The Flash (1990 TV series)

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The Flash
The Flash (1990 TV series).jpg
Genre <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Based on Characters appearing in DC Comics
Developed by <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Written by Steve Hattman
Howard Chaykin
John Francis Moore
Starring <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Theme music composer Danny Elfman
Composer(s) Shirley Walker
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • Danny Bilson
  • Paul De Meo
Producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • 93 minutes (pilot)
  • 44-48 minutes
Production company(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network CBS
Picture format 4:3 Standard
Original release September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) –
May 18, 1991 (1991-05-18)
External links
The Flash on CW Seed

The Flash is a 1990 American television series developed by the writing team of Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo that aired on CBS. It is based on the DC Comics character Barry Allen / Flash, a costumed superhero crime-fighter with the power to move at superhuman speeds. The Flash starred John Wesley Shipp as Allen, along with Amanda Pays, Alex Désert, and Paula Marshall.

Production

Development for the series began in 1988 when Warner Bros. Television tried to develop television films based on some DC Comics characters for CBS. Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo conceived one that featured several superheroes, including the Flash, though their project was not made. In January 1990, new CBS Entertainment president Jeff Sagansky expressed interest in creating a series featuring the Flash, and The Flash was announced a few months after.[1]

Bilson and De Meo were tapped to write the pilot episode, which they completed in January 1990. Filming for the episode took six weeks, from May through June 1990.[1][2] The final effects for the pilot were completed a week before airing in September 1990. Bilson said, "There are 125 special effects. It's done on a grand scale."[1] The 2-hour pilot cost $6 million, and each subsequent episode of The Flash cost around $1.6 million to produce.[1][3]

Costumes

The four Flash suits made for the series for John Wesley Shipp cost a total of $100,000.[1][3][4][5] On the suit, De Meo said, "John had to have his entire body cast. The suit is made out of latex. It was quite a process getting it." Bilson added, "The suit was critical. You can't, after Batman, have a guy running around in tights."[1] The Flash's costume was designed and created by Robert Short, and built by Stan Winston Studios.[4][6] Short said the latex suits were specially treated to disguise their rubber surface so they would look like basic stretch unitards, and Shipp wore a water-cooled undergarment to combat the heat of the suits.[4] Bob Miller, costumer on the series, gave Amanda Pays "unaggressive clothing" though she is "an aggressive career woman," with retro 1930s and '40s long tapered skirts, pleated slacks and vests.[4]

Music

Danny Elfman composed the series' title theme,[6] and Shirley Walker composed each episode score for a full orchestra.[2] In 2010, a limited-edition two-disc soundtrack was released by La-La Land Records, featuring Elfman's theme and the scores by Walker for the pilot and the episodes "Captain Cold", "The Trickster", "Watching the Detectives", "Ghost in the Machine", "Done With Mirrors", "Fast Forward" and "Trial of the Trickster".

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring roles and guest stars

  • Richard Belzer as Joe Kline: WCCN TV news reporter, known as the "Voice of the City". Kline often does tabloid-style news stories about the Flash and his exploits.
  • Jason Bernard as Dr. Desmond Powell/Nightshade:[2] 1950s vigilante who captured criminals using tranquilizer darts. Blamed himself for the accidental "death" of the Ghost and gave up being a vigilante; later became a Doctor and Chief of Staff at Central City Hospital. When the Ghost reappears in 1990, Powell becomes Nightshade once again and teams up with the Flash to apprehend the Ghost. Later inspires the Deadly Nightshade; is framed for multiple counts of murder, but clears his name and captures the impostor. Makes his secret identity public and becomes a celebrity.
  • Corinne Bohrer as Zoey Clark/Prank (2nd): Owner of Clarx Toys and a huge fan of the Trickster. Her obsession leads her to free him during his trial. Originally, the Trickster intends to retire his criminal life but Zoey seduces him back to his evil self and becomes the Trickster's true sidekick, Prank, which is what she always wanted. Prank uses her wealth to finance the Trickster's evil schemes, including the brainwashing of the Flash. The corrupted Flash becomes the Trickster's favored sidekick and she is locked out of her own toy store for complaining about it. Despite her best efforts, the Trickster has lost interest in Prank and ultimately boots her out of the getaway truck that they are in, resulting in Prank's arrest.
  • Richard Burgi as Curtis Bohannan/Deadly Nightshade: Philanthropist and son of mob boss Derek Bohannan, an enemy of Nightshade; decides to atone for his father's sins by becoming a vigilante resembling Nightshade, except the Deadly Nightshade wears red-glowing goggles and uses real bullets. The Deadly Nightshade guns down a terrorist group and several of Derek Bohannan's former mob associates before the Flash confronts him. Due to their similar appearances, the real Nightshade is framed for the murders. Using his wealth, Bohannan builds a high-tech lair inside his mansion and an advanced cybernetic exoskeleton, which gives Bohannan super-speed similar to the Flash. Bohannan challenges the Flash to a duel, but is defeated when the Flash uses superior tactics to trap Bohannan, who is then tranquilized by the original Nightshade and arrested by the police.
  • David Cassidy as Sam Scudder/Mirror Master: Professional thief who is an expert with mirrors and holography; steals a crystal from S.T.A.R. Labs and attempts to kill his ex-partner Stasia Masters, a high school girlfriend of Barry Allen. The Flash uses a high-powered spotlight to blind Scudder and drown out his illusions, allowing the Flash to capture him.
  • Michael Champion as Leonard Wynters/Captain Cold: Infamous albino hitman known for freezing his victims to death with a nuclear-powered freeze gun. Captured by the Flash and arrested by CCPD pending trial, but later escapes using concealed freeze weapons. Killed by his own freeze ray when the Flash deflects the ray back at him.
  • Jeffrey Combs as Jimmy Swain: Mob boss who hires Captain Cold to eliminate his enemies, including the Flash. Since Captain Cold initially failed to kill the Flash, Swain refuses to pay Cold, who kills Swain with a freeze bomb and takes his money.
  • Denise Crosby as Dr. Rebecca Frost: A psychologist specializing in psychoanalyzing masked vigilantes such as the Flash, assigned to be Felicia Kane's psychiatrist. Briefly dated Barry Allen.
  • Vito D'Ambrosio as Officer Tony Bellows: CCPD patrol officer, partner of Murphy; in the early episodes, Bellows notices whenever the Flash appears, Murphy is never around. Bellows accuses Murphy of being the Flash, until he sees Murphy and the Flash at the same time.
  • Mike Genovese as Lt. Warren Garfield: Lieutenant, CCPD; Barry and Julio's supervisor. Despite his gruff demeanor, Garfield actually cares for his men. It was Lt. Garfield who deduced the true identity of the Nightshade, Dr. Desmond Powell (see below), who has been a friend of Garfield for more than 30 years.
  • Mark Hamill as James Montgomery Jesse / The Trickster:[2] Psychopathic and delusional mass murderer and con artist. Wanted for murder in six states. Obsessed with Megan Lockhart and kidnaps her to be his fantasy sidekick, Prank. Believing that Megan is under the influence of the Flash, the Trickster challenges him in order to be rid of his "evil spell". However, the Trickster fails and is arrested. He is sent to court, awaiting his verdict, when he is freed by Zoey Clark, who becomes the second Prank. As revenge, the Trickster captures the Flash and brainwashes him to do his bidding. The Trickster wreaks havoc upon Central City and puts the entire city on trial with the aid of his new partner. The Flash overcomes his programming and turns the tables on the Trickster, who is sent to an insane asylum.
  • Joyce Hyser as Megan Lockhart/Prank (1st): Private investigator and repossession agent; becomes the Trickster's unwilling sidekick, Prank. Later helps Tina McGee stop the Trickster and the brainwashed Flash. Also becomes Barry Allen's love interest.
  • Biff Manard as Officer Michael Francis Murphy: CCPD patrol officer, partner of Bellows; does not believe the Flash is real because he has never witnessed the Flash. Murphy has served the CCPD for many years and is considering retirement.
  • Paula Marshall as Iris West:[5] A computer graphics artist who is dating Barry Allen at the time he is transformed into the Flash without her knowledge. Barry wants to marry Iris, but she refuses, feeling that their relationship is moving too fast, and they break up. Iris later moves to Paris in order to make a new start in her life. She sends a letter to Barry in the second episode, but Barry doesn't want to see it, so Julio burns it to help Barry move on with his life. Even though Barry puts Iris behind him, he still keeps a family picture with her in it that they took during his brother's birthday party. Marshall was credited as a principal character for the pilot episode, but was subsequently written out of the show with the second episode.[2]
  • Dick Miller as Fosnight: Police informant who provides Barry Allen with tips on criminals. Fosnight owes a "life debt" to Henry Allen, and extended that debt to his two sons as well. Was originally arrested by first Nightshade and is the first person to believe his innocence.
  • Bill Mumy as Roger Braintree: Eccentric but brilliant scientist who creates a sonic device capable of putting its targets into a deep slumber. Braintree's cousin, small-time hoodlum Harry Milgrim, steals the device and uses it in a crime spree until he is caught by the Flash.
  • Michael Nader as Nicholas Pike: Disgraced former CCPD patrol officer who became a biker gang leader; in revenge, Pike murders Barry Allen's brother Jay Allen, who was once Pike's partner and the person who turned Pike in for corruption. Pike is captured by the Flash and put on trial, but is released on a technicality. Pike tries to kill the Flash, but his plan backfires and Pike is arrested again. In an alternate future timeline, Pike becomes the fascist Mayor of Central City, but is again defeated by the Flash before the hero returns to the present to avert Pike's younger counterpart's attempt for power.
  • Lois Nettleton as Belle Crocker/The Ghostess: The Ghost's sidekick and girlfriend; is saved by the Nightshade after their hideout catches on fire. Thinking the Ghost has died, she gives up the life of crime and becomes a lounge singer. Thirty-five years later, she learns that the Ghost survived the fire and has not aged. While she initially welcomes him back into her life, she cannot handle the fact that he is still a young man and eventually leaves him, informing Nightshade of the Ghost's location. The young Belle Crocker is played by Sherrie Rose.
  • Priscilla Pointer as Nora Allen: Mother of Barry and Jay Allen; volunteer at a shelter for single mothers.
  • Gloria Reuben as Sabrina: Julio's girlfriend. Constantly trying to set up Barry with blind dates.
  • Jeri Ryan as Felicia Kane: A wealthy heiress kidnapped and held for ransom by pro-Guevara Marxist revolutionaries; rescued by the Deadly Nightshade, who ruthlessly guns down Kane's kidnappers, then freed by the Flash. Severely traumatized by her ordeal, Kane's testimony nevertheless clears the original Nightshade of any wrongdoing.
  • Robert Shayne as Reg the News Stand Vendor: Reg was the owner of a news stand whom Barry Allen buys his daily newspaper from.
  • Anthony Starke as The Ghost: Megalomaniacal extortionist and electronics expert who uses television to eavesdrop on his victims and broadcast his demands. In 1955, Nightshade attempts to capture the Ghost, who threatened to blow up downtown Central City if he was not paid $1 million by the Mayor, but the Ghost fakes his death and seals himself in a "freeze chamber", set to awaken the Ghost in 1999. The equipment malfunctions and thaws out the Ghost in 1990; the Ghost and his crew steal electronics from a TV charity telethon and S.T.A.R. Labs, connect him to his computers, then threaten to shut down Central City's computer network, communications and power grid if he is not paid a $1 billion ransom, but he is captured by the Flash and Nightshade.
  • Tim Thomerson as Jay Allen: The older brother of Barry Allen and head of the CCPD Motorcycle Patrol Division. He is killed by his former police partner, Nicholas Pike. His first name is a nod to Jay Garrick.[2]
  • Mariko Tse as Linda Park: A Central City news reporter, asking the Central City police department about their response in dealing with all the gang attacks in the city.
  • M. Emmet Walsh as Henry Allen: Sergeant, CCPD (retired); father of Barry and Jay Allen. Inspired his sons to join the police force, though his relationship with Barry is partially estranged. Henry is also a supporter of the Flash.

Other guest stars in minor roles include Jonathan Brandis as Terry Cohan, Bryan Cranston as Phillip Moses, Mark Dacascos as Osako, Robert O'Reilly as Victor Kelso, and Sven-Ole Thorsen as the android assassin Omega.

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 "Pilot" Robert Iscove Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20)
Forensic scientist Barry Allen is struck by lightning and doused in chemical products that afford him superhuman speed, which he learns to control with help from Tina McGee, a scientist from S.T.A.R. Labs. When Barry's brother, policeman Jay Allen, is murdered by his corrupt ex-partner, Nicholas Pike, the leader of a vicious gang of criminals, Barry uses his newfound abilities to bring Pike and his men to justice and decides to continue protecting Central City as "The Flash".
2 "Out of Control" Mario Azzopardi Gail Morgan Hickman September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
While Barry and his colleague Julio Mendez investigate the murders of several homeless people whose bodies are being stolen from the crime scenes, Tina reconnects with an old friend, Dr. Carl Tanner, who has recently returned to Central City to retrieve Tina's late husband's research on genetic engineering. Barry and Tina learn that Tanner is using the vagrants in his illegal experiments to create superhumans, and upon being confronted, Tanner injects himself with the unfinished serum, turning into a monstrous creature that only the Flash manages to defeat.
3 "Watching the Detectives" Guy Trikonis Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore October 18, 1990 (1990-10-18)
Barry's secret identity is uncovered by Megan Lockhart, a private investigator employed by corrupt District Attorney Arthur Simonson, who blackmails Barry into becoming his secret accomplice in his efforts to bring legalized gambling into Central City on behalf of the organized crime. Barry acquires evidence of Simonson's crimes, including his plans to betray the mob bosses and seize control of their business, and exposes them to the media. Simonson is subsequently assassinated via a bomb planted in his car, while Lockhart, having grown attracted to Barry, destroys the evidence she had compiled in order to protect his secret.
4 "Honor Among Thieves" Francis Kenny Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore October 25, 1990 (1990-10-25)
Master thief Stan Kovacs assembles a team of criminals, which the police believes intends to steal the Mask of Rasputin from the museum of natural history. While they are distracted guarding it, Kovacs masterminds a string of robberies across Central City, which are foiled by the Flash, and in the process Barry learns that Kovacs is using the other criminals as a diversion so his accomplice Celia Wayne can steal the relic and frame the museum's curator and Barry's mentor, Ted Prelminger. The Flash catches up to Kovacs and Celia before they escape with the artifact and brings them to justice, proving Premilger's innocence.
5 "Double Vision" Guy Trikonis Jim Trombetta November 1, 1990 (1990-11-01)
Barry attempts to foil the kidnapping of Sofia Tomarquin, daughter of DEA agent Felix Tomarquin, who is scheduled to testify against drug lord Reuben Calderon. However, Calderon's enforcer, Marcos Trachman, utilizes advanced microscopic devices to control Barry's nervous system and force him to help them kidnap Sofia before Tina manages to jam the devices' signal. Barry and Tina then race against time to prevent a brainwashed Sofia from murdering her father while under Trachman's control, and once he's defeated, he agrees to testify against Calderon in exchange for a reduced sentence, leading to Calderon's conviction.
6 "Sins of the Father" Jonathan Sanger Stephen Hattman November 8, 1990 (1990-11-08)
Barry attempts to protect his father, veteran policeman Henry Allen, from Johnny Ray Hix, a dangerous criminal that Henry arrested 15 years prior and who has escaped from prison to enact revenge. Henry is initially dismissive of Barry's attempts to use forensic science, which Henry rejects, to locate Hix, but they prove vital when Hix murders Henry's old partner Pete Donello and kidnaps Henry. The Flash rescues him and brings Hix to justice, while Barry and Henry finally make amends.
7 "Child's Play" Danny Bilson Stephen Hattman & Gail Morgan Hickman November 15, 1990 (1990-11-15)

Barry shelters street orphans Terry and Cory Cohan, who have stolen the briefcase of a recently murdered journalist, Philip Sullivan, containing Sullivan's research on a highly addictive synthetic drug known as "Blue Mist", developed by notorious drug designer Beaugarde Lasko. Terry is nearly murdered while meeting Lasko to exchange the briefcase for $1 million dollars, and Barry subsequently arrests Lasko and dismantles his operation before Blue Mist can be unleashed in Central City, while Terry and Cory are adopted by Sullivan's widow, Joan.

Guest star: Adam West (from Batman) as a hippy
8 "Shroud of Death" Mario Azzopardi Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore November 29, 1990 (1990-11-29)
Lieutenant Warren Garfield stonewalls Barry and Julio's efforts to locate a cloaked figure who is targeting individuals connected to the arrest of notorious anarchist Zacharias, who later died in prison. Barry realizes Garfield was one of the arresting officers just as Garfield's wife, Mavis, is critically injured by the killer, revealed to be Zacharias' daughter, Angel, who then lures Garfield into a trap. The Flash intervenes, saving Garfield and arresting Angel, before helping Garfield save his wife, and earning Garfield's respect.
9 "Ghost in the Machine" Bruce Bilson John Francis Moore & Howard Chaykin December 13, 1990 (1990-12-13)
In the 1950s, Central City's guardian was Desmond Powell, who fought crime as "the Nightshade". His nemesis, a criminal mastermind known as "The Ghost", is believed to have died after a confrontation, causing a guilt-stricken Powell to retire. However, the Ghost has in fact preserved himself in suspended animation and resurfaces in the 1990s, where he hijacks Central City's power grids and holds the city for ransom, forcing Powell to return to action and join forces with the Flash. Together, they defeat the Ghost and save the city.
10 "Sight Unseen" Christopher Leitch Gail Morgan Hickman & John Vorhaus January 10, 1991 (1991-01-10)
Brian Gideon, a disgruntled chemical engineer, learns that S.T.A.R. Labs is producing weapons of mass destruction based on his research for the United States government and uses an cloaking device to infiltrate S.T.A.R. Labs and retrieve the weapons, but his plans go awry, and Tina and her employer Ruth Wenerke are exposed to a deadly neurotoxin. While attempting to locate both Gideon and a cure, Barry clashes with federal agent Jack Quinn, who is trying to cover up Gideon's involvement in the crisis. Barry confronts Gideon, who injects him with the toxin in order to escape, but Barry is able to burn it off his body, and use his blood to inoculate Tina and Ruth. Gideon is then arrested, while Ruth cuts ties with Quinn, who is detained when the activities he illegally sanctioned for Gideon are exposed.
11 "Beat the Clock" Mario Azzopardi Jim Trombetta January 31, 1991 (1991-01-31)
Barry and Julio are tipped off that Wayne Contrell, a famous Jazz saxophonist on the death row for the murder of his wife, lounge singer Linda Lake, is innocent, and given 24 hours to find evidence to acquit him. They ultimately learns that Linda was kidnapped by Wayne's brother, Elliott Contrell, who wanted to ruin his brother's life out of jealousy. Barry proves Wayne's innocence with a minute to spare, and he is reunited with Linda, while Elliott is arrested.
12 "The Trickster" Danny Bilson Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore February 7, 1991 (1991-02-07)
James Jesse, a schizophrenic serial killer, becomes obsessed with Megan Lockhart, who had been investigating his activities, and attempts to kidnap her, but she is rescued by the Flash. Believing them to be romantically involved, Jesse adopts the identity of the Trickster and begins tormenting the Flash, who ultimately lures Jesse into a fight at the police's costume ball, where he is arrested. Barry and Megan become involved, but she decides to leave Central City and ends their relationship.
13 "Tina, Is That You?" William A Fraker Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes & David L Newman February 14, 1991 (1991-02-14)
Barry becomes plagued with nightmares after the accidental death of the leader of a all-female gang, the Black Rose. A bio-feedback experiment gone awry causes Tina to develop a malevolent personality, and she seizes control of the Black Rose. When Barry foils their latest robbery, Tina decides to lure Barry into a trap and kill him, but Barry manages to escape, prevent Tina from exposing his secret identity and leaving the Black Rose for the police before taking Tina back to S.T.A.R. Labs, using the bio-feedback device to restore her to normal.
14 "Be My Baby" Bruce Bilson Jule Selbo February 21, 1991 (1991-02-21)
Barry crosses paths with Stacy Doubek, the daughter of Nobel prize winning academics, and her young daughter, Lily, who are fleeing Lily's father, mobster Philip Moses, who wants the child as his heir. After the Flash prevents Moses from kidnapping Stacy, Garfield attempts to use her in a sting operation to lure Moses into a trap, but Moses is tipped off by his men and manages to escape with Lily. The Flash chases him to an abandoned airfield and prevents him from leaving Central City, and Moses is arrested while Stacy and Lily are reunited and decide to stay in Central City.
15 "Fast Forward" Guy Trikonis Gail Morgan Hickman February 27, 1991 (1991-02-27)
Nicholas Pike is released from prison on a technicality and attempts to use a missile to kill the Flash, instead transporting him 10 years into the future, where Barry's secret identity has been exposed and Pike has conquered the city. Aided by his old friends, Barry regains his speed and manages to return to the past, capturing Pike once again and saving the city.
16 "Deadly Nightshade" Bruce Bilson John Francis Moore & Howard Chaykin March 30, 1991 (1991-03-30)
Philanthropist Curtis Bonnahan, son of Derek Bonnahan, a mobster arrested by the Nightshade in the 1950s, becomes a copycat vigilante known as "The Deadly Nightshade", who employs lethal force in his crusade against crime. Garfield deduces that Powell, an old friend of his, is the Nightshade and arrests him, but Felicia Kane, a young woman rescued by Bonnahon, testifies in Powell's favor and he is acquitted, only to be kidnapped by Bonnahan, who wants Powell to join him. Barry locates them and defeats Bonnahan with Powell's help. Powell then decides to reveal his secret identity to the world.
17 "Captain Cold" Gilbert Shilton Paul de Meo & Gail Morgan Hickman April 6, 1991 (1991-04-06)
Mobster Jimmy Swain employs hitman Leonard Wynters, also known as "Captain Cold" for his weapon of choice, a nuclear-powered freeze ray, to eliminate his competitors and then the Flash. Wynters is arrested following a confrontation with the scarlet speedster, but escapes and rendzevous with Swain, who is killed for refusing to pay Wynters his dues. Wynters then lures the Flash into a trap, hellbent on completing his contract out of honor, but Barry outsmarts him due to a device that preserves his body heat, and diverts Wynters' beam against him, encasing Wynters in ice.
18 "Twin Streaks" James A Contner Stephen Hattman April 13, 1991 (1991-04-13)
Barry is cloned by Dr. Jason Brassel, who names the clone "Pollux". Upon learning he has created for the purpose of weaponization, Pollux goes on a rampage and comes into conflict with the Flash, ultimately defeating him. Brassel attempts to kill Barry to cover up his own tracks, but Pollux takes the bullet and dies in Barry's arms, while Brassel succumbs from the injuries Pollux had earlier inflicted on him.
19 "Done with Mirrors" Danny Bilson Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore April 27, 1991 (1991-04-27)
Sam Scudder, a criminal mastermind who uses mirrors and holograms to commit his crimes, steals an advanced battery from S.T.A.R Labs East Coast division, which is then stolen from him by his partner, Stacia Masters, who flees to Central City and seduces her former classmate Barry into sheltering her at his apartment. Scudder kidnaps Tina and her mother to force the Flash to locate and deliver the battery, and Barry ultimately realizes Stacia is manipulating him. He rescues Tina and her mother and arrests both Scudder and Stacia, returning the battery to S.T.A.R Labs.
20 "Good Night, Central City" Mario Azzopardi Jim Trombetta May 4, 1991 (1991-05-04)
Petty crook Harry Milgrim and his cousin, scientist Roger Braintree, plan to use a subsonic device developed by Braintree, which places people in an induced slumber, to rob Central City. Milgrim fakes his death to infiltrate the police station and steal valuable information, pinning the blame on Barry, who races against time to both prove his innocence and prevent Milgrim and Braintree from conducting a citywide robbery. In the end, he triumphs, with Milgrim and Braintree being arrested, clearing his name.
21 "Alpha" Bruce Bilson Gail Morgan Hickman & Denise Skinner May 11, 1991 (1991-05-11)
Barry and Tina befriend Alpha, an android assassin developed by the United States government who refuses to kill, and protect her from another assassin, Omega, send to destroy her. The Flash ultimately destroys Omega and helps Alpha evade the government and escape Central City to start her life anew.
22 "The Trial of the Trickster" Danny Bilson Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore May 18, 1991 (1991-05-18)
Barry feels betrayed when the city treats James Jesse as a celebrity ahead of his trial. Jesse later escapes from prison with help from an obsessive fan, Zoey Clark, and becomes the Trickster once again, with Clark as his assistant, Prank. They brainwash the Flash into joining them in wreaking havoc, damaging the Flash's public image, but Jesse ultimately betrays Clark and leaves her to the police. Tina and Megan join forces and manage to break Barry free in time to prevent Jesse from executing the lawyers involved in his prosecution. Jesse is then found criminally insane and institutionalized at a psychiatric hospital, while the Flash is embraced as a hero by the people of Central City, and Barry and Tina admit to their feelings for each other.

Release

The Flash was originally scheduled to debut on CBS in the 8 pm (EST) slot on Thursday, to go against The Cosby Show on NBC, in an attempt to attract younger viewers, before Fox moved The Simpsons from Sunday to the Thursday 8 pm slot for the same reason. After debuting on September 20, 1990, at 8 pm, CBS moved the series to 8:30 pm with its second episode, in an attempt to broadcast opposite less formidable competition in Fox's Babes, NBC's A Different World and the second half-hour of ABC's Father Dowling Mysteries.[1] Eventually, CBS moved the series off Thursdays entirely.[2] Had the show continued, it was revealed the second season would have opened with the Flash's rogues teaming up to take down the hero.[2][7]

Marketing

Warner Bros. Television and CBS began its promotion of the series in July 1990 during the 1990 NBA All-Star Game. It also had ad campaigns on radio and cable television during "wresting matches on USA Cable and during [Batman airings] on the Family Channel", as well as ads in The Flash comic book and posters for the series in malls and Kmarts across the country. Four-minute promos of the series aired at all Six Flags amusement parks and a few weeks before the pilot's debut, Warner Bros. flew banners over beaches on both coasts. Describing the marketing, George Schweitzer, senior vice president of communications at the CBS Broadcast Group said, "It's not being sold as a comic book. It's being sold like Batman [the 1989 film] – dark and mysterious and exciting. The promos have a theatrical quality." The pilot debuted on July 15, 1990 at a "big bash" at the Warner Bros. Burbank lot.[1]

Home media

The Flash was released on DVD in January 2006.[2]

Several episodes were edited as three TV movies and released on VHS:

  • The Flash (1990). The 2-hour pilot episode.
  • The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster (1991). Formed by the episodes "The Trickster" and "The Trial of the Trickster"
  • The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade (1991). Formed by the episodes "Ghost in the Machine" and "The Deadly Nightshade".

Other media

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Comic book

A comic book tie-in special based on the TV series was published by DC Comics in 1991 titled The Flash TV Special #1, running at 76 pages. It features two stories, one written by John Byrne with art by Javier Saltares, and the second written by then-writer of the ongoing Flash title, Mark Waid featuring a thief Kid Flash; plus a behind-the-scenes look on the making of the TV series with photos.

Video game

A video game was released for Game Boy in 1991 by THQ, and was based on the TV series. It was released in the US and had a password system. A second game was programmed by Probe and released only in Europe for the Master System in 1993.

The Flash (2014 TV series)

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Main article: The Flash (2014 TV series)

The 2014 television series, The Flash, features several references to the 1990 series. John Wesley Shipp plays the recurring role of Barry Allen's father, Henry Allen,[8] and Amanda Pays once again portrays a character named Dr. Tina McGee.[9] In the episode "Tricksters", Mark Hamill returns as James Jesse / Trickster and Vito D'Ambrosio plays Mayor Anthony Bellows (a character he played in 1991, but as a police detective), with images of Hamill as Trickster from the 1990 TV series being used in a police report;[10][11] 2014 series composer Blake Neely incorporated Walker's theme for the Trickster in the episode.[12] In "Welcome to Earth-2", as Barry, Cisco and Wells are traveling to Earth-2, glimpses of the multiverse are seen, including an image of Shipp as the Flash from the 1990 series, implying that the series was retroactively being added to the Arrowverse-multiverse.[13]

See also

References

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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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