Dr. Shrinker

Dr. Shrinker was a segment during the first season of the ABC network's The Krofft Supershow in 1976.

For the death metal group, see Dr. Shrinker (band).
Dr. Shrinker
StarringJay Robinson
Billy Barty
Ted Eccles
Susan Lawrence
Jeff MacKay
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes16
Production
ProducerSid and Marty Krofft
Running time0:15 (per episode)
Production companySid and Marty Krofft Television Productions
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseSeptember 11, 1976 (1976-09-11) –
September 2, 1977 (1977-09-02)

Plot

Dr. Shrinker (Jay Robinson) is a mad scientist who creates a shrinking ray that can miniaturize anything. Three teenagers — Brad Fulton (Ted Eccles), B.J. Masterson (Susan Lawrence) and her brother Gordie Masterson (Jeff MacKay) — crash land their airplane on an island. As they make their way to the only house on the island, they meet Dr. Shrinker and his assistant, Hugo (Billy Barty). Dr. Shrinker, in an effort to prove that his shrinking ray works, shrinks the three people down to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. The remainder of the series was different efforts by the 'Shrinkies' to return to normal size, while Dr. Shrinker and Hugo want to catch the trio so that they will have physical proof that the ray works for whatever world power wants to buy it. Dr. Shrinker also implied that he would give the unnamed buyer the Shrinkies as a free bonus. However, in one episode, Dr. Shrinker's plan was to sell the shrinking ray to the highest bidder, and the second highest bidder would receive the Shrinkies.

Each episode was basically the same. As Dr. Shrinker himself said in one episode..."I chase the Shrinkies. I catch the Shrinkies. The Shrinkies escape. It's a vicious cycle, and it's driving me mad!"

The concept was very likely inspired by the 1940 film Dr. Cyclops in which a scientist working in the South American jungle uses his radiation experiments to shrink a group of fellow scientists to prevent them from discovering his secret work.

Dr. Shrinker lasted only one season on The Krofft Supershow. During the second season, it was dropped (as was the superhero segment Electra Woman and Dyna Girl). One episode, "Slowly I Turn", is available on DVD with the Krofft Box Set. In 2005, Marty Krofft said that he and his brother would be recording commentary for a DVD release of Dr. Shrinker.[1]

Cast

Episodes
Nº Title Original air date PC
1"Pardon Me, King Kong, But Is That You?"September 11, 1976 (1976-09-11)TBA
Dr. Shinker sends a monkey out to capture the shrinkies and soon discovers the beast has no loyalty when the monkey helps the shrinkies escape.
2"The Other Brad"September 18, 1976 (1976-09-18)TBA
Dr. Shrinker captures Brad then replaces him with a robot duplicate programmed to lead B.J. and Gordie into a trap.
3"The Shake-Up"September 25, 1976 (1976-09-25)TBA
The shrinkies are captured after Dr. Shrinker's electro sismopilizer makes it impossible for them to hide underground. It also activates a volcano which Dr. Shinker needs calming down.
4"Gordie's Bird"October 2, 1976 (1976-10-02)TBA
Gordie is captured by a bird who thinks he is her hatchling.
5"Dr. Shrinker Shrinks"October 9, 1976 (1976-10-09)TBA
After Hugo deduces the reason the Dr. Shrinker has been unable to capture the shrinkies is that he is too big, Dr. Shrinker uses the shrink ray on himself to deal with the shrinkies at their own size.
6"The Sands Document, Part 1"October 16, 1976 (1976-10-16)TBA
Three teens are shrunk to six inches in height by a mad scientist.
7"The Sands Document, Part 2"October 23, 1976 (1976-10-23)TBA
Brad, B.J. and Gordie have hopes of being rescued when a government agent washes up on shore; however, Dr. Shinker captures the man and learns he was in possession an important nuclear defence system document.
8"Don't Hold Your Breath"October 30, 1976 (1976-10-30)TBA
Dr. Shrinker gets more than he bargained for when he invents berries that give the Shrinkies the power of invisibility.
9"Slowly I Turn"November 6, 1976 (1976-11-06)TBA
Gordie is returned to normal size with no memory of who he is, so Dr. Shinker and Hugo convince him that he is Dr. Shinker and that he must come up with a plan to capture Brad and B.J.
10"The Shrinkie Sale"November 13, 1976 (1976-11-13)TBA
After leaning Dr. Shinker intends on selling his shinker ray to a master illusionist, the shrinkies set out to convince the man he has been conned and that the ray does not work.
11"The Sacred Idol"November 20, 1976 (1976-11-20)TBA
Three teens are shrunk to six inches in height by a mad scientist.
12"Brain Storm"November 27, 1976 (1976-11-27)TBA
Dr. Shrinker's latest invention gives Hugo superpowers.
13"Wildboy"December 4, 1976 (1976-12-04)TBA
The Shrinkies meet a native island boy.
14"Treasure of the Deep"December 11, 1976 (1976-12-11)TBA
A pair of divers arrive on the island with a treasure chest, and they soon stumble upon the Shrinkies.
15"The Splotchalaria Epidemic"December 18, 1976 (1976-12-18)TBA
When Hugo breaks out with splotchalaria, the Shrinkies scour the island for wonga berries to cure him.
16"The Little Prince"December 25, 1976 (1976-12-25)TBA
A young Chinese prince finds a traitor in his entourage soon after arriving on the island.

Notes
  1. Lambert, David (2005-01-15). "Dr. Shrinker - Another Sid & Marty Krofft Show Is Being Looked At". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 2005-06-03. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
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