January 21, 2018 - Hoyt Curtin - 'Jonny Quest' (Underscore) (1964)

I've watched most episodes of The Venture Bros, but never one episode of Jonny Quest. It was before my time. I figure the intro alone provides a template for the typical episode:

1) First there is a jungle with natives and wild animals...and a pterodactyl? Or is it a pteranodon?
2) Then the military shoots a walking eye spider machine in the southwest.
3) A former linebacker turned mummy explodes through a wall, then as it's holding a helpless Indian guy over its head, this white-haired soldier of fortune dude shoots at it and the ceiling collapses, likely killing the Indian guy (who was a loving father of one adorable son). Way to go, "Race"-ist.
4) Red-suited weirdos travel in flying teacups.
5) A little pug dog is snatched up by a vulture.
6) Snakes slither and giant lizards are walked on leashes.
7) Various laser beams are fired from and at a ghost pirate ship right outta Scooby Doo (another Hanna-Barbera classic).
THE END

If I were a boy in the mid-60s I would have loved this show, without a doubt. The music alone would be enough to entice me. Tribal drums, spy movie guitars, dramatic horns, I'm already on the edge of my seat. Then the music turns heroic and we are introduced to the cast, soaring through the air in a supersonic jet. Jonny Quest...who spells his name Jonny? I had to go back and correct all my Johnny typos. A groovy flute says 'relax, sit back and enjoy the ride on this flying fortress of brave macho men and their lads.' Dr. Benton Quest, a self-made millionaire, he's quite a guy. Then there's Mrs. Q, she's gorgeous. She's one lady who knows how to take care of herself. When the camera hits on "Race" Bannon, the music gets a come hither alluring nightclub treatment. Be still my beating heart. Then we get Hadji...no last name. Perhaps Race was worried that Hadji would snitch on him for killing his dad (hey, look kid, I was paid the big bucks to kill that Mummy via an ad in Soldier of Fortune magazine, I can't be blamed for a little collateral damage, OK?), so they all took the little blabbermouth with them. And finally, Bandit, the comic relief (until he gets torn apart by a vulture). Where are they headed? Hopefully off to Acapulco for some fun on the beach. Ooh la la!

Below: Brock Sampson vs. "Race" Bannon...who would win?