Shirt Tales (1982)

The beloved Hanna-Barbera animated series where a team of crime-fighting animals with magical message shirts protected their park from wrongdoers.

Shirt Tales - Series Information

  • Original Title: Shirt Tales
  • First Air Year: 1982
  • Last Air Year: 1983
  • Created by: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna et al.
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Family, Animation, Kids
  • Content Rating (US): TV-G
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 2
  • Number of Episodes: 46
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: September 18, 1982 (United States - TV-G), September 18, 1982 (Spain - ERI)
  • Networks: NBC
  • Alternative Titles: Los Super Rescatadores (MX), La super pandilla (AR)
  • Production Companies: Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Hallmark Cards
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Shirt Tales - Plot

Shirt tales is an American animated series that aired on NBC from September 18, 1982 to January 21, 1984. The series featured animal characters, created in 1980 by greeting card designer Janet Elizabeth Manco, that were among Hallmark Cards' best sellers at the time.

Where to Watch Shirt Tales

Looking for where to watch Shirt Tales?

Shirt Tales - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Joseph Barbera
  • William Hanna
  • Janet Elizabeth Manco

Main Cast

  • Ronnie Schell
  • Steven Schatzberg
  • Patricia Parris
  • Bob Ogle
  • Fred Travalena
  • Herb Vigran
  • William Woodson
  • Nancy Cartwright

Writers

  • Bob Ogle
  • Jim Ryan
  • Tom Dagenais
  • Glenn Leopold
  • John Semper Jr.

Executive Producers

  • William Hanna
  • Joseph Barbera

Shirt Tales - FAQs

Is Shirt Tales based on real Hallmark Cards characters?

Yes, the animal characters in Shirt Tales were originally created in 1980 by greeting card designer Janet Elizabeth Manco for Hallmark Cards, where they became some of the company's best-selling designs before being adapted into the animated television series.

What are the magical shirts in Shirt Tales?

Each animal character wears a shirt that displays changing messages reflecting their mood, emotions, or reactions to situations. These expressive shirts became the show's signature visual gimmick and gave the series its distinctive name, setting it apart from other Saturday morning cartoons of the era.

Where can you watch Shirt Tales today?

Shirt Tales is available to stream free with ads on Tubi TV. If you prefer to own episodes, they can be purchased on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability may vary by region, so check your local platforms for the latest options.

Who are the main animal characters in Shirt Tales?

The core team includes Rick Raccoon, Tyg Tiger, Pammy Panda, Digger Mole, and Bogey Orangutan, later joined by Kip Kangaroo. Voiced by talents including Nancy Cartwright and Fred Travalena, these park-dwelling animals team up to fight crime and protect their woodland home.

How many seasons and episodes does Shirt Tales have?

Shirt Tales ran for two seasons on NBC, with Season 1 delivering 26 episodes and Season 2 following up with 20, bringing the total to 46 episodes. The series aired from September 18, 1982 through January 21, 1984.

Did Nancy Cartwright voice a character in Shirt Tales?

Nancy Cartwright, later world-famous as the voice of Bart Simpson, voiced Kip Kangaroo in Shirt Tales. The role was an early career credit for Cartwright, who was already building her reputation as a versatile voice actress in animated productions during the early 1980s.

What network aired Shirt Tales and when did it end?

Shirt Tales aired on NBC as part of its Saturday morning cartoon lineup, premiering on September 18, 1982. The series concluded on January 21, 1984, after two seasons. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons in partnership with Hallmark Cards.

What shows are similar to Shirt Tales?

Fans of Shirt Tales tend to enjoy other classic animated adventure series featuring animal teams, such as Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Tom & Jerry Kids Show, and Snorks — all sharing that same lighthearted, action-packed Saturday morning spirit.

More About Shirt Tales

Explore further details about Shirt Tales on these authoritative resources.

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error