As a child growing up watching the likes of HKP and other Hanna Barbera classics (yes they were) I cannot remember ever getting bored of them. They were simply animated perhaps but as a kid did I ever stop and think, "hhhmm I think the animation is a bit cheap looking" - NO I DIDN'T and the reason - because I was a child and it was good fun, with funny scripts and characters. OK so they're not as funny perhaps when you watch them again as a 30 something year old (or whatever) but don't forget they were made for kids after all. I look forward to showing the likes of Hong Kong Phooey to my son when he grows up a bit along with a few other classics thrown in for good measure.
20 Reviews
Entertaining show, but dated and somewhat repetitive
smetin5 October 2017
My nostalgia trip is going full-force. This year alone I have gone through the Flintstones, Top Cat, Scooby-Doo and numerous other Cartoon Network classics. Hong Kong Phooey was another one off my list, but I have to say I do not have many memories of it as a child. With so few episodes it is easy to understand why, but I was willing to pay the small amount to try and re-live my childhood.
Let's get this straight; Hong Kong Phooey comes from a simpler time when cartoonists had much more slack from censorship. The title alone is enough to stir controversy today. Add to that a stereotypical goofy robe and faux karate moves (with plenty "Hiyaaahhh's") and you have a cartoon that wouldn't even get past pre-pre- pre-production today! However, as I said, it is a reflection of the time it was created in.
Penry, a lowly janitor of a police station, forms the basis of Hong Kong Phooey's alter ego. He is clumsy and incompetent and yet somehow clings onto his job. His superhero counterpart is equally as useful, but his trusty sidekick gets the job done whilst Hong Kong Phooey gets the praise. It is a simple formula that forms the basis of every episode. For the first few episodes it was entertaining, however it grew somewhat repetitive and many episodes seemed to merge into one. Perhaps this is why I had so few memories of this as a child.
Although I have mentioned many negatives, I did enjoy watching this short series, although I do rank other Hanna-Barbera classics much higher. The villains in some episodes were hilarious in their own right. I mean, a guy with a contraption that makes it rain uses it to sell umbrellas...genius, right? Also, the racial stereotypes themselves made me laugh but not in the way they were originally intended. It was more like a "I can't believe they got away with this" kind of way!
If you have some spare time and cash, you might want to give this show a watch. It is short, will fulfil your nostalgia trip and is probably about as close as we are going to get to time travel. Despite its obvious flaws, Hong Kong Phooey remains a Hanna- Barbera classic for a reason.
Let's get this straight; Hong Kong Phooey comes from a simpler time when cartoonists had much more slack from censorship. The title alone is enough to stir controversy today. Add to that a stereotypical goofy robe and faux karate moves (with plenty "Hiyaaahhh's") and you have a cartoon that wouldn't even get past pre-pre- pre-production today! However, as I said, it is a reflection of the time it was created in.
Penry, a lowly janitor of a police station, forms the basis of Hong Kong Phooey's alter ego. He is clumsy and incompetent and yet somehow clings onto his job. His superhero counterpart is equally as useful, but his trusty sidekick gets the job done whilst Hong Kong Phooey gets the praise. It is a simple formula that forms the basis of every episode. For the first few episodes it was entertaining, however it grew somewhat repetitive and many episodes seemed to merge into one. Perhaps this is why I had so few memories of this as a child.
Although I have mentioned many negatives, I did enjoy watching this short series, although I do rank other Hanna-Barbera classics much higher. The villains in some episodes were hilarious in their own right. I mean, a guy with a contraption that makes it rain uses it to sell umbrellas...genius, right? Also, the racial stereotypes themselves made me laugh but not in the way they were originally intended. It was more like a "I can't believe they got away with this" kind of way!
If you have some spare time and cash, you might want to give this show a watch. It is short, will fulfil your nostalgia trip and is probably about as close as we are going to get to time travel. Despite its obvious flaws, Hong Kong Phooey remains a Hanna- Barbera classic for a reason.
One of the last "original" Hanna-Barbera stars...
RealLiveClaude12 September 2015
Though Hanna-Barbera Productions went into "trends" in their Saturday morning shows (they were everywhere on NBC or ABC, CBS was mostly Filmation's playground), this superhero Kung Fu beagle was one of the exceptions.
I discovered this "Kung Fu" addict on Laff-A-Lympics, another HB classic where our superhero beagle was part of the "Scooby-Doobies". And French- dubbed (from Paris) here on the TVA Network in the 80s.
Story is a bit like "the sidekick who never gets credits for the hero's goofs". Police station janitor (and naive) Penry Pooch overhears many police complains from phone receptionist Rosemary, and despite the rants of Sergeant Flint, gets into grab from the help of his sidekick cat Spot and gets into the Phooey Mobile (which changes shape with the sound of the gong) to get all the criminals and crooks.
Most of the time, the hero reads a book of "Hong Kong book of Kung Fu" in front of the bandits, however, most of the time, it is Spot which saves the day, but the masked beagle takes credit, to the poor cat's dismay...
At the time, many Hanna-Barbera had shows which missed the mark with all the trends shown (in my book, the best HB shows in the 70s were this one, Scooby Doo, Super Friends, Laff-A-Lympics, Dynomutt, Speed Buggy, and Captain Caveman) and the 50s-60s punch and originality were fading away. Hong Kong Phooey reminded me a bit of Quick Draw McGraw, but on the Kung Fu style...
To watch mostly for its wackiness...
I discovered this "Kung Fu" addict on Laff-A-Lympics, another HB classic where our superhero beagle was part of the "Scooby-Doobies". And French- dubbed (from Paris) here on the TVA Network in the 80s.
Story is a bit like "the sidekick who never gets credits for the hero's goofs". Police station janitor (and naive) Penry Pooch overhears many police complains from phone receptionist Rosemary, and despite the rants of Sergeant Flint, gets into grab from the help of his sidekick cat Spot and gets into the Phooey Mobile (which changes shape with the sound of the gong) to get all the criminals and crooks.
Most of the time, the hero reads a book of "Hong Kong book of Kung Fu" in front of the bandits, however, most of the time, it is Spot which saves the day, but the masked beagle takes credit, to the poor cat's dismay...
At the time, many Hanna-Barbera had shows which missed the mark with all the trends shown (in my book, the best HB shows in the 70s were this one, Scooby Doo, Super Friends, Laff-A-Lympics, Dynomutt, Speed Buggy, and Captain Caveman) and the 50s-60s punch and originality were fading away. Hong Kong Phooey reminded me a bit of Quick Draw McGraw, but on the Kung Fu style...
To watch mostly for its wackiness...
Hanna Barbera's Number One Super Guy!
Nic_hse26 August 2003
The appeal of Hong Kong Phooey can be summed by one name, Scatman Crothers. One of the most talented individuals ever hired by Hanna Barbera to do voice overs. He pretty much carried this cartoon during it's scant 16 episode run. Quirky one liners and his constant talking to the audience seperated Hong Kong Phooey from the rest. Hanna Barbera ruled the seventies TV cartoon market. IF Cartoon Network would get off the anime band wagon(FAT CHANCE)they would have time to show some American classics such as this. Great Theme Song.
A great cartoon classic!
Sinistar_80858 December 2007
"Hong Kong Phooey" is one of the greatest cartoons ever made! Like "Sailor Moon","Duck Tales" and 'Pokemon",this cartoon was worth watching! These days,kids have cartoons that are plot less,annoying,worthless and animated VERY cheaply(like "Billy and Mandy" and "Codename Kids Next Door"). "Hong Kong Phooey" does not rely on snot jokes,farting,puking or unfunny material that the garbage cartoons of today(like "Squirrel Boy","Ed,Edd and Eddy" and "Billy and Mandy") shove down kids' throats. If you want your kids to see what REAL cartoons are,just show them tapes of "Hong Kong Phooey"(along with "Pokemon" and "House of Mouse" and "Lilo & Stitch " series) and watch their faces light up!
Interesting show
TheLittleSongbird8 January 2011
Hong Kong Phooey is not my favourite of the Hanna Barbera shows, but I quite like it. It is interesting enough, and keeps me amused. It is just a shame though that the show only lasted as long as it did, it had potential to do even better than as it started off. True, one or two of the supporting characters are scrappily animated, bland or annoying, but Hong Kong Phooey is not without its charms.
The animation isn't the best looking of the Hanna Barbera cartoons, but with some nice colours and decent backgrounds it is reasonable enough. The theme tune is also quite catchy, and I also liked the simple, fun story lines and quirky, amusing one-liners. The main characters are great. Sergeant Flint is a great character, who reacts to Henry/Hong Kong Phooey. But it is the title character who makes the show work. Brilliantly voiced by Scatman Crothers, he is hugely entertaining.
Overall, interesting and worth a watch despite its limitations. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The animation isn't the best looking of the Hanna Barbera cartoons, but with some nice colours and decent backgrounds it is reasonable enough. The theme tune is also quite catchy, and I also liked the simple, fun story lines and quirky, amusing one-liners. The main characters are great. Sergeant Flint is a great character, who reacts to Henry/Hong Kong Phooey. But it is the title character who makes the show work. Brilliantly voiced by Scatman Crothers, he is hugely entertaining.
Overall, interesting and worth a watch despite its limitations. 8/10 Bethany Cox
this show makes me ill,...
planktonrules17 June 2006
Ugghhh!!! The 1970s were an abysmal period for cartoons. They were terribly animated and were written to appeal only to very young kids and incredibly stupid people. And, the king of this genre at the time was Hanna-Barbera--who made a huge fortune peddling 4th-rate cartoons to kids. The networks loved it because the cartoons were so cheap to produce and with so many rotten cartoons on, the standards were pretty low. While I was a kid in the 70s, I lost interest very fast thinks to cartoons like Speed Buggy and Hong Kong Phooey. They were just mind-numbingly bad--unfunny and devoid of anything that seemed like quality! If you think a karate chopping dog could be funny, then you have NOT seen this cartoon! Watch this only at your own risk--you have been warned.
From the inside ..of a kids mind.. out
kdzuray20 August 2006
I ONLY gave this an 8/10 because the series was to short. this rating reflects Hanna-Barbera more than the actual series.
HKP was short lived..shorter than dare I say Roger Ramjet.
Someone new to the series an old to mind might not appreciate the use of imagination in Hong Kong Phooey as much as a fresh clean 3 year old mind does.
The 1st an 2nd seasons of Scooby Doo is excellent example of a classic cartoon but yet to scary for my 3 year old. where as Hong Kong phooey is not.
I was very surprised to find out that Richard Dawson voiced many characters on this short lived series.
HKP was short lived..shorter than dare I say Roger Ramjet.
Someone new to the series an old to mind might not appreciate the use of imagination in Hong Kong Phooey as much as a fresh clean 3 year old mind does.
The 1st an 2nd seasons of Scooby Doo is excellent example of a classic cartoon but yet to scary for my 3 year old. where as Hong Kong phooey is not.
I was very surprised to find out that Richard Dawson voiced many characters on this short lived series.
Simplistic, juvenile and culturally insensitive
ButtonGear30 September 2014
As a kid, I could never get fully interested in this.
Later I realized why. The plots were shallow and plastic; the presentation was childish and simplistic (even for a grade-schooler like me); the animation was flat and boring; the dialogue was uninteresting; and worst of all, it perpetuated a number of cultural stereotypes that, while relatively common at the time, have come to be very distasteful and embarrassing to me -- I just didn't know it at the time.
By comparison, Warner Brothers (Bugs Bunny, etc.) were FAR more entertaining and witty. It even introduced a couple of generations to classical music and opera!
Hong Kong Phooey is one cartoon series that should be relegated to the scrap-heap of history.
Give me Warner Brothers ANY day.
Later I realized why. The plots were shallow and plastic; the presentation was childish and simplistic (even for a grade-schooler like me); the animation was flat and boring; the dialogue was uninteresting; and worst of all, it perpetuated a number of cultural stereotypes that, while relatively common at the time, have come to be very distasteful and embarrassing to me -- I just didn't know it at the time.
By comparison, Warner Brothers (Bugs Bunny, etc.) were FAR more entertaining and witty. It even introduced a couple of generations to classical music and opera!
Hong Kong Phooey is one cartoon series that should be relegated to the scrap-heap of history.
Give me Warner Brothers ANY day.
One of the coolest H-B shows.
dootuss18 September 2002
In the mid 1970's Hanna-Barbera began to make cartoons that were based on real-life trends. From "Devlin" (Evil Knevil), to "Jabberjaw" ("Jaws"), and "These are the Days" ("The Waltons"), they were great concepts (execpt "Jabberjaw" that one sucks). But the best show they did at this time was a show that focused on martial arts, and that show was "Hong Kong Phooey".
This show was cool for so many reasons: First off, we have Penrod who's just a janitor dog, but he also has a double life as a martial arts crime fighter who along with his sidekick a cat named Spot, would always stop criminals in a way that inspired other toons like "Inspector Gadget" (In which someone else solves the crime, but the hero gets all the credit when he/she does nothing but bumble) but in a different kind of way in which our feline sidekick isn't pleased that he doesn't get the credit he really deserves since he solved the crimes himself!
I got to admit, this is up there with many of H-B'S other greats ("Scooby-Doo", "Flinstones", "Jetsons" etc.). Hopefully, Cartoon Network will get it together, and air all of the 16 eps again like they used to.10/10
This show was cool for so many reasons: First off, we have Penrod who's just a janitor dog, but he also has a double life as a martial arts crime fighter who along with his sidekick a cat named Spot, would always stop criminals in a way that inspired other toons like "Inspector Gadget" (In which someone else solves the crime, but the hero gets all the credit when he/she does nothing but bumble) but in a different kind of way in which our feline sidekick isn't pleased that he doesn't get the credit he really deserves since he solved the crimes himself!
I got to admit, this is up there with many of H-B'S other greats ("Scooby-Doo", "Flinstones", "Jetsons" etc.). Hopefully, Cartoon Network will get it together, and air all of the 16 eps again like they used to.10/10
One Of The Last Kids' Cartoons I Watched
bigverybadtom8 March 2013
This was one of the best 1970's cartoon shows, mocking the martial-arts and police drama fads of the era. The show was funnily ironic, where Penrod, an inept, bumbling janitor has a secret identity of Hong Kong Phooey...an equally inept, bumbling martial-arts hero. Fortunately, he has a striped cat named Spot who is able to solve crimes and stop villains for him.
The funniest part of the show was that Hong Kong Phooey, in all his martial-arts attacks, ends up simply screwing up, while in the shadows Spot saves the day. Hong Kong Phooey, when the villains are defeated, never understands how he succeeded, while Spot enjoys the idea that he was the real hero and nobody else figured it out.
The funniest part of the show was that Hong Kong Phooey, in all his martial-arts attacks, ends up simply screwing up, while in the shadows Spot saves the day. Hong Kong Phooey, when the villains are defeated, never understands how he succeeded, while Spot enjoys the idea that he was the real hero and nobody else figured it out.
HONG KONG CREEPY
wiltoncarter16 August 2021
The switchboard operator has the hots for Hong Kong phooey? Yeah that's right folks, the Bottle blonde dopehead receives the vapors everytime that crime fighting mutt is within the vicinity of her achy breaky heart. Yeah that's right she's got it bad for a dog, not for a human male who is fully capable of being a dog, but a real actual dog. This troubled young lady needs help fast.
Hong Kong Phooey Rocks!!! Should be on DVD!
ppamjo223 September 2004
Penrod Pooch leads a secret life as Hong Kong Phooey a Kung Fu crime fighter. His faithful sidekick Spot the cat usually solved the crimes, but that was only a part of the charm. Rosemary the Telephone operator had a mad crush on the hero never realizing that Penry was the one and only Hong Kong Phooey..
Too bad the show only lasted 16 episodes. Hong Kong Phooey is not totally helpless... He caught the guys in Car Theves, and caught the Cat burglar in Grandma Goody. He would have had the claw if Spot hadn't used the claw to block Phooey from really getting the claw. He would have had the Giggler too if Spot did not kick open the Jack in the Box to grab him just seconds before Phooey lands in the very spot where the giggler stood...
Scatman Coruthers was great as Phooey! As was Joe E Ross as the Gruff Sgt Flint. I hope the series gets the DVD treatment... I miss this show. It planted the seeds for the love of the Martial arts. Hong Kong Phooey had a cool car too! Classic show!
Too bad the show only lasted 16 episodes. Hong Kong Phooey is not totally helpless... He caught the guys in Car Theves, and caught the Cat burglar in Grandma Goody. He would have had the claw if Spot hadn't used the claw to block Phooey from really getting the claw. He would have had the Giggler too if Spot did not kick open the Jack in the Box to grab him just seconds before Phooey lands in the very spot where the giggler stood...
Scatman Coruthers was great as Phooey! As was Joe E Ross as the Gruff Sgt Flint. I hope the series gets the DVD treatment... I miss this show. It planted the seeds for the love of the Martial arts. Hong Kong Phooey had a cool car too! Classic show!
One of my favorite Hanna-Barbera cartoons from the 1970's
SonicStuart20 July 2004
Hong Kong Phooey is another one of my Hanna-Barbera favorites! This series is about a mild mannered janitor Penry who works at a police station commanded by Sergent Flint. When ever there is crime around Penry jumps into a file cabinet and comes out as Hanna-Barbera's number one super guy, Hong Kong Phooey who is a martial arts superhero! This show got 16 episodes in 1 Season. This show deserved more than 1 season and 16 episodes! Plus one thing I thought was cool about this Hong Kong Phooey was his martial arts moves and how he knocks the bad guys. Plus I thought the whole way Penry changes into Hong Kong Phooey was funny when he goes into a file cabinet and then he is Hong Kong Phooey.
User Rating: 7/10
BOTTOM LINE: HONG KONG PHOOEY IS HANNA-BARBERA'S # 1 SUPER GUY!
User Rating: 7/10
BOTTOM LINE: HONG KONG PHOOEY IS HANNA-BARBERA'S # 1 SUPER GUY!
Everybody's super-guy
Ian Mc-312 November 1999
It's funny how as a kid you watch some programs on Saturday morning and don't realise how quickly they are repeated. I was amazed to discover HKP only existed for 16 episodes. It felt like I grew up watching him for years.
I absolutely loved this show, more than Flintstones, more than Jetsons, even more than Birdman and that's saying something.
They just don't make funny harmless cartoons for kids anymore (and I should know, I'm the self appointed censor against the drivell that is on TV for my kids these days .... Pokemon? Poke Off I say!) and that's a shame because being a kid should be about growth and fun, not violence and fierce competition. Plenty of time for those life lessons once childhood is behind you
I absolutely loved this show, more than Flintstones, more than Jetsons, even more than Birdman and that's saying something.
They just don't make funny harmless cartoons for kids anymore (and I should know, I'm the self appointed censor against the drivell that is on TV for my kids these days .... Pokemon? Poke Off I say!) and that's a shame because being a kid should be about growth and fun, not violence and fierce competition. Plenty of time for those life lessons once childhood is behind you
Hong Kong Phooey is good, clean, old-fashioned cartoon comedy for all ages.
katiebeebooms2 June 2005
Hong Kong Phooey is classic oldie humor, like Huckleberry Hound and Snagglepuss. I watched it when I was little, and I still think it is funny. I have yet to meet a kid who thought it was racist or acted that way because of it; in my opinion, it is a whole lot better influence than the current violent Anime shows. Not that you have to respect characters for a show to be worthwhile, but I have far more respect for Hong Kong Phooey and the gang than I do for people who post comments about drugs and lacing others' drinks with toxic substances on a site about a movie that young adults watch. No one expects cartoons to be classic dramatic works of art. Hong Kong Phooey is a light-hearted comedy that is safe for kids to watch and funny for adults, too. Lighten up and just enjoy it!
Hong Kong Phooey:Number One Superguy
rcj53654 December 2006
What superhero was a dog who changed into a black mask and robe in a file cabinet before emerging to fight off evildoers throughout the land? The answer? Hong Kong Phooey,of course. Number One Superguy. Hong Kong Phooey,quicker than the human eye. This was one of the best of the Hanna-Barbera produced shows that was part of ABC-TV's Sunshine Saturday Morning schedule which produced 16 episodes from its premiere on September 7,1974-September 4,1976,and from there switch networks over to NBC-TV until September 5,1981. However,the original 16 episodes aired during the show's first season from 1974-1975. During the years from 1975 until 1981,the series aired repeated episodes three times during the remainder of the decade from the mid-1970's all the way toward the early 1980's. However,the ABC-TV years were from 1974-1976,and then it went to NBC-TV in repeated episodes from 1978 until 1981. What makes "Hong Kong Phooey" such a standard astoundishment during the heyday of 1970's Saturday Morning cartoons? Not since the "Underdog" series of the early 1960's,you might be hard pressed to figure out why "Hong Kong Phooey" remains a object of cult worship among veterans of Saturday Mornings. And it is to this day a cult animated classic. For one,it is one of the first ever pedestrian Hanna-Barbera fare which has the adventures of an inept superheroic cartoon dog and his cat assistant.
The other secret has to do with repeated exposure:the original episodes,16 produced were recycled three times during the remainder of the 1970's. Much of it was the totally successful theme song,one of the all-time Saturday Morning greats. More of it was Scatman Crothers' warm and humorous performance as the voice of Hong Kong Phooey. And let us not forget that the show appeared in the middle of a major cultural craze for Asian martial arts,and this came at a time when Kung-Fu mania when wild in the movies and on television,when everybody was Kung-Fu fighting. Not to mention at the time the show came out,R&B singer Carl Douglas had one of the biggest hits of the 70's playing on the radio which was a huge smash hit(hince the title of the song:Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting). Speaking of which the show itself was indeed hilarious to boot since it supported genuinely funny writing,ranging from gags centered on Phooey's secret identity as a janitor in a police station to his use of a book of martial arts instructions as a means in a middle of a fight with a supervillain. It not only spoof the Kung-Fu movie craze,but also the writers took elements from several shows,and in one episode based on Don Knotts' character of Barney Fife(from the Andy Griffith Show),and another was poking fun of just about every police-cop show that came out during the 70's and for good reason.
The other secret has to do with repeated exposure:the original episodes,16 produced were recycled three times during the remainder of the 1970's. Much of it was the totally successful theme song,one of the all-time Saturday Morning greats. More of it was Scatman Crothers' warm and humorous performance as the voice of Hong Kong Phooey. And let us not forget that the show appeared in the middle of a major cultural craze for Asian martial arts,and this came at a time when Kung-Fu mania when wild in the movies and on television,when everybody was Kung-Fu fighting. Not to mention at the time the show came out,R&B singer Carl Douglas had one of the biggest hits of the 70's playing on the radio which was a huge smash hit(hince the title of the song:Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting). Speaking of which the show itself was indeed hilarious to boot since it supported genuinely funny writing,ranging from gags centered on Phooey's secret identity as a janitor in a police station to his use of a book of martial arts instructions as a means in a middle of a fight with a supervillain. It not only spoof the Kung-Fu movie craze,but also the writers took elements from several shows,and in one episode based on Don Knotts' character of Barney Fife(from the Andy Griffith Show),and another was poking fun of just about every police-cop show that came out during the 70's and for good reason.
Pass me the Won Tons, I pass on Phooey
Jason-1731 October 1999
Oh, I wish I could've been hiding in the opium smoke that afternoon Hanna and Barbera dreamed up Hong Kong Phooey, the idiot janitor dog who leads a double life.
The noted Chinese actor Scatman Crothers played the kung fu fighting Shih-tzu with a lot of pep, swirling around in more racist Asian stereotypes than a contemporary Chinese laundry soap commercial (let me refresh your memory: 'my husband , some hotshot!' And the unforgettable: 'ancient Chinese secret, huh?!').
But at least the acting was superb. Undoubtedly, Crothers is best remembered for this challenging role as Phooey. When Jack Nicholson rested his axeblade in Crothers' spine in 'the Shining,' who among us didn't spit out popcorn and sputter 'my god, he just killed Hong Kong Phooey!'
Some things about this show touched viewers very deeply. How many times have you been caught humming the catchy theme song - 'Hong Kong Phooey, Number One Super Guy' - as you waited for your laundry to finish? Or considered changing into more comfortable clothes in the office filing cabinet? Or wondered if enough tassels and Chinatown detailing would turn your own Honda Civic into a Phooeymobile? Didn't you also want to date Rosemary, the police switchboard operator? Don't you wish you had someone like Spot in your life - someone to do all your work, solve all your problems and let you take all the credit?
Hong Kong Phooey was, by all measures, a real jerk. Really vain and pretty clueless. I never had a lot of respect for him. He was not the sort of guy I would be friends with. He was the sort of person into whose drink you'd put your cigarette ashes when he wasn't looking. He wasn't from Hong Kong, solved no crimes and really didn't know Kung Fu. He was a real fraud. I guess he had dreams and hopes for himself, but so did Jabberjaw. And Jabberjaw, let's not forget it, could at least play the drums.
The noted Chinese actor Scatman Crothers played the kung fu fighting Shih-tzu with a lot of pep, swirling around in more racist Asian stereotypes than a contemporary Chinese laundry soap commercial (let me refresh your memory: 'my husband , some hotshot!' And the unforgettable: 'ancient Chinese secret, huh?!').
But at least the acting was superb. Undoubtedly, Crothers is best remembered for this challenging role as Phooey. When Jack Nicholson rested his axeblade in Crothers' spine in 'the Shining,' who among us didn't spit out popcorn and sputter 'my god, he just killed Hong Kong Phooey!'
Some things about this show touched viewers very deeply. How many times have you been caught humming the catchy theme song - 'Hong Kong Phooey, Number One Super Guy' - as you waited for your laundry to finish? Or considered changing into more comfortable clothes in the office filing cabinet? Or wondered if enough tassels and Chinatown detailing would turn your own Honda Civic into a Phooeymobile? Didn't you also want to date Rosemary, the police switchboard operator? Don't you wish you had someone like Spot in your life - someone to do all your work, solve all your problems and let you take all the credit?
Hong Kong Phooey was, by all measures, a real jerk. Really vain and pretty clueless. I never had a lot of respect for him. He was not the sort of guy I would be friends with. He was the sort of person into whose drink you'd put your cigarette ashes when he wasn't looking. He wasn't from Hong Kong, solved no crimes and really didn't know Kung Fu. He was a real fraud. I guess he had dreams and hopes for himself, but so did Jabberjaw. And Jabberjaw, let's not forget it, could at least play the drums.
Fun premise, loved it as a kid, but it's crippled by repetitiveness
terencechikwavira24 October 2023
First few episodes I find myself laughing along to the adventures of the dim witted janitor who's actually a dim witted but extremely lucky and successful crime fighting vigilante. The voice actor, Scatman Brothers did a great job in bringing Hong Kong Phooey to life. It's just everything else is either decently good, or predictable. Then again these episodes were broadcasted a few times a week so I understand why I never got frustrated by seeing variations of the same episode.
The side characters are purely there to add to what charm Hong Kong Phooey has to offer, and again they are pretty decent not too memorable unless the lovely telephone operating policewoman gave you your first confusing feelings.. The best side character however is Spot, Hong Kong Phooey's loyal side kick who's even a more competent crime fighter than Hong Kong Phooey is..
It's a 70s show so of course the visuals are dated, but the typical Hanna Barbera visual design is iconic enough for nostalgic viewers to be kinder to the aged animation.
A nice show in the end.
The side characters are purely there to add to what charm Hong Kong Phooey has to offer, and again they are pretty decent not too memorable unless the lovely telephone operating policewoman gave you your first confusing feelings.. The best side character however is Spot, Hong Kong Phooey's loyal side kick who's even a more competent crime fighter than Hong Kong Phooey is..
It's a 70s show so of course the visuals are dated, but the typical Hanna Barbera visual design is iconic enough for nostalgic viewers to be kinder to the aged animation.
A nice show in the end.
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