Honestly I can't get over how so many people disliked this show. I can understand why, but I still think they're being a bit unfair. Granted, the lack of actual comic book villains may be off-putting, and there are a great deal many differences between the comic book Spider-Man and this Spider-Man adaptation BUT the core of the character is still intact and and that is the most important thing. Also, you have to remember that this TV-Series was made in the 70's. You honestly can't expect to be wowed by special effects. And hey, I'm a 90's kid and yet I still love it. Nicholas Hammond actually fits the role of Peter Parker rather perfectly, he even looks like him from the 90's animated series. Granted, he lacks Spidey's witty humour that we all love but I think in this show's case, that's a good thing. This show can be a lot of fun and has a very catchy theme song.I hope that someday this show will get an official DVD release but until that day comes I'll just have to make do with my VHS copy.
... View MoreLike "The Incredible Hulk", "Spider Man" (played here by Nicholas Hammond) was another in the superhero stable that entertained legions of fans (adults too) in the late seventies, myself included. My review here refers to the pilot in which mild mannered Peter Parker inherits the senses and agility of a spider, after coming into contact with radioactive waves during an arachnid experiment. His boss at the local rag (David White, post-Larry Tate on "Bewitched") is eager for him to cover the story of how seemingly random citizens are suiciding, which leads both Parker and his alter ego to discover an elaborate mind control plot involving the evil Edward Byron (Thayer David) whereby he commits crimes vicariously through his hypnotised victims.What distinguishes the pilot from its peers, in my opinion is the cast - Mike Pataki and Bob Hastings as the cops, Jeff Donnell as Aunt Parker, Len Lesser (future uncle Leo on "Seinfeld"), Ivor Francis and Harry Caesar. Lisa Eilbacher is so-so as the love interest in a role not too distant from her signature performance in "Beverly Hills Cop". It's definitely young adolescent material, but even as an adult, I found plenty of drama, action and light comedy to enjoy.Less pretentious than the recent remakes, I'm still a little confounded as to why the three feature-length titles (the other two are "Spider Man Strikes Back" and "The Dragon's Challenge") haven't been re-distributed for DVD, to enjoy some residual popularity (and just plain ride the coat-tails of the Raimi success wagon). Anyway, probably still available on VHS, so if you're spider mad or just curious about this now 'ancient predecessor', it shouldn't disappoint.
... View MoreSome people think this was a rather bad TV series, with cheesy effects. (considering it was filmed between 1977-1979) but really, look back at those years and think, "We didn't have computers back then." so if you think about it, it's a rather good TV series.I always figured bad ratings killed the show, but no. the network did. they canceled out their theme as "The superhero network" and abandoned a short lived spider-man series. if it had gone on, it probably would have run well into the 80's, and if it was really lucky (And i mean really lucky), the early 90s.And no one wanted to pick this series up.Anyways, Jolly old (or young) Nicholas Hammond, of The sound of music fame, is brought to the TV screen as peter parker, the Secret identity of the amazing spider-man. along the series, peter deals with a clone, a beautiful girl from a foreign country, and a corrupt politician.while the series is way out of timeline (being that peter is already graduated from university, and thats when he gets bit, and uncle Ben is already dead,) The audience is treated to action, suspense, and the attitude that the characters have towards peter and his alter ego, spider-man.While it's also slightly disappointing that Robert. F Simon looks nothing like J.J.Jameson, it's not so disappointing that Betty grant isn't Betty grant, but a hot African American girl (who reminds me of Halle berry, who is one of the hottest women on the planet) so really, this one wasn't so bad.but considering the time, and how much drama they packed into this one, it kind of foreshadows what bad TV is today. either way, it's entertaining, even for today.8/10
... View Morethe amazing spider-man TV series had had 15 episode's all together and did not last that long as a live action series it was shame as nicholas hammond wanted the incredible hulk and spider-man to team up but it never happened, the series did have its comic book moments j.j shouting at parker robert f simon was great as jameson he had the voice. aunt may was played by irene tedrow and was terrible as aunt may in the first episode she is constantly moaning at peter to take his pills for his allergy some of my favourite comic book moments spider-man's web shooter is broken and he goes to a taxi and ask' him to take him home the taxi driver refuses because spider-man has no pockets in his costume spider-man jumps on top of Capt. Barbera's car and puts his head down to speak to him, spider-man gets cloned and at the end j.j is dressed in a spider-man costume and capt barbera arrests spider-man but it not the real spider-man its jameson in the costume
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