Devlin

I was born a Devlin in Keene, New Hampshire in 1967. How did this book come about? How come it's called "Devlin?" I'd like more information and perhaps get a video?

It has been over 30 years since I have seen an episode of "Devlin", but back then my 9 year old self loved every minute of it. Like most young boys in the US at that time, I was hooked on the outrageous antics of daredevil/showman Evel Knievel. Everyone had the toys; everyone watched his motorcycle jumps on ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Now, when you are 9 years old, you don't really ponder copyright issues all that much....but even back then, I realized "Devlin" was very much "inspired by" Evel's popularity and stunts.

It was great to be able to watch a weekly TV show inspired by a real life hero. I've noted other comments complaining about the quality of the animation in this series, but at the time it was never something I noticed...and I am sure I *was* the target demographic. The show was fun and exciting and featured dramatic mysteries with cycle jumping thrown in. What more could a kid of the day ask for?

Interestingly, I also recall about this same time a live action series along the lines of "Devlin" (but licensing Knievel's name) was proposed, and a pilot episode filmed. Too bad it didn't sell. I remember seeing the pilot on TV in 1970s - it aired one time, in a summer replacement timeslot occupied each week by a different failed series pilot!

The short-lived animated Hanna-Barbera series DEVLIN was shown mostly on Saturday Mornings on ABC-TV's Sunshine Saturday Morning Line-Up that lasted one season and produced 17 episodes,all in color. DEVLIN was loosely based on the motorcycle daredevil stuntman Evel Knieval. The synopsis of the story consisted of the Devlins. They were a trio of orphans who supported themselves through their daredevil motorcycle act. The lead character and support figure,Ernie Devlin(Michael Bell)was a 22-year old professional stuntman who drove the motorcycle and the car during the stunts while his younger brother,teenager Tod(Mickey Dolenz) oversaw the mechanical work and designed routines for Ernie's acts. Ernie's kid sister,11-year old Sandy(Michele Robinson)basically provided assistance and support whenever she was needed,plus other additional duties. They work,lived and travel on the highways and byways of the country in their huge Winnebago motor home as part of a traveling circus. Hank(Norman Alden),the owner of the circus in which they worked,served as a surrogate father figure whenever Ernie or his teenager brother or kid sister needed support and guidance during troubled times.

Interspersed with some of the stunts along with the hair-raising thrills and high adventure along with some interpersonal drama were tips on motorcycle safety(given by Ernie himself)to let young viewers know the Devlin's occupation and to let them know about using the proper equipment when riding a motorcycle as well. Out of the 17 episodes that this show produced,DEVLIN had plenty of risks and cliffhanging suspense that came along with the territory. Also to point out,and since this was a Saturday Morning animated cartoon aimed at pre-teenagers and older kids under 12 years of age,DEVLIN was ABC's answer (or Hanna-Barbera)to cash in on the craze of Evel Knieval(who was in 1974 at the peak of his fame),and the whole motorcycle fad of the early and mid-1970's along with cashing in on the huge popularity of the Japanese-produced animated series Speed Racer(which became a HUGE HIT during the 1970's when it was shown in syndicated repeats). The original episodes ran as part of ABC's Sunshine Saturday Morning schedule from September 7, 1974 until August 30, 1975. After its run on Saturday Mornings,ABC moved to Sunday Mornings in repeated episodes from September 7, 1975 until its last telecast on February 15, 1976.

Well, of course the animation isn't perfect, this is a 1974 TV cartoon, and we know all the tricks used to make it cheap enough to be profitable, I mean, that's what the technology of the time allowed. The bike jumping the cars animation is used in almost every episode, and it seems bad by today standarts, the bike flies over the cars at 10 mph. But all we can do is to think "ok, it's 1974, we forgive you".

The plot for the episodes is actually good, but it does get corny and silly sometimes. All in all, it's quite entertaining, and yes, it's watchable.

If they remade "Devlin" with the proper animation, and working harder on the episode plots, it could be a hit.

Ernie Devlin was revived for the 2004 episode of Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law "The Devlin Made Me Do It". Ernie Devlin is sued when a child is hurt duplicating his stunts and Harvey takes the case. Life hasn't been easy for Ernie. Ernie looked like the many accidents suffered by Evel Knievel had taken their toll. Toby Huss, the voice of Cotton Hill and Kahn Souphanousinphone on King of the Hill, voices Devlin and Adult Swim used different voices Sandy and Tod (originally voiced by Mickey Dolenz) also appear in the HB episode. Ernie makes several cameo appearances thereafter in the series riding his motorcycle or girlfriend through scenes and generally crashing into or through something.