Underdog - DVD

Underdog - Ultimate Collection

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

There's no need to fear; Underdog is here 5 out of 5 stars.
42 of 42 people found this review helpful.

I'm convinced there's a patron saint for fools and animators," says Underdog creator Joe Harris in the bonus feature interview on disc one ( Perils of Sweet Polly), also available separately, as are the other two discs in the Ultimate Collection. What surprised me in the interview was Joe holding up a copy of Animato!, a late, great animation magazine I used to write for, and of which the publisher sent me a signed copy of Joe's wonderful Underdog cover. This interview is the number one reason to get this set, but there are plenty more.

Underdog hit the airwaves in 1964 with humble and lovable Shoeshine Boy, AKA Underdog, voiced by kid favorite "Mr. Peepers", Wally Cox. This box set includes three discs, each with six two-part Underdog episodes (three story arcs) and about ten supporting cartoons drawn from various incarnations of King Leonardo and His Short Subjects and Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales. Those include The Hunter, Klondike Kat, Tooter Turtle, the King and Odie, Tennessee and Chumley, and Commander McBragg. The favorite was probably Go Go Gophers, voiced by NY kids' TV host Sandy Becker, and which spun off as its own show in 1968. These supporting cartoons include titles, but not their original theme music. Although these shows came from Total Television, the whimsical, stylized look was so similar to the Jay Ward shows, both inspired by the modern UPA cartoon style, that reviewers often confuse them with such Ward characters as Rocky and Bullwinkle, Hoppity Hooper, and George of the Jungle. They were known as "cliff-hanger" cartoons because they drop off at the end, so that each Underdog story runs for two two-part episodes (four parts).

The only thing slightly annoying about this set is that the discs open with ads for the Harveytoons Collection and a new CGI Casper movie, Casper's Scare School. The amazing thing, however, is how good the Harvey 'toons from Famous Studios look, and the Casper film, unlike many CGI direct to DVD films, seems to be reaching for the high standard of the Pixar- raised bar. This set comes through Classic Media, now part of Entertainment Rights (although Classic has a lot better logo) and is released through Genius Entertainment. The opening Underdog theme is also the abbreviated one used for syndication. Disc two, however, includes a bonus feature Underdog sing-a-long.

A previous three DVD Underdog set, also released as three individual discs, appeared in 2002 from Classic Media through Golden Books and Sony Wonder. The three discs were called Collector's Edition, The Underdog Chronicles, and Underdog Nemesis, and collected cartoons previously released on VHS. The surprising thing is that these are not the same 'toons as on the Ultimate Collection. Joe Harris says there were 124 segments of Underdog made, meaning 62 episodes. 18 episodes down in this set leaves, amazingly, 44 episodes to go. there's reason to hope they will all be forthcoming, as the new logo for Underdog on this set ties in with the live-action Underdog movie. All in all, this set is a great deal, with 18 Underdog two- part episodes and about 30 other cartoons, not to mention numerous extras and great packaging.

The Underdog cartoons in this set include:
Volume One, Perils of Sweet Polly: the Big Dipper, The Gold Bricks, Fearo the Ferocious
Volume Two, Simon Says Melt: the Great Gold Robbery, The Big Shrink, The Marbleheads
Volume Three, Riff Raff's Greatest Hits: Weathering the Storm, Riffraffville, Round and Round.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 11/18/2008 Run time: 360 minutes

The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

No ending! 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I suspect this won't be the most helpful review I've written. I simply want to draw readers' attention to the fact that this DVD was edited terribly. In short, there is no proper ending!

What a huge disappointment--and waste of money. After watching Polly Purebred get into a scrape in a haunted house, and calling for Under Dog, my 7 yo and I (with nostalgic anticipation) waited for Under Dog to break out of his cell to save the day. Instead, Polly shouting for Under Dog was the END of the cartoon!

Since Under Dog doesn't save the day, I suggest you save your money and buy something with an ending!

Underdog collection volume #1 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great DVD. but I highly suggest just buying the ultimate collection and getting volume 1, 2 and 3. Much better savings. Your kids will love them.

Have to have it!!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is simply a must have for any intelectual mind.
In a word I would say refreshing!!!!
Buy two and give one to mom,
Thanks for the stimuli Beretorn,
Michael Horgan Esquire

Editorial Review:

Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 07/24/2007 Run time: 120 minutes

The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 2

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Collection 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this for my daughter as she was getting excited about the new Underdog movie about to be released. I thought it would be good to see how she would react to the old Underdog cartoons. She loved it! I also enjoy watching the old Underdog episodes.

Introducing a grandchild to something old. 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

After seeing the new version of Underdog, my grandson wanted more. So, I ordered him the cartoon version that his parents grew up with and he was delighted. He watches it all the time.

great! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Just as I remembered from when I was a kid! My youngest son aged 6 enjoyed it AS WELL. After I took him to the new UNDERDOG movie I had to show him the "real thing". Cartoons made today, with the exception of Sponge Bob, just do not compare to the old stuff. They are all too PC and wishy washy.

Underdog collection volume #1 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great DVD. but I highly suggest just buying the ultimate collection and getting volume 1, 2 and 3. Much better savings. Your kids will love them.

UNDERDOG VOLUM 2 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Very good set up is the way I remrber watching this series as a kid.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 07/24/2007 Run time: 120 minutes

Underdog [Blu-ray]

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The Underdog iis SuperMovie 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is truly a great movie for young and old. The animation is both stimulating and entertaining. The illustrations and story are must-see for all.

Underdog 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I enjoyed this movie. lots of funny moments as the dog flies etc. But also a story of friendship. Anyone that likes animal movies will like this too.

Not overly creative, but mildly fun 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The movie tried to do its best with the original material. They kept Underdog a dog, Polly a dog, and Simon a human. However, Shoeshine is a wise-cracking dog and not a humble shoeshine dog/boy? The movie does has some mild chuckles. The movie plays up looking at the world from a canine point of view pretty well. I was disappointed they made the Underdog theme song a rap. There is a "Scrubs" episode where the song was sung acapella by a barbershop type group. It worked very well. The movie didn't do anything really creative. The actors were ok. The plot was predictable.

In summary, the movie was ok. The humor is the strongest part of the movie and the canine/human relationship works somewhat. Don't expect too much and definitely rent don't buy.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 12/18/2007 Run time: 92 minutes Rating: G

The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 3

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Another disappointing effort on behalf of Underdog & his friends 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Thanks to Classic Media for publishing these additional episodes, but I wish they'd someday put some actual effort into a collection worthy of Underdog, his friends, and fans.

Pros: the DVD menu is exceptionally-well organized, allowing the user to watch whole shows, Underdog-only episodes, or the accompanying shorts, with each cartoon having its own chapter index. (Though there isn't a way to watch ALL the content, including the "bonus" episode, without interacting with the DVD.) The return of the "cliffhanger" format for the shows is a plus.

Cons: The "bonus features" are rehashed, the same as included on the Nemesis/Chronicles/Collectors DVD set; some of the cartoons don't appear to have been retouched much (digitally remastered?), having faded colors; MANY of the cartoons have audio issues, from distortion, to digital whistles or twitters.

I'm grateful for the content, but am very disappointed at yet another sub-standard Underdog video release. He deserves better.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 07/24/2007 Run time: 120 minutes

Underdog Boxed Set (Collector's Edition/Chronicles/Nemesis)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Sadly incomplete, another worthless "best of" 2 out of 5 stars.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.

The title of the product gives the impression that the contents will be the complete series of Underdog. Afterall, is that not what the collector would want? However, all in all, it is about 11 episodes, which is sadly disappointing.

There is no continuity between the episodes, no obvious reason for the grouping, nothing but a quick assembly and package job in hopes of suckering an old fan into buying just a piece of what he really wants.

As has been stated here, there are none of the "cliffhanger" episodes, which is both a plus and a minus. The little cartoons were most enjoyable, and the handful we are given is a sad sampling and a sorry excuse. However, on the other hand, it is nice to be able to watch an entire episode of Underdog without being interrupted.

But again, beware of this product, as it is nothing more than a tease. I suggest not buying it now, but rather waiting until the whole series is released on DVD, to save having to pay for the same thing twice.

The Underdog Chronicles

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Underdog (Collector's Edition)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

RIP-OFF! 1 out of 5 stars.
25 of 27 people found this review helpful.

I give this one star because I'm way more bent out of shape than the previous poster -- the theme songs and intros WERE THE WHOLE REASON I BOUGHT THIS DVD TO BEGIN WITH! Let's face it, none of these cartoons were well-written or animated like the classic shorts of the 20s-40s, they basically serve the sole purpose of being boomer-nostalgia. Lacking the parts we all remember best, this DVD is stripped of all charm. My baby girl even hates this stuff, so the DVD is totally worthless as nostalgia or entertainment for kids. Wish I'd have read the reviews before buying this. Don't waste your money.
One last thought: I'm Jewish and that earlier post about these cartoons being anti-semitic is one of the stupidest things I've ever read in here. Hate this DVD for being a crappy rip-off, but let's not fabricate bigotry where none exists.

Not what people want 1 out of 5 stars.
18 of 21 people found this review helpful.

The One Law of Marketing is "Give people what they want." As should be obvious from the other reviews, this release is definitely NOT what people want. The cartoons themselves are, frankly, not very good, but the show has a certain gentle charm and strong nostalgic appeal to Boomer pocketbooks.

The archival releases of Looney Tunes, the Simpsons, Jonny Quest, Top Cat and other classic animation has certainly raised the bar, but that doesn't mean that cartoons of lesser quality can't compete and sell well. But to do so, they have to (repeat after me) "Give people what they want." And what people want is to recreate the feelings they remember: Saturday mornings, plopped in front of the TV, slurping the flavored milk from the bottom of the cereal bowl. Bits and pieces won't do any more. If Golden don't get that, then they should hire someone who does. Then they can sit back, congratulate themselves on their extreme cleverness, and count their money.

One last note: I'm all in favor of minority opinions; sometimes important things can be learned from them. But the idea that there is racist, religionist or anything-ist sentiment in Underdog is just plain wrong. Like beauty, ugliness is in the mind of the beholder.

Underdog - Nemesis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Could have had more... 3 out of 5 stars.
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I thought that this one was rather bare compaired to the last 2 releases... I thought that it could have had more episodes but the one like liked the most was the one about the witch who put Polly asleep for one thousand years... Other then that I did not like this one as well as the other ones...

"Never Fear - Underdog Is Here!" 3 out of 5 stars.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.

UNDERDOG is a fun frolic for those who remember the cartoon about the shoe-shine boy who has an alter ego. The adventures on this DVD brought back a few memories. There are even special features that include episode listings and cliff hangers along with other short cartoons.

The voices are witting and the rhyming is clever but it has a few signature trademarks that once you see it, will be the start of many great memories.

A fun and inexpensive DVD with a few extras for the kids and adults. (11-29-02)

I wanna ! 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I've become keen on re-connecting with 'Underdog' recently, but if I read the many low-star ratings for what is available astutely, then why would I want to be so keen ? Apparently, someone needs to re-evaluate their firm stance. I'll keep my money until something interesting comes along. Then I'm all over it !

The Underdog Chronicles

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A spoof of Superman that ran from 1964 through 1973, Underdog featured Wally Cox as the voice of the title character and his mild-mannered alter-ego Shoeshine Boy. Decades later, the show plays like an odd mixture of Jay Ward and Hanna-Barbera cartoons. The animation is little more than storyboards with cycles added for walks and runs, with the humor in the voice track and narration--a technique Ward pioneered in Crusader Rabbit. The villains are celebrity sound-alikes, as many Hanna-Barbera characters were: The King of Zot is Jimmy Durante; Simon Bar Sinister, Lionel Barrymore, etc. Included on the disc are various cartoons that were shown on Underdog, but without their familiar theme songs. Some viewers may be offended by the Indians in "Go Go Gophers," Ruffled Feather and Running Board. A disc for nostalgic baby boomers and animation history buffs. (Unrated, suitable for ages 7 and older: cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes) --Charles Solomon