There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!
This classic cartoon has been overlooked for too long! In an obvious spoof of
Superman, the canine hero has a range of powers including super strength, nigh
invulnerability, flight, super speed, super hearing and vision, and atomic
breath.
Though clumsily written, drawn, and animated, the spirit of Underdog has entertained
and inspired countless adults and children to be heroes in their own ways.
Underdog was created by Joe Harris with Treadwell Covington, Buck Biggers,
Chet Stover under the corporate name Leonardo Television Productions/Total
Television Productions. The program was animated at the Mexico-based Gamma
Studios.
Following the 4-part episode format intermixed with supporting cartoons like
Rocky and Bullwinkle which shard animation from Gamma Studios, Underdog
premiered on October 3, 1964 on NBC. After two seasons (80–6
minute segments in 23 stories), the show moved to CBS. Only 36 new segments (9
stories) were produced but the shows were rebroadcast and repackaged with a new
mix of other cartoons from Total TV and Leonardo Productions. The other cartoons
with the same creative team of Harris, Covington, Biggers and Stover include Tennessee Tuxedo and his Tales
(1963-?); Go Go Gophers (1963-64); The World of Commander McBragg
(1963-1964); Klondike Kat (1963-?); King Leonardo and his Short
Subjects (Renamed The King and Odie when released in
syndication) (1960 -?); and a few minor short cartoons and lame jokes.
Underdog returned to NBC for the 1968-1973 seasons, but no new cartoons were
produced. Wally Cox, the voice of Underdog, died on February 15, 1973
at the untimely age of 49 precluding a return of Underdog. Norma McMillian, the
voice of Sweet Polly Purebread, died on March 16, 2001. She was 79 years old.
Spoofing Superman
Underdog is an obvious spoof of Superman, from the name on down. Each is a
paragon of virtue and loved by all but the criminals that they fight.
Underdog's ill-fitting suit contrasts with superman's form fitting costume.
The colors are reversed, with Underdog in red with a blue cape and Superman in
blue with a red cape. Each has their respective letter emblazoned on their
chests.
Underdog's powers are nearly identical to Superman. Super human strength,
super speed, nigh invulnerability, flight, super hearing and ability to see
through walls, etc.
Their secret identities are meek and mild (even humble and lovable),
disguised with glasses, too obvious for anyone to miss, and yet everyone
does.
Each has a romantic interest in a reporter that needs constant rescuing. The
similarities goes on and on.
Finding Underdog
No longer being broadcast, the show is available on VHS
and DVD from Sony. Previous VHS tapes are out of production but are
available occasionally from various collectors, on-line auctions, and used
video stores. Several series of really cheesy comic books and countless
varieties of merchandise are regularly auctioned on eBay
with a few items still being sold as new.
Underdog has been shown on Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network. More
details are available on the media and merchandise
page. I am not selling anything. The information and links are strictly for
your information and convenience.
Theme Song
Underdog's theme song has two versions. One was animated with Riff Raff
stealing from a newspaper vendor:
WAV audio
Riff Raff version theme song:
When in this world the headlines read
Of those whose hearts are filled with greed
And rob and steal from those who need
To right this wrong with blinding speed
Goes Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!
Speed of lightning, roar of thunder
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog! Underdog!
Simon Barsinister version theme song:
When criminals in this world appear
And break the laws that they should fear
And frighten all who see or hear
The cry goes up both far and near
For Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!
Speed of lightning, roar of thunder
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog! Underdog!
The two were intermixed appearing on different segments of the same 4-part
story. The Simon Barsinister theme was also animated with a giant in a sequence
called "the big hit."
Where does Underdog live?
In Go Snow Polly goes to checkout a snowman on a hot summer day
"out in Eastwood". It is unclear if this is a neighborhood or suburb,
but it is obviously close to the WTTV studio as she can get there by taxi. This
is where Simon Barsinister has his secret laboratory. It is clearly not
downtown. The laboratory is in a house surrounded by a tall stone wall, typical
of the desert southwest and Southern California, but not the east coast. The
House itself looks similar to Norman Bates house in Psycho. Other cartoons show
the wall as a wrought-iron fence. Polly lives in a suburban
style single home.
D.J. Clawson
identifies the Washington Monument in the background in the cartoons behind
Shoeshine Boy, placing the action in Washington, DC. The obelisk the I have seen
could be the Washington Monument, but could just as easily be something
else. The town seems bigger and buildings
seem taller than the building height restrictions of Washington, DC to me.
Several cartoons imply that the main action does not take place in particular
places: Crime wave in Batty Man affects San Francisco, Pennsylvania,
Texas, New York, and Georgia; in Vacuum Gun criminals are sent to a host
of cities.
In Pain Strikes Underdog, Underdog protects a shipment from London to
San Francisco.
In The Forget-Me-Net Simon Barsinister attempts to throw his net over
Washington, DC. I take that as a indication that Underdog's home city is not
Washington, DC.
The show definitely takes place in the USA, as is mentioned in several
cartoons, but Underdog is willing to help
out others in need. Of course it is just a cartoon, and it is reasonable to
conclude that that action takes place in a fictitious, unnamed city.
Closing Titles
Repeating the giant's rampage animation in the big hit, the narrator (George S. Irving)
exclaims:
"It looks like this is the end, but don't miss our next Underdog
show."
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