The Wacky Races

[EPelle]

Just got wind of a series called The Wacky Races which aired back in the late 60s in the USA, then had a spin-off, The Vulture Squadron, starring Dastardly & Mutlley.

Anyone watch these as they grew up? What are some of the best episodes? I recall seeing this photo on the internet before, and now have something to which I can put it in context:

[gh]

Wacky Racers

[cullman]

Yes...then again I didn't have a life as a kid. The dog had the coolest laugh.

cman

[SQUACKEE]

that dog had a smokers laugh. hehehehehehehheheheehehehecough

[marknhj]

Strangely enough I do, plus it has a T&F connection; when I was in Edmonton for the 1978 Commonwealth Games I found a flyer under my door. It was from Arkansas solicitating foreigners for T&F scholarships. I clearly remember saying, "Where the hell is Arkansas, I've heard of the Arkansas Chug-a-Bug on Wacky Racers, but have no idea where it is"!

[Daisy]

I always remember that penelope pitstop got captured and stuck in a room with rising water...every episosde? (or am i mixing this up with the spioff series she had?) It seemed that way. The water would be rising very very fast but never drown her despite the fact it should have. Shame really, her character was pretty annoying, as was the pretty boy racer (what was his name again (Peter Perfect, of course). I have to say the best were the cave men racing team. Always wacking each other with their clubs.

Edit: just found this great site that describes all the racers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A592887

The cave men were car #01 - The Boulder-mobile - driven by the Slagg brothers Rock and Gravel, who were apparently based on Captain Caveman, another cartoon character. The car is a giant rock which is never capable of particularly astonishing speeds, yet they often succeeded by sheer determination and momentum.

[EPelle]

Thanks, Daisy! The link you provided has excellent info on these characters. I have seen some photos of Mutley and Dastardly on the net, but could never put them in context... Reading the article, it seems this show was a good hit. We did not have this aired here in SE - did you ever see this in GB?

(Side note to GH: net resulted Wacky Races, including Daisy:s link).

[Daisy]

We did not have this aired here in SE - did you ever see this in GB?

Yes i saw it in GB as a kid. Spin of with the catch the pigeon theme was good too. I just remembered the Ant Hill Mob car, that was pretty funny too. I'm sure if I saw it now it would look dated.


On a slightly related note just got a DVD of the five episodes of 'Thunderbirds are Go' that fans voted as the best. They are fun to watch again but have lost some of the fun now I am older. Still a great show though, I'm surpised it never took off in the US.

[Daisy]

This ones for Mark!



This snigger gif is for cullman



All the other racer animations can be found at the following link.
http://www.hotink.com/wacky/

[EPelle]

Daisy, 'Thunderbirds are Go', is that a cartoon where there were people on earth who were supposed to protect and serve, and turned into rocket ships when there was danger about?

[Daisy]

Daisy, 'Thunderbirds are Go', is that a cartoon where there were people on earth who were supposed to protect and serve, and turned into rocket ships when there was danger about?

No it was a rescue organisation based on Earth. They had fancy rocket ships that were designed by the Dad and flown by the sons. The dad was one of the original astronauts, Alan Shepherd or John Glenn type. It was not a cartoon, all puppets and models. There were a ton of spin offs too such as Capt. Scarlet, Joe 90, Stingray and many more. All good fodder for kids growing up in Britain in the 70's.

[gh]

Complete Wacky Races [epelle wins] set (34 episodes) available from Amazon for $34.98

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M ... ance&n=130

[EPelle]

That:s awesome for coming up with a link, GH... early Christmas present for me... (only 30+ years late on delivery)