Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt
Background information
Feature films	One Hundred and One Dalmatians (on TV only) 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure
Short films	The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt
Shows	101 Dalmatians: The Series
Voice	Barry Bostwick (101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure) Frank Welker (101 Dalmatians: The Series)
Character information
Other names	Thunder
Occupation	Actor and superhero of his TV show
Home	His trailer in London
Likes	Patch, Lucky, his job and popularity, his fame
Dislikes	Being called a fraud, ticks, frogs, heights, Lil' Lightning's betrayal
Powers and abilities	Strength, speed, barks

Thunderbolt is a character from One Hundred and One Dalmatians and the deuteragonist of 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure. He is a famous German Shepherd TV wonder dog.

Appearances

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Thunderbolt is the Dalmatian pups' favorite TV show hero. In the show, he is shown to be chasing Dirty Dawson, with the horse thief shooting at him. Dawson then travels on foot as Thunderbolt searches. In some scenes, it shows Thunderbolt making a leap across a canyon before it seems like Dawson has shot Thunderbolt. However, Thunderbolt is only pretending and as Dawson laughs about this, Thunderbolt then attacks. The two fall into a river, having the show end in a cliffhanger as they are about to fall down a waterfall.

101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure

In the show, Thunderbolt is joined by his offbeat sidekick Lil' Lightning fight to defeat Dirty Dawson.

In an episode, Dirty Dawson kidnaps a helpless boy named Tommy. It is up to Thunderbolt and Lil' Lightning to defeat him before any harm befalls Tommy. As Dawson ties Tommy to a moving train, Thunderbolt perches on a cliff. He jumps to the train, confronting Dawson. Whilst Thunderbolt fights Dawson, Lil' Lightning unties Tommy. Dawson causes Thunderbolt to stumble between the train carts and as he is about to strike Thunderbolt, another train heads by the train carts they are on, allowing Thunderbolt to get around Dawson. Thunderbolt then tangles Dawson in his own whip, tripping him up and making him fall into a boxcar with a mad bull. Tommy is then rescued and Thunderbolt saves the day.

While watching The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour, Patch, longing to feel one-of-a-kind like his hero Thunderbolt, hears about a chance to appear on the show while it is filming in London. However, when Roger, Anita, and the 101 Dalmatians plan to move to the Dalmatian Plantation, the family move will interfere with Patch's opportunity – until he is accidentally left behind in the commotion. Patch heads for the audition to meet his hero. Meanwhile, Lil' Lightning tells Thunderbolt the producers want to replace him with a younger dog.

In order to save his job, Thunderbolt decides to go into the real world and perform an act of true heroism to prove himself. A veritable reference book to Thunderbolt's many adventures, Patch provides the perfect guide for Thunderbolt in his attempts at real-life heroics.

At first, Thunderbolt is arrogant and selfish, seeming only to care about his job and his popularity. He is very popular with other dogs, all the ladies love him, and Patch is his biggest fan, knowing all of his episodes by heart. As the film goes on, Thunderbolt becomes more kind and helpful, and he and Patch start to become friends. Furthermore, he is willing to assist those in need and is not afraid to admit he is just an actor and all his rescue missions on his show are fake. He is also cunning and highly skilled with his acting as seen when he tricks Cruella De Vil, Jasper, Horace, and Lil' Lightning into thinking he is having a heart attack.

A post-credits scene shows Thunderbolt with his new sidekick Patch in his TV show The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour.

101 Dalmatians: The Series

In 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Thunderbolt is the star of a show titled Thunderbolt P. I., where he works with a James Bond-like partner named Rex Hunter. There are also a number of villains in said show, such as Bone Daddy, Doctor Wonko, the Masked Marauders, and even his evil twin.

In "Dog's Best Friend," Blaze claims he was up for the role of "Young Thunderbolt," but Thunderbolt ended up playing the role himself.

Thunderbolt also appears in "Kanine Krunchies" advertisements (including the one from the original film) and even stars in his own film.

Thunderbolt made a physical appearance in "Watch for Falling Idols," where he and his creators arrive on the Dearly Farm to film their next episode. Lucky is thrilled to meet his idol and tells Thunderbolt he is his biggest fan and that they once met at the Gruteley County Fair, where Thunderbolt supposedly autographed a picture. Lucky also claims to have seen all of Thunderbolt's movies. Before the episode is filmed, Thunderbolt is seen relaxing in a hot tub inside his trailer, where he is idolized by Lucky, who even waits on him. However, when Lucky later finds out that Thunderbolt doesn't do his own stunts (after Thunderbolt panics from being lifted off the ground, due to his fear of heights), he shuns Thunderbolt and loses faith in him. Later on, Lucky tries to prove he's brave by climbing up the TV windmill, but ends up putting himself in danger instead. Fortunately, Thunderbolt notices Lucky in trouble and, pushing his fears aside, manages to rescue his young fan. Lucky thanks Thunderbolt who tells him that a hero isn't one who fears nothing, but is one who is willing to overcome his fears. Lucky agrees with Thunderbolt and they reconcile.

The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt and his human in The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt

The One Hundred and One Dalmatians Diamond Edition Blu-ray features a Thunderbolt short based on early drafts of the scene, which follows the events directly from where they are seen in the animated 101 Dalmatians.

The short shows that Thunderbolt and Dirty Dawson are able to catch branches sticking from the side of the waterfall. Dawson is able to reach a ledge and as Thunderbolt's branch is about to snap, his human, the sheriff, is able to use his lasso to save him. The two pursue Dawson, but the thief uses explosives to cause an avalanche, blocking their path and allowing him to take some sacks of money from a wagon, which may be why Thunderbolt is chasing him. The sheriff thinks Dawson has escaped, but Thunderbolt climbs across the rock pile to continue the chase. In the end, thanks to Thunderbolt, Dawson is nabbed and brought to justice.

Trivia

• Thunderbolt is similar to Flash the Wonder Dog from Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers as both are famous heroic dogs who do not do their own stunts, both of them are German Shepherds, both are the stars of their very own shows, and both are idolized by another animal character (Patch / Lucky for Thunderbolt; Dale for Flash).
• In the 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode "Frisky Business," when Thunderbolt introduces himself in the "Kanine Krunchies" advertisement, he barks it in a similar style to how James Bond introduces himself.

Gallery

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Media Films: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (video/soundtrack) • 101 Dalmatians (video/soundtrack) • 102 Dalmatians (video/soundtrack) • 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (video) • Cruella (video/soundtrack/score) • Cruella 2 Television series: 101 Dalmatians: The Series • 101 Dalmatian Street • 101 Dalmatians Plantation Video Games: Animated StoryBook: 101 Dalmatians • Math Antics with Disney's 101 Dalmatians • Disney Hotshots: Disney's 101 Dalmatians • 101 Dalmatians: Escape from DeVil Manor • 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue • 102 Dalmatians: Activity Center • 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure • Kingdom Hearts Books: Disney Princess Beginnings • Hello, Cruel Heart • Be Careful What You Wish Fur • Evil Thing: A Tale of That Devil Woman • Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel Disney Parks Disney's All-Star Movies Resort • Club Villain • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom • Midship Detective Agency Entertainment: Disney Classics: The Music & The Magic • The Golden Mickeys • Villains Tonight! Parades: Disney Cinema Parade Fireworks: Momentous • Wonderful World of Animation • Wondrous Journeys Halloween: Disney's Maleficious Halloween Party • Frightfully Fun Parade • Happy Hallowishes • Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular • House of De Vil-lains • It's Good to be Bad with the Disney Villains • Let's Get Wicked • Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade • Re-Villains! Halloween Parade • Scream and Shout Halloween Parade • The Disney Villains Halloween Showtime • The Villains Rockin’ Halloween • Villains Mix and Mingle • Villains Night Out! Chapter 2 Characters One Hundred and One Dalmatians: Pongo • Perdita • Roger Radcliffe • Anita Radcliffe • Nanny • Cruella De Vil • Jasper and Horace • Dalmatian Puppies • Lucky • Patch • Rolly • Penny • Freckles • Pepper • Danny • Scottie • Towser • Lucy • Captain • Sergeant Tibbs • Colonel • Thunderbolt • Dirty Dawson • Prissy • Coco • Collie • The Cows • Labrador 101 Dalmatians: The Series: Cadpig • Spot • Mooch • Tripod • Scorch • Lieutenant Pug • Mayor Ed Pig • Dumpling • Cornelia • Swamp Rat • Cydne • Steven • Persian Pete • Vendella De Vil • Go-Go • Blaze • Cave Pup • Rebecca • The Vandercreams • Amber Dearly • P.H. De Vil • Cecil B. De Vil • Ivy De Vil • Malevola De Vil • Judge Dimsdale De Vil 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure: Lil' Lightning • Lars 101 Dalmatians: Herbert • Alonzo • Mr. Skinner • Jewel • Dipstick • Fidget • Two-Tone • Whizzer • Kipper 101 Dalmatian Street: Dylan • Dolly • Dawkins • Doug • Delilah • Triple-D • Dante • D.J. • Deepak • Diesel • Dorothy • Da Vinci • Delgado • Dizzy & Dee Dee • Dimitri Trio • Portia Poodle • Fergus Fox • Hansel • Roxy • Snowball • Clarissa • Pearl • Hunter De Vil • Spike • Constantin • Sid • Big Fee • Spencer Sausage Dog • Summer • Chips • Arabella • Prunella • Bessie • Apollo • Cuddles • Doctor Dave • Godfrey • Hugo • Stanislav Video game characters: Patches 102 Dalmatians: Chloe Simon • Kevin Shepherd • Jean-Pierre Le Pelt • Dottie • Little Dipper • Domino • Oddball • Fluffy • Drooler • Chomp • Digger • Waddlesworth • Ewan Cruella: Baroness Von Hellman • Buddy • Wink • Artie • John • Catherine Miller • The Baroness' Dalmatians • Gerald Episodes 101 Dalmatians: The Series ABC Episodes: "Home is Where the Bark Is" • "He Followed Me Home" • "Love 'Em and Flea 'Em" • "Howl Noon" • "Easy on the Lies" • "Two for the Show" • "An Officer and a Gentledog" • "Bad to the Bone" • "Southern Fried Cruella" • "Swine Song" • "Watch for Falling Idols" • "The High Price of Fame" • "The Great Cat Invasion" • "No Train, No Gain" • "Rolly's Egg-Celent Adventure" • "Wild Chick Chase" • "The Dogs of DeVil" • "Dog's Best Friend" • "A Christmas Cruella" • "Out to Launch" • "Prophet and Loss" Syndicated Episodes: "You Slipped a Disk" • "Chow About That?" • "Tic Track Toe" • "Lucky All Star" • "Shake, Rattle, and Woof" • "Cadpig Behind Bars" • "Leisure Lawsuit" • "Purred It Through the Grapevine" • "Our Own Digs" • "Goose Pimples (Goose Pamples)" • "Two Faces of Anita" • "The Fungus Among Us" • "Market Mayhem" • "Lucky to be Alone" • "Four Stories Up" • "It's a Swamp Thing" • "Roll Out the Pork Barrel" • "Alive N' Chicken" • "Prima Doggy" • "You Say It's Your Birthday" • "Oozy Does It" • "Barnboozled" • "Citizen Canine" • "Full Metal Pullet" • "Dough the Right Thing" • "Frisky Business" • "Cadet of the Month" • "Valentine Daze" • "Close But No Cigar" • "Invasion of the Doggy Snatchers" • "Smoke Detectors" • "Lobster Tale" • "Double Dog Dare" • "Mooove It On Over" • "Shipwrecked" • "Mall Pups" • "Shrewzle Watch" • "The Life You Save" • "Spots and Shots" • "On the Lamb" • "Treasure of Swamp Island" • "Lord of the Termites" • "Fountain of Youth" • "Walk a Mile in My Tracks" • "Cruella World" • "Hail to the Chief" • "Food for Thought" • "The Maltese Chicken" • "Film Fatale" • "My Fair Chicken" • "Snow Bounders" • "Gnaw or Never" • "Poison Ivy" • "Twelve Angry Pups" • "The Good-bye Chick" • "Robo-Rolly" • "Splishing and Splashing" • "Virtual Lucky" • "Cupid Pups" • "The Artist Formerly Known as Spot" • "The Nose Knows" • "K is for Kibble" • "Humanitarian of the Year" • "Beauty Pageant Pandemonium" • "Hog-Tied" • "Coup DeVil" • "Every Little Crooked Nanny" • "Cone Head" • "Channels" • "Un-Lucky" • "The Making of..." • "Best of Show" • "Walk on the Wild Side" • "Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move" • "DeVil-Age Elder" • "Jurassic Bark" • "My Fair Moochie" • "Dog Food Day Afternoon" • "Spot's Fairy God-Chicken" • "Good Neighbor Cruella" • "Animal House Party" • "Dalmatian Vacation, Part I - Road Warriors" • "Dalmatian Vacation, Part II - Cross-Country Calamity" • "Dalmatian Vacation, Part III - Dearly Beloved" 101 Dalmatian Street Shorts: "Merry Pups" • "Muddy Pups" • "Prank Pups" • "Ransom Pups" • "Target Pups" • "Yoga Pups" • "Jurassic Pups" "Space Pups" • "Disco Pups" • "Diva Pups" Season One: "Dog's Best Friend" • "Boom Night" • "Power to the Puppies" • "Who The Dog Do You Think You Are?" • "Walkies on the Wild Side" • "May Contain Nuts" • "Winter Funderland" • "Snow Day" • "Perfect Match" • "All Fired Up" • "Poetry Scam" • "Crushed Out" • "Girls' Day Out" • "The Woof Factor" • "The Nose Job" • "My Fair Dolly" • "Flea-Mageddon" • "A Right Royal Rumble" • "Dal-Martians" • "A Date with Destiny... Dallas and Déjà Vu" • The Wow of Miaow • Fear Window • The Dog House • A Summer to Remember • Long Tongue Day • Doggy Da Vinci • London, We Have a Problem • It's My Party • Fox in the Dog House • Fetch • Don't Push Your Luck • The Curse of the Ferrydog • The Walls Are Alive • Diamond Dogs • Ride Along • Poodlewolf • The Longest Night • Balancing Act • Dawkins Strikes Back • Poodlefall! • Dotty Dancing • Yappily Ever After • D-Factor • Puppy Dreams • Dante's Inferno • Better the De Vil You Know • The De Vil Wears Puppies Locations London • Regents Park • De Vil Manor • Dinsford • Dearly Farm • Gruteley County • Cherry Tree Farm • House of DeVil • 101 Dalmatian Street • 2nd Time Around • Liberty London • House of Baroness • John's Apartment Songs Films: Cruella De Vil • Kanine Krunchies • Dalmatian Plantation • Playful Melody • I See Spots • Try Again • You're the One • Digga Digga Dog • So Fabulous, So Fierce • Who's Sorry Now? • Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps • Livin' Thing • Call Me Cruella • These Boots Are Made for Walkin' • I'm Gettin' Good at Being Bad • Cruella • What Can a Bird Do? • The Language of Dogs Animated Storybook: I Love Fur • Puppies, Oh, Puppies • Twilight Bark • Up the Stair • Cover Yourselves with Soot Television series: 1-0-1 • Dalmatian Vacation • Surf Puppies • I Got My Pups with Me • It's a Dog's Life • In the House • Dolly's Rap • Dogs are Out for Summer Sun • It's a Prank • We're Sending You Love Deleted: Don't Buy a Parrot from a Sailor • March of the One Hundred and One • Cheerio, Good-Bye, Toodle-oo, Hip Hip! • One Hundred and One • The Creation of Cruella De Vil See also Cruella's car • Jasper and Horace's truck • The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour • What's My Crime? • The Disney Afternoon • House of Mouse • Once Upon a Time • The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt