The Perils of Penelope Pitstop (Boomerang)

Although The Perils of Penelope Pitstop is a classic for a reason, there are a few things to watch out for. For one thing, Penelope's rescuers are labeled as a "mob"; to most people, mobs are associated with crime, so it's possible that kids could be confused about how Penelope attained her riches. Also, the Evil Claw cheerfully plots violent demises for Penelope, such as trying to feed her to an alligator or tying her up in a sinking tank. But all in all, the show's violence and innuendos aren't any racier than in other series from this era.

Debuting in 1969 as a spin-off of Wacky Races (and inspired by the silent film The Perils of Pauline), Penelope Pitstop offers a positive female role model. Even though every episode starts with Penelope crying "help!," she thrived during a male-dominated era, maintaining the financial independence of a man while upholding the manners of a lady. Parents can use Penelope to show their kids that self sufficiency isn't limited to men or tomboys.