@TheRetired2010 Why does everything always jump to homosexual! Dishonest John took off a mask in the Beany & Cecil cartoon opening & it looked like his real face, & he kissed it because he is narcissistic! He loves himself & his evil nature!
I love Cap'n Poopdeck and all things Popeye! He is sliding around on Olive Oyl! LOL! Howie! For shame! LOL! Dishonest John took off his mask and kissed it, & it looked exactly like his real face! LOL! GTG!
Beany and Cecil! (and Uncle Captain, Dishonest John-D J-You dirty guy!) No bikini atoll! A Bob Clampett Cartooooooooon! And I still love Hercules the cartoon show! Go H! (Hercules Howie!)
@howiecricket52 Wasn't Nobikini Atoll from Rocky & Bullwinkle ? ( Fan mail from some flounder ? No, Bullwinkle, this is what I REALLY call a message ! )Of course, it could be from both; it's not exactly the most subtle pun invented. Remember the yodeling song from B & S ? It was titled " Yoda Lady Who" ( say it fast ! ) They don't do humour like that anymore.
@howiecricket52 No no no not B & S ! I meant B & C of course.Was the beatnik Uncle Captain or was he Dishonest John? I hate to think how many years it's been since I saw it. Ever hear of Cap'n Poopdeck & Bosun Bailey's Popeye Cartoon Comedy Cavalcade ? Bosun Bailey used to demonstrate his skill at limbo in between Popeye cartoons ! Crazy days !
Great Scott! I remember this terrible cartoon, perhaps in 1964-65, being aired during pre-school-hours on weekdays. I never did like it, but thanks for posting this as it brings back some nearly-forgotten memories about getting ready for school.
can you post more of the mighty hercules? i loved this cartoon when i was growing up. also do you have access to all of the mighty hercules cartoons? someone needs to get these out on dvd. thank you.
Remember everytime Newton went to get Hercules' Bow and Arrow, it was always in the tree, no matter where they were :)
I know everyone says this. But man this brings back sooo many memories I had long since forgotten about. Does anyone remember the Spoof song everyone used to sing. JERKULES....Fighting for his life...With a paper knife. Ahhh the classics.
Hercules' friends and allies are his main sidekick, Newton; the helpful boy centaur who has a bothersome habit of repeating himself every time he spoke; Helena[disambiguation needed ], Hercules' girlfriend; Prince (later King) Dorian of Caledon; Tewt, a small satyr who "spoke" only by playing his panpipes; Timon, a young human from Caledon and Pegasus, Hercules' winged steed.--Wikipedia How many did you remember?
@clintonearlwalker "Spelt" is an archaism but still a perfectly correct alternative to the more modern ( and logical ) "spelled" English is full of them ( aeroplane is another example, as are the "English" spellings of "colour" and "grey"). It's fun to sprinkle them thru your correspondence; makes it more interesting. and blah blah blah I can go on and on...drives my kids NUTS !
@cullmurr I suppose that depends on your definition of "perfectly correct". I know that when I type in "spelt" my spell check lists it as incorrect. I also doubt if "spelt" can be found in Webster's dictionary. I'm also quite certain that if I had spelled "spelt" on one of my third grade spelling tests it would have been marked incorrect, and then I wouldn't have gotten a star for 100% beside my name on the big board. I'll stick with "Tewt".
@clintonearlwalker Alright, "perfectly" is redundant, I admit it; further argument is fewtile ;) Btw, wasn't there a female villain named Wilamina or something? I think she had an evil parrot instead of a cat like Daedalus.
This is the internet you know, you can find out anything. Just type in "The Mighty Hercules Wikipedia". "Daedalus, an evil wizard who is the chief villain (sometimes accompanied by his pet cat Dydo); as well as others such as Wilhemine the Sea Witch (accompanied by her pet bird Elvira); and Murtis (aka The Mask of Vulcan)". I loved the Mighty Hercules when I was a kid. There is at least 1 full episode posted on YouTube with "Wilhemine" as the villain. Hope I spelt that correctly
@clintonearlwalker It may interest you to know that the word "spilled " can similarly be spelled "spilt" Now you may not have seen spelled spelt "spelt" but surely you have seen spilled spelt spilt. Yes ?
@cullmurr Negative, there are many ways to spell every word, in fact there is an infinite number of ways. There are only 26 letters, however, letters can be used more than once so it it possible to spell a word like "look" as "loooooooooooooooook", it wouldn't be "perfectly correct" though, at least not by my definition.
@clintonearlwalker hmmmmm...You're rather humourless for an American. I assume you are American from that wonderful 3 barrel name Clinton Earl Walker. My full name is Christopher Sean Iain Michael O'Flaherty Cullen. You can probably guess where my family comes from. All kidding aside, spilt and spelt are older forms ( known as "archaisms" as I said before) but are still acceptable alternatives to the modern spellings.(I have been a teacher of English and I assure you I am not making this up.
@cullmurr Teacher of English, I doubt it. I looked at your page, it says you are from Ottawa Canada. That's the part of Canada where they speak French isn't it? (Also, the Ottawa Senators suck, Washington Caps all the way this year). I have hells of humor, as opposed to "humour". Check out a vid called "Irish Gypsies" uploaded by "axzr123" for some quality English pronunciations. If you want to see angry comments from English people, go to any vid about Irish Gypsies.
@elbyS67 Canada?? What's ever come out of that place? Red Green? Wayne Gretzky? John Candy? The Kids in the Hall? VenusSpa? I think the whole damn place is best known as "Americas hat".
(Closing theme to Hercules!) Join us at his side! Standing there with pride! Victory is here! Raise a mighty cheer! At the sight of Hercules! Yay, Me!! Hercules! I am 54, and I still love watching these Hercules cartoons! And I don't care who knows it! Hercules! Lightning! Bwahahahahah! Go Howie! Eeehah!
@howiecricket52 I loved Underdog ! How about Beany and Cecil the Sea-Sick Sea Serpent ...remember that ? "Help Cecil help...help Cecil help" lol There was a beatnik character in it too called Doc I believe...he was a real cool cat, if I remember correctly
Hey, RocketApe...your comment is hysterically funny! Iron thighs! I was laughing so hard! Thank you for the laugh! While I am here...My name is Howie...with an "H"! I absolutely loved the Hercules cartoons when I was little! I mean, he gets his powers on Earth from a ring with an "H" on it! Go, Hercules! Go, Howie! This got me through the tough school years with some kids deciding, Let's go pick on the nice kid that isn't bothering us, won't that be fun! NO! It decidedly will not be fun.
Oh man.. I remember this! Sunday mornings at my grandmothers home, with my cousins bright n early watching this. All of us with a bowl of trix cereal!
Johnny Nash definitely sounded like Johnny Mathis. But, in those days, Mathis was so BIG TIME that he would have never considered doing a cartoon theme song.
It is without a doubt Johnny Nash... I rented a video that showed the original full credits.
The only good thing about this show was it's theme song. But I agree, the "iron in his thighs, softness in his eyes" is as gay as it gets. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The singer was indeed Johnny "I Can See Clearly Now" Nash.
The "white nails" are an illusion -- you'll note that the sun is coming from such a direction (before he blows it up with the arrow, that is!) as to illuminate Herc's bow-drawing hand at the fingertips, thus they appear white. When he releases the string, this illumination continues altho I think it's a mistake.
@FreedomZealot Hercules's voice actor was Jimmy Tapp. Daedalus' voice actor was Gerry Bascombe. The series also featured a memorable theme song sung by a relative unknown at the time, Johnny Nash.--Wikipedia.
Stinking wpix ch11 in new york cancelled this show and replaced it with their stupid morning news i wish i can sue channel 11 but i can't maybe on another universe.
The opening scenes are very dynamic, with the hot sky and back lighting effect. It's too bad that this stylization was not carried throughout the entire series.
Wwow ! forgot about this one, trans lux was making alot of great cartoons back then. there was also a series based on the steve reeves hercules movies called
I remember singing the parody version...Hercules is a big fat phony Hercules is full of Bologne fighting for his life with a rubber knife raise a can of beer he's a real queer...for the plight of Hercules !
@fromthesidelines I didn't know that. I LOVED Felix the Cat ! The Master Cylinder ! lol There's one in the original Star Wars, in the Jawa's transport. God, I'm an old nerd !
@TheDrumLines Goat not deer. It's called a satyr and according to Greek mythology, they were very horny creatures, and I don't mean the ones on their head !
@GooglFascists I rather doubt there were any Beatniks producing cartoons like...EV ER, man ! That's work, cat, work is nowheresville, it's for squares daddy-o. I was there, I know !
@carycomic1 Superman's hair was never consistent. It would be either a simple wave or a wave with a curled forelock and sometimes combed back with or without a forelock. Hercules' face is also a lot more chiseled than the Supermans before this. I wouldn't doubt Superman was the influence to this look but it's not a total rip-off.
Funny thing about every episode in this series, is that once Hercules turned his ring on his finger, he would just kick ass and the story would be over.
@Fooblestheclown He didn't turn it, he just took it out of that belt thingy , put it on and held up his hand, attracting bolts of lightening. But then he kicked ass and the story was over.
@cullmurr I grew up with all these shows. There's not a line I don't remember. I got so tired of Hercules beating the bad guys that I started cheering for the bad guys even though I knew they would never win.
@BishopTJH I think that's a great idea; you should write to the show and suggest it. I bet they'd go for it. They must be getting a little desparate for ideas by now anyway. Good call !
"Hercules"", Hero of song and story! "Hercules", winner of ancient glory! Fighting for the right. Fighting with his might, With the strength of ten, ordinary men! "Hercules" People are safe when near him! "Hercules" Only the evil fear him! Softness in his eyes! Iron in his thighs!
Virtue inhis heart, fire in every part.. Of the mighty, "Hercules"!
@THEFOOTBALLFAN - Correct. I was visiting with Mr. Nash last year and we were chatting about his past. He mentioned he did this theme song. I was not aware of it and quite surprised since as a kid I loved this cartoon. So you are correct.
My cousin and I often got into battles during the 60's...fortunately for me I was the best singer and this was MY theme song...I remember if I was ever pinned down I would sing this song and (even if he had pinned me) my cousin would do everything he could to run away from me! This song did wonders for my adrenalin! "Softness in his eyes! Iron in his thighs! Virtue in his heart! FIRE EVERY PART of the Mighty Hercules!!! Those were the days!
Definately not Johnny Mathis (I'm a HUGE Mathis fan) Johnny Nash. I remember watching the credits roll to see if it was my hero singing it. As a boy I though Mathis was the singer too. But Love Johnny Nash. Real cool singer.
this is nae naes father commenting......i used to watche this when i was young...why because i was young we only had three channels and it was animated.....nuff said
I've never forgotten this song, and I did think about the gay vibe later as an adult, but really, I agree with the commenter about gay not being a big issue or even much on the public consciousness the way it is now.
but Uncle Arthur? no, say it ain't so.
I'm so happy to see these old theme songs, I know so many of them. that and 50$ I can get a coffee and cookie at starbux.
I would have bet te house that Johnny Mathis sang the song. Still not convinced it was Johnie Nash, Their voices do not even sound the same. i am sure that on the closing credits I read Johnie Mathis. Songs like (Chances Are), (Roudolph) confirm my comments.
Believe it or not, the famous Johnny Nash -- the guy who sang the song "I Can See Clearly Now" is singing the Hercules theme song. I always thought it was Johnny Mathis...but it is definitely Johhn Nash.
@andrewkirlin Absolutely correct,Johnny Nash,I can see clearly now,the rain has gone. I was a little kid when these toons came on in the morning on KYW channel 3 in Philly.
Folks, the gay "angle" on origins of this song is a total fabrication and an anachronism. The vast majority of Americans (the market for which this was made) just didn't think of gay themes back then -- nominally, not until the Stonewall Riots in '68 raised some consciousness about the very existence of gays in numbers. Bewitched's Uncle Arthur, even Liberace, were seen as funny/sensitive men -- nothing more. The Herc lyrics passed w/o notice by virtually everyone.
Great cartoon for the time and the song is cool. For those who were not gay or even thought of such thoughts this cartoon and opening has many young boys making bow and arrows, shooting them in the air (or at each other if you were bad), wanting to be strong and fight evil. Not to mention have a sexy blond like the one in the cartoon. (So has it I have a girl who looks as sexy as the cartoon) And grew up with strength. Many of us are secure in our manhood and enjoy nostalgic songs of heroes.
@jgarner1204 You gotta be a 60's kid like me. I remember this cartoon along with Johnny Quest, Tom Terrific (from Captain Kangaroo) and Super Chicken. A much more simpler time. Plus....cartoons were on Saturday until noon....then you'd be told to get outside and get some fresh air and excercise. Who ever heard of an 'all day and all night" cartoon station?
This used to run on Global TV in the early 80's. Some of the music in the cartoon (mostly the 'danger/villian scenes) was also used in Rocket Robin Hood.
Used to like this show when I was a kid in NYC, but didn't realize the gay implications (including Herc and Newt's potential relationship) until I was well into my adult years. Just shows you what an incredibly dumb kid I was.
To hear some more by Johnny Nash before he could see clearly, now, just do a YouTube search on his name. His 1959 version of the Oscar-nominated song "Almost in Your Arms" swings as solidly as anything Sinatra was doing during that same period.
@librarybob1958 i use 2 watch this 2 & aint think anythin bout it havin any gay implications ...... dont say that u were incredibly dumb cause we were kids & didnt think like that back then ...... i sure know that i didnt
Boy does this bring back memories!. I was a kid of about 5 when this cartoon came out, but I will always remember the opening theme song. And Hercules side kick the centaur named "Newt". His popular phrase was "Herc...Herc, the ring!... The ring!!"
I remember watching this in the late 60's/early 70's before swimming lessons on Saturdays. Glad you posted this, as I remembered the theme song. I forgot the "Iron in his thighs" part though. That cracks me up. Amazing Johnny Nash could have sung that without cracking up!
@Laceykat66 I have that ring and took me forever to find it. Mint on card it can sell as high as $500+ on eBay. I got mine at the San Diego Comicon back in 1994 for $350. The only thing I thought was lame about this cartoon as a kid was that Hercules only had the strength of just only 10 men.
I have sung this to my wife for over twenty years- It is so darned gay (which is fine...) but as a teenager, seeing it on TV, stoned, whilst ditching class- it was too funny!
It is Johnny Mathis. This was on when I was a kid a time when cartoons were more than 30 min ad spots . Make fun all you want it was a better time ....
@MoldyFruit27 It came from the lightening bolts attracted to the ring. It was given to him by his father Zeus, the God of Lightning. Don't you children pay attention ?
This god damn show was part of my childhood..... and I was born in the 80's!
...I never really liked it, but I still remember it vididly.
schtive81 8 hours ago
GAY!!!!!!!!
TheRetired2010 6 days ago
@TheRetired2010 Why does everything always jump to homosexual! Dishonest John took off a mask in the Beany & Cecil cartoon opening & it looked like his real face, & he kissed it because he is narcissistic! He loves himself & his evil nature!
howiecricket52 23 hours ago
I love Cap'n Poopdeck and all things Popeye! He is sliding around on Olive Oyl! LOL! Howie! For shame! LOL! Dishonest John took off his mask and kissed it, & it looked exactly like his real face! LOL! GTG!
howiecricket52 1 week ago
@howiecricket52 time for your meds, you crazy cricket
love
cousin archie and mehitabel
cullmurr 1 day ago
Beany and Cecil! (and Uncle Captain, Dishonest John-D J-You dirty guy!) No bikini atoll! A Bob Clampett Cartooooooooon! And I still love Hercules the cartoon show! Go H! (Hercules Howie!)
howiecricket52 1 week ago
@howiecricket52 Wasn't Nobikini Atoll from Rocky & Bullwinkle ? ( Fan mail from some flounder ? No, Bullwinkle, this is what I REALLY call a message ! )Of course, it could be from both; it's not exactly the most subtle pun invented. Remember the yodeling song from B & S ? It was titled " Yoda Lady Who" ( say it fast ! ) They don't do humour like that anymore.
cullmurr 1 week ago
@howiecricket52 No no no not B & S ! I meant B & C of course.Was the beatnik Uncle Captain or was he Dishonest John? I hate to think how many years it's been since I saw it. Ever hear of Cap'n Poopdeck & Bosun Bailey's Popeye Cartoon Comedy Cavalcade ? Bosun Bailey used to demonstrate his skill at limbo in between Popeye cartoons ! Crazy days !
cullmurr 1 week ago
"Iron in his thighs..." LOL You gotta love it !
cullmurr 1 week ago
Great Scott! I remember this terrible cartoon, perhaps in 1964-65, being aired during pre-school-hours on weekdays. I never did like it, but thanks for posting this as it brings back some nearly-forgotten memories about getting ready for school.
MarcellusTheGreen 1 week ago
can you post more of the mighty hercules? i loved this cartoon when i was growing up. also do you have access to all of the mighty hercules cartoons? someone needs to get these out on dvd. thank you.
MsAlaskaBabe 1 week ago
Is that Johnny Mathis singing the theme song ??
spacemouse1 2 weeks ago
Remember everytime Newton went to get Hercules' Bow and Arrow, it was always in the tree, no matter where they were :)
I know everyone says this. But man this brings back sooo many memories I had long since forgotten about. Does anyone remember the Spoof song everyone used to sing. JERKULES....Fighting for his life...With a paper knife. Ahhh the classics.
HurriShane00 2 weeks ago
Hercules' friends and allies are his main sidekick, Newton; the helpful boy centaur who has a bothersome habit of repeating himself every time he spoke; Helena[disambiguation needed ], Hercules' girlfriend; Prince (later King) Dorian of Caledon; Tewt, a small satyr who "spoke" only by playing his panpipes; Timon, a young human from Caledon and Pegasus, Hercules' winged steed.--Wikipedia How many did you remember?
clintonearlwalker 2 weeks ago
@clintonearlwalker I believe the little satyr's name is spelt "Toot" not "Tewt" We must be clear about these things, now, mustn't we ?
cullmurr 1 week ago
@cullmurr I'm not sure, I only quoted the Wikipedia spelling which is "Tewt". However, I do know that "spelt" is spelled "spelled".
clintonearlwalker 1 week ago
@clintonearlwalker "Spelt" is an archaism but still a perfectly correct alternative to the more modern ( and logical ) "spelled" English is full of them ( aeroplane is another example, as are the "English" spellings of "colour" and "grey"). It's fun to sprinkle them thru your correspondence; makes it more interesting. and blah blah blah I can go on and on...drives my kids NUTS !
cullmurr 1 week ago
@cullmurr I suppose that depends on your definition of "perfectly correct". I know that when I type in "spelt" my spell check lists it as incorrect. I also doubt if "spelt" can be found in Webster's dictionary. I'm also quite certain that if I had spelled "spelt" on one of my third grade spelling tests it would have been marked incorrect, and then I wouldn't have gotten a star for 100% beside my name on the big board. I'll stick with "Tewt".
clintonearlwalker 1 week ago
@clintonearlwalker Alright, "perfectly" is redundant, I admit it; further argument is fewtile ;) Btw, wasn't there a female villain named Wilamina or something? I think she had an evil parrot instead of a cat like Daedalus.
cullmurr 1 week ago
This is the internet you know, you can find out anything. Just type in "The Mighty Hercules Wikipedia". "Daedalus, an evil wizard who is the chief villain (sometimes accompanied by his pet cat Dydo); as well as others such as Wilhemine the Sea Witch (accompanied by her pet bird Elvira); and Murtis (aka The Mask of Vulcan)". I loved the Mighty Hercules when I was a kid. There is at least 1 full episode posted on YouTube with "Wilhemine" as the villain. Hope I spelt that correctly
clintonearlwalker 1 week ago
@clintonearlwalker It may interest you to know that the word "spilled " can similarly be spelled "spilt" Now you may not have seen spelled spelt "spelt" but surely you have seen spilled spelt spilt. Yes ?
cullmurr 1 week ago
@cullmurr Negative, there are many ways to spell every word, in fact there is an infinite number of ways. There are only 26 letters, however, letters can be used more than once so it it possible to spell a word like "look" as "loooooooooooooooook", it wouldn't be "perfectly correct" though, at least not by my definition.
clintonearlwalker 1 week ago
@clintonearlwalker hmmmmm...You're rather humourless for an American. I assume you are American from that wonderful 3 barrel name Clinton Earl Walker. My full name is Christopher Sean Iain Michael O'Flaherty Cullen. You can probably guess where my family comes from. All kidding aside, spilt and spelt are older forms ( known as "archaisms" as I said before) but are still acceptable alternatives to the modern spellings.(I have been a teacher of English and I assure you I am not making this up.
cullmurr 1 week ago
@cullmurr Teacher of English, I doubt it. I looked at your page, it says you are from Ottawa Canada. That's the part of Canada where they speak French isn't it? (Also, the Ottawa Senators suck, Washington Caps all the way this year). I have hells of humor, as opposed to "humour". Check out a vid called "Irish Gypsies" uploaded by "axzr123" for some quality English pronunciations. If you want to see angry comments from English people, go to any vid about Irish Gypsies.
clintonearlwalker 1 week ago
@clintonearlwalker you are thinking of Quebec. Keep ignorance alive!
elbyS67 4 days ago
@elbyS67 Canada?? What's ever come out of that place? Red Green? Wayne Gretzky? John Candy? The Kids in the Hall? VenusSpa? I think the whole damn place is best known as "Americas hat".
clintonearlwalker 4 days ago
@clintonearlwalker It's fun being your hat
cullmurr 1 day ago
@clintonearlwalker It's safe up here...unless, of course, Russia hits you on the head...in which case, I doubt we'd be much protection !
cullmurr 1 day ago
@cullmurr So your internet has a 3 day delay?
clintonearlwalker 1 day ago
@clintonearlwalker No, but I frequently do.
cullmurr 23 hours ago
@cullmurr Are you a lumberjack?
clintonearlwalker 22 hours ago
@clintonearlwalker Yes, and I'm OK
cullmurr 22 hours ago
@cullmurr Has your snow blower ever got stuck on the roof?
clintonearlwalker 20 hours ago
@clintonearlwalker We use shovels up here, eh. Snowblowers scare the mooses (meece ?)
cullmurr 20 hours ago
Gayest theme song, ever.
chthonic19 2 weeks ago 2
@chthonic19 Not to a five year old.
kirktalon 4 hours ago
(Closing theme to Hercules!) Join us at his side! Standing there with pride! Victory is here! Raise a mighty cheer! At the sight of Hercules! Yay, Me!! Hercules! I am 54, and I still love watching these Hercules cartoons! And I don't care who knows it! Hercules! Lightning! Bwahahahahah! Go Howie! Eeehah!
howiecricket52 3 weeks ago 2
This owns the 90s Disney movie
Frizzurd 1 month ago
Who else loved UNDERDOG! Show of hands!
howiecricket52 1 month ago 6
@howiecricket52 I loved Underdog ! How about Beany and Cecil the Sea-Sick Sea Serpent ...remember that ? "Help Cecil help...help Cecil help" lol There was a beatnik character in it too called Doc I believe...he was a real cool cat, if I remember correctly
cullmurr 1 week ago
I even had a ring with an "H" on it! (Hercules post adjacent is mine!)
howiecricket52 1 month ago
Hey, RocketApe...your comment is hysterically funny! Iron thighs! I was laughing so hard! Thank you for the laugh! While I am here...My name is Howie...with an "H"! I absolutely loved the Hercules cartoons when I was little! I mean, he gets his powers on Earth from a ring with an "H" on it! Go, Hercules! Go, Howie! This got me through the tough school years with some kids deciding, Let's go pick on the nice kid that isn't bothering us, won't that be fun! NO! It decidedly will not be fun.
howiecricket52 1 month ago
i CANT believe this show is from the 60's! lol believe it or not i used to watch it ALL the time growing up lol along with She-Ra and He-Man lol
HoTaNdSwEeT 1 month ago
Oh man.. I remember this! Sunday mornings at my grandmothers home, with my cousins bright n early watching this. All of us with a bowl of trix cereal!
Aku666Torres 1 month ago
my left ear enjoyed this
bloodsling 1 month ago
Saturday morning -- 6am -- close al the doors to the living room so my parents won't wake up -- watch Hercules --- omg that was so much fun !
Yizlanu 1 month ago
Sure as heck sounds like Johnny Mathis, not Johnny Nash. Listen closely.
timmyb58 1 month ago
@timmyb58
Johnny Nash definitely sounded like Johnny Mathis. But, in those days, Mathis was so BIG TIME that he would have never considered doing a cartoon theme song.
It is without a doubt Johnny Nash... I rented a video that showed the original full credits.
wdchefdave56 2 weeks ago
@wdchefdave56 tried to upload this a year or so ago and it got blocked
jenzeppelin 2 weeks ago
@jenzeppelin
One of my favourite cartoons growing up!
thebryghtidea 2 weeks ago
The only good thing about this show was it's theme song. But I agree, the "iron in his thighs, softness in his eyes" is as gay as it gets. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The singer was indeed Johnny "I Can See Clearly Now" Nash.
gropingwithastoker 1 month ago
The "white nails" are an illusion -- you'll note that the sun is coming from such a direction (before he blows it up with the arrow, that is!) as to illuminate Herc's bow-drawing hand at the fingertips, thus they appear white. When he releases the string, this illumination continues altho I think it's a mistake.
50zcarsman 2 months ago
You Stewupid Centour!
FLICKOFF1000 2 months ago
Johnny Nash was the singer.
joelzenny 2 months ago
WHO SANG THIIS SOONG!!!!
I have always been crazy about that voice.
villasisbacag 2 months ago
Who sang this -- Johnny Mathis?
FreedomZealot 2 months ago
@FreedomZealot Hercules's voice actor was Jimmy Tapp. Daedalus' voice actor was Gerry Bascombe. The series also featured a memorable theme song sung by a relative unknown at the time, Johnny Nash.--Wikipedia.
clintonearlwalker 2 months ago
My left ear enjoyed it....... lol
AnyBodyWannaPeanut 2 months ago
Stinking wpix ch11 in new york cancelled this show and replaced it with their stupid morning news i wish i can sue channel 11 but i can't maybe on another universe.
benquicks 2 months ago
So why hasn't THIS gotten a DVD collection yet? I mean, they gave one to Rocket Robin Hood, so why has Herc not gotten his glory?
StrickenRecord 2 months ago
one of my fav toons as a kid
rick8759 2 months ago
The opening scenes are very dynamic, with the hot sky and back lighting effect. It's too bad that this stylization was not carried throughout the entire series.
RayPointer 2 months ago
How could anyone dislike this?
DreadedMisfit 2 months ago
Why does he shoot the sun with an arrow? Did the sun tick him off or something?
rogermwilcox 2 months ago
VGA sent me here
123INFLAMES666 2 months ago 3
Wwow ! forgot about this one, trans lux was making alot of great cartoons back then. there was also a series based on the steve reeves hercules movies called
'sons of hercules' if i remember correctly.
nublackmusic 3 months ago
"With the strength of ten, ordinary men." We should get 11 men and beat the shit outta him.
Jamat786 3 months ago 2
Gotta call Herc, gotta call Herc!
doctorfuse007 3 months ago
I remember singing the parody version...Hercules is a big fat phony Hercules is full of Bologne fighting for his life with a rubber knife raise a can of beer he's a real queer...for the plight of Hercules !
daphoenixto 3 months ago
every monster in this cartoon had the exact same roar
Hydrocram 3 months ago
@Hydrocram Yeah ! I'd forgotten about that. And always the same background score when it attacked !
cullmurr 1 week ago
He looks like Superman.
terriblita308 3 months ago
I remember watching the Hercules cartoon series on TV when I was really young. Thank you for posting the opening song!
bewarethedecks 3 months ago
Good ol' "Iron Thighs"
RocketApe 3 months ago 8
Comment removed
RocketApe 3 months ago
From the same producer who gave you "FELIX THE CAT" {Joe Oriolo}, originally syndicated in the 1963-'64 season.
fromthesidelines 3 months ago
@fromthesidelines I didn't know that. I LOVED Felix the Cat ! The Master Cylinder ! lol There's one in the original Star Wars, in the Jawa's transport. God, I'm an old nerd !
cullmurr 1 week ago
I remember that Deer/Boy who played the pan flute.
And the Evil Deadalus LOL.
TheDrumLines 3 months ago
@TheDrumLines
I think the character's name was "Newton".
bewarethedecks 3 months ago
@TheDrumLines Don't forget King Dorian, and Timon.
Juliaflo 3 months ago
@TheDrumLines Goat not deer. It's called a satyr and according to Greek mythology, they were very horny creatures, and I don't mean the ones on their head !
cullmurr 1 week ago
wow thats goin waaaay back.
eclipzz214 3 months ago
"Iron in his THIGHS?"
You know the beatnik producers of these goofy
kids shows back then must have had a blast
thinking up suggestive words to this sh*t.
GooglFascists 3 months ago
@GooglFascists I rather doubt there were any Beatniks producing cartoons like...EV ER, man ! That's work, cat, work is nowheresville, it's for squares daddy-o. I was there, I know !
daddy-o
cullmurr 1 week ago
awsome, bringzz back memories
michel19612009 4 months ago
@carycomic1 Superman's hair was never consistent. It would be either a simple wave or a wave with a curled forelock and sometimes combed back with or without a forelock. Hercules' face is also a lot more chiseled than the Supermans before this. I wouldn't doubt Superman was the influence to this look but it's not a total rip-off.
Snapscape 4 months ago
Funny thing about every episode in this series, is that once Hercules turned his ring on his finger, he would just kick ass and the story would be over.
Fooblestheclown 4 months ago
@Fooblestheclown He didn't turn it, he just took it out of that belt thingy , put it on and held up his hand, attracting bolts of lightening. But then he kicked ass and the story was over.
cullmurr 1 week ago
Cheers had a way better opening theme
SlapstickCoyote 4 months ago
@SlapstickCoyote lmfao!!!!
cullmurr 1 week ago
Herc! Herc! It's Daedalus! It's Daedalus! That's right you stupid little centaur!
Snapscape 4 months ago
@Snapscape Remember Daedalus's cat Dido? "Ah, come, Dido, soon we will have Hercules in our grasp ! "
cullmurr 1 week ago
@cullmurr I grew up with all these shows. There's not a line I don't remember. I got so tired of Hercules beating the bad guys that I started cheering for the bad guys even though I knew they would never win.
Snapscape 1 week ago
me gustaria ver capitulos de estos monos
NuevoJaimeken 4 months ago
omg what a total ripoff of superman
SlapstickCoyote 4 months ago
@SlapstickCoyote Hercules looked like Superman before Superman looked like Superman.
Snapscape 4 months ago
@Snapscape No Uh! Superman was like all the way from the 30s!
SlapstickCoyote 4 months ago
@SlapstickCoyote But he didn't look anything like this.
Snapscape 4 months ago
Holy Crap it wasn't a bad childhood nightmare. This existed!!
mofrakker 4 months ago
teenyboppers..................much to learn.
idontgiveaflyingtoss 4 months ago
I loved watching this show..that' s me Herk!
dakotahstr 4 months ago
superman in a different costume
govyiu 4 months ago
Why would he paint his nails with glow-in-the-dark paint? Why would he go off and destroy the sun like that? Why was it still daylight after that?
I'M SO CONFUSED!!!
TheJediCharles 5 months ago
OLYMPIA!!!!!!
CelesteK 5 months ago
It would be funny if "Family Guy" parodied this opener skit, with Peter Griffin blowing up the sun ;-)
BishopTJH 5 months ago 2
@BishopTJH You mean like what they did to the super hero show intro?
wkunzelman1 5 months ago
@BishopTJH that would have me laughing to tears
blkpanther11 4 months ago
@BishopTJH I think that's a great idea; you should write to the show and suggest it. I bet they'd go for it. They must be getting a little desparate for ideas by now anyway. Good call !
cullmurr 1 week ago
"Hercules"", Hero of song and story! "Hercules", winner of ancient glory! Fighting for the right. Fighting with his might, With the strength of ten, ordinary men! "Hercules" People are safe when near him! "Hercules" Only the evil fear him! Softness in his eyes! Iron in his thighs!
Virtue inhis heart, fire in every part.. Of the mighty, "Hercules"!
TheReneex 5 months ago 11
@TheReneex Awesome theme. Those of you who remember this on The Carol Corbett Show, raise your hand.
(Don't figure out my age, LOLOLOLOL).
Juliaflo 3 months ago
@THEFOOTBALLFAN - Correct. I was visiting with Mr. Nash last year and we were chatting about his past. He mentioned he did this theme song. I was not aware of it and quite surprised since as a kid I loved this cartoon. So you are correct.
daman1234ist 5 months ago
@daman1234ist That's...that's fascinating ! He must be a very interesting person to talk to. I envy you. How did you meet him, if I may ask?
cullmurr 1 week ago
Softness in his eyes
Iron in his thighs
Virtue in his heart
Releasing mighty farts!
Rollie1961 5 months ago
it is good to see him
again.
MrOldone21 5 months ago
ROCK ON!!
UProwler73 5 months ago
Comment removed
wondabub 5 months ago
My cousin and I often got into battles during the 60's...fortunately for me I was the best singer and this was MY theme song...I remember if I was ever pinned down I would sing this song and (even if he had pinned me) my cousin would do everything he could to run away from me! This song did wonders for my adrenalin! "Softness in his eyes! Iron in his thighs! Virtue in his heart! FIRE EVERY PART of the Mighty Hercules!!! Those were the days!
wondabub 5 months ago
@wondabub lol Mine was the Batman theme ! na na na na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na na BATMAN !!! *sigh*
cullmurr 1 week ago
Definately not Johnny Mathis (I'm a HUGE Mathis fan) Johnny Nash. I remember watching the credits roll to see if it was my hero singing it. As a boy I though Mathis was the singer too. But Love Johnny Nash. Real cool singer.
singchef1965 5 months ago
Herc Herc! Your ring YOUR RING!
misterprickly 5 months ago
He looks like Superman
joannakuma 5 months ago
I just can't get over Johnny Nash (Hold Me Tight, Stir It Up, I Can See Clearly Now) is singing this.
misterdirtyknees 5 months ago
he is Rock Hudson
joraldan 5 months ago
this was my favorite TV show when I was 3 years old!
spocksleftball 6 months ago
Hey Herc! Hey Herc!
TampaRed 6 months ago
this is nae naes father commenting......i used to watche this when i was young...why because i was young we only had three channels and it was animated.....nuff said
babiiienaenae 6 months ago
@babiiienaenae To this day you still watch this show, mostly because it is the only show which you can keep up with intellectually. 'Nuff said.
Jinko777 5 months ago
Herc got a Max Fleisher/Bruce Timm Superman look going on
sipioc 6 months ago
reminds me of both frankie lane and johnny mathis this singer.
moxie96 6 months ago
"With the strength of ten ordinary men"
Does that mean that eleven normal guys could beat the crap out of The Mighty Hercules?
OxBigly2010 6 months ago
Is it me or does the 90's superman from the animated series look a heck of a lot like The Mighty Hercules?
OxBigly2010 6 months ago
I've never forgotten this song, and I did think about the gay vibe later as an adult, but really, I agree with the commenter about gay not being a big issue or even much on the public consciousness the way it is now.
but Uncle Arthur? no, say it ain't so.
I'm so happy to see these old theme songs, I know so many of them. that and 50$ I can get a coffee and cookie at starbux.
niletoo 6 months ago
I remember this from back when I was about six or seven years old.
MrBigfan007 6 months ago
so did he just blow up the sun, by hitting it with an arrow?
sneakyrabbits 6 months ago
I would have bet te house that Johnny Mathis sang the song. Still not convinced it was Johnie Nash, Their voices do not even sound the same. i am sure that on the closing credits I read Johnie Mathis. Songs like (Chances Are), (Roudolph) confirm my comments.
ZOOSHA3 7 months ago
Believe it or not, the famous Johnny Nash -- the guy who sang the song "I Can See Clearly Now" is singing the Hercules theme song. I always thought it was Johnny Mathis...but it is definitely Johhn Nash.
andrewkirlin 7 months ago
@andrewkirlin Absolutely correct,Johnny Nash,I can see clearly now,the rain has gone. I was a little kid when these toons came on in the morning on KYW channel 3 in Philly.
jay55also 7 months ago
Folks, the gay "angle" on origins of this song is a total fabrication and an anachronism. The vast majority of Americans (the market for which this was made) just didn't think of gay themes back then -- nominally, not until the Stonewall Riots in '68 raised some consciousness about the very existence of gays in numbers. Bewitched's Uncle Arthur, even Liberace, were seen as funny/sensitive men -- nothing more. The Herc lyrics passed w/o notice by virtually everyone.
50zcarsman 7 months ago
@50zcarsman Thank you ! I think that pretty much says it.
cullmurr 1 week ago
probably the best vocal of all recorded music history
jackhillty1 7 months ago
"Hi Ya Herc... Hi Ya Herc...Oh no it's Daedalus...Oh no it's Daedalus..."
decemberschild1217 7 months ago
Great cartoon for the time and the song is cool. For those who were not gay or even thought of such thoughts this cartoon and opening has many young boys making bow and arrows, shooting them in the air (or at each other if you were bad), wanting to be strong and fight evil. Not to mention have a sexy blond like the one in the cartoon. (So has it I have a girl who looks as sexy as the cartoon) And grew up with strength. Many of us are secure in our manhood and enjoy nostalgic songs of heroes.
jgarner1204 7 months ago
@jgarner1204 You gotta be a 60's kid like me. I remember this cartoon along with Johnny Quest, Tom Terrific (from Captain Kangaroo) and Super Chicken. A much more simpler time. Plus....cartoons were on Saturday until noon....then you'd be told to get outside and get some fresh air and excercise. Who ever heard of an 'all day and all night" cartoon station?
Quasimodo1957 7 months ago
@Quasimodo1957 Oh my God...Tom (ba boing bong bong) Teeeeeeeeeeeeriffic ! I'd forgotten all about him ! Crabby Appleton lol
cullmurr 1 week ago
Dear Elc, You're Right Mr.Jack Mercer did the voices of"Daedalus" and "Newton The Centaur"for the first three"Hercules"tv cartoons,
TheStanbabe 8 months ago
This used to run on Global TV in the early 80's. Some of the music in the cartoon (mostly the 'danger/villian scenes) was also used in Rocket Robin Hood.
newfie2keith 8 months ago
So he shoots an arrow into the sun and it blows up? Alright.
v4lkyr 8 months ago
Nice job blowing up the sun and frying us all, HERO. :P
amrak63 8 months ago
@amrak63 LOL!
bitingontinfoil 8 months ago
Used to like this show when I was a kid in NYC, but didn't realize the gay implications (including Herc and Newt's potential relationship) until I was well into my adult years. Just shows you what an incredibly dumb kid I was.
To hear some more by Johnny Nash before he could see clearly, now, just do a YouTube search on his name. His 1959 version of the Oscar-nominated song "Almost in Your Arms" swings as solidly as anything Sinatra was doing during that same period.
librarybob1958 8 months ago
@librarybob1958 i use 2 watch this 2 & aint think anythin bout it havin any gay implications ...... dont say that u were incredibly dumb cause we were kids & didnt think like that back then ...... i sure know that i didnt
phdseuss 8 months ago
@librarybob1958 Gay implications...what nonsense. You probably think the purple Teletubby is Gay too.
cullmurr 1 week ago
Notice:
Herc looks an awful lot like the Fleischer Bros. version of Superman.
tuxguys 8 months ago
Johnny Nash sang this song? Sounds more like Johnny Mathis to me..
zabadazidit 8 months ago
@zabadazidit - Thank you. It's Johnny Mathis alter ego, Johnny Nash. Ya know like Reginald Dwight.... :)
Mandi7882 8 months ago
Boy does this bring back memories!. I was a kid of about 5 when this cartoon came out, but I will always remember the opening theme song. And Hercules side kick the centaur named "Newt". His popular phrase was "Herc...Herc, the ring!... The ring!!"
TheDariusFontaine 8 months ago
The Music began all epic.. until the dude started singing.
IHS7 8 months ago
CAMP AS A ROW TENTS
godblessthebest 8 months ago
Sung by Johnny Nash (who had a hit with "I can see clearly now").
sirslice 8 months ago
Great theme song!
Cheessa 9 months ago
That fucker just blew up the sun. WTF!?!?! He killed us all! Thank a lot Hercules.
naturalmystic33 9 months ago
Dear Trivia Geek,Actually?"The Mighty Hercules TV Cartoon Show"was seen weekday evenings on WPIX TV Ch.11 in NYC beginning in the fall of 1963..the
show wasn't seen weekday afternoons at lunchtime..until 1965.
TheStanbabe 9 months ago
Before Johnny Nash sang "I Can See Clearly Now," this is how he sounded!
pookerville 9 months ago
that song is sung by Johnny Nash
bluvandyke 9 months ago
I learned a lot about Greek mythology from this show and it came in handy when we began to study it in school!
BigLisaFan 9 months ago
Johnny MATHIS did NOT sing the theme song to Hercules. It was Johnny NASH!
THEFOOTBALLFAN 9 months ago 3
I remember watching this in the late 60's/early 70's before swimming lessons on Saturdays. Glad you posted this, as I remembered the theme song. I forgot the "Iron in his thighs" part though. That cracks me up. Amazing Johnny Nash could have sung that without cracking up!
mikeytide27 9 months ago
My father actually had the ring that Hercules used to transform.
The sold it at drug stores and other small toy shops.
It even glowed in the dark.
Laceykat66 9 months ago
@Laceykat66 I have that ring and took me forever to find it. Mint on card it can sell as high as $500+ on eBay. I got mine at the San Diego Comicon back in 1994 for $350. The only thing I thought was lame about this cartoon as a kid was that Hercules only had the strength of just only 10 men.
tellshiar 9 months ago
@tellshiar I don't think I'll tell my Dad about that.
He is enough of a hoarder (collector) as it is.
THAT would make him sick.
Thank you for the information thought.
Laceykat66 9 months ago
I have sung this to my wife for over twenty years- It is so darned gay (which is fine...) but as a teenager, seeing it on TV, stoned, whilst ditching class- it was too funny!
victordemise 10 months ago
No, this is Johnny Nash who sings this theme song... I thought it was Mathis too.
Wrong Johnny. Johnny N. also sings " I can see clearly now- 1974 or 75..
TheJunior5721 10 months ago
I stand corrected ,Did more research and your right it was Nash . His story is an interesting one .
jeffrey19621 10 months ago
When I was a kid, I was absolutely enthralled with this cartoon. I would sit in front of the TV and sing along with the theme song.
russamys 10 months ago
It is Johnny Mathis. This was on when I was a kid a time when cartoons were more than 30 min ad spots . Make fun all you want it was a better time ....
jeffrey19621 10 months ago
@jeffrey19621 It was sang by Johnny Nash
Mogipbob 10 months ago
I remember this when I was a kid. Why did he only have powers when he ran up a hill to get his ring energized???
MoldyFruit27 10 months ago
@MoldyFruit27 It came from the lightening bolts attracted to the ring. It was given to him by his father Zeus, the God of Lightning. Don't you children pay attention ?
cullmurr 1 week ago
Hercules Fundator Est!
4000angstroms 10 months ago