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UNDERDOG: COLLECTOR'S EDITION

It may have been the saddest, most unintentionally funny piece of interpretive dance ever performed (made even funnier by the dancer's lack of humor), but it is also an indication of the far-reaching popularity of THE UNDERDOG SHOW that no one ever had to ask just what she was trying to represent.

Long before BATMAN hit the airwaves, the camp superhero send-up was already a part of every channel's lineup - the idea just hadn't hit prime time yet. Shows like COURAGEOUS CAT AND MINUTE MOUSE were goofing on superhero clichés as early as 1960. About the only things bigger on Saturday mornings than funny animal vigilantes were the Hanna-Barbera comedy machine (which either recycled ideas from theatrical cartoons or radio sitcoms) and surrealistic satires (represented by the work of Jay Ward and Bob Clampett).

All these genres were combined in various amounts to form UNDERDOG, the adventures of a canine superhero of sterling moral character who always spoke in rhyme. THE UNDERDOG SHOW was the product of a studio called Leonardo Productions, which up to that time competed largely by imitating Jay Ward. Leonardo put out a syndicated show called THE KING AND ODIE and also sold their cartoons like TOOTER TURTLE to local kids shows across the country. Kiddie TV was on the air any time adults weren't as likely to be watching, and in those days before cable, even a mediocre show would draw a sizable audience. UNDERDOG became a big hit, even playing in prime time a few times. It walked a thin line - it had enough good humor and adventure to keep the kids happy, and also had enough wry wit and silliness to amuse any adults watching. It didn't hurt that Wally Cox, familiar to adults from his MR. PEEPERS sitcom (and later, on HOLLYWOOD SQUARES), was cast as the voice of the scrappy super-mutt.

It also pioneered a new cartoon show format. Each show would feature a long Underdog adventure, which was shown in segments separated by a variety of other features. Some of these were old shorts like King Leonardo and Tooter Turtle, but most were new - and some of these (TENNESSEE TUXEDO, GO-GO GOPHERS) were later spun off as new shows. UNDERDOG ran on until 1969, first on NBC then CBS, then continued in reruns on NBC until 1973.

This DVD presents three uncut Underdog adventures, complete and digitally remastered. "The Vacuum Gun" should probably have been placed later in the collection, as it features several familiar villains together. Mad scientist Simon Barsinister invents the title weapon, but surprisingly uses it to fight crime. His real purpose is to consolidate the city's top criminals together into a crook army, with plans to steal "all the money in the country." TV reporter Polly Purebred (Norma McMillan) is caught spying on the gang, and is used as bait to capture Underdog as well.

Allen Swift, a mainstay for the Rankin-Bass Studio, helped make grotesque little Simon memorable by giving him a voice that sounded like actor Lionel Barrymore with a case of hemorrhoids.

In "From Hopeless to Helpless," canine gangster Riff Raff (Swift again) crashes a party to steal the Hopeless Diamond, but Underdog crashes, too. The villain manages to waylay the hero long enough to replace him with the look-alike Tap Tap the chiseler, who smears Underdog's reputation by going on a crime spree. Once he escapes, our confused hero has himself locked up for the crimes.

In the ecological cautionary tale "Underdog Vs. Overcat", an alien dictator from the planet Felina steals all the cows on Earth after their milk wells run dry. However, they don't know how to milk the cows, so Polly is dog napped to help out. It all leads to an intergalactic championship bout in Metropolitan Stadium.

These three episodes are also available on tape. The DVD includes quite a few bonuses in addition. Some Underdog episodes were much shorter, around five minutes, and four of these are included here. "Tricky Trap by Tap Tap" is a sequel to the second episode, in which Underdog's double (George S. Irving, also a Rankin-Bass favorite) escapes from prison and tries to get his revenge. "March of the Monsters", in which big robots attack the city, is described as "unseen in 30 years", though no explanation is offered for its absence. "Simon Says" presents the first appearance by Underdog's arch enemy. "Safe Waif" is the little-seen pilot cartoon for the series. It's not in as good shape as the other films, but is nonetheless worth seeing. Underdog is a bit different from the final draft. More hapless than heroic, he shamelessly wrecks half the city trying to rescue a little boy locked in a bank safe.

The DVD is fun to navigate through with its amusing animated menus. Other extras are split between the interests of kids and grown-ups. Sing-along songs are a staple of the Golden Books line, and some are included here. There's a trivia quiz that is sometimes easy, but some questions may stump even fans. DVD-ROM features include several screensavers and a small program that plays Underdog sound bites.

Old time fans will be interested in a section that introduces the other cartoons featured on the show, and an "Archival Intros" section has three short promos ("Don't touch that dial!"). Perhaps the only real disappointment on the disc is an interview with Underdog's co-creator Joe Harris in his studio. Harris details quite a bit about his feelings toward the show and the character's success. He even tells a bit about how the show was produced (ink & paint was performed by Mexico's Gamma Productions, who by necessity pioneered the use of latex paint for animation cels).

However, he leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What was the genesis of the character's creation? Why isn't W. Watts Biggers, the producer of the show and composer of the catchy themes, given any mention? Just what is Underdog's "super energy pill" made of? And why is it that none of the people on the show seems to notice that they're living in a world where a significant minority group is made up of talking dogs?