Tom Terrific 1957
What is Tom Terrific?
Tom Terrific is an animated television series that aired from 1957 to 1959. Created by Gene Deitch and featuring the voice work of Lionel Wilson, the program was presented as a segment within the Captain Kangaroo children's television show.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1957
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 26
- Runtime
- 5 minutes
- First aired
- Jun 10, 1957
- Last aired
- Dec 15, 1958
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Animation, Kids
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 26 episodes and an average 5-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Tom Terrific is an animated television series that aired from 1957 to 1959. Created by Gene Deitch and featuring the voice work of Lionel Wilson, the program was presented as a segment within the Captain Kangaroo children's television show. The series follows a young boy named Tom Terrific who lives in a treehouse. Tom possesses a magic, funnel-shaped thinking cap that grants him the ability to transform into any object he desires while simultaneously enhancing his intelligence. He is accompanied by a lazy sidekick named Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog. Together, they confront various antagonists, most notably their arch-foe Crabby Appleton, who is known for the motto, I am rotten to the core. Other villains featured in the series include Mr. Instant, the Instant Thing King, Captain Kidney Bean, Sweet Tooth Sam the Candy Bandit, and Isotope Feaney the Meany. The show is characterized by its simple drawing style and follows the adventures of the protagonist as he uses his unique abilities to overcome his foes.
Should you watch it?
“A boy genius with a magical thinking cap battles silly villains alongside his lazy dog sidekick.”
- Creative transformation sequences using the thinking cap
- Distinctive simple animation style
- Memorable roster of quirky antagonists
- Dated animation techniques may not appeal to modern viewers
- Repetitive plot structures in episodes
You enjoy classic adventure cartoons with inventive gadgets and bumbling villains.
Suitable for all ages with mild cartoon mischief and no serious content concerns.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The Nasty Knight Jun 10, 1957
- E2 The Pill of Smartness Jun 17, 1957
- E3 Sweet Tooth Sam Jun 24, 1957
- E4 Snowy Picture Jul 1, 1957
- E5 Crabby Appleton's Dragon Jul 8, 1957
- E6 Captain Kidney Bean Jul 15, 1957
- E7 The Gravity Maker Jul 22, 1957
- E8 Scrambled Dinosaur Eggs Jul 29, 1957
- E9 Who Stole The North Pole? Aug 6, 1957
- E10 Instant Tantrums Aug 13, 1957
- E11 Track Meet, Well Done Aug 20, 1957
- E12 The Great Calendar Mystery Aug 27, 1957
- E13 Elephant Stew Sep 3, 1957
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Missing Mail Mystery Sep 22, 1958
- E2 The Prince Frog Sep 29, 1958
- E3 Isotope Feeny's Foolish Fog Oct 6, 1958
- E4 Moon Over Manfred Oct 13, 1958
- E5 Go West, Young Manfred Oct 20, 1958
- E6 The Silly Sandman Oct 27, 1958
- E7 Crabby Park Nov 4, 1958
- E8 The Million Manfred Mystery Nov 11, 1958
- E9 The Flying Sorceror Nov 18, 1958
- E10 The Big Dog Show-Off Nov 25, 1958
- E11 The End Of Rainbows Dec 1, 1958
- E12 RobinsNest Crusoe Dec 8, 1958
- E13 The Everlasting Birthday Party Dec 15, 1958
Frequently asked questions
What is Tom Terrific's special ability?
He can transform into anything he wants using his magic thinking cap.
Who are the main characters?
Tom Terrific, his dog sidekick Mighty Manfred, and various villains including Crabby Appleton.
What does the thinking cap do?
It allows Tom to transform into different forms and enhances his intelligence.
Is this show appropriate for children?
Yes, it's a classic cartoon with lighthearted adventure themes.
What kind of villains appear in the show?
Various comedic antagonists like Crabby Appleton, Mr. Instant, and Sweet Tooth Sam.