Legends of the Superheroes

Legends of the Superheroes is an umbrella title for two 60-minute live-action television specials produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on NBC on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's Super Friends animated series, then airing on Saturday mornings on ABC; it served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' Batman TV series, as it brings back together three of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on videotape and with a laugh track.

Cast

Legends of the Superheroes stars Adam West and Burt Ward, reprising their roles as Batman and Robin. The show also has a large ensemble cast that includes Garrett Craig as Captain Marvel, Howard Murphy as Green Lantern, Rod Haase as Flash, Bill Nuckols as Hawkman, Barbara Joyce as Huntress, Alfie Wise as Atom, and Danuta Wesley as Black Canary.

Cast

In both specials, except as noted:

Adam West as Batman
Burt Ward as Robin
William Schallert as Scarlet Cyclone
Mickey Morton as Solomon Grundy
Jeff Altman as Weather Wizard
Charlie Callas as Sinestro
Howard Murphy as Green Lantern
Aleshia Brevard as Giganta
Garrett Craig as Captain Marvel
Howard Morris as Doctor Sivana
Danuta Wesley as Black Canary
Bill Nuckols as Hawkman
Rod Haase as The Flash
Gabriel Dell as Mordru
Barbara Joyce as Huntress
Frank Gorshin as Riddler
Ruth Buzzi as Aunt Minerva
Ed McMahon as Himself
Alfie Wise as Atom
June Gable as Rhoda Rooter
Pat Carroll as Esther Hol
Brad Sanders as Ghetto Man
Gary Owens as Narrator
Marsha Warfield as Woman in Phone Booth

Episodes

The Challenge

In the first special, the Justice League of America unite at the Hall of Heroes to celebrate Scarlet Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the Legion of Doom, who announce they have hidden a deadly bomb in a secret location, and the heroes must follow clues to find it. It's all actually a ruse to trick the heroes into drinking Sivana's de-powering potion. Despite the fact that they now lack powers, the heroes fight the villains, and manage to both disarm the bomb and recover their powers. Only after the whole battle is over, and the heroes have proven victorious, does Scarlet Cyclone arrive to give his aid.

The Roast

The second special is a celebrity roast of the superheroes hosted by Ed McMahon. All of the major characters from the first episode return, with the exception of the Riddler. New characters featured include Ghetto Man, an African-American superhero who performs a stand-up comedy routine; Aunt Minerva, an enemy of Captain Marvel who seeks a sixth husband from among the male superheroes; Rhoda Rooter, an entertainment reporter who snags an exclusive interview with Giganta and the Atom; and Esther Hol, Hawkman's mother.

Home media

Warner Home Video's Warner Archive Collection released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.