Other Gadgets

Inspector Gadget is an animated television series about a clumsy, absent-minded, and oblivious detective, Inspector Gadget, who is a cyborg with various "gadgets" built into his anatomy. Gadget's main nemesis is the mysterious Dr. Claw, leader of an evil organization known as MAD. more...

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This was the merchandising company DiC Entertainment's first syndicated cartoon show, and ran from 1983 to 1986 in syndication. This article pertains to the original cartoon series and its characters and plots; for information on its later spinoffs, see Inspector Gadget spinoff incarnations (produced by DiC Entertainment, Millimages, Nelvana, ZDF, YTV, France 3 & France Animation in association with Caravan Pictures).

The series was later adapted into a live-action feature film of the same name, starring Matthew Broderick as the Inspector, and a direct-to-video sequel starring French Stewart.

A spin-off, Gadget and the Gadgetinis, was first shown in 2001. In it Gadget was now a lieutenant and was assisted by a pair of bungling robot look-a-likes.

Cast of characters

Inspector Gadget (voiced by Don Adams)

A bumbling cyborg detective. Often cluelessly stumbling through any case he is given, Gadget often ignorantly makes foolish mistakes pertaining to surroundings and current environment, mistaking innocent bystanders (and Brain) for enemies, and believing that the real enemies are friends. His ineptitude always leads him into danger, but he always gets out of trouble through either his trusty gadgets (most notably his springs), Penny's interference, or pure dumb luck. The character has a passing similarity to Adams' Get Smart character, Maxwell Smart, but has much more in common with Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther film series. The episode "M.A.D. Trap" is one of the few episodes in which Gadget actually shows some competence. When Dr. Claw traps him in a steel foundry, he uses his gadgets flawlessly to save Penny and Brain. Later, in the "moral", they muse that it was a good thing his gadgets were in top shape. Occasionally, he also inadvertently helps Penny solve the case, with his bungling either distracting Dr. Claw or setting things up for Penny to do her work. The nearest Gadget ever gets to capturing Dr. Claw is in the opening teaser of each episode in which Gadget handcuffs a decoy metal glove, only to have a bomb explode in his face. However, this is meant to demonstrate that Claw always manages to escape justice and was never seen in any actual episode.

Penny (voiced first by Cree Summer, then by Holly Berger)

Gadget's precocious niece. Inspector Gadget is her guardian and caretaker, though often she seems more suited to be his caretaker due to Gadget's clumsiness and general silliness. Unknown to any of the recurring characters other than Brain, she is a master of investigation and technology who is the one truly responsible for foiling M.A.D.'s schemes. Penny's principal crime-fighting tool is a high-tech Computer Book capable of breaking codes, surveiling buildings and overriding practically any sort of machine or device. Using the book, Penny is able to monitor Gadget's activities and - with Brain's help - surreptitiously help him avoid numerous potential catastrophes that result from his absent-mindedness while uncovering the true nature of Dr. Claw's plot and foiling it. The name Penny may have been inspired by Miss Moneypenny, M's secretary, from the James Bond film series. Her name is Sophie in the French, Italian and German version. Penny also shares certain similarities to the niece of Sky King of the same name. Both blonde-haired nieces are trusted by their uncles in aiding the capture of criminals.

Brain (voiced by Frank Welker)

Penny's dog. He assists her in keeping Gadget out of danger and solving the crime. He is a master of disguise and dresses up in order to watch over Gadget and save him from attempts on his life. Although Gadget is in contact with Brain almost the entire time while he is supposedly solving a case, Gadget never sees through his disguises (and as often as not, Gadget assumes Brain is a MAD agent while ignoring all the real ones). Brain's collar is outfitted with a retractable video communications system linked to a computer wristwatch Penny wears that allows her to relay information on Gadget's activity, or warn Brain as to the whereabouts of MAD agents. Brain can speak a human language, though in a gruff "dog" voice (with a speech impediment featuring constant uses of the letter "r"), similar to Astro of The Jetsons or Scooby-Doo. Sometimes it is impossible to understand what Brain is saying. In a pinch, Brain will resort to pantomime and physical gestures to communicate effectively. His breed of dog is unknown, although he is possibly a golden retriever/hound mix. His name is Finot in the French and the German version.

Dr. Claw (voiced by Frank Welker, and in some episodes, Don Francks)

The main villain in the series and leader of the evil organization known as MAD. He speaks in a deep, menacing, gravelly voice and his face and the majority of his body are never shown throughout the series; only his arms and gloved hands are visible, he's like Number One from Cool McCool, usually at a computer terminal where he monitors his various schemes. Dr. Claw shares many characteristics with Ernst Stavro Blofeld from the James Bond films. Even though he's aware of Gadget's stupidity, he believes the Inspector to be his greatest nemesis, never fully realizing that it is actually Penny and Brain who foil his plots in each episode (although he or his MAD agents have captured Penny and sometimes Brain a number of times). His name is Dr. Gang in the French version.

M.A.D .Cat (voiced by Frank Welker)

Dr. Claw's fat pet cat. He is always at Dr. Claw's side. In many episodes he attempts to do something simple, but fails, usually because of Dr. Claw hitting the desk, enraged by Gadget's interferences. MAD Cat doesn't have a voice of any kind, but will laugh when Dr. Claw laughs, and appears to be at least partially evil.

Chief Quimby (voiced by Chris Wiggins then by Maurice LaMarche)

Gadget's boss. He appears at the beginning of each episode with his own theme music to deliver Gadget his mission only to be blown up by the self-destructing message (which is clearly marked) due to Gadget's obliviousness, and appears again at the end of each episode to congratulate Gadget on a job well done. Again, the character is a synthesis of The Chief from Get Smart and Chief Inspector Dreyfus of the Pink Panther films, while the self-exploding message comes from Mission: Impossible. His name is Chef Gontier in the French version.

Corporal Capeman (voiced by Townsend Coleman)

A nerdy sidekick who dresses in stereotypical superhero garb and accompanies Gadget in a few episodes during the second season. He is even more clueless and dumber than Gadget. The two have a student/mentor relationship, though Gadget is rarely teaching anything nor is Capeman learning. (Gadget generally mispronounces his name "Capman"). Capeman is obsessed with learning to fly and often mistakenly believes he has miraculously acquired the power of flight while in the midst of dire circumstances. His last appearance is in the series' last episode: "Gadget and the Red Rose" (#86).

In the first season, nearly every episode saw the introduction of some supervillain who had come to be employed by Dr. Claw to commit a crime suited to their special skills. They are typically arrested at the end of the episode, and do not appear again in the series.

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