Top Secret Mission
"Stop Dr. Claw from stealing art treasures at Museum of Modern Art."
Synopsis
Inspector Gadget, Penny, and Brain visit the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, where the police inspector is on assignment to prevent the theft of the museum's inventory. At closing time, Gadget sends Penny and Brain on their way (or so he thinks) and intends to spend the night in the museum to protect the artwork. Two of Dr. Claw's goons, meanwhile, have backed a tractor trailer up to the rear of the museum, and get ready to do some dirty work. Claw next activates two enormous "living statues"--menacing robots who first let the two MAD agents inside before attempting to destroy Gadget. But a chandelier dropped by Brain manages to put the mechanical monsters out of commission before they can harm his owner. While Gadget continues to meander aimlessly around the upper floors of the museum, downstairs the two MAD agents have begun their task: to replace all of the artwork with worthless reproductions. Penny no sooner uncovers their scheme before she is captured. Soon Gadget stumbles upon the MAD agents himself, but once they convince him they are secret police, Gadget himself lends a hand, secure in the knowledge that he is helping to protect the collection. Once the truck is loaded with all of the valuable artwork, the MAD agents head to the Statue of Liberty to rendezvous with Dr. Claw. Thinking his "colleagues" have forgotten a valuable piece of artwork (Brain in disguise), Gadget loyally pursues them to hand over the forgotten "sculpture". Inspector Gadget finally catches up to the agents at the Statue where he inadvertently captures them, Brain sets Penny free, and the artwork is saved from Dr. Claw's clutches.
Quotable Quote
"We really need him--more than you imagine!" --Penny to her Uncle Gadget after he reminds her of the importance of keeping Brain on a leash.
Notes
A slow-paced, dull outing for the good Inspector...about as much fun as a real trip to an art museum. New York City has limitless possibilities for interesting plots--though we see the Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State Building, the Twin Towers (in a shot in the background), and Ellis Island, Gadget's trip to the Big Apple doesn't even scratch the surface of what they could have done.
Be On The Look-Out For...
...a random 80s reference. During the safety tip, Gadget walks past a clothing store with a window display featuring signs that read "Baung Baung" (whatever that means...!) and "New Wave". Curiously-lettered signs in the background that make little or no sense are a staple of a lot of shows such as Gadget where a lot of the animation--including backgrounds--was done in Asia, since many of the artists' primary language was not English.
MAD Agent Count
Two of Dr. Claw's regulars.
Unanswered, Nit-Picky Questions
How does Chief Quimby manage to arrive mere seconds after Penny calls him on her watch?
Ridiculous Safety Tip
Keep your dog on a leash, especially in the city.
Brain's Disguises:
Long-haired goofy artist-type
Various sculptures
"Art Heist"