Search - Black Scorpion - The TV Series on DVD

Roger Corman's Lifetime Work

Michael Hood | Birmingham, England | 02/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At the time of its filming, Roger Corman described the Black Scorpion tv series as his ultimate life's work. He believed in it so much that he poured his life savings into making all 22 episodes without going through the usual procedure of making a pilot episode and approaching television channels. As a result there was a two-year gap between the filming of the series and its first airing. Was it worth it?First of all, what was the goal of the series? It was meant as a respectful homage to the 60's Batman series, combined with the sexy fighting females so common in Corman's films. The bat became a scorpion, the man became a woman. The tongue-in-cheek humour and camp nature of Batman were to be retained.As a crime-fighting icon, Black Scorpion is an immediate success. While the 60's needed a male hero, our 21st Century is better fitted with a powerful female to bring law and order. Michelle Lintel proves to be an adequate replacement to Joan Severance, who played Black Scorpion in the previous films. Her self-confident entrances with corny jokes are the equal of Batman at his best. The colourful villains are made even better by their inherant lack of credibility. This is escapism at its best, not reality! The references to Batman are strengthened by casting Adam West as Breathtaker and Frank Gorshin as Clockwise. Other elements used as sub-plots to the series are the incompetent police force, the corrupt politicians, and the budding love affair between Black Scorpion's alter-ego and a police detective.However, the series has weaknesses that need to be addressed. Despite the large budget, the car chase scenes are constantly re-used, which I find grating. Gangster Prankster's character is based so closely on the Joker that Corman can be accused of plagiarism. But the greatest weakness is that the comic elements are overdone. It's one thing that the police are incapable of dealing with super-villians -- that's why Black Scorpion is needed -- but it's another to portray the police as layabouts who throw baseballs about in the station instead of trying to solve crimes. Scott Valentine is a credible detective, but Shane Powers and Steven Kravitz are totally out of place. The running humour between the scientific genius (B.T.) and his scatty girlfriend (Enya Flack) is so silly that it just isn't funny. How could a man like that love a woman like that?Overall, the series is a success, and the DVD box set is good value for money. It's a crime that until now Black Scorpion has rarely been aired and still remains unknown. If Roger Corman has any money left, he should make a second, improved series of Black Scorpion, toning down the sillier humour. The series has the potential to become a classic, but based on the evidence of the first series, it isn't quite there yet."

Check out this beautiful babe's beautiful set of...DVDs

Michael Hood | 04/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michelle Lintel is the funnest tv super heroine ever She's great to look at too. if you are a fan of Black Scorpion then you gotta get this collection. All the episdes of Black Scorpion are here and the box set is almost as very nicely put together as Ms Lintel. Well almost. She's pretty impressive. The episodes look fantastic and everything you loved about the show is here. Lots of campy humor, a great car, sinister over the top bad guys, and Ms Lintel kickin' major butt. This set is a must for B movie and comic fans. Thanks for the fun Michelle and thanks to you too Mr Corman."

Incredibly Entertaining!

Michael Hood | 12/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great show and a wonderfuly packaged box set with great extras. Yes it is incredibly cheesy, but that's what makes it so fun! Michael Lintel is BEAUTIFUL, Scott Valentine is perfect as her partner, the villans are classic campy comic book characters, the vixens are too and are HOT, ADAM WEST ROCKS, FRANK GORSHIN IS AWESOME, and the writing is extremely fun and humorous. Check out Black Scorpion the movie and Black Scorpion II if you are a fan of the show. I enjoyed the films and fell in love with the show too. For fun escapist 'B movie' styled viewing you can't beat the Black Scorpion."

Entertaining Escapism.

Trevor William Douglas | Gorokan, NSW Australia | 10/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with seawasp's review. This is very entertaining with tongue firmly in cheek. The set comes with excellent artwork and the 16 page booklet is full of colorful stills of the super villains. An added bonus is Behind The Sting: The Making Black Scorpion hosted and narrated by none other than our favourite hero ADAM WEST, who also happens to appear in four episodes as 'The Breathtaker'. Interviews with Roger Corman and other cast members are both informative and entertaining as is the audio commentary on the first two episodes.
It is also good to see Frank Gorshin as Clockwise make a memorable appearance.
Buy it now you will not be sorry."