Underdog (1964–1973) User Reviews

"...........Thank you, Shoe Shine Boy! You're Humble and Lovable!" and THANK YOU : W.Watts "Buck" Biggers, Joseph Harris, Leonardo TV, Total TV, NBC , etc.,etc.

[redryan64 · 8/10 · 15 August 2007]

What with this latest "Feature-Film-Adapted-from a Sitcom or a Cartoon Series from the Good Old Days of the Age of Baby-Boomers"(there outa be such an Oscar category!), UNDERDOG(2007) just having been released for general distribution/exhibition, we were curious about the old (1964)NBC Saturday Morning Kiddiefest.So, naturally we took a little peek and we found .......

The Boomers of varying age were among those viewing this UNDERDOG Show when it debuted back in A.D. 1964. I myself got out of high school that year (6 long years!!*), but had 3 younger siblings and a whole sh*t house full of younger cousins, so naturally this gave me a good excuse to watch, or at least 'observe'! After all, wouldn't want any young relatives corrupted by any inferior, low class, mind destroying trash with any low moral tone! Luckily, for me and them, it wasn't any of those things.

Much like many of the other Kiddie Crowd-Targeted Made for Television, limited action Animated Series, Underdog's producers went for the multi-leveled* story construction. Hence, we were witnessed to serialized stories which contained humor, incidents and even names of characters that would amuse the Parents and other Adults(like yours truly)who happened to be watching. The choice of theme/background/incidental music for the series was that of original score, consisting of rather non-complex melody.(Please bear with me here,as I have zero musical training, obviously!). Even the lyrics to the opening are short, clippy but mood setting, with an ominous, even spooky "ooh-ooh-ohh!" provided by a choral back ground group.

We had already witnessed the running of many of Pioneer Animator Paul Terry's TERRYTOONS' features by its new parent company, the CBS Television Network. By way of this method, we had all become familiar with MIGHTY MOUSE. Dating back to the early 1940's, Mighty Mouse was a long standing, and possibly first Paradoy of the whole Comic Book Super Hero in general and of Superman, in particular.

So, there was a precedent out there. That meant that somethings would have to be a little different, so as to avoid any obvious charges of "copy catism" by the kiddies.

Now, the Mighty Mouse animated shorts were not done up in prose, but rather sung as an Operetta. This was perhaps somewhat lost on the kids, but seems very amusing and even 'delightful' to all of us 'big kids'!So, what to do? What to do? Well then, the folks at Leonardo Television and Total TV Produvtions settled on the idea of going not for song, but rhyme, ala Will Shakespeare!** The idea was a good one, as it became one feature of the whole series to be its one true identifier, its electronic DNA, if you please. We would listen closely in order to get the lines and the words spoken by voice artists, led by Wally Cox.

As for the 'Female Lead', we see the Name of Norma MacMillan as Polly Purebred. We read that 'Polly' was patterned on Marilyn Monroe. But I must beg to disagree, respectfully of course. My contention is that Miss Polly Purebred is a vocal and visual caricature of the lovely,late Actress/Commedienne Mary Jane Croft.(just my opinion.)

That brings us to the cast of voice artists.Wally Cox as the Lead,with Norma MacMillain(Polly), Alan Swift(Simon Bar-Sinister***) and George S. Irving as the Golden Voiced Narrator.

* Just kidding! But I did have one trip to Summer School for Physics! St. Rita High School, Chicago, Summer(the whole, damn season!), A.D. 1963!

** I get all his books, soon as they come out.

*** Just for the Record, "Bar-Sinister" is a term used in Heraldry. When the bar-sinister appears on a Family Coat of Arms, it indicates Illegitimacy. Ergo, it would appear that "Simon Bar-Sinister" would translate, "Simon the Bastard!"

Underdog is here

[gregorycanfield · 7/10 · 14 October 2022]

When I was a kid, this show would come on TV at 6 AM, and I would force myself to get up that early to watch it. I remember always feeling that the other cartoons (Gopher Indians and Commander McBragg) were underwhelming. I just wanted to get back to the Underdog stories. Some other reviewers here mention Tennessee Tuxedo and other cartoons as being part of the show. I'm almost at the end of season 2, and the other cartoons have all been the Gopher Indians and McBragg. It would be nice to get some variety here. Before reading the other reviews, I predicted that a few people would have an issue with the lack of political correctness in the Gopher Indian cartoons. I found these cartoons repetitive and only mildly amusing. However, I wasn't offended by them. Too bad, that we can't rewrite history, and make everything the way some people think it should have been. It's only a silly cartoon! Get over it! Overall, the Underdog segments were more imaginative and more interesting. My only quibble with Underdog was Sweet Polly singing "Where, oh where has my Underdog gone?" I could have easily done without that.

"There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!"

[grendelkhan · 6 March 2003]

God, I loved this show! It was in syndication when I was little and I watched it everyday. There was nothing better than watching Underdog match wits with the likes of Simon Bar Sinister and Riff-Raff. With a gulp of a power pill, he would be off to save Sweet Polly Purebread. The stories were fun and the music helped keep the pace frantic. The great Wally Cox provided the voice of our hero, with his rhyming speech patterns. Man, you gotta love this show and names like Underdog and Simon Bar Sinister.

The show also featured Tennessee Tuxedo and his Tales, the Go-Go Gophers, Klondike Kat, Commander McBragg, and the Hunter. The Go-Go Gophers were a pair of indians who delighted in confounding the Colonel and his Sergeant, in the Old West. It was hardly PC, but the Gophers always pulled one over on the Army, so some good came from it. Klondike Kat was a feline Mountie who persued the thieving Savior Faire, who constantly shouted his motto, "Savior Faire is everywhere!," as he stole cheese; but, Klondike Kat always got his mouse. Commander McBragg was an old British gentleman who would regale his friend (an unwilling audience) with tales of his amazing (and far-fetched) adventures, while smoking his briar pipe. The Hunter was a dog detective, on the trail of the Fox. It was pretty much the same as Klondike Kat, but with different animals. The best of these sideshows was Tennessee Tuxedo.

Tennessee Tuxedo (a penguin) and his pal, Chumly (a walrus), lived in the Metropolitan Zoo. They spent their days outsmarting the zoo director, Stanley Livingston, and their rival, Jereboah Jump (a mouse). Their plans would often backfire and they would seek the help of Mr. Whoopee, a man with all of the answers, and a 3DBB (3 Dimensional Blackboard). The duo would escape from the zoo and seek Mr Whoopee's help to solve their latest problem. Mr Whoopee wold illustrate the solution on the 3DBB, where the pictures would come to life. Then, Tennessee and Chumley would return to the zoo and triumph (more or less). Don Adams provided the voice of Tennessee. The show was great fun and very educational.

I later saw these shows on Nickelodeon. They had edited out every scene of Lovable Shoeshine Boy taking his power pill to become Underdog. This riled me up as much as ABC censoring the Warner cartoons. I saw these cartoons as a child, uncut, and did not grow up to shoot people in the face with a shotgun, or pop pills to change identities. Sometimes people go overboard to protect children. I'm glad to see that at least a few of these cartoons are available on DVD and VHS. They beat most cartoons aimed at kids these days.

Very Clever Parody Of Superman

[bigverybadtom · 10/10 · 2 February 2013]

The cartoon was not only a favorite of mine as a child, but of my late father's as an adult. There were the gimmicks of where every phone booth he heads into to change from Shoe Shine Boy to Underdog explodes, as well as how he always crashes through roofs and walls even when there are door or window openings nearby, as well as his talking in rhyme. But what makes the comic work is the witty writing.

Examples include how he makes Simon Bar Sinister dizzy by flying in circles around him, thus preventing him from using his snow gun, or the clever ways he defeats a flotilla of alien flying saucers, or how he makes the Wicked Witch of Pickayoon wealthy by compressing lumps of coal into diamonds, or how he sends villains directly into confinement or jail. Too bad the DC Superman didn't have that level of cleverness...but then he didn't have Underdog's computer brain.

Good show

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 9/10 · 4 May 2006]

I used to watch this show when I was a little girl. When I think about it, I remember it pretty well. If you ask me, it was a good show. The opening sequence and theme song are two things I remember pretty well, too. In addition to that, everyone was ideally cast. Also, the writing was very strong. The performances were top-grade, too. I hope some network brings it back so I can see every episode. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever, even though I don't think I've seen every episode. Now, in conclusion, if some network ever brings it back, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good.

Do Not Make Cartoons Like they Used Too

[ShelbyTMItchell · 10/10 · 8 April 2020]

Really do not make cartoons like they used to, Underdog who is a super hero rhyming dog with damsel in distress Polly Purebread ace reporter. Fighting against Simon, Riff Raft among others. Klondike Kat who always is chasing his nemesis, Savoir Fare the mouse kind of like Tom and Jerry but the cat is the protagonist and antagonist is the mouse Go Go Gophers two Indiana Gophers last of their kind fighting for their land against Colonel Kit Coyote and his Sgt always breaking the fourth wall to remind us viewers to tune on in. Just to name a few of the cartoons there. As they do not make them like they used to.

Talking Rhyming Dog

[shelbythuylinh · 9/10 · 28 November 2021]

Underdog spoke in rhymes and fighting crime. As his alter ego is that of Shoe Shine Boy a mild mannered dog hence his name that shines shoes for a living.

He has to defeat nemesis like Simon Bar Sinister to usually rescue love interest, news reporter Sweet Polly Purebred the damsel in distress.

It does not take itself seriously and that it was one that made fun of itself there.

Underwhelmed By "Underdog"

[roddekker · 4/10 · 14 July 2015]

(Frequently uttered "Underdog" quote) - "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!"

Now, I wouldn't exactly say that I hated these Underdog cartoons. But, then again, I really couldn't say that I liked them all that much, either.

If you ask me - I think that a much more appropriate name for this particular animated, canine superhero would have been "Blunderdog" (even though through all of his many blunders he certainly did, indeed, manage to save the day in every episode) - So, I guess, in the long run, the name Underdog was a suitable enough name, as well.

Anyway - Along with the animation-style of these cartoons being very limited, flat and uninspired, I also found the situations Underdog got himself involved in to be far too repetitive and predictable in nature. And, as far a humor goes, most of the time, the laughs were all real hit & miss stuff, which got pretty stale, real fast.

All-in-all - I thought that these cartoons from the mid-1960s to be best suited for the entertainment of very young kids and nostalgic adults.

Simon Bar-Sinister

[sfrush-tx · 8 May 2004]

In heraldry, a coat-of-arms with the "bar sinister" or "bend sinister" indicates a bastard. This isn't the only case of cartoons sliding in somewhat "adult" references.

Dudley Do-Right once chased a villain to a place called "Colderinell" (say is fast). I might not have spelled it right, but the concept is the same.

I'm certain there are many others like it that I didn't catch but hey, I was a kid at the time.

I have to agree with several other reviewers that the cartoons of those days beat the heck out of those seen today. I think cartoons started going downhill when "...and it would have worked if it weren't for those meddling kids" became the tagline.

Underdog

[tommypezmaster · 10/10 · 29 May 2007]

This is awesome classic about a dog who saves everything w/ cool background music & characters I won't let this show canceled because there a lot of Cappy shows on the air & Underdog is one of the most good shows thats on so please give it a little while for it to stay. If people want crap than let there be a vote first.

So please leave this show alone & cancel only crap just crap not classics I want to let only good shows like this one to stay & cancel crappy shows like CatDog, Bleach, House of Mouse & other crap crap crap

This cartoon is great.The Underdog series almost acts like the real thing.This cartoon can make anyone laugh even the grumpiest person in the world will like this show.Almost everyone will like this show and will get addicted by this show.This catoon is very classical if you ask me because there is great voice acting.This show includec a lot of comedy acts as well.There's one episode where U.D. shows bravery and justice.Underdog lives in some sort of town with some green man.He helps with his girl called Sweet Polly.Underdog has an ego(kid). He dgose recklessly around the town with his flying as if he dosen't have a bad day at all.

Great series; silliness, lessons to learn

[matlock-6 · 20 May 2002]

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.

Underdog (1966) animated series

[hercule · 6 December 1998]

It was great stuff, fun, educative, and morals were a bit higher then than they are now.

10/10

A Bit Dated, But....

[domino1003 · 8 November 2005]

I grew up on "Underdog" and, as a kid, I thought it was very cool. Of course, being an adult, you look at some of your childhood choices and shake your head. Recently watching it on Boomerang, I couldn't help but smile.

Underdog is like Superman (Although you never do find out where he came from). Under the guise of Shoe Shine Boy, Underdog helps his city from the evils of such characters of Simon Bar-Sinister (Whenever he does evil, he says "Simon Says...")and Riff-Raff (A gangster dog). Sometimes he becomes weakened and can only get back on track with a pill in his ring (What is the pill? Again you don't know, but it IS a children's show). And he is almost ALWAYS saving Sweet Polly Purebred (Who calls him by saying "Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Underdog Gone? Oh Where, Oh Where Can He Be?"), reporter of the local news station.

But there were other cartoons on this show as well, such as "Tennesse Tuxedo, a penguin with a walrus for a pal (And voiced by Don "Get Smart" Adams), Klondike Cat (Always chasing a mouse called Savoir Faire).

It is still cute to watch, and younger kids would love it.

Trivia has got it wrong...

[kevinwpalmer-65370 · 29 August 2021]

Trivia has the villian, known as Riff Raff, to be imitating George Raft. I've seen and heard George Raft in the movies. He didn't sound like that at all. If anything, Riff Raff sounds like Sheldon Leonard who, frequently, played "heavies / tough guys" in the movies.

I'm no authority but I do watch a lot of TV and movies. See if I'm wrong. If I am then I'll be glad to retract this review, if possible, asap.

Some of the characters were based on real life personalities

[glossamir · 12 March 2008]

Underdog, was of course, purely Wally Cox's persona

Simon Bar-Sinister was based on Lionel Barrymore(Mr. Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life")

Riff Raff - The name is taken from George Raft, but sounded a lot like Sheldon Leonard

Tennessee Tuxedo - Of course, this was Don Adams' characterization

Baldy Eagle - Based on Ned Sparks, known for the deadpan monotone delivery of lines in his movies, in the 1940's

Yakety Yak - Based on Joe E. Ross (Fred Gwynne's partner in "Car 54: Where are You?")

Major Minor - Terry-Thomas, comedic British Actor of the 1960' and 70's

Savoir Fare - Kind of like the Pepe LePew variety of characterization.

Colonel Kit Coyote - The name is based on Kit Carson, a figure in the old American west, but his mannerisms are liked many characterizations of Colonel/President Teddy Roosevelt(see: Robin William's portrayal of Roosevelt in "A Night At The Museum"[2006])

Seargent - sounded something like Brian Keith, or Buddy Ebsen's portrayals in the Daniel Boone TV series? Maybe not.

I'd love to know if anyone has any ideas on what personalities Stanley Livingston, Chumley, Jereboah Jump, Tiger, Cad, Miss Polley, and Klondyke Kat were based on.

Underdog Sub Cartoons

[williebobo95 · 18 January 2004]

"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."

That cartoon was called "Go Go Gophers".