Prime VideoMonster Squad (1976)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Viewer Rating
Rating: 6.3
Overview
Monster Squad is a television series that aired Saturday mornings on NBC from 1976-1977 that is unrelated to the later movie of the same name. The series stars Fred Grandy as Walt, a criminology student working as a night watchman at "Fred's Wax Museum". To pass the time, Walt built a prototype "Crime Computer" hidden in a large stone sarcophagus near an exhibit of legendary monsters. When Walt plugged in his computer, "oscillating vibrations" brought to life the wax statues of Dracula, the Wolfman who here was named "Bruce W. Wolf", and Frankenstein's Monster who was referred to as "Frank N. Stein" in the credits. The monsters, wanting to make up for the misdeeds of their pasts, became superhero crimefighters who used their unique abilities to challenge and defeat various supervillains. In most episodes, Walt would send the monsters out to investigate crimes and fight the villains while monitoring the activities from the wax museum via the Crime Computer, presumably because his job required him to be at the wax museum at all times. However, Walt would sometimes join the climactic battle with his comrades in some episodes and come to the rescue when needed.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Prime Video
Apple TV
Google PlayBias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Christianity: Positive
Judaism: Positive
Overview
Monster Squad is a television series that aired Saturday mornings on NBC from 1976-1977 that is unrelated to the later movie of the same name. The series stars Fred Grandy as Walt, a criminology student working as a night watchman at "Fred's Wax Museum". To pass the time, Walt built a prototype "Crime Computer" hidden in a large stone sarcophagus near an exhibit of legendary monsters. When Walt plugged in his computer, "oscillating vibrations" brought to life the wax statues of Dracula, the Wolfman who here was named "Bruce W. Wolf", and Frankenstein's Monster who was referred to as "Frank N. Stein" in the credits. The monsters, wanting to make up for the misdeeds of their pasts, became superhero crimefighters who used their unique abilities to challenge and defeat various supervillains. In most episodes, Walt would send the monsters out to investigate crimes and fight the villains while monitoring the activities from the wax museum via the Crime Computer, presumably because his job required him to be at the wax museum at all times. However, Walt would sometimes join the climactic battle with his comrades in some episodes and come to the rescue when needed.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Prime VideoApple TVGoogle PlayDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film's central conflict revolves around a group of children fighting classic movie monsters, a premise that is inherently apolitical. Its themes of courage, teamwork, and a clear good-versus-evil narrative, alongside a sympathetic portrayal of Frankenstein's Monster, do not align with any specific political ideology.
The movie features traditional casting with a predominantly white main cast and does not incorporate explicit race or gender swaps of established roles. Its narrative maintains a neutral or positive framing of traditional identities, without any critical portrayal or central DEI themes.
Secondary
The film affirms the power of Christian symbols, such as the cross, against supernatural evil. Its overarching narrative of good triumphing over evil and the portrayal of compassion also align with virtues often associated with Christianity.
A key heroic character, a wise Holocaust survivor, is explicitly identified as Jewish through a Star of David tattoo. His character is portrayed with respect and is crucial in the fight against the monsters, aligning his identity with the forces of good.
The film 'Monster Squad' does not include any discernible LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its narrative focuses on a group of pre-teen monster enthusiasts who discover and combat Dracula and his monstrous allies, with no elements related to queer identity or experiences present in the story.
The film primarily features a group of young male protagonists who engage in physical combat with various male monsters. Female characters are present but do not participate in direct physical combat against male opponents. There are no instances of a female character defeating one or more male opponents in close-quarters physical combat.
The series features classic monsters like Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, and a Werewolf, alongside an original scientist character. All characters maintain their historically or originally established genders, with no instances of a gender swap.
The 1976 show "Monster Squad" features classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolfman. These characters are portrayed by actors whose race aligns with the traditional and established depictions of these figures, thus not constituting a race swap.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
6.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
7.2
5.3
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
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