THOR MARVELS THE HULK IN 'THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS'

Jack Colvin wouldn't like Eric Allan Kramer angry either YEAR: 1988

The first and best of three post series Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno INCREDIBLE HULK television movies, and since Marvels' THE AVENGERS is such a hot commodity, this live-action Thor teaming with Hulk circa 1988 was decades ahead of its time...

And comparably dated, but it's hard to deny the infectious charm of Eric Allan Kramer as the Norse god who, discovered from a backstory/flashback by his dweeby keeper played by dweeby actor Steve Levitt, is a scene-stealing stranger in a strange land, making THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS more like a possible Thor pilot than a continuation of the titular green hero. After Thor (and Levitt's Donald Blake) parties at a local biker bar, he helps Lou Ferrigno's Hulk after fighting him inside a corporation laboratory where, once again, Bixby's David Banner surreptitiously works, trying to permanently cease his roaring alter ego... And what does every mobile lonely man need?

Bill Bixby RETURNS as Dr. David Banner in HULK Grade: A

Enter Lee Purcell as the most beautiful, understanding and science-savvy of all Banner babes: you'll wonder why he'd ever leave...

And this is the only movie with Jack Colvin as snoopy reporter Jack McGee, involved in a great scene with Thor dressed in modern surfer garb and not holding back... 

Meanwhile, former Hulk voice-over growl-machine Charles Napier, along with Cajun brother Tim Thomerson, provide the antagonist roles, and what they're after really doesn't matter. RETURNS is about experiencing Thor stuck in modern times, and for the most part loving it. Since we can't see Bixby and Ferrigno together, Levitt and Kramer are a fun and involving duo. And surprisingly, Banner's pretty much a third wheel in his own vehicle — that really rolls.

Incredible Hulk Returns Interview from actress Lee Purcell

LEE PURCELL: Bill Bixby was one of the nicest guys who ever lived. As a director, he was meticulous. Bill paid attention to every detail, large and small. He decided what I would wear and the length of my skirts! He loved that I had dancer’s legs, and wanted to make sure they were shown!

As an actor, he was wonderful. We thought alike on the art of acting, so we were really in a natural sync that was smooth as silk...

I respected him greatly on all counts. I am surprised that he lived as long as he did, with the burden of his life’s tragedies that he endured. And Bill directed it, not Nick. But, I would like to also say something about the late Nick Corea, the writer and producer of the show. He was a great talent, and a Vietnam vet, an enigma, whom I adored as I did Bill. They were a great team… And I also am still very fond of Lou Ferrigno, whom I run into now and then and keep up with on Facebook.

Jack Colvin and Lee Purcell in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lee Purcell and Bill Bixby in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lee Purcell and Bill Bixby in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lee Purcell with Lou Ferrigno in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lou Ferrigno and Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lou Ferrigno and Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Bill Bixby in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lee Purcell in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lou Ferrigno's stunt double in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Steve Levitt in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Donald Blake to Thor in The Incredible Hulk Returns "You Buick on stilts!"

Steve Levitt and Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lou Ferrigno cops out in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Lou Ferrigno lounging in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Incredible Hulk Returns Charles Napier replaced Jack Cassidy as the series' Hulk growl

Bill Bixby, Steve Levitt and Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Bill Bixby, Steve Levitt and Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Tim Thomerson in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Tim Thomerson and Lee Purcell in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Steve Levitt and Lee Purcell in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Eric Allan Kramer in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Eric Allan Kramer as Thor in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS