The Thing (segments)

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For the character, see the Thing. You may also be looking for The Addams Family character Thing.
The Thing
TT 101A title card.png
The style used for each episode's title card.
Network NBC
Production company Hanna-Barbera
Original release September 8December 1, 1979
Run time 11 minutes
Starring Joe Baker
Wayne Morton
Noelle North
Marilyn Schreffler
John Erwin
Art Metrano
Michael Sheehan
John Stephenson
Executive producer(s) William Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Music composed by Hoyt Curtin
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The Thing is a series of animated segments as part of Fred and Barney Meet the Thing, produced by Hanna-Barbera for NBC's Saturday morning programming block. It ran in 1979, airing 13 episodes that spanned one season. It is the second and final series based on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four, which was a straightforward adaptation of the same name.

In this rather peculiar and loose adaptation, Ben Grimm (minus the Fantastic Four) is reimagined as a man caught in a mysterious accident that transformed him into a rock-like mutant. Thanks to Professor Harkness, he can transform back into a human with the aid of two special rings called "Thing Rings," but a side effect made his human form that of a teenager, and he would be known as "Benjy" Grimm moving forward. As if that couldn't get worse, his only friend is the Professor's youngest daughter Kelly, the only person (besides her father) who knows about Benjy's secret identity.

Benjy and Kelly enroll in Centerville High School, where they hang out with the latter's popular elder sister (and Benjy's completely not inappropriate love interest) Betty; her rich, snobby boyfriend Ronald Radford; and last but not least, their teacher Miss Twilly. The gang loves nothing more than taking old Miss Twilly on outings in their car, usually on school trips that leave all other students absent for some reason. When trouble arises, Benjy changes to his "Thing" form by touching together his two rings and reciting the words, "Thing Ring, do your thing!" He also has to deal with daily problems and the Yancy Street Gang, who are led by Spike Hanrahan.

Production

Development

According to cartoonist Scott Shaw, NBC had been complaining about Hanna-Barbera's latest offerings lacking in humor, so Hanna-Barbera hired Tex Avery as its "gag doctor," with The Thing as his first assignment.[1]

Music

The music was composed by Hoyt Curtin.

Episodes

Episode Original air date
1x01 September 8, 1979
1x02 September 15, 1979
1x03 September 22, 1979
1x04 September 29, 1979
1x05 October 6, 1979
1x06 October 13, 1979
1x07 October 20, 1979
1x08 October 27, 1979
1x09 November 3, 1979
1x10 November 10, 1979
1x11 November 17, 1979
1x12 November 24, 1979
1x13 December 1, 1979

Cast

References

  1. ^ Shaw, Scott (October 1995). Droopy #1, "Notes from Generation Tex.", page 26. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved May 15, 2024.