"The Incredible Hulk" Proof Positive (1980)

Director:

Dick Harwood

Writers:

Karen Harris (writer) &
Jill Donner (writer)

TV Series:

"The Incredible Hulk" (1978)

Original Air Date:

11 January 1980 (Season 3, Episode 13)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

When Patricia Steinhouer takes over her fathers duties at the National Register, she takes Jack McGee off the Hulk story. Jack, who's obsession with the Hulk makes him see the green Goliath everywhere, tries to convince her otherwise. |

Plot Keywords:

Stress | Green | Scientist | Incredible Hulk | Fugitive

Cast

Bill Bixby	...	Dr. David Bruce Banner (archive footage)
Jack Colvin	...	Jack McGee
Lou Ferrigno	...	The Incredible Hulk
Caroline Smith	...	Patricia Steinhauer
Walter Brooke	...	Mark Roberts
Isabel Cooley	...	Muriel
Charles Thomas Murphy	...	Garland
Wayne Storm	...	Chuck Schlosser

Runtime:

USA:46 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Trivia:

Series lead Bill Bixby was not involved in the filming of this episode, which uses several clips from previous segments, and appears, quite briefly, in only a couple of the extracts, with a facially obscured stand-in setting up the climactic "Hulk-out" sequence. The story actually focuses on Jack McGee and the effects his pursuit of the Hulk has had upon his life.

Goofs:

Plot holes: During this story, which takes place largely at the National Inquisitor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois; Jack McGee books a commercial flight from Chicago to Gary Indiana when he gets a lead on a Hulk sighting. However, in real life Gary, IN, is less than 40 miles from the southeast Chicago city limits.

Quotes:

Garland: You know, it's a good thing Steinhauer isn't here... when is he coming back?
Mark Roberts: Four months.
Garland: For a honeymoon?
Mark Roberts: Yeah.
Garland: Must be really crazy about this one, huh?
[starts laughing]

Movie Connections:

Features "The Incredible Hulk: No Escape (#2.18)" (1979)

Good episode that focuses exclusively on Jack McGee

Obsessed with finding out the Hulk's true identity, National Register reporter Jack McGee may even loose his job due to his relentless pursuit of every possible clue that delivers nothing in the end. Now he must convince his new editor that the pursuit is worth it or else...his ass is grass.

You gotta feel bad for Jack McGee. Although his motives are somewhat selfish, he's the only one who really really wants to discover the truth about the Hulk's human alter ego. On his endless quest for a cure, David Banner has revealed his true identity to a number of people but the one who's most interested is always in the dark. Granted, McGee's investigative intelligence is somewhat limited as most viewers agree he really should have figured this out by now.

Well, discussing this particular episode "Proof Positive" is an oddity in "The Incredible Hulk" as it's the only episode of the entire series not to feature Bill Bixby. Instead we get to follow Jack McGee and see just how much his pursuit of the Hulk has affected his life.

It's a solid episode which really gives the excellent Jack Colvin a chance to shine. He's a first rate actor and you really couldn't imagine the series being complete without him. Now, as most people know, the series had an open ending (that is; it was canceled) and McGee never found out the truth about David Banner being the Hulk.

"Proof Positive" is an interesting episode, not one of the best but a definite must-see for a fan 'cause this is the only episode that focuses exclusively on McGee.