The Challenge
- Studio
- Hanna-Barbera Studios
Synopsis
Based on the enormous popularity of daredevil Evel Knievel, Hanna-Barbera developed this cartoon about a stunt motorcyclist working in a travelling circus. Ernie Devlin was a popular attraction, and with the help of his brother Tod and his sister Sandy, they entertained the multitude of adoring fans (many of whom appeared to be following the circus from town to town to save on animation expenses).
In between shows, the small Devlin family would take it upon themselves to solve any mystery that might cross their path. Sometimes, the circus would be in danger of closing down, other times the town in which they had stopped would need their help catching a thief. Regardless, Ernie and his siblings would always solve the riddle before the show's end.
In between shows, the small Devlin family would take it upon themselves to solve any mystery that might cross their path. Sometimes, the circus would be in danger of closing down, other times the town in which they had stopped would need their help catching a thief. Regardless, Ernie and his siblings would always solve the riddle before the show's end.
Characters
Ernie Devlin, Tod Devlin, Sandy Devlin, Hank
Credits
Directing
- Director
- William Hanna, Joseph Barbera
- Animation Director
- Charles Nichols (as Charles A. Nichols)
Producing
- Producer
- William Hanna, Joseph Barbera (Executive Producers)
- Creative Producer
- Iwao Takamoto
Writing
Voices
- Voice
- Norman Alden (Hank), Michael Bell (Ernie Devlin), Mick Mickey Dolenz (Todd Devlin), Michelle Robinson (Sandy Devlin), John Stephenson (Harry Franklin, Jester The Clown), Phillip Clarke, Don Diamond, Sarina Grant, Bob Hastings, Dabid Joliffe, Robie Lester, Stan Livingston, Derrei Maury, Barney Phillips, Fran Ryan, John Tuell, Ginny Tyler, Don Wells, Jesse White
Music
- Music
- Hoyt Curtin
- Musical Supervisor
- Paul DeKorte
Animation
- Animation Supervisor
- Ed Barge
- Animator
- David Brain, John Bruno, Jack Carr, Robert Carr, Bill Hutten, Tony Love, Art Vitello, Allen Wilzbach
Editing
- Editor
- Larry Cowan
Crew
- Recording Director
- Art Scott, Wally Burr
- Executive Story Consultant
- Myles Wylder
- Story Editor
- Norman Katkov
- Storyboard Editor
- Cullen Houghtailing, Alex Lovy, Jay Sarbry, George Singer, Irv Spencer
- Production Design
- Bob Singer
- Production Supervisor
- Victor O. Schipek
- Titles
- Iraj Parane
- Character Design
- Alex Toth
- Layout Unit Manager
- Alvaro Arce
- Layouts
- Hak Ficq, Lin Larsen, Bill Lignante, Jack Manning, Tony Sgroi, Al Wilson
- Background Supervisor
- F. (Fernando) Montealegre
- Backgrounds
- Al Gmuer, Phil Proctor
- Technical Supervisor
- Frank Pakier
- Ink And Paint Supervisor
- Billie Kearns
- Xerography
- Robert "Tiger" West
- Sound Direction
- Richard Olson, Bill Getty
- Music Editor
- Chip Yaras
- Sound Effects Editors
- Ron Fedele
- Negative Consultant
- William E. DeBoer
- Post-Production Supervision
- Joed Eaton
- Series Consultants
- Bank Street College Of Education
- Production Manager
- Art Scott
- Assistant Production Manager
- Jayne Barbera
- Camera
- Gene Gropper, John Curtis Hall, Ralph Migliori, Louis Niemeyer, Roy Wade
Companies and other credits
- A
- HANNA-BARBERA
- PRODUCTIONCopyright © 1974 Hanna-Barbera Productions
- Inc
Production notes
Based on the enormous popularity of daredevil Evel Knievel, Hanna-Barbera developed this cartoon about a stunt motorcyclist working in a traveling circus. Ernie Devlin was a popular attraction, and with the help of his brother Tod and his sister Sandy, they entertained the multitude of adoring fans (many of whom appeared to be following the circus from town to town to save on animation expenses).
In between shows, the small Devlin family would take it upon themselves to solve any mystery that might cross their path. Sometimes, the circus would be in danger of closing down, other times the town in which they had stopped would need their help catching a thief. Regardless, Ernie and his siblings would always solve the riddle before the show's end.
The serious and non-patronizing tone of the show made it a hit with older kids who found most cartoons too childish. Of course, the death-defying stunts performed by Devlin every episode didn't hurt either. They didn't even hurt Devlin himself-since the show was still aimed at kids, the stunt rider rarely suffered any harm. Just in case children decided to emulate the hero, each episode featured safety tips that illustrated exactly how dangerous his job was.
Micky Dolenz, "drummer" for the rock & roll band The Monkees, supplied the voice of Tod Devlin.
In between shows, the small Devlin family would take it upon themselves to solve any mystery that might cross their path. Sometimes, the circus would be in danger of closing down, other times the town in which they had stopped would need their help catching a thief. Regardless, Ernie and his siblings would always solve the riddle before the show's end.
The serious and non-patronizing tone of the show made it a hit with older kids who found most cartoons too childish. Of course, the death-defying stunts performed by Devlin every episode didn't hurt either. They didn't even hurt Devlin himself-since the show was still aimed at kids, the stunt rider rarely suffered any harm. Just in case children decided to emulate the hero, each episode featured safety tips that illustrated exactly how dangerous his job was.
Micky Dolenz, "drummer" for the rock & roll band The Monkees, supplied the voice of Tod Devlin.