Like the title suggests, this show had everything: comedy, adventure, and science fiction Saturday morning fare in the form of hour-long animated movies.
Some of the movies were simply failed pilots of cartoon shows based on popular prime-time series like Nanny & The Professor, Lost In Space, and The Mini-Munsters. Others were hour long pilots of cartoon series that would eventually end up on ABC’s regular schedule, such as The Brady Kids on Mysterious Island, Lassie and the Spirit of Thunder Island, Yogi’s Ark Lark, and Popeye and the Man Who Hated Laughter. Some original movies were produced for the series, including a two-part version of Oliver Twist and Willie Mays and The Say-Hey Kid, which featured the famous ball player lending his own voice to his animated likeness.
Other notable segments included Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies, Robin Hoodnik, Gidget Makes the Wrong Connection, The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park, Tabitha and Adam Meet the Clown Family, The Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters, The Red Baron, That Girl in Wonderland, and Luvcast U.S.A.
ABC Superstar Saturday Movie was also significant because it was the first anthology series comprised of original cartoons for a network.
For the 1973-74 season the show carried the title The New Saturday Superstar Movie.
production details
USA / ABC / x50 minute episodes / Broadcast 9 September 1972 – 31 August 1974
cast
Willie Mays as Himself
Juliet Mills as Nanny
Richard Long as Professor
