Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have mixed feelings about these new Underdog DVDs (this one, The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 2 and The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 3). On one hand, I think these cartoons are great for kids. Originally airing on 1960s television, the Underdog serials have just enough sarcasm ("Look! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a frog!) to engage even the most jaded child, and the show's additional cartoons include not just Tennessee Tuxedo, but the great Tooter Turtle and World of Commander McBragg. (Others include the King and Odie, Klondike Kat, Go Go Gophers and The Hunter.)

That said, whoever put together this set apparently has no appreciation for its contents. The shows on this disk are edited! Not for anything racy or racist (this was '60s television, after all) but just because someone is apparently too greedy, or too lazy, to deliver what they promise. Despite the fact that these were 30-minute television shows, on this disk each Underdog program -- which has two 'dog episodes and two additional cartoons -- runs only 19 minutes.

Worse, the cuts are done with the subtlety of a meat clever. For example, in the Tooter Turtle shorts, after Mr. Wizard says "Drizzle, drazzle, druzzle, drome, time for this one to come home"... the cartoon ends! As another reviewer points out, that's NOT the end!

I gave this particular DVD three stars because of my fondness for Underdog, Tooter and Commander McBragg. But if you buy it, be prepared to be at least a little frustrated.

Just like the Space Ghost set I bought last week, these "episodes" are cut. They've left out most of the bridging material between the segments (such as the theme songs that used to play before the extra cartoons like Go-Go Gophers would start). This along with some time compression (Underdog sounds like Sweet Polly since his voice is sped up so fast!) on some segments and editing of other segments reduces the shows to around 19 minutes! What's the deal folks? I love this stuff, but can't any company find or create the complete episodes for any cartoon series??? Heck, I'd take the horrible 16-mm syndicated prints that used to show when I was a kid if I could get all of the material!

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.

I never bought the first sets of Underdog DVDs which appeared a few years back. Not sure why, but I suppose I wanted to buy a whole set and save a few bucks. Well, I finally did. I bought a set of the new DVDs from (another brick & morter store) for 20 bucks for 3 DVDs.

Now, not seeing the previous DVDs I am not sure how they compare. I do know that I read a few reviews which kept me from buying the first set from here. Statements that they cut things short or sped things up made me think it wasn't worth buying. Well, Classic Media must read these reviews. They restored the episodes to cliffhanger episodes with the cartoons like go go gophers and tennessee tuxedo, klondike kat, tooter turtle and more with their title screen and tunes seemingly intact. OK, maybe a few seconds of the actual theme songs were cut. Sure, it would be nice to have them complete, but when going from cliffhanger to tennessee tuxedo, I didn't really miss it. Besides, they do have a DVD set of Tennessee Tuxedo for those of us who want the theme song before each episode.

The transfers look great! The sound is awesome and the stories are as charming and silly as ever. How they ever got away with a magical pill that enhances strength and makes it possible to hit more home runs than Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron I'll never know. OK, maybe not home runs. But he does get his strength from "artifical means" and not one kid ever thought it was cheating. Then again, Underdog never went up against Superman, Captain Marvel or even Mighty Mouse to prove who was stronger.

Truly, outside of a few purists who just have to have everything exactly the way they want it, and I am not blaming them for wanting it that way, most anyone will enjoy this set from quality and quantity stand points.

Final word on purists...
I am a purist for most things, but there are some things I will take whatever I can get. This is one of those items. Like Ultraman and Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes, I am happy to have the chance to watch things I enjoyed as a child and see it through those childlike eyes again. So if it's missing a few things, I'll forgive as long as the transfers are clean and the episodes of the main feature are complete which these are, I won't complain.

This set is a nice set for kids of all ages. It's also fun to hear some of the voices from other cartoons and animated classic such as, the Christmas animations Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, in another format. Keep a kean ear open as you will place a few voices from other TV shows, cartoon and classics.

Happy watching!

I wanted to buy more of these but I was turned off by the fact that they left the theme songs off. I like the theme song of these characters very much and am highly disappointed. Whoever made the decision to edit them out should be demoted. I've heard that there are bootleg copies that have everything in tact. Like someone else said, "I hate to go that route" but I want what's being cut out and will not pay for edited out merchandise. Sale lost.

I'm no real expert on the show, like the other reviewers. So I'll giving a little review on the dvd

First off, I like the fact that they allow you to choose how you want to view the episodes. You can see the entire episode in the classic formula but, if you're just an underdog fan. You can choose to see all four parts in a row, or you can see the other cartoons in a row.

On the subject of episode, I feel there just aren't enough. You get four main episodes, plus a bonus episode. I cant help but think I am getting slightly ripped off, because I see dvds like Teenage mutant ninja turtles that have 13 episodes per disc. Not to mention they cost around the same price as the underdog dvds.

As for the extras, I'm pretty much pleased with them. Underdog is a pretty old show, so you really can't expect much for extras. The histroy of the show told by the creator was great, I also loved seeing a comic he drew for two girls(seen on disc three) brought to life.

I'm giving this a 4 out of 5, because overall I loved the dvds. However I feel they should add at most seven to ten episodes per disc in future releases. Ten dollars is a bit much to ask for five episodes when other dvds sets of classic cartoons contain twice as many for the same price.

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!

If you're old like me you can't go wrong with these toons! The big Dipper, where Simon attempts to take over the worlds water supply, the gold bricks, etc. And all of the bonus toons between the Underdog episodes are pretty hard to beat as well. Go Go Gophers, Tennessee Tuxedo, And other of your old favorites won't disappoint.

As a child of the early eighties, I remember watching this before heading off for school. The only thing that leaves me disappointed is that I remember before a commercial break, Tennessee Tuxedo and Chumley the walrus would tell a riddle. Why was this left out of the collection?

Other than this, I have no complaints. The digital remasterring is very good.

sg

Spot on, just as I remember. All of the episodes with the additional stories while awaiting "our next exciting episode." Even better, my two three year old boys love nothing better than Underdog. Highly recommend for all ages.