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
Producer(s)Sid and Marty Krofft
Running time0:15 (per episode)
Production company(s)Sid and Marty Krofft Television Productions
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseSeptember 11, 1976 –
September 2, 1977

Plot

Dr. Shrinker (Jay Robinson) is a mad scientist who creates a shrink ray that can miniaturise anything. Three young adults — 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 shrink 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
  • Jay Robinson .... Dr. Shrinker
  • Billy Barty .... Hugo, Dr. Shrinker's assistant
  • Ted Eccles .... Brad Fulton
  • Susan Lawrence .... B.J. Masterson
  • Jeff MacKay .... Gordie Masterson

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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