Underdog vs. Simon Barsinister

If you had young children at home between 1964 and 1973, chances are that at some point you heard them warbling, in imitation of Wally Cox, a certain caped canine superhero's signature boast: "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here." Underdog, a perennial weekend cartoon favorite, who spoke in rhymed couplets whilst rescuing Sweet Polly Purebred from the grips of various villains bent on world domination, makes his video debut in three new VHS compilations, as well as a special 75-minute DVD (Underdog Collector's Edition DVD). I watched the three-episode compilation, Underdog vs. Simon Barsinister, which along with two other episodes, featured "Shrinking Water," in which the diminutive mad scientist shrunk everyone so he could become the biggest man on Earth. Although Underdog strove mightily to match the tone and style of such superior predecessors as The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, the writing--rhymed couplets notwithstanding--never really matched the blazing wit of superior cartoon shows. That said, a cross-generational audience ready to take a little trip down nostalgia lane would be more than delighted to discover this on video, so consider this inexpensive program a strong, optional purchase. The two other identically priced initial entries are: Underdog vs. Riff Raff and Underdog vs. Overcat. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)