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Captain Nice

Entry updated 10 November 2023. Tagged: TV.

US tv series (1967). Talent Associates and Paramount Television with NBC Productions for NBC-TV. Created by Buck Henry. Produced by Jay Sandrich. Executive Producer Henry. Directors included Gary Nelson, Charles Rondeau, and Gene Reynolds. Writers included Henry, Stan Burns, David Ketchum, and Martin Ragaway. Cast includes William Daniels, Alice Ghostley, Ann Prentiss and Bill Zuzkert (Chief Segal). Liam Dunn and Byron Foulger appeared at times as Mayor Finney and Mr Nash respectively. Fifteen 30-minute episodes. Colour.

Carter Nash (Daniels) is a chemist for the police department who accidentally discovers a liquid chemical formula which turns him temporarily into a Superhero, Captain Nice, a name chosen for having the same initials. He is afraid of heights, however, and so his flying abilities are rather poor, and his natural clumsiness is amplified into super-clumsiness. It is not entirely clear what other Superpowers he possesses, although his costume is decidedly unimpressive: this was sewn by his mother (Ghostley), while ordinary tennis shoes served as his footwear. Sergeant Candy Kane (Prentiss) is his contact with the police department. Obviously an attempt to cash in on the Batman (1966-1968) craze of the period (if in a more overtly comedic fashion), the Captain came and went quickly. The series bore a remarkable resemblance to Mr Terrific (1967). The series creator Henry had far more success with the "spy-fi" spoof Get Smart! (1965-1970) which was airing at this time.

The novelization is Captain Nice (1967) by William Johnston. [GSt/DRL]

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