Penelope Pitstop, created by Hanna-Barbera was a spin-off from the very successful Wacky Races. The idea of Penelope Pitstop was to take some of the more succesful characters from the Wacky Races and put them into a new scenario. Originally Dastardly and Mutley were also going to be involved in the cartoon, as the body-guards of Penelope's younger brother, Johnny Pitstop. However before the cartoon went into production this idea was dropped, and Dastardly and Mutley were given a show of their own called Dastardly and Mutley in Their Flying Machines.
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop put Penelope and the Ant Hill Mob (subject to some slight character changes etc.) into 1920s silent film territory. Penelope was an heiress to a fortune, but unfortunately her guardian Sylvester Sneekly was continually trying to kill her so that presumably he could get hold of her money. Penelope doesn't realise this however, as Sylvester cleverly disguises himself as the Hooded Claw. Using his henchman, the Bully Brothers, the Hooded Claw tries to draw the curtain for poor old Penelope through ridiculously elaborate, but entertaining schemes. The Ant Hill mob are called Penelope's benefactors, and as such they set out to rescue Penelope whenever she needs their help, although most of the time they bungle this and Penelope actually rescues herself!
The idea of the original cartoons was that each cartoon, as per the 1920s silent films of this type would end on a cliff-hanger with Penelope in Peril. The narrator would then prompt the viewer to tune in to next week's episode, which would re-cap Penelope's predicament at the outset. Instead of a laugh-track, the cartoon sets a really good ambience by using again, organ music such as that used in silent films to build up suspense whenever the Hooded Claw appears.
Penelope Pitstop
Penelope is the heropine of the piece. Althoguh Penelope continually gets herself kidnapped, she is very resourceful. Quite often she will call out for the Ant Hillmob, but because they take so long to find her, or bungle the rescue in some way, she often has to use her wits to rescue herself and outwits the Hooded Claw every time - Hooray!
Somewhere between Wacky Races and this cartoon, Penelope looses her car the 'Compact Pussycat' and instead drives a set of cars fitting for the 1920s era around.
The Hooded Claw
I think that the voices of the Hooded Claw and the Narrator went a long way to building the drama of the cartoon. The Hooded Claw's laugh was fantastic!
Just ike so many James Bond villains the basic way that the Hooded CLaw messes up eachtie is that he doesn;y just shoot Penelope Pitstop but instead tries to create a much more theatrical death. For example in 'Jungle Fever' he catches her in a wooden cage, then ties her to a log, tipsher into a river, which after 1,000 yards becomes a waterfall - from which she of course escapes!
The Ant Hill Mob
The Ant Hill mob also make it over to the cartoon from the Wacky Races. Clyde the leader of the mob stays pretty much the same, but all of the rest of the mob get completely new names. These are: Softly (cries alot), YakYak (always laughing), Pockets (always carrying the right thing for every situation), Zippy (fleetof foot!), Snoozy (the driver that was always falling asleep) and DumDum (guess!).
In th eWacky Races the mob drove a Sedan called the Bullet Proof Bomb, this changed to the Chugga Boom a sentient car that almost spoke!
Sylvester Sneekly
Sylvester Sneekly is Penelope's guardian, but of course we know that he is actually tryng to get hold of her money through his alter ego the Hooded Claw. He changes into the Hooded Claw by pulling his purple cape out of nowhere and putting on his mask all in one motion.
In some episodes Penenlope actually comments on how much like the Hooded Claw, Sylvester looks. However Penelope has such a kind heart, she just can't believe that her faithful guardian would be so evil. In one episode (Big Top Trap) he actually tells Penelope that he is the Hooded Claw, and she just dismisses it as a joke.
The Bully Brothers
The Bully Borthers are Hooded Claws henchman, if you ever find out their individual names let me know! They are basically twins that don't speak, but just do all of the unpleasantness on behalf of the Hooded Claw,
The Ant Hill Mob
Watching the cartoon back now, another unusual aspect of the series is that the Hooded Claw would often talk to the narrator. There doesn't seem to be any conflict in his mind that the narrator is there or narrating events, and quite often the Hooded Claw will argue with the narrator - watch it and you'll see what I mean!
Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Facts
Originally Aired: 1969 - 1971
Episodes: 1 series of 17 episodes
Length: 21 mins
Produced By: Hanna-Barbera
Producer: Alex Lovy
Written By:Michael Maltese, Joe Ruby, Ken Spears
Voices:Mel Blanc, Paul Lynde, Don Messick, Janet Waldo, Paul Winchell
Narrator: Gary Owens
Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Resources
A great fansite that doesn't just contain lots of info, but also looks great in the process!
Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Lyrics
Hooded Claw: Wa-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha
Penelope: Helllp!! Hellp!!
Hooded Claw: Wa-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha
Narrator: The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
Starring those seven rollicking rescuers . . . the Anthill Mob! And their courageous car ChuggaBoom
And that villain of villains, the Hooded Claw
Hooded Claw: Wa-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha
Narrator: Penelope Pitstop, Heiress to a vast fortune,
is in perpetual peril from her fortune seeking guardian,
Sylvester Sneekly, who unknown to her is really The Hooded Claw!!!
But foiling this fiends foul plots are Penelope's ever present protectors the Ant hill Mob!
Hooded Claw: I'll get you Penelope Pitstop!
Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Episode Guide
There were just seventeen episodes made of Penelope Pitstop, and here they are:
