Watch The Perils of Penelope Pitstop

In 1969, Hanna-Barbera introduced a new animated show entitled The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, which became an instant classic in the world of animated television. The show aired from 1969 to 1971 with a total of 17 episodes, and it featured an impressive ensemble cast of voice actors who brought the characters to life.

The Perils of Penelope Pitstop follows the adventures of the titular character, Penelope Pitstop, who is an heiress to a vast fortune. However, she is constantly being targeted by her evil cousin, The Hooded Claw, who wants nothing more than to get his hands on her inheritance. The Hooded Claw will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, including sending his henchmen, The Bully Brothers, to capture Penelope.

Fortunately, Penelope has a group of loyal friends who are always there to help her whenever she finds herself in trouble. These include the Ant Hill Mob, a group of seven gangsters who are always on the run from the law but are willing to help Penelope when needed, and her faithful dog, Precious. Together, they must outwit The Hooded Claw and his henchmen and keep Penelope safe from harm.

As with many Hanna-Barbera shows, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop features a mix of comedy, action, and adventure. The show's humor is often slapstick in nature, with Penelope and her friends getting into all sorts of ridiculous situations. However, there are also plenty of thrilling chase scenes and action-packed moments that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

One of the highlights of the show is the voice acting, which features some of the most iconic voice actors of the time. Mel Blanc, best known for his work as Bugs Bunny and many other Looney Tunes characters, voices the Ant Hill Mob's leader, Clyde. Paul Lynde, who was a regular on Hollywood Squares and had a memorable role in the original Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie, voices the villainous Hooded Claw. Don Messick, who lent his voice to countless Hanna-Barbera characters over the years, voices the rest of the Ant Hill Mob, as well as several other characters. Janet Waldo, who also appeared in many other Hanna-Barbera shows, voices Penelope herself. And Paul Winchell, who was known for his ventriloquism act with his dummy Jerry Mahoney, voices the dog Precious.

The animation in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is typical of Hanna-Barbera shows from this era, with simple character designs and limited animation. However, the show is still visually appealing thanks to the colorful backgrounds and action sequences. The show's opening theme song, which features the catchphrase "Help, help!", is also one of the most memorable themes in animated television history.

Overall, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is a fun, entertaining show that has stood the test of time. It may not have the depth or complexity of some of today's animated shows, but it is still a classic that is beloved by many. Whether you grew up watching the show or are discovering it for the first time, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is definitely worth checking out.

The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is a series that ran for 1 seasons (17 episodes) between September 13, 1969 and on Hanna-Barbera