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Penelope Pitstop facts for kids

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Penelope Pitstop
Wacky Races character
Wacky-penelope-pitstop.gif
First appearance "See-Saw To Arkansas"
Created by Iwao Takamoto
Jerry Eisenberg
Portrayed by Janet Waldo (1968–2016)
Marilyn Schreffler (1985)
Nicole Parker (2017–2019)
Kath Soucie (2020–present)
Information
Nickname(s) Pretty Penny
Species Human
Gender Female

Penelope Pitstop is a fun cartoon character from the Hanna-Barbera studio. She first appeared in the animated TV show Wacky Races. Later, she got her own show called The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. The famous voice actress Janet Waldo was the original voice for Penelope.

About Penelope Pitstop

In the Wacky Races show, Penelope Pitstop drives a special car called the Compact Pussycat. It is a pink car that looks very stylish. Penelope herself has blonde hair in a ponytail. She wears a bright pink racing suit with white gloves and boots. The race announcer calls her the "Glamour Gal of the Gas Pedal."

Penelope's character was inspired by a movie called The Great Race. Her creators, Iwao Takamoto and Jerry Eisenberg, designed her and her car very quickly. They added her to the show because Joseph Barbera wanted a female racer.

Penelope's Own Adventures

Penelope got her own show, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. This show is set in the 1920s. In it, Penelope is often in danger, like a traditional "damsel in distress". Her catchphrase is "Help, help!" She says it in a special way.

Even though she often needs help, Penelope is also very smart and athletic. She can figure out clever ways to escape tricky situations. She was even a champion in many sports in college! But when her enemy, the Hooded Claw, catches her, she seems unable to do anything but call for help.

Helping Penelope are her friends, the tiny Ant Hill Mob. She also has a trusty old car named Chuggaboom.

Penelope's Car: The Compact Pussycat

Penelope's car in Wacky Races is called the Compact Pussycat. It has the number 5 on its sides. This pink racecar has front bumpers that look like red lips. It also has an umbrella on top. The car is full of beauty supplies, making it like a moving beauty salon.

Other Appearances

Penelope Pitstop has appeared in many other cartoons and commercials.

  • Janet Waldo voiced Penelope again in the Wacky Races video game.
  • Penelope made a quick appearance in another Hanna-Barbera cartoon, Yogi's Treasure Hunt. She was in episodes like "Snow White and the Seven Treasure Hunters."
  • She was in a web cartoon called Penelope Pitstop GT. In this version, she was much better at protecting herself. She could defeat attackers and win races at the same time.
  • Penelope appeared in a MetLife insurance commercial in 2012.
  • She was also in a car commercial for Peugeot in 2013. This commercial showed cartoon characters in the real world.
  • Penelope Pitstop is a main character in the 2016 Wacky Raceland comic book. In this story, she is from Greece. She races to find a safe place and hopes to see her family again.
  • Penelope appears in the 2017 Wacky Races TV series. In this show, she has a twin sister named Pandora Pitstop. Pandora is often meaner than Dick Dastardly! Penelope's outfit changes a bit, and she becomes much stronger. She is less of a "damsel in distress" and even shows off her martial arts skills.
  • Penelope Pitstop made a quick appearance in the 2020 Animaniacs revival.
  • She also appeared as a spectator in the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Penélope Glamour para niños

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