The Perils of Penelope Pitstop

Watch The Perils of Penelope Pitstop

  • TV-G
  • 1969
  • 1 Season
  • 6.4  (2,111)

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

The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
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Seasons
London Town Treachery
17. London Town Treachery
January 17, 1970
On her way to deliver a painting to the Earl of Crumpet, Penelope falls prey to Edgar Allen Claw as he schemes up another perilous feat of destruction for her.
Game of Peril
16. Game of Peril
January 11, 1970
A scavenger hunt nearly ends in disaster until Penelope realizes the hunt was planned by the Hooded Claw.
Big Top Trap
15. Big Top Trap
December 20, 1969
At the circus, the Ant Hill Mob goes undercover as clowns to keep Penelope out of danger.
Bad Fortune in a Chinese Fortune Cookie
14. Bad Fortune in a Chinese Fortune Cookie
December 13, 1969
In Chinatown, Penelope gets caught by a parade dragon and is nearly made into a fortune cookie.
Big Baghdad Danger
13. Big Baghdad Danger
September 13, 1969
The Hooded Claw and the Bully Brothers nearly make a pancake out of Penelope with a boulder in their efforts to thwart her from her trial of Ali Baba's treasure.
Cross Country Double Cross
12. Cross Country Double Cross
September 13, 1969
A jump from a plane is terminated in mid-air by the Hooded Claw when he cuts Penelope's parachute lines.
Tall Timber Treachery
11. Tall Timber Treachery
September 13, 1969
A wild ride on a runaway lumber car temporarily halts Penelope's reign as Queen of the Indian Summer Festival.
North Pole Peril
10. North Pole Peril
September 13, 1969
The Hooded Claw tries to foil Penelope's attempt to become the first woman to reach the North Pole.
Hair Raising Harness Race
9. Hair Raising Harness Race
November 8, 1969
The Hooded Claw sabotages Penelope's efforts to win a harness race.
The Diabolical Department Store Danger
8. The Diabolical Department Store Danger
September 13, 1969
After tying Penelope to the bottom of a kiddy slide, the Hooded Claw prepares to lower a lawnmower from the top of the slide. The Ant Hill Mob comes to the rescue.
Arabian Desert Danger
7. Arabian Desert Danger
September 13, 1969
Penelope's trip to the Sahara Desert is cut short when the Hooded Claw tries to make a mummy out of her.
Treacherous Movie Lot Plot
6. Treacherous Movie Lot Plot
September 13, 1969
Posing as a film director, The Hooded Claw Casts Penelope in a movie with a 50-foot mechanical gorilla.
Carnival Calamity
5. Carnival Calamity
October 11, 1969
A visit to a carnival leaves Penelope breathless when the Hooded Claw puts her on a 190-mile-per-hour loop-the-loop.
Wild West Peril
4. Wild West Peril
October 4, 1969
The villainous Sneekly ties Penelope to a runaway stagecoach on a direct collision course with a train.
The Terrible Trolley Trap
3. The Terrible Trolley Trap
September 27, 1969
A ride to the end of the track is what's in store for Penelope when the Hooded Claw ties her to a derailed trolley.
The Boardwalk Booby Trap
2. The Boardwalk Booby Trap
September 20, 1969
Packed away to a fishing cannery by the Hooded Claw, Penelope is rescued by the Ant Hill Mob.
Jungle Jeopardy
1. Jungle Jeopardy
September 13, 1969
While Penelope is attempting to become the first woman to circle the globe, her plane is sabotaged by the Hooded Claw.
Description
Where to Watch The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is available for streaming on the Hanna-Barbera website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Perils of Penelope Pitstop on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 13, 1969
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (2,111)