The Amazing Spider-Man (TV series)
| The Amazing Spider-Man | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Also known as | Spider-Man |
| Genre |
Action adventure Superhero Drama |
| Created by | Alvin Boretz |
| Based on |
Spider-Man by Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
| Starring |
Nicholas Hammond Michael Pataki Robert F. Simon Ellen Bry Chip Fields Irene Tedrow |
| Theme music composer | Stu Phillips and Dana Kaproff |
| Composer(s) |
Stu Phillips Dana Kaproff |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 + 3 TV Movies (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Los Angeles and New York City |
| Running time | 45-48 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Charles Fries Productions Dan Goodman Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| First shown in | USA 1978-1979 |
| Original release | April 19, 1978 – July 6, 1979 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Spidey Super Stories |
| Followed by | Spider-Man (Toei TV series) |
The Amazing Spider-Man is the first live-action television series about the Marvel Comics hero of the same name, although it is not the first live-action portrayal of the character, since Spider-Man was featured in a series of comedic short skits called Spidey Super Stories beginning in the 1974 season of PBS' The Electric Company children's educational program. The Amazing Spider-Man was shown in the United States from September 19, 1977 to July 6, 1979. Though it was a considerable ratings success, the CBS series was cancelled after just 13 episodes, which included a pilot movie airing in autumn of 1977. None of the episodes were released on DVD, but almost all of them have been released on VHS. Despite its storylines being set in New York City (the character's hometown), the series was mostly filmed in Los Angeles.
During the mid-1970s, Marvel Comics publisher (and Spider-Man co-creator) Stan Lee sold CBS the rights to produce a prime time live-action Spider-Man series, to be helmed by producer Daniel R. Goodman. Veteran actor Nicholas Hammond was cast in the lead role (though all of Spider-Man's stunts were performed by the series's stunt coordinator, Fred Waugh). Lee and Goodman fiercely clashed over the direction of the series during the initial production. Lee once said in an interview for Pizzazz magazine that he felt the series was "too juvenile".
The series began as a backdoor pilot: a 90 Minute Movie known simply as Spider-Man, which was theatrically released in Europe, South America, New Zealand and several other regions, but for its American release it was viewed as a TV movie on September 1977. In it, Peter Parker (as an intrepid university student) gains super powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. He uses those powers to get a job at the Daily Bugle, and to stop a con man who is covertly using mind control for personal gain.
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