Wacky Races - The Complete Series arrived on DVD this past Tuesday, and my son and I are enjoying it immensely even as I type this up! This is the series which gave invention to both Penelope Pitstop and her rival racers, The Anthill Mob.
One of the supplements on the 3rd disc in this set is "Spinout Spinoffs", which looks at the two toons that came out separately after
Wacky Races wrapped its 34-episode run. It describes how Penelope was developed into a full-fledged character who had globe-trotting adventures while trying to escape the schemes of "The Hooded Claw" (voiced by the memorable Paul Lynde), who was really her "guardian" Sylvester Sneekly, but was always trying to do her in and gain her inheritance for himself. Her actual (but self-appointed) protectors were The Anthill Mob, who's
Wacky "Bullet-Proof Bomb" car had been upgraded to the more
Speed Buggy-like "Chug-a-boom"...voiced by Mel Blanc! Announcer Gary Owens was also present, as were classic voice actors Don Messick and Paul Winchell. Janet Waldo returned as the voice of Penelope, of course.
The featurette ended with the card below, letting us know that the Hanna Barbera Classic Collection of cartoons will continue in 2005, with a release that includes all 17 episodes of
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. Stay tuned for more info on that, just as soon as distributor Warner Home Video makes their announcement.
