View source for Danger Mouse (1981 TV series)

{{short description|British animated television series}}
{{about|the original 1981 Danger Mouse television series|the 2015 series|Danger Mouse (2015 TV series)}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox television
| image         = DangerMouseTVtitle.jpg
| image_size    = 250
| caption       = Title card
| genre         = {{unbulleted list|[[Action fiction|Action]]|[[Adventure]]|[[Comedy]]|[[Spy-Fi (subgenre)|Spy-Fi]]}}
| runtime       = 5–22 minutes
| creator       = {{unbulleted list|[[Brian Cosgrove]]|[[Mark Hall (animator)|Mark Hall]]}}
| voices        = {{plainlist|
* [[David Jason]]
* [[Terry Scott]]
* [[Edward Kelsey]]
* [[Brian Trueman]]
* [[Jimmy Hibbert]]
}}
| narrated      = David Jason
| opentheme     = "Danger Mouse" by [[Mike Harding]]
| endtheme      = "Danger Mouse" by Mike Harding
| composer      = Mike Harding
| company       = {{ubl|[[Cosgrove Hall Films|Cosgrove Hall Productions]]|[[Thames Television]]}}
| language      = English
| network       = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| first_aired   = {{start date|1981|9|28|df=y}}
| last_aired    = {{end date|1992|3|19|df=y}}
| country       = United Kingdom
| num_episodes  = 89
| num_series    = 10
| list_episodes = List of Danger Mouse (1981 TV series) episodes
| related       = {{unbulleted list|''[[Count Duckula]]'' (spin-off)|''[[Danger Mouse (2015 TV series)|Danger Mouse]]'' (reboot)}}
}}

'''''Danger Mouse''''' is a British [[animated television series]] produced by [[Cosgrove Hall Films|Cosgrove Hall Productions]] for [[Thames Television]].<ref name="AWNSecondSeason" /> It features the [[eponym]]ous Danger Mouse who worked as a [[secret agent]] and is a [[parody]] of British [[spy fiction]], particularly the ''[[Danger Man]]'' series and [[James Bond]]. It originally ran from 28 September 1981 to 19 March 1992 on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network.

The series spawned a spin-off show, ''[[Count Duckula]]'', which aired between 1988 and 1993. A [[Danger Mouse (2015 TV series)|revival under the same name]], aired on [[CBBC]] from 2015–2019.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/13/lena-headey-john-oliver-danger-mouse|title=Crumbs! Lena Headey and John Oliver join Danger Mouse remake|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|work=the Guardian|date=13 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="licensing.biz">{{cite web|url=https://www.licensing.biz/jazwares-penguin-and-dc-thomson-sign-with-danger-mouse/|title=Jazwares, Penguin and DC Thomson sign with Danger Mouse|work=licensing.biz|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213151/https://www.licensing.biz/jazwares-penguin-and-dc-thomson-sign-with-danger-mouse/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Danger Mouse is a secret agent with the [[MI6|British Secret Service]], and together with his sidekick Penfold is repeatedly ordered by Colonel K, the head of the Secret Service, to save the world.

They work underneath [[Scotland Yard]] on [[Baker Street]] in London, hidden inside a red [[pillar box]]. Their arch-enemies are Baron Silas Greenback and his criminal organization, who try to achieve world domination by unconventional means such as stealing all famous buildings, or creating giant robots, etc.

A special role is played by the off-screen narrator, Isambard Sinclair, who accompanies the action by commenting on it sarcastically, talking to the characters or musing about his private life.

==Characters==
===Main===
[[File:Danger-mouse-fair-use.jpg|thumb|upright|Danger Mouse, as seen in the title sequence]]
[[File:DM3 3.JPG|thumb|Penfold in<br />"The Odd Ball Runaround"]]
* '''Danger Mouse''' (voiced by [[David Jason]])<ref name="guardian"/> is often called the world's greatest secret agent—so secret, in fact, that his codename has a codename.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cartoon Animals |date=1991 |publisher=Prentice Hall Press |isbn=0-13-275561-0 |access-date=8 April 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc00rovi |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc00rovi/page/64 64]–65}}</ref> His catchphrases include "Good grief" when he becomes upset or shocked, "Penfold, shush" when his assistant makes a foolish remark.<!-- According to him in the 1980 pilot, his real name is '''Denis Moss'''. --> He was originally going to be brown; however, the creators thought that he and Penfold needed to be different colours.<ref name="metro"/>
: Brian Cosgrove described Jason's portrayal as "His voice had the perfect mix of forcefulness, humour and gentleness. He was totally committed to doing voiceovers for silly cartoons, which warmed my heart, and we became great friends." Jason said "I wanted to make him sound believable. We decided he would be softly spoken, very British, very heroic, but also a bit of a coward. He'd save the world, but he'd also run for it!"<ref name="guardian"/>
* '''Ernest Penfold'''<!-- S1 ep. 1 intro, also in captions for S2 --> (voiced by [[Terry Scott]])<ref name="guardian"/> is a timid, bespectacled hamster, and Danger Mouse's reluctant assistant and [[sidekick]]. He is often mistaken for a mole; however, Brian Cosgrove has stated Penfold is supposed to be a hamster.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://danger-mouse.net/cosgrove.html|title=Interview with Brian Cosgrove on danger-mouse.net|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003214234/http://danger-mouse.net/cosgrove.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metro">{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2014/06/17/11-things-you-should-know-about-danger-mouse-4764791/|title=11 things to know about Danger Mouse|date=17 June 2014}}</ref> Penfold stands just over half the height of Danger Mouse, and always wears thick round glasses and a crumpled blue suit with a white shirt and a yellow and black striped tie. In the first episode, he is codenamed the Jigsaw "because when he is faced with a problem, he goes to pieces."{{ref|Episode|S1 ep 1}}
: Brian Cosgrove came up with Penfold's character design when he was waiting for a meeting with Thames Television, and had drawn up "this little fellow with heavy glasses and a baggy suit" and then realized he had drawn his brother Denis, who worked for the ''[[Sunday Express]]'' and "who was bald with heavy black glasses".<ref name="guardian"/>
* '''Colonel K''' (voiced by [[Edward Kelsey]]):<ref name="kelsey obit"/> Danger Mouse's boss; often mistaken for a [[walrus]], it was revealed in an issue of ''[[Look-in]]'' magazine that he is, in fact, a [[chinchilla]].{{volume needed|date=May 2020}} During the last two seasons, he became more absent-minded, tending to frustrate both DM and Penfold with his tendency to ramble nonsense.{{episode needed|date=May 2020}} A running gag in the later seasons is that he botches the usage of the phrase "over and out" multiple times.
* '''[[Baron]] Silas Greenback''' (voiced by [[Edward Kelsey]]):<ref name="behind the scenes">{{cite AV media|url-status = dead|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSv-HXX-EU4|title = YouTube, a Google company|website = [[YouTube]]|access-date = 21 May 2020|archive-date = 17 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617224406/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSv-HXX-EU4}}</ref><ref name="kelsey obit"/> The recurring [[villain]] and Danger Mouse's [[archenemy]]; a [[toad]] with a wheezy voice, although, sometimes, he was referred to as a [[frog]].{{episode needed|date=May 2020}} Known as Baron Greenteeth in the unbroadcast pilot episode.<ref name="metro"/> Commonly known as the "Terrible Toad". In the US, "[[Greenback (disambiguation)|greenback]]" is slang for dollar bill in many regions; this adds to the sense of his commercial greed.<ref name="metro"/> Allegedly, he turned to a life of crime as a schoolboy when other children stole his bicycle and let all the air out of its tyres.{{episode needed|date=May 2020}}
* '''Stiletto''' (voiced by [[Brian Trueman]]):<ref name="screenonline"/> Greenback's henchman; a [[crow]]. He always called Greenback "Barone", [[Italian language|Italian]] for "Baron". In the original British version, he speaks with an Italian accent; this was changed to a [[Cockney]] accent for the U.S. distribution to avoid offending Italian-Americans.<ref name="guardian"/> His last name is Mafiosa.{{ref|Episode|S5 ep 7}}<!-- Episode: "Remote-controlled chaos" --> In series 5, he is more incompetent and klutzy that Greenback usually has to whack him with his walking stick,<!-- Episode: "Remote Controlled Chaos", "Time Tickles" --> and in series 9, Greenback uses a "hit box" that whacks Stiletto on the head with a mallet. 
* '''Nero''' (sounds provided by [[David Jason]]):<ref name="den of geek"/> Greenback's pet. A fluffy white [[caterpillar]] (equivalent to the stereotypical white cat frequently associated with arch villains, particularly [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld]]). He is a non-speaking character, although his noises and laugh are supplied by David Jason's voice sped up.<ref name="den of geek"/> Readily understood by Greenback and, less frequently, by Stiletto. He does not have any superpowers, except In the season 5 episode "Nero Power", where he temporarily exhibits the ability of [[telekinesis]].{{Ref|Episode|S5 ep 10}} In the special features of ''Danger Mouse'' cartoons, audiences were informed that Nero is actually the mastermind of Greenback's schemes.{{episode needed|date=July 2020}}<!-- which DVD extra? -->
* '''The Narrator''' (voiced by [[David Jason]]):<ref name="screenonline">{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/737309/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Dangermouse (1981-92)|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> The unseen narrator, who occasionally interacts with the characters, sometimes to the point of halting the plot for one reason or another. In a series 6 episode, he accidentally sends Danger Mouse and Penfold back in time with his broken mike. He often voices his disdain for the show and his job towards the end of the episode and through part of the closing credits. His name is '''Isambard Sinclair'''.{{Ref|Episode|S6 ep "Bandits"}}

===Supporting===
* Professor Heinrich Von Squawkencluck<!-- (voiced by [[Edward Kelsey]]) --> is an inventor [[Mole (animal)|mole]], first appearing in the series where he was engaged in [[hormone]] experiments to grow [[chickens]] to enormous sizes.{{ref|Episode|S1 ep 4}} He invented the Mark III, Danger Mouse's [[flying car (fiction)|flying car]], and the [[Space Hopper]], his personal [[spacecraft]].{{ref|Episode|S2 ep 1, S3 ep 1}} He speaks in a broken [[German language|German]] accent. Penfold is naturally leery of the professor, as he often winds up on the wrong side of his experiments.
* Flying Officer Buggles Pigeon: Another of Colonel K's agents, who comes to the aid of Danger Mouse and Penfold in the episode "Chicken Run", and appeared in several episodes afterward.{{ref|Episode|S1 ep 4, 10|S4 ep 8}}<!-- S4 ep 8: Great bone idol --> <!-- His name is a reference to [[Biggles|James Bigglesworth]].{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} -->
* Agent 57: A master of disguise, appearing initially as an earthworm. Agent 57 has disguised himself so often that he forgot his original appearance.{{ref|Episode|S1 ep. 8}} In the series 6 episode "The Spy Who Stayed In with a Cold", he gained the ability to [[Shapeshifting|change shape]] to resemble any character or animal whenever he [[sneeze]]d, but when he shows Danger Mouse his original form, Danger Mouse is horrified.{{Ref|Episode|S6 ep. 6}}
* Leatherhead : Greenback's other crow henchman. Even less intelligent than Stiletto, he appeared in several of the early episodes, where he spent most of his time reading comic books.{{Ref|Episode|S1 ep. 8, S3 ep. 4 "Ghost Bus"}}
* Count Duckula (voiced by David Jason):<ref name="guardian"/> A fame-obsessed [[vampire]] [[duck]] who wants to appear in television. However, his utter lack of anything approaching talent makes his attempts to "entertain" rather terrifying (he has been known to use his "act" as a torture device). This resulted in a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series, titled ''[[Count Duckula]]'', starring the Count himself. The two versions of the character differ, however; the character featured in ''Danger Mouse'' is not a [[vegetarian]], makes far greater use of his vampiric magic, and has an accent consisting of a lisp and a stutter, as well as occasional stuttering and duck-like squawks and quacks.
* J. J. Quark: a space alien who recurs in series 6. He speaks with a Scottish accent and claims possession of Earth based on a cosmic charter granted to his great-great-great-great-grandfather. He has a robot assistant named Grovell, who always grovels whenever his name is mentioned, much to Quark's frustration.
* Doctor Augustus P. Crumhorn III (voiced by [[Jimmy Hibbert]]):<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/07/13/22819/john_oliver_joins_danger_mouse|title=John Oliver joins Danger Mouse : News 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide}}</ref> A [[mad scientist]] [[wolf]], he recurred as Danger Mouse's adversary starting in series 9.<!-- four episodes --> In the episode, "Penfold Transformed", he lists his full name as "Aloisius Julian Philibert Elphinstone Eugene [[Dionysis]] [[Barry Manilow]] Crumhorn", omitting both Augustus and the III. He and Greenback were at odds; once Crumhorn kidnapped Penfold and Penfold managed to escape simply because the two villains were too busy quarreling to notice his absence.

==Production==
===Development===
The show was created by Mark Hall<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15792282|title=Danger Mouse co-creator Mark Hall dies|work=BBC News|date=18 November 2011}}</ref> and [[Brian Cosgrove]] for their production company, [[Cosgrove Hall Films]]. Danger Mouse was based on [[Patrick McGoohan|Patrick McGoohan's]] lead role in ''[[Danger Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danger-mouse.net/cosgrove.html|title=Club DM|work=danger-mouse.net|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003214234/http://danger-mouse.net/cosgrove.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="guardian"/> The show was intended to have a more serious tone as seen in the pilot episode but [[Mike Harding]] (who wrote the music for the show) gave Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall the idea to make the series silly. "The characters had got stuck in reality and were doing James Bond type things rooted in the solid real world," said Harding, "I argued that once you invented a Mouse Secret Agent then all of creation and a good chunk of not creation was his oyster. In other words we could be as barmy (crazy) as we wanted."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikeharding.co.uk/tvradio/cosgrove-hall/|title=Cosgrove Hall|work=mikeharding.co.uk}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', Cosgrove said "We reckoned a secret service mouse foiling the plans of an evil toad – Baron Silas Greenback – was suitably ridiculous."<ref name="guardian"/>

Cosgrove and Hall brought in [[Brian Trueman]], who was working as an announcer on ''[[Granada TV]]'', as the main writer. For the voice of Danger Mouse, they picked [[David Jason]] after they saw him in the show ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''. For the voice of Penfold, they picked [[Terry Scott]], who was known for the show ''[[Terry and June]]''.<ref name="guardian"/>

On 4 June 1984, the show was (along with ''[[Belle and Sebastian (Japanese TV series)|Belle and Sebastian]]'') the first animated show to appear on [[Nickelodeon]] in the United States, and quickly became the second-most popular show on the channel after ''[[You Can't Do That on Television]]'',<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/PPLPp5GgbQU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190825211013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLPp5GgbQU&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Danger Mouse - Nick Knacks Episode #039 - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLPp5GgbQU&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> as it appealed to both tweens and adults with its quick-witted English humour.<ref name="FNTVF">{{cite book|last1=Hannah|first1=Warner|title=Fascinating TV Facts|edition=1|year=2004|publisher=Ted Smart|location=[[London]]|isbn=0-7535-0919-9|page=99}}</ref> It was often compared to American audiences as a British equivalent of ''[[The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show]]'', due to its gentle satire of politics and outrageous plots.

It returned to terrestrial television after the [[BBC]] purchased episodes of it to broadcast in its daytime schedules with its first broadcast on 12 February 2007 on [[BBC Two]].<ref name="BFI">[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/737309/index.html "Dangermouse (1981-1992)"]. British Film Institute.</ref><ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5316700.stm "Dangermouse back on 25th birthday!"]. BBC News. 5 September 2006.</ref>

The show was expensive to make, sometimes needing 2,000 drawings<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/nostalgia-danger-mouse-1981-1992-224949|title=Nostalgia: Danger Mouse (1981-1992)|last=Laws|first=Roz|date=23 July 2011|work=birminghammail}}</ref> thus footage was reused while certain scenes were set in the North Pole or "in the dark" (i.e. black with eyeballs visible only, or, in Danger Mouse's case, simply one eyeball) as a cost-cutting measure. This time-and-money saving device was cheerfully admitted by both Brian Cosgrove, who conceived the character and the show, and Brian Trueman, who wrote almost all the scripts from the beginning.<ref name="den of geek"/>

==Reception and legacy==
During the cartoon's run, it reached a peak viewing figure of 7.2 million viewers on 3 January 1983,<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=The strange case of inaccurate viewing figures |url=https://www.dirtyfeed.org/2021/09/inaccurate-viewing-figures/ |access-date=30 October 2023 |website=dirtyfeed.org}}</ref> with average figures being around 3–4 million per episode.

In 2001, the show was ranked third in [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[100 Greatest (UK TV series)|100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/kidstv/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804015958/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/kidstv/results.html |title=100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows |publisher=channel4.com |archive-date=4 August 2002 |access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref> In 2008 it was named the 62nd-best animated series by [[IGN]], who considered it one of the first British cartoons to become popular with American audiences.<ref>{{citation|title=Top 100 Animated Series - IGN.com|url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series |access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
''Danger Mouse'' was nominated for 11 [[BAFTA]] awards during its original run, but did not win any.<ref name="den of geek"/>

=== BAFTA Films ===
A listing of [[British Academy Film Awards]].<ref name="bafta">{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=dangermouse|title=BAFTA Awards Search &#124; BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>
{{awards table}}
|-
| 1984 ([[37th British Academy Film Awards|37th]])
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 4
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation|Best Short Animation]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1985 ([[38th British Academy Film Awards|38th]])
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 5
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation|Best Short Animation]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1986 ([[39th British Academy Film Awards|39th]])
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 6
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation|Best Short Animation]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1987 ([[40th British Academy Film Awards|40th]])
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 7
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation|Best Short Animation Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

=== BAFTA TV ===
A listing of [[British Academy Television Awards]].<ref name="bafta"/>
{{awards table}}
|-
| 1983
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 2 or 3
| Children's Programme - Entertainment / Drama
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1984
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 4
| Children's Programme - Entertainment / Drama
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1984
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 4
| Short Animation
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1985
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 5
| Short Animation
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1986
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 6
| Children's Programme - Entertainment / Drama
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1986
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 6
| Short Animation
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1987
| ''Danger Mouse'' series 7
| Short Animation
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

=== Other awards ===
In 2012, Brian Cosgrove received a Special Award from the [[British Academy Children's Awards]].<ref>British Academy Children's Awards</ref>

==In other media==
===Comics===
A long-running [[comic strip]] adaptation, written by [[Angus P. Allan]] and illustrated by [[Arthur Ranson]], ran in ''[[Look-in]]'' magazine and was [[Print syndication|syndicated]] in various other magazines. Ranson also provided some backdrops for the show. Allan and Ranson's work was highly appreciated by Cosgrove Hall, and the pair were awarded an "Oh Goodness!, Oh Crikey!" award in appreciation of their services. Some of Allan's stories were adapted for the show, although Allan's name was misspelled "Angus Allen". Artist Ranson later went on to illustrate [[Judge Anderson]] in the UK [[comic]] ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]''.

===Video games===
A series of [[video game]]s based on the character also appeared. The first were ''Danger Mouse in Double Trouble'' and ''Danger Mouse in the Black Forest Chateau'' (both in 1984) followed by ''Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee!'' in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=1247 |title=Danger Mouse in Double Trouble |publisher=SpectrumComputing |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=1249 |title=Danger Mouse in the Black Forest Chateau |publisher=SpectrumComputing |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=1248 |title=Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee! |publisher=SpectrumComputing |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref>

Two mobile games were published by ZED Worldwide; ''Danger Mouse: Quiz'' in 2010 and ''Danger Mouse'' in 2011.

===Audiobooks===
Some stories were also available as read-along cassettes with accompanying books. They were re-read by the cast for audio.

===Merchandise===
During its run, the show spawned a wide range of merchandise, including storybooks, hardback annuals, jigsaw puzzles, a [[Panini Group|Panini]] sticker album, [[View-Master]] reels, and of course, VHS releases. In the years since, products have continued to sell, often aimed at the now-adult audience which grew up with it, such as T-shirts, mugs, key rings, fridge magnets and posters. To coincide with the 25th anniversary, Cosgrove Hall also licensed rights to a number of companies to produce a range of new anniversary merchandise including Blues Clothing (women's and girls' underwear and sleepwear) and Concept 2 Creation (collectible figurines).

[[FremantleMedia]] launched a webshop run by Metrostar e-commerce where a wide variety of goods were for sale, including the CD Audio adaptation of two of the show's episodes using the original artists voices, released by Steve Deakin-Davies: The Ambition Company.

=== Other appearances ===
* American musician & producer [[Danger Mouse (musician)|Danger Mouse]] chose his stage name as a reference the show, initially performing in a mouse costume.<ref>"An American musician and producer, Brian Burton, created remix CDs under the stage name Danger Mouse, which he took from the television series." [[Associated Press]], "Mark Hall, 75, 'Danger Mouse' cartoonist," ''[[The New York Times]]'', 20 November 2011.</ref>
* In the 1989 film ''[[The BFG (1989 film)|The BFG]]'', which was also produced by [[Cosgrove-Hall]], a ''Danger Mouse'' poster is shown above a boy's bed.<ref name="den of geek"/>

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Danger Mouse (1981 TV series) episodes}}
{{:List of Danger Mouse (1981 TV series) episodes}}

==Home media==
{{main|List of Danger Mouse home video releases}}

==Broadcast history==
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2020}}
The series was transmitted on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] via the [[CITV]] brand from 1981 to 1992. The show has the initials 'DM' prominently emblazoned on his chest. This causes problems for those translating it into other languages, where a literal translation of the words 'Danger' and 'Mouse' do not have those initials; the [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scots Gaelic]] version, for example, calls the show (and the lead) ''Donnie Murdo'' (two given names unconnected either with mice or danger).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b062xb7t|title=BBC ALBA - Donnie Murdo/Danger Mouse|publisher=BBC}}</ref> which was broadcast on [[STV (TV network)|STV]] – from 1990 to 1994 and again on [[BBC Alba]] in 2015. The series has also been broadcast on numerous channels on [[Boomerang (British and Irish TV channel)|Boomerang]] (2000–06) and [[BBC Two]] (2007–09).

He was Dzielna Mysz (brave mouse) in [[Polish language|Polish]], Dundermusen (Thundermouse) in [[Swedish language|Swedish]], and ''Dare Dare Motus'' in [[French language|French]], "Dare Dare" being French slang for "as fast as possible". The [[Slovene language|Slovene]] translation omitted the DM initials entirely, however, dubbing Danger Mouse ''{{lang|sl|Hrabri mišek}}'' ('Brave Mouse').

In [[Australia]], the show was first broadcast on [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC TV]] in 1982 it then moved to [[Network Ten]] in 1996. It was also the first British cartoon to break into [[Cheez TV]], being shown on weekdays.

In the [[United States]] the show was broadcast on [[Nickelodeon]] from 1984 to 1987, and 1991 to 1994. It was the first fully-fledged animated show to air on the network.

== Revival ==
{{main|Danger Mouse (2015 TV series)}}
It was reported in 2013 that the series was under consideration for a revival,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a465108/danger-mouse-reboot-considered-after-citv-old-skool-weekend-success.html |title='Danger Mouse' reboot considered after CITV Old Skool weekend success |work=Digital Spy |date=12 March 2013}}</ref> and in June 2014 it was announced that a new series was being made for broadcast on [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27876300 |title=Danger Mouse to return to TV screens |work=BBC News |date=17 June 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref> The new series is produced by Boulder Media for FremantleMedia Kids. It is directed by Robert Cullen<ref name=cartoon>{{cite news|url=http://blog.bcdb.com/animated-series-reboots-7699/|title=Three New Animated Series, Reboots All|first=Dave|last=Koch|publisher=Big Cartoon News|date=18 June 2014|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140620233051/http://blog.bcdb.com/animated-series-reboots-7699/|archive-date=20 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> with Brian Cosgrove, one of the original creators, acting as creative consultant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/dangermouse|title=Danger Mouse back on TV as new series announced for CBBC - Media Centre|work=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> [[Alexander Armstrong]] and actor [[Kevin Eldon]] voice Danger Mouse and Penfold, respectively; [[Dave Lamb]] takes the role of the narrator, whilst [[Stephen Fry]] plays Colonel K and [[Ed Gaughan]] takes over as Baron Greenback.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29239681 |title=Danger Mouse to be voiced by Alexander Armstrong |work=[[BBC News]] |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=2016-03-31}}</ref> Armstrong's ''[[Pointless]]'' co-host [[Richard Osman]] appears in the series as Professor Strontium Jellyfishowitz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2014/12/stephen-fry-and-richard-osman-join-cast-of-cbbcs-danger-mouse/|title=Stephen Fry and Richard Osman join cast of CBBC's Danger Mouse|work=Prolific North|date=December 2014|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926033035/http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2014/12/stephen-fry-and-richard-osman-join-cast-of-cbbcs-danger-mouse/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[John Oliver (comedian)|John Oliver]] voices the character Dr Augustus P Crumhorn III and [[Lena Headey]] voices the character Jeopardy Mouse, a character newly introduced into this series.<ref name="theguardian.com"/> This series aired on [[Netflix]] in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/25/8107493/netflix-inspector-gadget-danger-mouse-reboots|title=Netflix picks up Inspector Gadget and Danger Mouse reboots|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|publisher=Vox Media|work=The Verge|date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Kevin Eldon describes the animation style as 'much the same as the original'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wow247.co.uk/2015/05/14/kevin-eldon-interview-danger-mouse-brilliantman/|title=Kevin Eldon on Danger Mouse reboot: 'It's pretty imaginative'|work=WOW247|access-date=11 March 2016|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092051/http://www.wow247.co.uk/2015/05/14/kevin-eldon-interview-danger-mouse-brilliantman/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first episode aired on 28 September 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-34359418|title = Danger Mouse: Still 'the greatest' secret agent in the world?|work = BBC News|date = 28 September 2015}}</ref>

[[Jazwares]] is the master toy partner, [[Penguin Books]] published a range of printed books, including story books, official guides, sticker books, novelty books, annuals and electronic titles and [[D.C. Thomson & Co.]] published a monthly magazine with comic strips, puzzles, fact files, poster and competitions.<ref name="licensing.biz"/>

==Spin-off==
* [[Count Duckula]] (1988–1993)

==Notes==
*{{note|Episode|}} "Sx Ep. y" is shortened form for series x and episode y in the original ''Danger Mouse'' TV series

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="AWNSecondSeason">{{cite web|last1=Wolfe|first1=Jennifer|title='Danger Mouse' Returning for Second Season|url=http://www.awn.com/news/danger-mouse-returning-second-season|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=25 January 2017|date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="den of geek">{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/21-charming-things-to-know-about-cosgrove-hall-films/|title=21 charming things to know about Cosgrove Hall Films|date=3 August 2018|website=Den of Geek}}</ref>

<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jan/06/how-we-made-danger-mouse-by-david-jason|title=How we made Danger Mouse – by David Jason and Brian Cosgrove|first=Interviews by Rich|last=Pelley|newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 January 2020|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

<ref name="kelsey obit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/25/edward-kelsey-obituary|title=Edward Kelsey obituary|first=Toby|last=Hadoke|newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 April 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|DangerMouse|Danger Mouse}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0081848|title=Danger Mouse}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080115161426/http://computerandvideogames.woosabi.com/ Danger Mouse appears on cover of Computer and Video Games magazine - September 1984.]

{{Portal bar|Cartoon|Animation|United Kingdom|1980s|1990s}}
{{Danger Mouse TV}}

[[Category:Danger Mouse]]
[[Category:1981 animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:1981 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1992 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s British animated television series]]
[[Category:1980s British children's television series]]
[[Category:1990s British animated television series]]
[[Category:1990s British children's television series]]
[[Category:1980s Nickelodeon original programming]]
[[Category:1990s Nickelodeon original programming]]
[[Category:British children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:British children's animated comic science fiction television series]]
[[Category:British children's animated superhero television series]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:ITV children's television shows]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon original programming]]
[[Category:Parody superheroes]]
[[Category:Television series by FremantleMedia Kids & Family]]
[[Category:Television shows produced by Thames Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Cosgrove Hall Films]]
[[Category:Animated television series about mice and rats]]
[[Category:Mass media franchises introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
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[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
[[Category:Comedy franchises]]
[[Category:British spy television series]]
[[Category:ITV animated television series]]
[[Category:Children's television series about talking animals]]