September 11 (1976-09-11) – December 25, 1976 (1976-12-25)
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl is a live action superherochildren's television series from 1976 created by Sid and Marty Krofft. The series aired 16 episodes in a single season as part of the umbrella series The Krofft Supershow. During the second season, it was dropped, along with Dr. Shrinker. When later syndicated in the package "Krofft Super Stars" and released on home video, the 16 segments, which were each about 12 minutes long, were combined into eight episodes.
Premise
The program followed the crime-fighting exploits of caped superhero Electra Woman (played by Deidre Hall) and her teen sidekick Dyna Girl (Judy Strangis), who worked in their normal lives as reporters for Newsmaker Magazine (the two's surnames were never revealed—just their first names: Lori and Judy, respectively). In each episode, the duo dons brightly-colored spandex costumes, in a bright flash of light called an "Electra-Change"; get into the "ElectraCar"; and use an array of technically-advanced gadgets to thwart an eclectic collection of supervillains. They were assisted by Frank Heflin (Norman Alden), a scientist who stayed at their "ElectraBase", operating its highly sophisticated "CrimeScope" computer while keeping in continual contact with the pair through their "ElectraComs".
The ElectraComs were bulky wrist devices worn by the title characters. They could function as two-way radios with video capabilities; they also served a variety of other specialized functions, which allowed the duo to escape various traps devised by their enemies. With the addition of special cartridge attachments, the ElectraComs were additionally seen to perform the following functions on the show:
Direct-A-Scan – navigates the title characters through buildings to the exact location of the villain.
Electra-Change – allows the title characters to change from their civilian clothing to the costumes of their super-powered alter-egos instantaneously.
Electra-Beam – emits a focused kinetic beam of energy that can "push" or "pull" objects much like a tractor or pressor beam.
Electra-Degravitate – allows the title characters to defy gravity for very short distances so that they can circumvent obstacles in their path or levitate themselves to higher ground.
Electra-Force – apparently breaks steel bars (was not available the one time it was attempted).
Electra-Force Shield – is essentially a force field used to detain villains once they have been caught. The shield was also used defensively as a protective barrier that can shield against physical and energy attacks.
Electra-Freeze – lowers the temperature of the target to below freezing.
Electra-G – increases the weight of the target.
Electra-Split – replicates target to create a copy. Both objects are left in an unstable state and it does not work on human beings.
Electra-Strobe – speeds the wearer's motions, thoughts, and actions 10,000 times faster than normal.
Electra-Vibe – creates a localized sonic field that can shatter glass or disorient an opponent who is not equipped with earplugs.
Electra-Vision – emits a blindingly bright light, turning night into day.
Electra-X – is a portable X-ray that reveals the target's skeleton or identity beneath any disguise.
Other resources
The ElectraCar is a shield-shaped, three-wheeled vehicle that can also convert into the "ElectraPlane" with its wheels folded under/inside it. As the ElectraPlane, the ElectraCar is capable of flying into low Earth orbit. It also has a Tracking Beam for pursuing villains.
The ElectraBase, located beneath the duo's civilian home and accessible by a hidden elevator, not only houses Frank Heflin's lab and the ElectraCar, but also serves as the home to "CrimeScope", one of the most powerful computers ever built – much like the BatComputer, which it parodies. CrimeScope is always kept up-to-date with what is going on in the world, can analyze any data transmitted through the ElectraComs, and can also operate the ElectraCar via remote control.
The Sorcerer escapes from prison and plans to rob Fort Knox with a powerful mirror. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl are trapped as the Sorcerer unleashes his mirror trick.
The evil Glitter Rock and his assistant Side Man kidnap Electra Woman's friend in a plot to hypnotize the world. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl race to stop Glitter Rock from activating his hypno-music satellite.
Guest star: Michael Blodgett
5
"Empress of Evil"
Walter Miller
Dick Robbins and Duane Poole
October 9, 1976 (1976-10-09)
The Empress of Evil (Claudette Nevins) and Lucretia (Jacquelyn Hyde)
6
October 16, 1976 (1976-10-16)
The Empress of Evil attacks ElectraBase and kidnaps Dyna Girl. Electra Woman faces off with the Empress of Evil, who is immune to her Electra-powers.
The Pharaoh plans to use a magical pyramid to release Solaris - a being of pure energy. Solaris takes over the city as Electra Woman and Dyna Girl speed to the Pharaoh's hideout.
The WB Television Network commissioned a pilot for a new version of the show in 2001 starring Markie Post as Electra Woman and Anne Stedman as Dyna Girl. The new series was written in the form of a cynical parody of the original show – and the superhero genre in general. It was set 25 years after the original series, with a retired Electra Woman brought back into action by a fan who ends up becoming the new Dyna Girl.
The pilot portrayed Electra Woman as a disillusioned, bitter, sexually promiscuous, chain smokingalcoholic, much in contrast to the character's original portrayal. In the pilot, Electra Woman had been married and divorced since the end of the original series, her husband having left her for the original Dyna Girl, taking her bank account and car and leaving her as trailer trash. Although the pilot was shot, the series was not picked up.
The pilot omits the character of Frank Heflin, but includes an in-joke reference to Norman Alden, who had portrayed him in the original. The university's alumni function is attended by Aquaman, whose character voice Alden had provided on the Super Friends animated series.
In 1992, comic-book writer Bryan J. L. Glass and artist Michael Avon Oeming created Lycra Woman and Spandex Girl, an "Aerobic Duo" of super-heroines parodying Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. After the DuPont chemical company successfully sued the creators for unauthorized use of its Lycra trademark, copies of all issues using the name were destroyed and the lead character's name was changed to Flex Woman. The pair appeared in several limited series and one-shot specials, most recently in 1997.[8]
