The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show (1980) + Snorks – The Complete First Season (1984/Warner Archive DVD sets)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: D     Episodes: B

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: These titles are only available from Warner Bros. in their Warner Archive series and can be ordered from the links below.

 

 

The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show

 

The Heathcliff Show ran for a total of 25 episodes from 1980 to 1982; for its first 13 episode season the series was titled The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show.  Heathcliff was the star with Dingbat and the Creeps lending themselves for backup segments.  The series was created by Ruby Spears Productions and was the first animated series about the sassiest, frassiest, classiest Heathcliff.  Before Garfield (Jim Davis; 1978) there was Heathcliff (George Gately; 1973).

 

Heathcliff is a tomcat with an attitude that gets himself into a ton of trouble and high jinks, but always manages to slide on by.  Heathcliff was voiced by the famous Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc.) who was joined by a host of other famous voice actors such as Henry Corden, June Foray, Don Messick, and many more.

 

The series is awesome and whereas Heathcliff is named the foremost star, I would argue that Dingbat and The Creeps was a much better done animated creation.  Dingbat was creative and kooky and 100% created for the Heathcliff animated series; they were (sadly) replaced by Marmaduke in Season 2.

 

Dingbat and the Creeps starred Dingbat (a vampire dog), Sparerib (a rotund skeleton who can morph), and their leader Nobody (a Jack-o-lantern); collectively known as ‘The Creeps,’ workers for ‘Odd Jobs Inc.’  The insanely odd and creative concept has the team (in short segments) taking off-center jobs and using their odd abilities and talents to get out of jams.

 

I think it is a brilliant set that I am glad Warner Archives has decided to release in full unedited 13 episode form.

 

Snorks – The Complete First Season

 

The Snorks were the underwater answer to the Smurfs and though never as popular did have a decent run airing from 1984 to 1989; airing reruns in syndication for much longer.  The concept of the Snorks was created by Belgian artist Nicolas Broca (not to be confused with Belgian artist Peyo who created The Smurfs) and was produced for television by Hanna Barbera.

 

Snorks is not a very deep series (unless you are referring to deep water!).  The Snorks (like The Smurfs) involves a lot of sentences and events that involve the word ‘snork’ as we watch the underwater crew get into and out of trouble.

 

I enjoyed Snorks as a child and I think it holds up nicely to this day.  Both children and adults alike can find something to appreciate about Snorks.  Granted the episodes can get a bit repetitive, the animation is awesomely creative, along with the backstory (though minimal) given to the characters.  The characters do each seem to fit nicely into a stereotypical role (like those on The Smurfs), but as children are the main viewing audience it is understandable.  I would highly recommend this series and can’t wait for future season sets to hit Warner DVD.

 

The episodes included in this set are as follows:

1.    Journey to the Source / Hooked on a Feeling

2.    Vandal Scandal / The Ugly Yuckfish

3.    The Littlest Mermaid / Which Snork Snitched?

4.    Allstar's All-Star Band / A Sign of the Tides

5.    Now You Seahorse, Now You Don't / Snorkymania

6.    Snork Dance / Snork Marks the Spot

7.    Junior's Secret / The Blue Coral Necklace

8.    Casey and The Doubleheader / Das Boot

9.    Snorkin Surf Party / The Snorkness Monster

10.A Snork on the Wild Side / Allstar's Double Trouble

11.Fine Fettered Friends / Time Out for Sissies

12.Me Jo-Jo, You Daffney / The Old Shell Game

13.The King of Kelp / Whale Tales

 

 

Technical Features:

 

The picture, sound and extras on these sets are very similar.  The picture on both series is presented in a 1.37 X 1 full screen image that demonstrates solid, bright colors, but does have issues with crispness, clarity, and some dirt/debris from their 35mm film origination.  Overall, both series are a pleasurable viewing experience, but could use some touching up to take it to the next level.  The sound is adequate but nothing to fantastic as its Dolby 2.0 Mono track comes all from the front; getting the job done with ease.

 

Sadly no extras exist on either set, which would have been nice, but perhaps later seasons will hold something to dive into.

 

To order these titles, go to the following links:

 

Heathcliff

http://www.wbshop.com/product/heathcliff+and+dingbat+show+the+1000342470.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search

 

Snorks

http://www.wbshop.com/product/snorks+complete+season+1+1000353606.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search

 

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II