Search - The Pink Panther and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 5: The Ant and the Aardvark on DVD

For $11 you can't go wrong

mwreview | 02/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This single disk DVD includes every single "The Ant and the Aardvark" short. There were 17 in all. If you like The Pink Panther, this series was made by the same company in the same style. If this set sells well, MGM might consider a complete "The Inspector," "Hoot Kloot," "Blue Racer" and "Tijuana Toads." For less than $[...] you can't go wrong. Besides, this cartoon is much better than the cartoons on right now."

"It takes 200,000 ants just to make a decent sandwich and I'

mwreview | Northern California, USA | 11/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember this cartoon airing back when I was a kid in the early 1980s. It was during a 1/2 hour cartoon show with an episode of either The Inspector or The Ant and the Aardvark sandwiched between two episodes of The Pink Panther. As soon as I heard the jazzy theme song to Ant and the Aardvark, it bought me back. I'm glad I can add this DVD to my Pink Panther collection and, like other reviewers, am hoping for the release of The Inspector which may be my favorite of that trio of cartoons.

The Ant and the Aardvark is entertaining on many levels (animation, voices, one-liners, music). That big, goofy-looking blue aardvark (so ugly, he's cute) and that fun, jazzy music. What really makes the show are the accents given to the characters by John Byner. Charlie, the ant, is a hip daddy-o who sounds like Dean Martin. Even better is the Aardvark who has a stereotypical north-eastern Jewish accent (his voice was patterned after New York comedian Jackie Mason). Almost anything he says is funny. There are many hilarious one-liners, especially in the early episodes. The show was released to theatres between March 1969 to May 1971, but I think even today's kids will enjoy this cartoon.

Here are the 17 episodes in order of their release:

1. "The Ant and the Aardvark"-- The ant tries to take home an entire picnic, but the aardvark would like to make a picnic of him. Aardvark after a pie to the face--"Coconut cream pie. You know how I know it's coconut? Because it's got a coconut in it, and it huyts!"
2. "Hasty But Tasty"--The hip daddy-o ant gets himself some wheels in the form of a motorcycle. The aardvark after swallowing a giant sandwich--"You know, peanut butter really sticks to the roof of your back."
3. "The Ant From Uncle"--Clever title--a take-off of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." The aardvark introduces himself to the audience. He then tries to get the ant to visit "The Ant's Club" in his stomach and visits the ant's pad: "What is this place? Nothing but hallways." We find out the ant's name is Charlie and we meet "Charlie's Aunt" (a reference to the classic play and later film "Charley's Aunt").
4. "I've Got Ants in My Plans"--The aarvark and his rival, the green aardvark, compete over Charlie.
5. "Technology, Phooey"--The aardvark purchases a computer that sounds a little like Paul Lynde (it's not his voice, though) to help him catch Charlie. Aardvark: "I could say something right now, but it would only get censored."

6. "Never Bug an Ant"--The aardvark tries many creative ways to catch the ant--none work but they are creative. Aardvark: "I'd rather be a banker and have a businessman's lunch." Ant: "Lucky for me, an ant can lift 100,000 times his own weight" (that comes in handy).
7. "Dune Bug"--Charlie is vacationing at the beach and the aardvark keeps getting kicked off for not wearing a leash.
8. "Isle of Caprice"--The aardvark somehow ends up on a deserted island and tries to swim to an adjacent island inhabited by ants--but a shark keeps putting the chomp on his plans. No Charlie in this one (sorry, Charlie).
9. "Scratch a Tiger"--For pulling a thorn out of his foot, a tiger protects Charlie and his ant buddies from the aardvark. The tables are turned, however, when the aardvark also relieves the tiger of a painful thorn.

10. "Odd Ant Out"--The aardvark competes with his rival green anteater over a can of chocolate-covered ants. Charlie is only seen at the end.
11. "Ants in the Pantry"--The aardvark gets tips on where to find meals by intercepting calls to a pest control company. When he shows up at Charlie's address, however, he is no longer in control of the pests.
12. "Science Friction"--A scientist wants Charlie for research, the aardvark wants him for lunch.
13. "Mumbo Jumbo"--An elephant, and fellow member of the Brothers of the Forest Lodge 202, comes to Charlie's aid when he's confronted by the aardvark--"With a mouth as small as mine, I've got to pick on somebody his size or I'd starve."

14. "The Froze Nose Knows"--It's winter time, but there's no hibernation for the aardvark--he probably should consider it, though.
15. "Don't Hustle an Ant With Muscle"--Charlie takes strength vitamins and becomes a muscle-bound powerhouse who can even get the aardvark to be his waiter: "I never thought it would happen to me, an aardvark bringing lunch to an ant."
16. "Rough Brunch"--Charlie finds support from a family of termites who makes life miserable for the aardvark.
17. "From Bed to Worse"--The Ant and the Aardvark are hit by a car and are put in an animal clinic with an angry dog. The little old lady nurse reminds me of Tweety Bird's owner. Aardvark: "The hospitality around here can make a person sick.""

"I'm An Anteater...And When I See An Ant I Give A Little Inh

Robert I. Hedges | 04/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Ant and the Aardvark" was a Saturday morning favorite of mine growing up. Made in a three year span starting in 1969, the shows chronicle the exploits of a blue aardvark, voiced in the style of Jackie Mason by John Byner, and his attempts to catch and eat a small red ant named Charlie, voiced by Byner as well in the debonair style of Dean Martin. There are other characters in various episodes (a rival green aardvark, a very un-helpful computer, etc.) which are also largely voiced by Byner, whose vocal skills are second to none (there are a couple of other vocal artists, but their contributions are fairly minor.)

The cartoons follow a formula of ludicrous aardvark capture attempts thwarted by the wily ant, in a manner that is somewhat reminiscent of the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. Who wouldn't love an aardvark that inhales with the sound of a very loud vacuum cleaner? Along with The Inspector, these were intermixed with the Pink Panther cartoons seemingly at random, but were always the highlight of the show for me. This DVD has all seventeen of the Ant and the Aardvark cartoons on it, and is a wonderful bargain, whether for purposes of childhood nostalgia, or to entertain younger audiences who haven't been lucky enough to grow up with the series.

I highly recommend this DVD; I only wish there were more episodes!"

CLASSIC FUNNY STUFF! THE PINK PANTHER'S PALS ARE NOW AVAILAB

! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b | TRI STATE AREA | 09/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a concept! Let's have an ant who sounds a lot like Dean Martin who is always trying to avoid being eaten by an Aardvark who sounds a lot like Jackie Mason! I remember these as part of The Pink Panther Show when I was young and I always thought they were funny. I love throwing a couple of these on before showing a movie to friends in my home theater! They're a blast from the past. The cartoon prints are very clean on this DVD and every episode is included!"