Throwback Cartoon Cavalcade: The 70s Edition!
Gather 'round, kiddos. Let’s hop into the time machine and set it to "completely obscure"—because we're about to dive into the deep end of 70s cartoons, those gems so hard to find, you'd swear they were locked in a dusty vault by a team of executives who were too busy getting the 80s right. We're talking about the shows that you maybe saw on a Saturday morning between commercials for cereal and bad toys, but probably blocked them out because they were as weird as a middle school science fair.
Here’s the kicker: these shows were good—in their own delightful, absurd way. So buckle up and let’s revisit the weirdest, most underrated animated offerings from the 70s, where the animation was sketchy, the plots were all over the place, and the voice acting... well, let’s just say you could tell they were probably recording these on a shoestring budget and a prayer.
1. The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1979)
This wasn’t just a cartoon; it was the galaxy’s answer to everything 80s sci-fi couldn’t pull off. Picture this: space cowboys. No, seriously. Just imagine a futuristic Wild West where these dudes fought space bandits and aliens in the name of justice. Was it a little on the nose? Yeah. But were the laser guns and spandex jumpsuits iconic? You betcha. Unfortunately, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers faded into obscurity faster than your hopes for a good sequel to Star Wars. But trust me, if you can dig it up, it’s a blast. And by "blast," I mean, prepare for a lot of laser beams and bad puns.
2. Hong Kong Phooey (1974)
Yes, you read that right. It’s a dog. And he’s a kung fu master. Hong Kong Phooey was basically a Hanna-Barbera fever dream come to life, featuring a lazy dog who somehow becomes a kung fu genius and takes down bad guys with the help of his sidekick—who is, of course, a cat. If that doesn’t scream "I’m high on creativity," I don’t know what does. This show was so ridiculously fun, but for some reason, it didn’t get the love it deserved. Instead of being remembered as the cartoon equivalent of kung fu fighting, it was relegated to the forgotten corners of the 70s animation vault. It’s like someone made a cartoon for a very specific demographic: people who love kung fu and cats... and dogs... and 70s jazz.
3. The Mighty Orbots (1984, but seriously, who cares?)
Alright, I know, I know, this technically wasn’t in the 70s, but let’s pretend for a second that it was. Why? Because the 80s were a natural progression from the chaos of the 70s, and The Mighty Orbots is basically the wild child of those two decades. We’ve got giant robots, strange alien enemies, and a team of super-powered individuals whose only mission is to save the world. Oh, and the animation? Chef’s kiss. But here’s the twist: it flopped. Big time. So much so that even though it had all the trimmings of an epic, it got canceled before it even had a chance to make it to the merchandising aisle. Which, of course, makes it even more tragic than your last attempt at starting a podcast.
4. Speed Buggy (1973)
This show was like a cross between Scooby-Doo and The Love Bug, with less love and more... well, buggy. It’s about a talking dune buggy named Speed Buggy and his group of ragtag friends who find themselves in wacky, over-the-top adventures. It was the cartoon equivalent of driving a car without insurance, and no one seemed to care. Why was Speed Buggy forgotten? Because it was just so bizarre that even kids back then had to be like, "Wait, what?" Sure, there was the fact that the car talked, and that was cool. But the fact that it was a racing car in a mystery-solving scenario made absolutely no sense. But hey, it’s the 70s, and I’m pretty sure nothing made sense back then.
5. The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (1971)
I know, I know, this one sounds like it belongs in a different era. But stay with me here. The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill wholesome rabbit tale. This was a show that took Beatrix Potter’s sweet little characters and gave them just enough heart and drama to make you question whether you were watching a kids' show or an early precursor to The Real Housewives of Wabbit Town. Okay, not really. But it was definitely the more obscure British import of the era. Seriously, you’ll be sitting there going, "Wait, how did this exist at the same time as Speed Buggy?" Spoiler: it didn’t make a ton of sense, but it was pretty fun to watch if you weren’t allergic to all things cute.
6. Shazam! (1974)
Yes, before you get all nostalgic for that live-action Shazam TV series from the 70s, there was this animated gem. Imagine if the Justice League got their powers not from a magical ring or a green lantern, but from yelling one simple word: "SHAZAM!" It was an oddball mix of magic, mythology, and, I’m pretty sure, complete nonsense. Captain Marvel (not the Marvel one, please don’t confuse them) was a kid who could turn into an adult superhero with a word. Throw in a talking horse and some villains who were more cartoonish than sinister, and you’ve got yourself a Saturday morning classic that nobody remembers. And maybe that’s a good thing—because, in the grand scheme of things, it’s the kind of show that makes you think twice about your life choices.
The Bottom Line
The 70s were a weird time for cartoons. They weren’t quite sure if they wanted to be educational or just full-on chaotic. But one thing is for sure: these shows deserve a place in the nostalgia hall of fame. So, the next time you’re scrolling through endless streaming options, do yourself a favor. Skip the mainstream nostalgia, dig a little deeper, and give these forgotten gems a spin. Maybe you’ll find the next classic... or maybe you’ll find the next thing to roast in your next podcast episode.
Either way, you win.
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