Sealab 2020 – The animated series of the 70s
Sealab 2020: A Dive into Adventure and Science Fiction
“Sealab 2020” is an American animated science fiction television series, first broadcast in the United States on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972. The series, created by Alex Toth and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, was a reference in the genre of animated underwater adventures.
Creation and Production
- Creator: Alex Toth
- Regia: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
- Manufacturers: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
- Production Study: Hanna-Barbera Productions
- Original Network: NBC
- First TV: 9 September – 2 December 1972
- Number of Episodes: 13 (plus 2 unreleased)
- Episode Duration: 20 minutes
What the series is about?
The series takes place in the future, at Sealab, an underwater research base located on the Challenger seamount and home to 250 people. Commanded by Captain Michael Murphy, the base is dedicated to the exploration of the seas and the protection of marine life. Dr. Paul Williams, an oceanographer, leads the scientific research team. The Sealab crew faces challenges such as shark and giant squid attacks, potential environmental disasters, and threats to the base and marine life caused by shipping.
Characters and Voice Actors
- Paul Williams: original voice by Ross Martin
- Captain Michael “Mike” Murphy: original voice by John Stephenson
- Robert Murphy: original voice by Josh Albee
- Sally: original voice by Pamelyn Ferdin
- Lieutenant Sparks: original voice by William Callaway
- Hal Bryant: original voice of Jerry Dexter
- Gail Adams: original voice by Ann Jillian
- Ed Thomas: original voice by Ron Pinkard
Distribution and Cultural Impact
“Sealab 2020” was broadcast in various countries, including the United States and Italy, where it ran on Ciao Ciao from October 26 to November 19, 1979. The series was later parodied as “Sealab 2021” on Adult Swim from 2000 to 2005. In 2012, Warner Archive released “Sealab 2020: The Complete Series” on DVD, including all broadcast episodes.
“Sealab 2020” was an innovative series for its time, exploring themes related to undersea exploration and environmental conservation. With a mix of adventure and science fiction, the series captured the imagination of a young audience and left a lasting impression on the world of television animation.
Technical Sheet of the “Sealab 2020” Series
General informations
- Original title: Sealab 2020
- Gender: Adventure, Science fiction
- Creator: Alex Toth
- Country of origin: United States
- Original language: English
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 15 (of which 2 unpublished)
- Duration of the Episodes: 20 minutes
- Format: 4: 3
- Original Network: NBC
- First Original TV: September 9, 1972 – December 2, 1972
- Italian network: Bye bye
- First Italian TV: October 26, 1979 - November 19, 1979
- Followed by: Sealab 2021
Production
- Regia: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera
- Manufacturers: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera
- Production House: Hanna-Barbera Productions
- Italian Dubbing Directorate: Tony Fusaro
- Italian dubbing studio: SOC. TONY FUSARO
Voice Cast
- john stephenson: Captain Michael “Mike” Murphy
- Ross Martin: Paul Williams
- Josh Albee: Robert Murphy
- Pamelyn ferdin: Sally
- William Callaway: Lieutenant Sparks
- Jerry Dexter: Hal Bryant
- Ann Jillian: Gail Adams
Description
“Sealab 2020” is an animated series that takes place in a futuristic underwater research base, where a team of scientists and explorers face the challenges of the marine environment and work to protect underwater life. The series, with its mix of adventure and science fiction, explored themes related to ocean exploration and environmental conservation, targeting an audience of young viewers and leaving a mark on the landscape of 70s television animation.
