C Archives — Page 15 of 43 — The Cartoon Databank

By the 26th Century, mankind’s destiny hadn’t gone exactly as planned. Only the remnants of civilization survived in isolated tribes, while dinosaurs repopulated the Earth. Jack Tenrec, a member of the old blood “Mechanics,” fought to preserve the philosophy of his people called “The Machinery of Life.” Acting as an ecological freedom fighter, he strove to maintain the balance between mankind and nature so that the two could live in harmony. As a personal preference, he chose to do this from the seats of a collection of modified Cadillacs.

Jack didn’t face his opponents alone. He had the help of several allies, including another Mechanic named Mustapha, a beautiful scientist acting as ambassador for the people of far-off Wasoon, and a juvenile dinosaur named Hermes that Jack had raised from the time its mother was killed. Jack could count on additional assistance from a friend named Kirgo, and he was at least on good terms with two of the three Governors who set policy for the nearby “City in the Sea” (a.k.a. the island remnants of New York).

Unlike the Governors Dahlgren and Toulouse, who were open to Jack’s philosophical viewpoints, Governor Wilhelmina Scharnhorst believed in taking back the domain of the Earth in the name of progress, at the expense of all else. Needless to say this put her at odds with Jack, who spent much of his time trying to stop her (often underhanded) plans that inflicted collateral damage on nature.

Wilhelmina often employed the services of Hammer Terhune and his gang of ruthless poachers to carry out her plans. Although the two didn’t trust one another, Hammer was willing to do any job for a price, and he was always happy for an excuse to go up against Jack, whom he despised.

The story for the series originated in Mark Schultz’s comic book Xenozoic Tales, published irregularly from 1987 until 1996. The comic book lasted for 14 issues. Although the comic ended in the middle of a story arc, the animated version was not a direct adaptation of the comic, and it went with a less complex story line. Comparatively, however, the number of stories was similar. The animated Cadillacs and Dinosaurs ran for a single season consisting of thirteen episodes.

Hanna-Barbera was determined to let no mystery go unsolved. They hit upon a successful TV formula when they created a group of mystery-solving teens with their 1969 series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! After numerous variations on this theme — like The Funky Phantom (1971), Goober and the Ghost Chasers (1973), and Clue Club (1976) to name but three — they released their latest incarnation in 1977, involving a group of three teen beauties assisted by a short and hairy, but powerful and comical caveman.

One day, the three self-described Teen Angels, Brenda (brunette), Dee Dee (African-American) and Taffy (blond) found a caveman encased within a prehistoric block of glacial ice, and they set him free. Turns out, their newfound companion came in handy when they needed muscle while solving mysteries.

Understandably, Captain Caveman’s (or “Cavey” for short) primitive characteristics made him both a hindrance and a help. His neolithic intellect allowed for only a limited vocabulary, making him easily confused when carrying out all but the simplest of instructions. He did, however, make up for his mental shortcomings with some superhero-like abilities and a handy club.

Among his unique traits, Captain Caveman had super strength and the sporadic ability to fly (because it constantly fizzled out). In addition, his hollow utility club contained something similar to a Swiss Army knife of dinosaurs that popped out of the club’s hinged end in order to carry out a task. If all else failed, Cavey could pull an endless variety of useful objects from the depths of his body hair.

In its first season, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels was part of the two-hour block show, Scooby’s All Star Laff-A-Lympics. Brenda, Dee Dee, Taffy and Captain Caveman simultaneously debuted in Laff-A-Lympics — a separate series that was part of the same programming block. There they competed with other Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters in sporting competitions for gold, silver and bronze medals.

The series lasted for three seasons. In its second season it was part of the 90-minute series Scooby’s All-Stars, and in its third season the show stood on its own. Captain Caveman returned to his prehistoric roots in 1980 when got his own, self-titled segment on the 90-minute, The Flintstones Comedy Show. In this series he acted as copy boy at the Bedrock Daily News, while interacting with reporters Wilma and Betty. Captain Caveman made another comeback in 1986, when he starred in a show-within-a-show segment called Captain Caveman and Son as part of the 30-minute series, The Flintstone Kids.

Trapper Rawhide Clyde must have spent a considerable amount of time questioning his chosen profession. He was outsmarted at every turn by the witty but loony wildcat Crazy Claws (essentially Groucho Marx with fur), whose pelt Rawhide coveted, but whom he could never catch.

The assistance of Rawhide’s ever present dog Bristletooth should have made the capture of Crazy Claws easier, but the mangy mutt was just as susceptible to being duped as his master. Rawhide could overcome Bristletooth’s occasional bout of insurrection with a bribe of beef jerky, but even in tandem the two were no match for the savvy of Crazy Claws.

Park lawman Ranger Rangerfield did his best to maintain the peace. Although he was a stickler for rules and regulations (and thrilled to dispense bits of knowledge related to nature), his ineffectiveness garnered him little respect.

Crazy Claws was one of several six-minute segments on the half-hour, The Kwicky Koala Show. Other segments included Kwicky Koala and Dirty Dawg, as well as one-minute fillers titled The Bungle Brothers that played between the longer segments. The Kwicky Koala Show lasted for one season consisting of sixteen episodes.