This release of Frankenstein Jr. and The Impossibles from the Warner Archive marks the first time this classic 1966-1967 Hanna-Barbera animated series has been available in high definition.
Airing on CBS from September 10, 1966, to early 1967, the show exemplifies Hanna-Barbera’s mid-60s superhero craze, blending colorful action with a mod-era, rock-and-roll sensibility. Each half-hour episode follows a set structure: one Frankenstein Jr. segment sandwiched between two The Impossibles segments, balancing comedic roots with superhero-themed storytelling.
Frankenstein Jr.
In Civic City, young scientist Buzz Conroy and his father, Professor Conroy, combat supervillains with Frankenstein Jr., a towering robot activated by Buzz’s energy ring.
Frankie’s immense strength and built-in gadgets are the ultimate solution to any crisis, with villains like the Ghastly Genie and the Junk Man adding just enough personality to keep things fresh.
While most episodes follow a quick-conflict, easy-resolution pattern typical of 1960s cartoons, a rare two-part story offers a hint of continuity.
Characters and Cast:
- Buzz Conroy (Dick Beals): A high-pitched, eager young scientist, reinforcing his youthful enthusiasm.
- Professor Conroy (John Stephenson): A guiding presence who lets Buzz take the lead.
- Frankenstein Jr. (Ted Cassidy): With a deep, resonant voice, Frankie exudes power and charm, clearly inspired by Cassidy’s role as Lurch on The Addams Family.
The Impossibles
This trio—Multi Man, Coil Man, and Fluid Man—masquerades as a rock band while secretly battling crime under orders from their unseen boss, “Big D.” Their powers—Multi Man’s duplication, Coil Man’s elasticity, and Fluid Man’s liquid shapeshifting—ensure fast victories over a colorful rogues’ gallery of bank robbers, mad scientists, and would-be conquerors. The rock-band cover taps into the pop culture of the time, mimicking the popularity of groups like The Beatles, though the characters themselves are light on backstory.
Characters, Cast, and Villains:
- Multi Man (Don Messick): The team leader with an authoritative voice.
- Coil Man (Hal Smith): The comic relief, adding humor to the mix.
- Fluid Man (Paul Frees): A laid-back, quippy presence.
- Villains: Many Impossibles villains were voiced by iconic Hanna-Barbera actors who contributed to other classic series:
- Paul Frees voiced several villains, such as The Spinner and The Terrible Twister, while also lending his voice to Rocky and Bullwinkle and The Adventures of Jonny Quest.
- John Stephenson, who played Professor Conroy in Frankenstein Jr., also voiced villains like The Artful Archer and later voiced key roles in Super Friends and The Flintstones.
- Don Messick, who voiced Multi Man, also took on villain roles, continuing his legacy as the voice of Scooby-Doo and Boo-Boo Bear.
- Hal Smith, best known as Otis from The Andy Griffith Show, voiced various villains, demonstrating his range beyond Coil Man.
Warner Archive’s remastering is a highlight of this release. The colors are vivid, details are sharper, and the simple yet striking animation style holds up well in HD. The 4K scans ensure even minor elements—background designs, character outlines—appear cleaner than in previous home video releases. The well-preserved mono audio mix delivers crisp dialogue and punchy music, including the catchy Impossibles rock interludes. English subtitles provide a welcome accessibility feature.
The only extra is a brief featurette, Monster Rock: The Adventures of Frankenstein Jr. & The Impossibles.
A product of its time, Frankenstein Jr. and The Impossibles was eventually pulled from syndication in 1968 due to parental concerns over perceived violence. Despite its formulaic storytelling, the show delivers fast-paced, imaginative fun that defined Saturday morning cartoons of the era.
For longtime fans and Hanna-Barbera collectors, this Blu-ray is a must-have, presenting the series in its best possible form. While not as iconic as Space Ghost or The Flintstones, it remains an entertaining slice of 1960s animation history, packed with superhero action, childhood nostalgia, rock-and-roll energy, and Saturday morning charm.
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