The Kwicky Koala Show is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that premiered in 1981. The show is noteworthy for being the last series personally created by the founders of Hanna-Barbera, William Hanna, and Joseph Barbera. His life was tragically cut short amidst the production process in 1980.
The show consisted of several segments, with the primary one featuring Kwicky Koala, a cute and speedy koala who frequently outsmarts his adversary, Wilford Wolf.
Other segments included “Dirty Dawg,” featuring a street-savvy dog and his sidekick Ratso attempting to escape the law represented by Officer Bullhorn, and “The Bungle Brothers,” showcasing the comedic mishaps of George and Joey, a pair of hapless circus performers.
Back to the ’80s: The Quirky Charm of The Kwicky Koala Show
Let’s throw it back to 1981 when our Saturday mornings were blessed with a delightful marsupial – The Kwicky Koala. This Hanna-Barbera creation, a wittily animated, eucalyptus-devouring bundle of cuteness, was the epitome of Saturday morning cartoon fun.
Despite the charming characters and compelling storylines, The Kwicky Koala Show had a relatively short run, concluding in 1982. However, the show’s impact and its contributions to ’80s kid culture make it a fond memory for those who grew up watching it.
Voice Cast
- Michael Bell as George, Ranger Rangerfield
- Peter Cullen as Bristletooth
- Marshall Efron as Ratso
- Matthew Faison as Officer Bullhorn
- Jim MacGeorge as Crazy Claws
- Allan Melvin as Joey
- Don Messick as Rawhide Clyde
- Bob Ogle as Kwicky Koala
- John Stephenson as Wilford Wolf
- Frank Welker as Dirty Dawg
The Last Hoorah of Cartoon Geniuses
An interesting tidbit that often takes fans by surprise is that The Kwicky Koala Show was the final series personally produced by the legendary duo of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
As the creators shifted their roles towards management, they left behind a show filled with their genius. From the compelling characters to the slapstick humor, everything about The Kwicky Koala Show was a testament to the duo’s uncanny ability to create timeless cartoons.
Dirty Dawg, Ratso, and Officer Bullhorn: The Notorious Triple Threat
Along with our fast-paced koala, the series also featured a mischievous trio that brought tons of laughter and chaos. Dirty Dawg, Ratso, and Officer Bullhorn were arguably as central to the series as Kwicky himself.
Dirty Dawg, an ingenious con artist, and Ratso, his loyal but dimwitted sidekick, were consistently on the run from the vigilant Officer Bullhorn. Their shenanigans were a whirlwind of humorous escapades and wild chases, reflecting the show’s comedic roots.
The Unforgettable Bungle Brothers
And who can dismiss the laughable exploits of the Bungle Brothers, George and Joey? The hilariously incompetent circus performers were the epitome of slapstick comedy, often stumbling into precarious situations with their bumbling acts.
From elephants on the loose to tightrope mishaps, their segments were a comedic gold mine, demonstrating Hanna-Barbera’s unparalleled knack for crafting comical, endearing characters.
The Flash in the Pan Phenomenon
Despite its captivating characters and light-hearted humor, The Kwicky Koala Show had a surprisingly brief run, ending in 1982. Yet, within this short period, the show managed to etch itself into the hearts of viewers. Its memorable episodes, filled with humor and adventure, proved that even in a short span, a cartoon could make a lasting impact.
Still Echoing in the Halls of Nostalgia
Today, The Kwicky Koala Show holds a unique position in the world of classic animation. The memories of Kwicky’s agile escapes, Dirty Dawg’s plots, Ratso’s follies, and the Bungle Brothers’ fiascos still bring joy to those who remember this Saturday morning staple.
The show serves as a testament to Hanna-Barbera’s golden era, reminding us of a time when cartoons were simple, fun, and wholesome. Its enduring charm ensures its place as a nostalgic classic, a testament to the power of timeless storytelling and unforgettable characters.
Kwicky Koala: The Speedy Sweetheart
Let’s begin with our titular character, Kwicky Koala. Kwicky was more than just a cute face with a penchant for eucalyptus leaves. His charm lay in his unique ability to confuse and outsmart his foe, Wilford Wolf, while barely lifting a finger.
With an enigmatic grin and a flash of speed, Kwicky was always ten steps ahead, making him the undisputed champion of quick-witted escapades. His mischievous antics, adorable accent, and laconic nature made him an instant fan-favorite, securing his place as one of Hanna-Barbera’s memorable characters.
Wilford Wolf: The Foiled Foe
If Kwicky was the charming hero, then Wilford Wolf was the eternally scheming antagonist, always on the chase but seldom victorious. Don’t be fooled by his villainous intent; Wilford was more of a comic figure than a threatening one.
His convoluted traps to catch Kwicky always hilariously backfired, making him the butt of the joke more often than not. Despite his repeated failures, his persistent efforts to outsmart Kwicky were a significant part of the show’s humor and charm.
Dirty Dawg and Ratso: The Scheming Sidekicks
Another comedic goldmine was the duo of Dirty Dawg and Ratso. Dirty Dawg, the street-savvy, smooth-talking trickster, always found himself in trouble, often due to his own misguided schemes.
Ratso, his loyal but not-so-bright sidekick, brought hilarity with his clueless remarks and bungling actions. Together, they created countless moments of laugh-out-loud comedy, their attempts to escape Officer Bullhorn always ending in delightful disaster.
Officer Bullhorn: The Persistent Policeman
Speaking of Officer Bullhorn, let’s not forget this ever-vigilant, law-abiding character. Bullhorn was the embodiment of relentless pursuit, always hot on the heels of Dirty Dawg and Ratso.
His earnest attempts to bring the duo to justice, despite their crafty dodges, added another layer of comedy to the show. Bullhorn, with his no-nonsense attitude, offered a wonderful counterbalance to the chaotic antics of the other characters.
The Bungle Brothers: Masters of Disaster
Last but certainly not least, we have the Bungle Brothers, George and Joey, two well-meaning but hilariously incompetent circus performers. Their comedic sequences were filled with delightful accidents and absurd chaos, as their attempts at performing circus acts always ended in disaster.
Despite their consistent failures, their relentless optimism made them endearing, and their segments were a highlight of the show’s slapstick humor.
[1981] (Hanna Barbera) – Kwicky Koala – Intro
Kwicky Koala Epsiodes
The main character, Kwicky Koala, given voice by writer Bob Ogle, shares striking similarities with Avery’s well-loved Droopy. However, Kwicky brings a unique twist to the table. He can evade his chaser, Wilford Wolf, who was voiced by John Stephenson, by transitioning into a super-speed mode.
This mode, intriguingly, looks like he’s disappearing into the void with a “beep” sound effect as a signature marker, a trick reminiscent of the famed Speedy Gonzales.
- Sink or Swim
- Robinson Caruso
- In a Pig’s Eye
- Robin Hoodwink
- Kwicky Goes West
- Collector’s Item
- The Incredible Lunk
- Race to Riches
- Kangaroo Kapers
- Double Trouble
- Around the World in 80 Seconds
- Kwicky’s Karnival Kaper
- Scream Test
- Disguise the Limit
- Museum Mayhem
- Cabin Crazy
Crazy Claws
An eccentric wildcat by the name of Crazy Claws, characterized by Jim MacGeorge’s Groucho Marx-like voice, employs his razor-sharp intellect and matching claws to elude the persistent fur trapper, Rawhide Clyde, voiced by Don Messick.
Clyde’s canine companion, Bristletooth, voiced by Peter Cullen, is also part of the chasing pack. The entire frenzy unfolds within a U.S. national park, supervised by Ranger Rangerfield, brought to life by the voice of Michael Bell.
- Crazy, It’s Cold Outside
- The Claws Conspiracy
- Crazy Challenges
- Clyde’s Birthday Surprise
- The Ice Rage
- Claws Encounters of the Worst Kind
- Lookout Crazy
- Crazy Camping
- Gold Crazy
- See Saw Claws
- Choo Choo Crazy
- Bearly Asleep
- Old Blowhard
- Snow Biz
- Claws Ahoy
- Rattletrap Rawhide
Dirty Dawg
A street-smart canine by the name of Dirty Dawg, characterized by Frank Welker’s voice in a Howard Cosell-inspired manner, is on a mission to better his circumstances and that of his rodent comrade, Ratso, a character given life by Marshall Efron. All the while, they must stay one step ahead of the law, embodied by Officer Bullhorn, voiced by Matthew Faison.
In his memoir titled “My Life in Toons,” Joseph Barbera reminisces about his time at the Terrytoons studio. He storyboarded an episode for Kiko the Kangaroo that was never produced. This episode featured an adversary he named “Dirty Dog,” alternatively referred to as “Dirty Doug.”
- Pigskin Pooch
- Dirty’s Debut
- Dirty Dawg’s Faux Paw
- Calling Dr. Dirty
- Lo-Cal Pals
- A Close Encounter of the Canine Kind
- Pie-Eyed Pooch
- Dirty Money
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Zoo
- Urban Cowdawg
- Dirty-O and Juliet
- Sea Dawg Dirty
- Little White Lie
- The Great Dirtini
- Disco Dawg
- Marathon Mutt
The Bungle Brothers
A duo of dogs, George and Joey, voiced by Michael Bell and Allan Melvin respectively, are pursuing fame on the vaudeville stage. This segment primarily comprises short interludes and features guest appearances from other characters in the series.
- Hat Dance – Dry Run – Cheap Trick
- High Rollers – Teeter Totter Act – The Circus Cannon Act
- Trapeze Act – Saw in Two – Unicycle
- Big Pie Jump – Honk If You Love Joey – Sound Off
- Joey Juggling George – The Toe Dancing Beagle or What’s Nureyev – The Barrel Jump
- Karate Chop Act – Tarzan Swing Act – The Ventriloquist
- Rope Twirling Act – High Wire Harness – The Marionette Act
- Cream Pie – Ballonitics – Escape Artist
- Rock Band – Circus Car – Dueling Trombones
- Quiz Whiz Kid – Stilts – The Romeo and Juliet Act
- Animal Trainers – Double Jump – Pie Faced
- The Plumber’s Helper – Bungle Ballet – Hang 20
- The Big Bang – Flipped Out – Bucking Bull
- Hamlet Lays an Egg – The Magic Ring Act – The Fly
- Weight Weight Lifter – Droop the Loop – Heavy Ending
- Ice Follies – Punchy Pirates – Spring Is in the Air – Concert Pianist