PENELOPE PITSTOP

1960s: Looking forward and backward with Penelope Pitstop. It's interesting that a decade noted for its futuristic thinking and focus on the development of breakthrough technologies -even as expressed though consumer design and fashion- the public imagination also kept a steady eye fixed on the past. And where 1950s Britain and America saw a popularity in period-adventures shows (Robin Hood, Sir Lancelot, Ivanhoe, William Tell, and the hundreds of US westerns), the Sixties saw an interest in Edwardian times and the early days of flight and the motor car. Inspired by the success of Blake Edwards' 1965 film, The Great Race, Hanna-Barbera launched their Wacky Races cartoon in 1968. The series centered around a regular cast of drivers pitted against each other in an epic race. Among the characters was Penelope Pitstop, modeled after Natalie Wood's Maggie DuBois from the original film. As with Hanna-Barbera's 1969 film-inspired project, Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines (Based on Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines/1965), each of the characters was defined in part by their trademark vehicles. And Penelope's car, Compact Pussycat, was sadly conceived as a beauty party on wheels. Thank goodness kids in the UK were treated to a stronger role model in agent Lady Penelope and her Bond-inspired Rolls in Gerry Anderson's 1965 series, Thunderbirds. Penelope Pitstop returned in Hanna-Barbera's The Perils of Penelope Pitstop in 1970, this time as a cunning damsel-in-disress based on the Perils of Pauline films from the silent era. Wacky Races was rebooted in 2017. Incidentally, The Great Race's influence reached into further productions such as Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies in 1969. Cartoon Network celebrated many classic characters in 2001 with a series of short animations by contemporary artists and designers. I like this interpretation of Penelope Pitstop in the video clip below because the artists chose to empower her as a driver/adventurer -and they outfitted her car with cool gadgets ala James Bond and Speed Racer! I will explore the 1960s fascination with Edwardian times further in my upcoming book, Spy Vibe. Fans of Funko Pop toys can now a whole range of Hanna-Barbera characters, including Penelope Pitstop. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.