"Underdog" (1964) TV series 1964-1973

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Writer:

W. Watts Biggers (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | unknown

Release Date:

3 October 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Comedy

Plot:

The adventures of a rhyming canine superhero.

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Dog | Dog Cartoon | Television | Mad Scientist

Cast

Wally Cox	...	Underdog (2 episodes, 1964)
Norma MacMillan	...	Sweet Polly Purebred (2 episodes, 1964)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G | Australia:G

Company:

Leonardo Productions

Trivia:

An attempt was made in the early 90's to re-release ‘Underdog’ in syndication but because of the drug culture at the time all references to the "secret energy pill" were removed. Without them the cartoons did not make sense and were quickly pulled. This is a little ironic since the original reason the pills were added was to encourage children to take their vitamins.

Quotes:

Underdog: When Polly's in trouble/I am not slow,/it's Hip, Hip, Hip/and away I go!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Ren & Stimpy Show: Stimpy's Big Day/The Big Shot (#1.1)" (1991)

Great series; silliness, lessons to learn

I grew up watching Underdog. Although the series ended in 1973, it continued in reruns for many years after (at least through 1979-1980, when I remember watching it.)

Underdog always spoke in rhymes. Normally, he spent his time as "Shoe Shine Boy", and was just that. But when he took one of his super power pills, he transformed into Underdog and saved his love interest, news reporter Sweet Polly Purebred. His nemesis was usually Simon Bar Sinister (voiced by Allen Swift, who is a true living legend of animation voiceovers).

The storylines were always pretty much the same, but there was usually a lesson to be learned at some point in the show.

It didn't end there, however.

After Underdog had beat up Simon Bar Sinister for the 300th time, the show often segued into "Tennessee Tuxedo", a silly cartoon (also involving lessons learned) starring a penguin as the title character (voiced by Don Adams of "Get Smart" fame), his dimwitted walrus pal Chumley, and Mr. Whoopee, who would give them science lessons with his magic expanding chalkboard.

There were a number of other cartoons that ran along with Underdog, including one about 2 American soldiers in the old west tangling with two Native Americans (who would probably be seen as racially offensive today). I can't recall the others.

It was a great, fun kids show back in its day.