In the style of the silent movie era of melodrama cliffhangers, Penelope Pitstop must evade capture of the Hooded Claw and the Bully Brothers. The Hooded Claw is in fact really her guardian, Sylvester Sneekly. If Sylvester can do away with Penelope, he will receive her inheritance. She is often aided by the Ant Hill Mob, who have been converted from villainous mobsters to heroic Seven Dwarfs-types. Despite their best intentions, they end up in need of her help during their rescue of her, although despite her resourcefulness, she inevitably will always need to be the one saved.