur |
Helena Kidnapped - Hercules To The Rescue | Hercules And His Friends |
The Magic Sword | Timon's Grandfather And Hercules |
Hercules Loses His Memory | The Hall Of Justice |
The Cave Of Callisto | The Powerless Hercules |
Omar, The Sultan's Champion | Sandals Of Electra |
The Sea Witch | The Giant |
Helena's Beauty | The Island Of The Miros Monster |
Hercules And The Fireball | Hercules Outwits The Magician |
The Evil Weapon | The Giant Ruby |
The Owl Man | The Chameleon Man |
Hercules Foils The Mask Of The Vulcan | The Exploding Diamond |
Hercules And The Sea Witch | The Magic Lamp |
The Owl-Man Of Panssus | The Eruption Of Mount Sirus |
The Deadly Gift | The Thesian Thunderhorn |
The Dreaded Beast Of Charon | Hercules, Newton, And The Evil Magician |
The Fiery Abyss | The Giant Dragonfly |
Tewt's Magic Wand Trouble | The Wings Of Mercury |
The Sea Beast | Prometheus In Dire Danger |
The Crafty Chameleon | Kingdom Under The Glass Dome |
The Fantus Beast | The Lyssidian Locusts |
Hercules Saves Calydon | Helena's Jinx |
The Sinister Statue | Friend Or Foe Of Centaur |
The Young Olympians | The Feast Of Calydon |
The Lava Flow | The Dreaded Draught |
Underwater Battle | The Sidian Illusion Stone |
Timon To The Aid Of Hercules | The Fiery Pits Of Pyros |
The Clovis Creature | The Valley Of Storms |
The Centaur On Michief Day | The Throne Of Calydon |
Battle Of the Magic Rings | King For A Day |
Diomedes And His Warriors |
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Updated January 10, 2009.
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