The Exploding Diamond
- Studio
- Adventure Cartoons For Television Inc., Joe Oriolo Productions, Trans-Lux Productions
- Distributor
- Joe Oriolo Productions
Synopsis
Gaining his superhuman strength from a magic ring, Hercules protects the Learian Valley from evil with the help of his beautiful girl friend Helena, a centaur named Newton (who says everything twice), and a little mute satyr named Tewt. Chief among Hercules' enemies is the evil wizard Daedalius. Other foes include the Sea Witch and the Mask of Vulcan
Characters
Hercules, Helena, Newton, Tewt, Dido, Daedalius, Zeus, Sea Witch, Mask of Vulcan, Wilamene, Elvira, Evil Wizard
Credits
Directing
- Director
- Joseph Oriolo
Producing
- Producer
- Joseph Oriolo
- Executive Producer
- Roger Carlin
Writing
- Writer
- George Kashdan, Jack E. Miller
Animation
- Animator
- John Gentilella, Doug Crane, Anthony Tarricone, Earl James
- Animatoion Directors
- Reuben Grossman, Frank X. Endres, George Germanetti, George H. Rufle, Grim Natwick
Voices
- Voice
- Jimmy Tapp (Hercules, Zeus, Newton, Tewt, Daedalius, Evil Wizard), Helene Nickerson (Helena), Jerry Bascombe
Music
- Music
- Winston S. Sharples, Winston S. Sharples, Jr.
- Theme Sung By
- Johnny Nash
Editing
- Editor
- A. Rosenblum
Crew
- Production Coordinators
- Arthur P. Brooks, "Big" Sid Ginsberg (For Trans-Lux)
- Character Design
- George Peed
- Camera
- William Fox
- Backgrounds
- Johnny Vita
Production notes
In the 60's, Steve Reeves made Hercules a popular matinee idol with a series of films that featured the hero and his mythic exploits. Shortly afterward, Joe Oriolo (the man behind the original Felix the Cat) brought Hercules to the small screen, placing Herc in many of the same situations as the movies, and adding a few of his Greek friends. Available to help the hero when his Herculean might just wasn't enough were Helena of Calydon and Tewt the satyr. Another memorable character was Newton the centaur, who had the habit of repeating his lines twice in the same sentence.
The Mighty Hercules was unique because instead of updating the character like many cartoons did (i.e. Young Samson), Hercules still lived in ancient Greece and battled ancient villains, like the hooded Daedelus, the sea hag Wilamene and her vulture-like sidekick Elvira.
Also memorable was the theme song by Johnny Nash (of "I Can See Clearly Now" fame), which celebrated the strength of Hercules in graphic detail. The series' syndication was boosted in 1966 by the success of the campy live-action Batman series.
The Mighty Hercules was unique because instead of updating the character like many cartoons did (i.e. Young Samson), Hercules still lived in ancient Greece and battled ancient villains, like the hooded Daedelus, the sea hag Wilamene and her vulture-like sidekick Elvira.
Also memorable was the theme song by Johnny Nash (of "I Can See Clearly Now" fame), which celebrated the strength of Hercules in graphic detail. The series' syndication was boosted in 1966 by the success of the campy live-action Batman series.
