INCREDIBLE HULK, THE: THE INCREDIBLE HULK {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of science fiction dramas about the subject of an accidental overdose of radiation, Dr. David Bruce Banner, who turns into a hulking green creature when he grows enraged and must elude a zealous reporter named Jack McGee. The story opens as Dr. Banner, along with associate, Dr. Elaina Marks, is performing research into tapping the full potential of the human body. Their research has led them to interview individuals who, during times of great stress or crisis, demonstrated seemingly superhuman strength. Dr. Banner has a personal interest in this research, as his wife died a year ago in a car accident, and he was unable to pull her out of the car in time. Dr. Banner is periodically pestered by Jack McGee, a newspaper reporter that Dr. Banner views as sleazy and sensationalist. Dr. Banner and Dr. Marks discover that all their interviewees share a genetic abnormality that might account for their increased strength. Dr. Banner discovers he also shares the abnormality, but cannot determine why he did not experience a similar increase in strength. Alone, he discovers that the feats of strength all correspond to increased gamma radiation from the sun, whereas his own accident occurred during a period of low gamma activity. He sneaks into the radiology lab and doses himself with dangerously high levels of gamma radiation. It appears to have no effect at first, but later, after his tire blows out on the way home, Dr. Banner becomes angry and transforms into a terrifying green-skinned monster. Dr. Banner, now in monstrous form, wanders for hours until that morning, when he encounters a little girl fishing by a lake. Frightened at the sight of the monster, the little girl tries to escape and ends up in the lake. The monster tries to rescue her, but is found by the girl’s father and attacked. The monster retaliates, throwing the man into the lake. Downcast, the monster wanders off and calms down, reverting to the form of Dr. Banner. Dr. Banner goes to visit Dr. Marks and relates the events of the previous night to her, but he has only vague memories of his transformation and subsequent actions. Jack McGee visits Dr. Marks’ home, but she brushes him off. The two of them decide to travel to an isolated, abandoned laboratory to study Dr. Banner’s transformation in a safe environment. McGee follows them. At the lab, Dr. Banner is placed in a specialized pressure chamber. During his stay, Dr. Banner has a nightmare about his wife’s death, prompting another transformation. He breaks out of the pressure chamber, but Dr. Marks manages to calm him down. The next day, they are visited by the police and McGee, who have both noticed signs of the monster’s presence. McGee refers to it as a “hulk.” They drive him away and prepare to continue their research, but McGee sneaks in to spy on them. He is found, but unbeknownst to anyone, McGee has accidentally knocked over a container of volatile chemicals. Dr. Banner escorts McGee outside, but before he can get rid of him the chemicals explode and the lab bursts into flame. Banner rushes back in and transforms into the “hulk.” He carries Dr. Marks to safety, witnessed by McGee. Her injuries are too great, and she dies, confessing to Dr. Banner that she loves him. McGee attends Dr. Marks’ and Dr. Banners’ funeral; he believes that the Hulk murdered her and Dr. Banner. He has alerted all local law enforcement of the Hulk’s existence; he will be hunted wherever he appears. Once the funeral-goers disperse, Dr. Banner, human once again, emerges from hiding, staring at Dr. Marks’ grave, as well as his own. He professes that he loved her, although he cannot recall her own confession. Alone and forlorn, Dr. Banner walks off into the distance. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 4, 1977 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:82713
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Scientists; Comic books
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1977-1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Kenneth Johnson … Producer, Director, Writer
- Craig Schiller … Associate Producer
- Joe Harnell … Music by
- Bill Bixby … Cast, Dr. David Bruce Banner
- Susan Sullivan … Cast, Dr. Elaina Marks
- Jack Colvin … Cast, Jack McGee
- Lou Ferrigno … Cast, The Incredible Hulk
- Susan Batson … Cast, Mrs. Maier
- Mario Gallo … Cast, Mr. Bram
- Eric Server … Cast, Policeman
- Charles Siebert … Cast, Ben
- Terrence Locke … Cast, Young Man
- June Whitley Taylor … Cast, Woman
- George Brenlin … Cast, Man at Lake
- Jake Mitchell … Cast, Jerry
- William Larsen … Cast, Minister
- Olivia Barash … Cast, Girl at Lake
- Eric Deon … Cast, B.J.