Long before the success of the Hulk in the 'Avengers' movie, two disappointing (by Hollywood standards) movie endeavors and ABC's recent plans for a 2013 TV show he was smashing the network airwaves in his own live-action series back in 1978. Here's a little description from the always reliable (?) Wiki page:
In the series, Dr. David Banner, a widowed physician and scientist, who is presumed dead, travels across America under assumed names (his false surnames always begin with the letter “B”), and finds himself in positions where he helps others in need despite his terrible secret: in times of extreme anger, he transforms into a huge, incredibly strong green creature, who has been given the name "The Hulk”.
Sometimes campy and overly simplistic, predictable plots didn't hinder the wonder I had as a child watching David Banner transform into the Incredible Hulk. Watching poor ole Dr. Banner walk the earth taking crappy jobs and always finding trouble by helping others that inevitably lead to pissing him off causing the Hulk to bust out at just the right moment. It was just fun and fantastical entertainment to wait for that point in every episode where we got to see the big greenie appear.
At the heart of the show was the wonderful Bill Bixby, whose performance is what kept the show's goal of realism and sincerity intact. Many things were changed from the comic book to retain some credibility and Bixby's ability to express a range of emotions as Banner evoked a sense of pathos. You couldn't help but feel empathy for him as a man cursed, forced to travel from town to town seeking a solution to his condition. In a way you hope he finds fellow scientists that could reverse it. All the while helping people, facing very human villains and being hounded by the Hulk-hunter, tabloid reporter Jack McGee.
"Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
Lou Ferrigno, the champion bodybuilder, was probably at his biggest physically in his career at the time and fit the realistic TV version perfectly. The painted-on green skin, the green contact lenses and dyed yak hair wig really helped bring the non-speaking, fully grunting beast to life.
Sadly, poor Dr. David Banner has to keep moving once his alter-ego wrecks up the town and ends up hitch-hiking on a lonely road to places unknown. This leads to probably the saddest and most fitting closing music ever on television, "The Lonely Man" by Joe Harnell.
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