Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Underdog Cartoon

Underdog was a beloved animated television series that ran from 1964 to 1973.

The premise was that Shoeshine Boy, a cartoon dog, was in truth the superhero Underdog. When villains threatened, Shoeshine Boy ducked into a telephone booth where he transformed into the caped and costumed hero, destroying the booth in the process when his super powers were activated. The villains almost always managed to capture Sweet Polly Purebred, a canine TV reporter, as part of their schemes; she was a helpless damsel in distress most of the time, and had a habit of saying, "Oh where, oh where has my Underdog gone?".

The show is also remembered for its 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!


2 comments:

  1. This is a fabulous cartoon memory; I've been trying to explain it to my kids! Hopefully I can find him on DVD somewhere.

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  2. I only got to watch a few Underdog cartoons. He came on just before I had to leave to walk to elementary school, so mom rarely let me watch it. (probably only when I was home sick)

    Anyway, I loved him.

    Michele
    Born 1966

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