For
those who believe that comedian Jim Carrey is actually a
cartoon disguised in human form, the 1995-96 cartoon season
offered abundant evidence. Three of Carrey’s starring vehicles
were adapted to the small screen: Dumb and Dumber, Ace
Ventura: Pet Detective, and The Mask.
Of the three, The Mask was
probably the most obvious choice for adaptation. The feature
film was a digitally-enhanced human cartoon, based on the Dark
Horse comic book. The animated series continued the adventures
of nerdy Stanley Ipkiss, who discovered an 11th-century green
mask that transformed him into an invulnerable, super-powered
loony.
In the cartoon, Edge City
resident Stanley, often with his dog Milo in tow, used The
Mask to battle the criminal element or to get himself out of a
tight spot. As in the movie, he donned The Mask with
trepidation in lieu of the fact that the artifact amplified
the personality of its wearer to its most chaotic and
unpredictable extreme. Aware that it was Stanley who assumed
the role of The Mask, tabloid reporter Peggy Brandt was often
in the thick of the action, looking for sensational stories of
The Mask to advance her career. Red-mohawked bad scientist
Pretorious supplied most of the crime, while the insane Kablam
added a dose of toxic mayhem.
In place of Jim Carrey, who was
not involved with the show, Rob Paulsen supplied the title
character’s voice. The switch apparently didn't bother Mask
devotees, who made the show a hit in its two seasons on CBS.
|