1 9 6 5 (USA)
156 x 5 minute episodes
Produced by Ken Snyder, this superhero spoof starred the title character (voiced by Gary Owens of Laugh-In fame) as a man so patriotic that eagles soared, flags waved and stars sparkled as he spoke.
Roger was a research scientist who, after taking his Proton Energy Pill, was endowed with the AMAZING power of twenty atom bombs for a period of twenty seconds.
He used this amazing power to battle criminals like Noodles Romanoff and Henry Cabbage Patch of the N.A.S.T.Y. (National Association of Spies, Traitors and Yahoos) organisation.
Joining Roger in his crusade against crime were his young associates, the American Eagle Squadron; Yank, Doodle, Dan and Dee (say it fast . . . geddit?!)
Though loyal, these astute Squadron members sometimes questioned their leader’s antics.
Roger had other problems on his hands. Another superhero, Lance Crossfire, was constantly getting in his way, as was his mother, Ma Ramjet, who would take it upon herself to get involved in his battles and become a major source of embarrassment for her son.
Meanwhile, his frustrated girlfriend, “Lotta Love” (a G-rated version of a Bond girl or one of Austin Powers’ companions) alternated between pride and worry about her single-minded man.
The sharp satire, clever dialogue and non-sequitur asides were all there, and Roger had his fans, but the show went off the market for decades after its initial release, reportedly due to Roger’s use of “Proton Energy Pills”.
Whether or not that’s the real reason, Roger and friends remain undiscovered by most.
When Roger takes a proton pill
The crooks begin to worry
They can’t escape their awful fate
of proton’s mighty fury
Oh, Roger Ramjet He’s our man
hero of our nation
for his adventures, just be sure
and stay tuned to this station.
TRIVIA
Episodes of Roger Ramjet were aired as part of the British 1980s kids TV show, No. 73 (1982 – 1988).
Roger Ramjet
Gary Owens
Gen. G.I. Brassbottom
Bob Arbogast
Yank
Dick Beals
Doodle
Gene Moss
Dan
Dick Beals
Dee
Joan Gerber
Lotta Love
Joan Gerber
Lance Crossfire
Paul Shively
Noodles Romanoff
Gene Moss
Ma Ramjet
Bob Arbogast
Announcer
Dave Ketchum
