"The Incredible Hulk" Deathmask (1980)

Director:

John McPherson

Writer:

Nicholas Corea (writer)

TV Series:

"The Incredible Hulk" (1978)

Original Air Date:

14 March 1980 (Season 3, Episode 20)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A masked man is killing young women at a Prestonville college. Librarian David 'Brent' becomes a suspect and is interrogated while an angry mob gathers outside. |

Plot Keywords:

Stress | Green | Scientist | Incredible Hulk | Fugitive

Cast

Bill Bixby	...	Dr. David Bruce Banner
Jack Colvin	...	Jack McGee
Lou Ferrigno	...	The Incredible Hulk
Gerald McRaney	...	Chief Frank Rhodes
Melendy Britt	...	Joan
Frank Marth	...	Mayor Tom Fowler
Marla Pennington	...	Miriam Charles
Lonny Chapman	...	J.J. Hendren
Michael Bond	...	Sid Fox
Don Marshall	...	Man
Dennis Bowen	...	Dale Jenks
Robert Lunny	...	Newsman
Desiree Kearns	...	Young Blond Woman (as Desiree Kerns)
Kieran Mullaney	...	Young Man

Runtime:

USA:46 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Quotes:

Mayor Tom Fowler: [to the press] As you know, the Deathmask killer has been apprehended.
Joan: Your honor, don't you mean the alleged killer has been apprehended?

Terrific 3rd Season episode

When the Hulk is good, it tends to be great. But then, I'm a fan of the show. But seriously, this is one of the top ten of "The Incredible Hulk". Season 3 is filled with very good one-off shows and "Deathmask" is really top notch.

"Deathmask" starts off quite eerie as we see a girl has been murdered and a strange white and featureless mask is placed next to her. As it turns out, a number of women have been murdered on a college campus and the townsfolk are getting very restless. As fate would have it, David Banner has recently found work in the local library and it doesn't take long before he's suspected of the killings.

OK, I don't like reviews where people are faulting the show for putting David in these predicaments. A lot of episodes stretch credibility as to just how unfortunate David is but that's a given here, just as murder followed Jessica Fletcher wherever she went in "Murder, She Wrote". So, those who can't accept the show's formula shouldn't be watching (or more importantly; writing reviews for) "The Incredible Hulk" in the first place.

In "Deathmask" the Hulk is brilliantly fitted into the storyline. Instead of just coming and saving the day he becomes the object of the madman's warped imagination as he envisions the Hulk as the monster he himself turns into when he's doing harm. Veteran television actor Gerald McRaney does well in the episode's biggest guest starring role. His scenes with Bixby in the prison cell are well written and filmed in a moody and atmospheric style.

The mystery may not win any prizes but this is a very good Hulk episode, suspenseful and well acted. Not to be missed for a fan of the big green dude.