Television Review: Hong Kong Phooey
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there's not too much to worry
about in this classic '70s cartoon. There aren't a whole lot of
lessons to learn, and female characters are stereotyped in ways
typical for the original era (and rarely appear in any
significant or powerful roles), but the animated violence is
mild and generally goofy. Nostalgic parents can enjoy this one
with their kids.
Families can talk about how the character of Hong Kong Phooey
compares to more recent superheroes. He may be silly and
oblivious, but he's happy to be a superhero. Is the same true
of today's caped-and-masked heroes? What's changed about the
way we see superheroes since the days when Phooey was created?
Why do you think that is?
HONG KONG PHOOEY is the alter ego of Penrod Pooch (voiced by Scatman Crothers), the janitor at the police station manned by Sergeant Flint (Joe E. Ross) and telephone operator Rosemary (Kathy Gori). When a crime is committed (a jewel heist, a kidnapping), "Penry" leaps into his file cabinet to change into the famous Hong Kong Phooey, revered throughout the city. In his Phooey mobile, the kung fu-fighting superhero sets out to save the day -- which generally amounts to bumbling and leaving mayhem in his wake while his loyal cat sidekick, Spot (Don Messick), does the real work. Invariably, Phooey awakes from whatever damage the villains have done to him and is stunned to see that he's triumphed after all.
This goofy cartoon is one of Hanna-Barbera's more original efforts. Phooey's oblivion and Spot's all-knowing superiority will make kids giggle and give them a sense that they, too, could have hidden powers that the grown-ups don't see. The plots are simple, although some grasp of why a "bad guy" would want to steal jewels or counterfeit money is required. There are no high-speed chases, no one is ever hurt, and nothing is ever scary, making Hong Kong Phooey fun for pretty much any kid who's interested.
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