Inspector Gadget

Don't worry, chief. Inspector Gadget is always on duty.

1983 · 2 seasons · Animation
6.8 Modest

Series finished

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Animation Comedy Kids Action & Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Inspector Gadget is a clumsy, dim-witted human cyborg detective with various bionic gadgets built into his body. Gadget stumbles around working the cases while his niece and dog do most of the investigating. Gadget's arch-nemesis is Dr. Claw, the leader of an evil organisation, known as "M.A.D."

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Year
1983
Created by
Jean Chalopin, Andy Heyward, Bruno Bianchi
Channel
CBS · Syndication
Studio
DiC Entertainment · Nelvana · FR3 · Tokyo Movie Shinsha

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

Series creator Andy Heyward moved from Hanna-Barbera to Paris in 1981 to work with DIC Audiovisuel, and combined ideas inspired by Dynomutt Dog Wonder, Get Smart, and The Six Million Dollar Man to create Inspector Gadget.

Origins

The character Penny was created specifically due to concerns that the show would not appeal to girls, while Brain's name was chosen to convey that he is smart while Inspector Gadget is not.

Casting

Inspector Gadget's voice went through two actors before Don Adams was cast: Jesse White was tested first but didn't test well, and Gary Owens auditioned with ad-libs including the catchphrase 'Wowsers!' before Adams was chosen and had all of Gadget's pilot dialogue re-recorded.

Casting

Don Adams was considered a perfect fit for Inspector Gadget because he had previously played Maxwell Smart in Get Smart, the character who partly inspired Gadget.

Casting

Don Francks initially voiced Dr. Claw for 25 episodes after the pilot before Frank Welker, who had voiced the character in the pilot, was brought back to replace him.

Casting

Penny was voiced by Mona Marshall in the pilot before being replaced by Don Francks' real-life daughter, Cree Summer, in her first-ever voice acting role for the rest of season one.

Casting

In 2025, voice actor Maurice LaMarche revealed that a young Jim Carrey auditioned for the role of Corporal Capeman but lost the part to Townsend Coleman; LaMarche believes that if Carrey had won that role and the lead in Disney's Bonkers, he might never have pursued a live-action film career.

Effects

Inspector Gadget's design went through roughly 350 sketches before reaching its final version, and an early concept featuring helicopter blades based on Andy Heyward and one of the show's directors was scrapped due to confusion among the writers.

References

Inspector Gadget originally had a mustache in the pilot, but it was removed after DIC received a letter from MGM (which had acquired United Artists) stating he looked too similar to Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther films.

References

Dr. Claw's pet, M.A.D. Cat, is a reference to James Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his cat.

Music

The iconic theme music, composed by Shuki Levy, was inspired by Edvard Grieg's 'In the Hall of the Mountain King'.

Reception

Inspector Gadget was the first cartoon show syndicated by DIC and the first animated series presented in stereo sound, and its success encouraged the company to produce additional shows such as Heathcliff.

Memorable quotes

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Go, go, Gadget (item)!

Inspector Gadget Activating a gadget device

Wowsers!

Inspector Gadget Reacting in surprise

Stop/halt in the name of the law! You're under arrest!

Inspector Gadget Arresting a criminal

I'll get you for this, Gadget... I'll GET YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Claw Vowing revenge after another defeat

I'll get you next time, Gadget... next time! [M.A.D. Cat meows]

Dr. Claw Vowing revenge as he retreats

No one gets away from Inspector Gadget and gets away with it.

Inspector Gadget Boasting after catching a crook

Don't worry, Chief, I'm always on duty.

Inspector Gadget Reassuring the Chief

An air show? Now why would anybody want to pay to see air?

Inspector Gadget Misunderstanding a simple phrase

All work and no play makes Gadget a dull boy.

Inspector Gadget Quoting a famous saying incorrectly

Rowsers!

Brain Reacting in alarm

Rikes!

Brain Startled by danger

You never know what might happen with Uncle Gadget.

Penny Commenting on her uncle's antics

I'd better call Brain.

Penny Deciding to get help

SHUT UP!

Dr. Claw Silencing his henchmen

SILENCE!

Dr. Claw Demanding quiet

Curse you, Gadget! You've beaten me again. But I’ll get you next time.

Dr. Claw Admitting defeat again

No, No, No! Why does Gadget ALWAYS WIN!!!!!!! I HATE GADGET!!!!

Dr. Claw Furious at another loss

RaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!

Dr. Claw Screaming in rage

Curses!

Dr. Claw Cursing his failure

Blast!

Dr. Claw Expressing frustration

What people are saying (1)

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V

v1nc€nzo ★ 8

4 days ago

serie animata molto divertente. gadget non azzecca mai una,prendendo sempre abbagli.se non fosse per l'aiuto della nipote e del suo cane bravo,non risolverebbe un caso haha

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