October Rewind Drat, Drat and Double Drat

Dastardly and Muttley - This week, the Dynamic Duo of Dastardly Deeds

Welcome to this third rewind post of October, which I hope you enjoy.

Welcome to Animated, your weekly dose of cartoon history. Over the past few months, I have been asked about these characters several times, so today, I am looking at the beloved Dastardly and Muttley. 

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The History

Dastardly and Muttley, the unforgettable duo, first made their mischievous debut in the Hanna Barbera cartoon Wacky Races, as did my Animated last week, Penelope Pitstop. In the US, they were known as Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, but in the UK, they were known simply as Dastardly and Muttley. They appeared in their show in late 1969, which ran until early 1970 and captivated audiences throughout the US, Europe and Australia with their peculiar villainy, which we first saw in Wacky Races.

Although our duo started life in Wacky Races in 1968 when they appeared in their cartoon, they had undergone a few changes initially; Dastardly was a small-time villain with an all-white outfit and a lack of his signature long moustache and hat. However, even in his earliest incarnation, he introduced viewers to his now-famous flippant attitude.

The Saturday morning show concept was in its infancy in the 1960s, and Dastardly and Muttley were instant hits when they started trying to catch that pesky pigeon. The show had a catchy theme tune (see below), Stop That Pigeon, based on the jazz tune Tiger Rag.

Masters of Mayhem

The Characters

Dastardly embodies the quintessential cartoon villain with his distinctive handlebar moustache and tall hat. He is the ‘genius’ behind countless hare-brained schemes to catch the carrier pigeon trying to deliver a secret message.

Whether it's deploying massive magnets, oil slicks, or revolving door traps, Dastardly's ingenuity in villainous invention is nothing short of remarkable. With his indomitable spirit, despite constant failure, he always had a catchphrase available…”Curses foiled again.”

Muttley's Laughter and Loyalty

Muttley, on the other hand, serves as Dastardly's loyal yet endearingly laughable sidekick. His distinctive, wheezy laugh has left an indelible mark on animation. Muttley's loyalty to Dastardly is heartwarming and comical, as he often finds himself reluctantly participating in Dastardly's misadventures. His expressions, from raised eyebrows to perplexed looks and exaggerated sneezes, add a layer of humour to their escapades.

One of the most endearing aspects of Muttley's character is his unwavering pursuit of the elusive medals. The promise of medals, courtesy of their superior officer, General Klunk, is the carrot that keeps Muttley motivated. Their hilarious, albeit futile, attempts to catch the pigeon often lead to absurd situations, making for some of the most memorable moments in the show.

There were two other main characters in the animation, Klunk and Zilly. Klunk was an inventor who used a language you couldn’t understand, with a range of clicks and whistles accompanied by odd facial expressions. Zilly was an agitated, anxious pilot who seemed to be in a constant state of nerves. He tried to translate for Klunk and usually attempted to desert any mission he was given.

In both Wacky Races and Dastardly and Muttley, actor Paul Winchell voiced Dastardly, while Don Messick provided the voice for Muttley. These actors voiced most of the characters in the show, which again was quite typical of spin-off cartoons of the time.

The Plot

In Stop the Pigeon, the plotline was pure slapstick with a hint of crazy, a little like Wacky Races, which was typical of other H-B cartoons of the time. Dastardly and Muttley were World War I fighter pilots in the Vulture Squadron who were trying to stop the homing pigeon from delivering messages to HQ from the Western Front.

Although Dastardly and Muttley's adventures first graced our screens in the late 1960s, their timeless appeal continues to captivate audiences today. Their relentless pursuit of victory, unshakable faith in schemes and unwavering loyalty to each other provide a charming counterpoint to the heroes of the cartoon world. While their intentions may be criminal, their antics are undeniably endearing, earning them an unforgettable place in the animated pantheon.

Dastardly and Muttley may not be the heroes we cheer for, but they are undoubtedly the villains we love to laugh with. Their hilarious failures, outlandish inventions, and iconic catchphrases have earned them a special place in the hearts of cartoon enthusiasts. So, the next time you enjoy Wacky Races or Dastardly and Muttley, take a moment to appreciate the true maestros of mischief – Dick Dastardly and his ever-faithful companion, Muttley. Curses, they've stolen our hearts once again!

Merchandise

You can still buy T-shirts, mugs, and lots of other collectables now. The show's popularity has remained strong, and it is a cult classic in the UK, the US, and Australia, where YouTube has played a heavy influence on its cult status.

Fun Facts

• The name of the pigeon that they wanted to capture was called Yankee Doodle Pigeon. 

• The show was a parody of the movie Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.

• The characters have appeared in various other Hanna-Barbera productions and contemporary cartoons, keeping their legacy alive in modern pop culture.

• Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics teamed up to bring a comic of the duo to an older market.

  

It would be remiss of me not to leave you with an earworm for a Sunday, so here you go. You are welcome 🙂

Theme Song

Dick Dastardly: Muttley, you sniggering cowardly hound / When courage is needed, you're never around! / Those medals you wear on your moth-eaten chest / should be for bungling, in which you are best! / / So, Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon / Stop the pigeon, how? / Nab him, jab him / tab him, grab him / stop that pigeon NOW!

Dick Dastardly: So, Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon / Stop the pigeon, how? / Nab him, jab him / tab him, grab him / stop that pigeon NOW!

Dick Dastardly: You, Zilly, stop sneaking; you don't have a chance / For you return by the seat of your pants! / And you, Klunk, build me a thingumabob / That catches that pigeon, or I'll lose my job!

Dick Dastardly: So, Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon, / Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon / Stop the pigeon, how? / Nab him, jab him / tab him, grab him / stop that pigeon NOW!