As for "ElectraWoman and DynaGirl", Ruby and Spears were under contract in 1975 by ABC to 'create and supervise' Saturday morning shows. In this case, a show to compete with CBS' Isis.
As with Scooby Doo, Ruby and Spears didn't own the show. Hanna Barbara owns Scooby Doo, as the Kroffts own ElectraWoman and DynaGirl. I will not hide that fact that I feel this is too bad.
Be sure to notice the use of illusion as a similarity between Scooby Doo and ElectraWoman. Indeed, most shows dealt with some sort of illusion before those 'medling superheroines' capture the bad guys. The Perils of Penelope Pitstop also has to be of a big influence.
The Ruby and Spears website detailing their contribution to Saturday morning television.
Because of her career, Judy Strangis' headshot could have been at the top of the pile, even if her nephew wasn't a writer. She not only had her solid time playing teenager Helen Loomis on Room 222, but she was also very active in cartoon voiceovers and TV commercials. Judy must have stood out from the start.
Indeed, in her Starlog interview, Miss Strangis says that she got the role after an ABC executive saw one of her 'Mean Mary Jean' commercials for Chrysler. She says later that she never auditioned for the role, but just got it! Interesting how the Kroffts and Strangis do not agree on this. But I believe Strangis on this one. After, her character is named "Judy". While there is limited script development of Judy/DynaGirl, Miss Strangis created this bubbly innocent and high spirited side-kick. Indeed, everything Robin was to Batman, except not nearly as irritating. She filled in the blanks of this role with a character who jumps off the screen with charm, appeal, and energy.
On the other hand, Deidre Hall had to stand out in a sea of southern California blonds. She physically suited the role, because her body has so many heroine features(see Anatomy of Superheroines). Strangis' interview also mentions that Deidre was competing with one other finalist. I suspect that was Tiffany Bolling (The Spider Lady), but that is just a hunch.
ElectraWoman's character was even less defined then DynaGirl's. Deidre must have used her abiltiy of 'not being afraid of making a fool of herself' to jump ahead of the rest. She successfully created a formal arms-akin heroine that seem reminiscent of George Reeve's Superman. Serious, almost school-marmish, quick to think in a tight spot, yet charming as well.
But unlike Judy Strangis, this role offered Deidre her first major role in a show. She had played numerous supporting or small roles on TV, usually as a nurse. Ms. Hall was trying to avoid type casting into a career of small roles, and had just turned down a soap opera because of that.
And so, with no nurses uniform to wear (so what is this spandex stuff?), she was awarded her big break. But wouldn't you know it, that soap opera called her back.
Together, the characters played off each other superbly. Or, in Sid Krofft's words, "they were two beautiful ladies and they were good together". Deidre played straight to Judy's youthfulness. There was none of the nonsense of previous superhero team trying to upstage each other. Even in the first episode, the efficiency with which the play the scenes is admirable.
The legendary live-action Saturday Morning producers added a unique touch to this show. The brillance of the art direction, be it the color schemes, ElectraBase's design, or even some of the not so special effects that are still dreamlike, bear the touch the Kroffts.
For their previous shows, the Kroffts had developed their ideas and found a network to buy them. Their most recent show was the very successful Land Of The Lost. But for the Krofft Supershow, they were contracted by ABC because. In 1975, NBC and CBS had established live action shows. ABC wanted their own show to compete with them. And in early 1976, the Kroffts had a very good reputation with ABC, because of the success of their first Primetime production, The Donny And Marie Osmond Show.
The Kroffts used the format of serials to tell many tales. These included Dr. Shrinker (their creation), Wonderbug, and originally reruns of The Lost Saucer. But ABC already knew they wanted a superheroine to compete with Isis on CBS. Ruby and Spears had created ElectraWoman and DynaGirl. The Kroffts would now take care of production.
Despite the Krofft Supershow's appeal and unique place in Saturday Morning, I feel the show would have worked better on its own. There were so many good things about it. It was one and done, despite an enthusiastic cast. Shazam and Isis lasted for several seasons. ElectraWoman and DynaGirl is a grossly underdeveloped property; another example of the Krofft's not knowing how to make a profit off their creations.
While shows such as Land Of The Lost and Puff'n Stuff define the Krofft canon, ElectraWoman and DynaGirl seems to hang with them as an unwanted child. In recent years, the Kroffts have given their property some attention. But it seemed to whither for a long time, forgotten. I wonder if they are aware of the unrealized potential.......where is the comic book? Oh, someone else did that. Or how about a cartoon version? But, there is hope. If the Land of the Lost movie is successful, they may be back again.
The Krofft MySpace pages, featuring the Krofft Kwickies.
He was originally a dancer, appearing in several movie musicals. He became a choreographer, which often is a big step towards director. He produced Dr. Shrinker and directed the Brady Bunch Hour, as well as other Krofft shows. His 2 episodes represent the best serial pacing of the entire series. It is too bad that the Kroffts didn't put him in charge of this show.
He has written, produced, and consulted an impressive number of shows. He has written for Room 222, Happy Days, Jag, and Land Of The Lost. He has produced Eight Is Enough, and consulted with Star Trek: The New Generation. He also worked with his father, Sam Strangis on the series "The War of The Worlds". Sam is Judy's brother, therefore Greg is her nephew. Confused yet?
His four episodes feature writing which was sensitive to each of the actress' characters. Perhaps it is not such a bad idea to hire within the family.
He produced the series and directed 10 of the sixteen episodes. He is still active, currently directing the Grammy and the Latin Grammy Awards shows. He has an important spot in Television history as a director of "All In The Family", and also directed other Krofft shows such as "Far Out Space Nuts" and "The Lost Saucer". Most of his episodes lack the pacing and energy of the non-Miller shows. His resume suggest comedy, live shows, and children shows as specialtys. There are very few action shows in his background. Still, a true TV legend.
At the start of their carreer, they wrote for both ElectraWoman and DynaGirl and the Scooby Doo/DynoMutt Hour. I hope that Scrappy Doo wasn't their idea. Robbins wrote for cartoons into the 1980's. Poole is a prolific writer still active today. His accomplishments range from Hart to Hart, to Without Warning: Terror In The Towers (about the 1993 attack on the WWC).
They wrote eight of the sixteen scripts. Hey, it was early in their career, and it showed.