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.
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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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Episode guide
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Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Nasty Knight Mytharc Jun 10, 1957
- E2 The Pill of Smartness Core Jun 17, 1957
- E3 Sweet Tooth Sam Core Jun 24, 1957
- E4 Snowy Picture Core Jul 1, 1957
- E5 Crabby Appleton's Dragon Core Jul 8, 1957
- E6 Captain Kidney Bean Core Jul 15, 1957
- E7 The Gravity Maker Core Jul 22, 1957
- E8 Scrambled Dinosaur Eggs Core Jul 29, 1957
- E9 Who Stole The North Pole? Core Aug 6, 1957
- E10 Instant Tantrums Core Aug 13, 1957
- E11 Track Meet, Well Done Core Aug 20, 1957
- E12 The Great Calendar Mystery Mytharc Aug 27, 1957
- E13 Elephant Stew Mytharc Sep 3, 1957
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Missing Mail Mystery Mytharc Sep 22, 1958
- E2 The Prince Frog Core Sep 29, 1958
- E3 Isotope Feeny's Foolish Fog Core Oct 6, 1958
- E4 Moon Over Manfred Core Oct 13, 1958
- E5 Go West, Young Manfred Core Oct 20, 1958
- E6 The Silly Sandman Core Oct 27, 1958
- E7 Crabby Park Core Nov 4, 1958
- E8 The Million Manfred Mystery Core Nov 11, 1958
- E9 The Flying Sorceror Core Nov 18, 1958
- E10 The Big Dog Show-Off Core Nov 25, 1958
- E11 The End Of Rainbows Core Dec 1, 1958
- E12 RobinsNest Crusoe Mytharc Dec 8, 1958
- E13 The Everlasting Birthday Party Mytharc 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.
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