The Flash (1990–1991)

A police forensic scientist battles crimes as a superfast superhero.

Stars:

John Wesley Shipp, Amanda Pays, Alex Désert

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
John Wesley Shipp	...	Barry Allen (22 episodes, 1990-1991)
Amanda Pays	...	Christina 'Tina' McGee (22 episodes, 1990-1991)
Alex Désert	...	Julio Mendez (22 episodes, 1990-1991)
Vito D'Ambrosio	...	Officer Tony Bellows (17 episodes, 1990-1991)
Biff Manard	...	Officer Michael Murphy (17 episodes, 1990-1991)
Mike Genovese	...	Lt. Warren Garfield (17 episodes, 1990-1991)
Richard Belzer	...	Joe Kline (10 episodes, 1990-1991)

Storyline

In a freak accident, police scientist Barry Allen is struck by lightning and doused in chemicals. Barry discovers that this accident has made him the fastest man alive, able to move at nearly the speed of sound. With the help of STAR Labs scientist Tina McGee, he learns to control his powers...but when his older brother Jay (a motorcycle cop) is killed in the line of duty, Barry asks Tina to make him a special costume that can withstand the rigors of hyperspeed travel. He sets forth to clean up the streets of Central City as The Flash.

---

Plot Keywords:

flash | superhero | imaginary town | hyper speed | based on comic | 

---

Taglines:

Wipes Out Scum In Seconds

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flash

Filming Locations:

Stage 14, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pet Fly Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (21 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

DC Comic's Sandman was unintentionally the inspiration for the Nightshade's costume design.

---

Connections

Referenced in Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2001)

User Reviews

A Great Origin

The Pilot episode for the Flash TV series was the origin and was done very well. Barry Allen a scientist is working in a lab with many chemicals when lightning strikes through the window in which a small explosion occurs. What is so great about the origin is where he begins to discover how fast he is and how he learns to adapt to his new superpower. The discovering of his superspeed was done in a couple of semi-humorous situations. A scientist/physician (Amanda Pays -with big beautiful eyes) performs tests on him and helps him control his new found speed. She also gives him his costume so his clothes don't rip apart when he is running very fast. The subplot was fair to okay with The Flash catching a motorcycle gang who tries to take control of the city and killed his brother. - The rest of the series was up and down with good & bad scripts. Also the writers didn't do enough to build on the chemistry of Barry Allen and Christina McGee that was laid out in the pilot episode. John Wesley Shipp was an excellent choice to portray the Flash. The costume and the effects in the series were cool. The pilot can be found on video and the series has been occasionally shown on the SCI-FI channel.