Manimal (1983– )

A man who can change himself into any animal fights crime.

Stars:

Simon MacCorkindale, Melody Anderson, Reni Santoni

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Simon MacCorkindale	...	Prof. Jonathan Chase (8 episodes, 1983)
Melody Anderson	...	Det. Brooke McKenzie (5 episodes, 1983)
Reni Santoni	...	Lt. Nick Rivera (5 episodes, 1983)
Michael D. Roberts	...	Tyrone C. Earl (4 episodes, 1983)

Storyline

Jonathan Chase was a British college professor at New York University who had the unusual ability to transform into any kind of animal. He used his powers to battle crime alongside pretty policewoman Brooke and Vietnam-war pal Ty.

---

Plot Keywords:

animal | police | supernatural | turns into animal

---

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Fall für Professor Chase

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Glen A. Larson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (8 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Glenn Larson's concept of the lead character's ability to manifest into the body of an animal stalker posed creative solutions to the production team. Using a "really alive black panther cat", or a "bird", or a "snake", for the actor's transition, was a study in discipline for cast and crew. The production designer was required to coordinate, with the director, set decorator, stunt supervisor, the cat's wrangler, and with the actor, every instance the script's action motivation occurred using any of the animal(s) involved. Location filming was most difficult, whereas within the stage environment, this allowed a more controlled environment to use the beasties! When a cobra snake was required in one script, the entire set's perimeter floor and wall had to be sealed preventing the cobra's escape. A barricade low (2'-0") wall placed in the open end of the set in order to seal the entire stage set environment to secure the staging area. The camera crew lifting their equipment into the interior of the setting to just set up to film the action with the snake. The snake's trainer, "wrangler", supervising the required snake's movement and directed motivation within the reach of control.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Son of Sleepaway Camp (2012)

User Reviews

Maybe I was young and an animal lover

OK I'd have to see these again as an adult to give a better opinion. But the show lasted only a few episodes. The special effects were cool , but they did have to reuse some footage. I'm not sure if it was budget or time. Those change sequences must have been a pain to do. And using latex I think is better than CG even though you can do a lot more with CG

From what I remember I liked the show, but it might have been just the fact that a guy could turn into any animal he wanted (although he only got to do a few of of them). That would capture the imagination of any 8 year old. I remember wishing I could do that!