Tuesday 31 December 2013

BattleTech!

Today's second post is a fan request. BattleTech! Based upon the popular Role Playing game of the same name, this short series gained a loyal following!


The series takes place in the year 3050 as the Inner Sphere, the central region of settled interstellar space, is suddenly invaded by a powerful human faction identifying itself as the Clans. One of the many planets that falls to the Clan onslaught is a small, mostly unimportant world in the Federated Commonwealth called Somerset.
Far away on the planet Tharkad, Major Adam Steiner, a teacher at the Nagelring Military Academy and native of Somerset, receives word of the attack on his homeworld and the loss of all communication with the forces there, including his brother Andrew. Using his relationship to one of the Federated Commonwealth's ruling family, he gains permission to assemble a force to gather intelligence on the Clans and, if possible, liberate Somerset.

 As this the last post of 2013, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for 2014!

The Care Bears Movie

It's the 100th post!! So, to celebrate, it's time for a movie! 

Today I bring you The Care Bears Movie!! Settle in people, and don't leave your feelings behind!


In the film, orphanage owners tell a story about the Care Bears, who live in a cloud-filled land called Care-a-lot. Travelling across Earth, the Bears help two lonely children named Kim and Jason find new parents, and also save a young magician's apprentice named Nicholas from an evil spirit's influence. Deep within a place called the Forest of Feelings, Kim, Jason, and their friends soon meet another group of creatures, the Care Bear Cousins.

Enjoy, and here's to the next 100 posts!

Monday 30 December 2013

Robotech The Movie

More mecha action for you guys now, with Robotech The Movie! 

 

In the year 1999, an alien battle-fortress crashes on an island in the Pacific. Over the next ten years, mankind repairs and refits this fortress, using the advanced "robo-technology" found aboard it to create fighter planes that can transform into giant robots. As soon as the repaired fortress is ready for launch, the aliens to whom it belongs finally discover its location. Thus begins a series of wars that will devastate the Planet Earth.

The series is actually three different series from Japan edited into one show as three different story arcs. The original shows were Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada.

Voltron - Defender of the Universe

Time for a little Mecha action today I think. First up we have Voltron, Defender of the Universe!

Voltron is the name of a giant robot in a series that features a team of space explorers known as the Voltron Force. The space explorers pilot robot lions who join together to form the giant robot with which they defend their galaxy from evil.




Voltron features a team of five young pilots commanding five robot lions which could be combined to form Voltron. In this undefined future era, the Voltron Force was in charge of protecting the planet Arus (ruled by Princess Allura) from the evil King Zarkon (from planet Doom), his son Lotor, and the witch Haggar, who would create huge Robeasts to terrorize the people of Arus.

There's something about combining robots that have always fascinated me. Star Fleet, Voltron, even Transformers. Merging together to make what was once awesome into something epic? Who doesn'r love that??

Sunday 29 December 2013

Superted

Hand's up who thinks they know what Superted's secret magic word was that let him transform? No, me neither! Oh well, at least we can watch the effects of such a closely guarded secret!!



SuperTed is a teddy bear found to be defective in the toy factory where he was made, and "threw him away like a piece of rubbish! Into an old dark storeroom." A Spotty man found him there and brought him to life with his "cosmic dust". He was then taken to Mother Nature and given superpowers that enabled him to fight evil. SuperTed's powers are activated by his "secret magic word", which remains a secret. SuperTed whispers it every time he or someone else is in peril and he transforms into a superhero with Superman-like red suit with rockets built into the boots.
The evil invariably takes the form of Texas Pete and his gang; Bulk and Skeleton. Texas Pete's plots are generally aimed at advancing his own wealth, ruling the world and the power or the destruction of SuperTed, his nemesis.

WizBit

Okay guys, let's take a trip to Puzzleopolis and see Wizbit!



Wizbit is a show in which an alien magician called Wizbit and a large rabbit called Wooly had adventures in a place called Puzzleopolis.
Wizbit was to learn about everyday life on earth by solving puzzles in a town inhabited by walking, talking  sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, playing cards and 7-foot-tall rabbits. The show made an attempt to be semi-educational. The puzzles Wizbit was set were usually presented to the audience at home, with the solutions being revealed towards the end of the episode.
It starred magician Paul Daniels and his assistant (and wife) Debbie McGee.

Saturday 28 December 2013

Samurai Pizza Cats

Today's next show is a quirky entity. Imagine cats, running an italian food establishment, whilst moonlighting as cyborg samurai warrors of justice...
Yep, I must be talking about Samurai Pizza Cats!!



The series is set in the mechanical city of Little Tokyo, a mechanical city which fuses feudal Japanese culture with contemporary culture, and is populated by cybernetic anthropomorphic animals. The city is notionally led by Emperor Fred, a doddering eccentric. The city's actual leadership lies in the hands of his daughter Princess Violet and a city council. The council is headed by the ambitious prime minister Seymour "The Big Cheese", a rat, who constantly plots to overthrow the Emperor. He is aided by his inept minions: trusted adviser Jerry Atric and Bad Bird, the leader of an army of ninja crows.
Unknown to the prime minister, council member "Big Al" Dente, the commander of the Palace Guard, learns of his designs on leadership, but is unable to prosecute him for treason because of the plausible deniability he maintains. Instead, Al Dente enlists the services of Speedy Ceviche, Polly Esther, and Guido Anchovy, three cyborg cat samurai who work in the city's pizzeria, along with their operator Francine. Known collectively as the Samurai Pizza Cats, they are assigned to stop Big Cheese and his evil henchmen's plans to take over Little Tokyo.

Fun Fact - The guy who sings the theme tune had a few drinks before the recording session for the song started, and as a result, accidentally stuttered on one line ("this cat gets down down with a love hangover")

Children of the Dog Star


Hey everyone! Today the Saturday Matinee Serial continues with Children of The Dog Star, a New Zealand series from 1984!



On holiday at her uncle's farm in New Zealand, Gretchen befriends Ronny, a Maori boy with a troubled city past, and Bevis the birdwatching son of a loathed developer. Tension is already high as the developer wants to buy and drain a local swamp for a housing estate, but Ronny's uncle is the guardian of a traditional Maori tapu (taboo/curse) upon the swamp. The swamp must not be touched—something sleeps there that must not be awakened. Something unnatural.
In the story, twelve-year-old Gretchen has a passion for science and a talent for all things mechanical, which is why the strange old brass "weathervane" (referred to as the "daisy rod") on her uncle's farm fascinates her. But the brass daisy rod has a complex and terrifying significance, and Gretchen and her new friend Ronny discover its links with the far distant Sirius, the Dog Star.
Gradually, the children discover the pieces of an ancient alien space probe named Kolob. During the series they assemble the missing parts and strange things start to happen.

Friday 27 December 2013

Stoppit and Tidyup


Stoppit and Tidyup!!

The short running series is about cartoon characters who live in the land of Do As You're Told, which is a strange and colourful place whose inhabitants are named after all those little chastising phrases, comments, commands and demands directed at children by their overbearing parents.

Apart from the main characters Stoppit, a red ball of fluff, and Tidyup, a gherkin-loving purple lump, the supporting characters included Comb Your Hair, Wash Your Face, Hurry Up, Go and Play and with his favourite toy, poor little Calm Down, nasty little Not Now, the two bees (Beehave and Beequiet), sleepy old Go to Bed, Don't Do That, Take Care, Eat Your Greens, Clean Your Teeth and the big, bad I Said: "No!"

The storylines are notable for their random, abstract nature, and the fact that frequently an episode will end without any moral message at all!

Eerie, Indiana

Hey everyone! This morning, things are going to get strange, a bit weird and a lot of Eerie!

Eerie, Indiana to be exact!

 
Marshall Teller's family moves to the small country town of Eerie, Indiana (Pop. 16,661). There, Marshall discovers that Eerie, as he puts it, "is the center of weirdness for the universe".

While moving into his new home, he meets Simon Holmes, one of the few normal people in Eerie. Together, they are faced with bizarre scenarios, which include discovering a sinister group of intelligent dogs that are planning on taking over the world, and meeting a tornado hunter who is reminiscent of Captain Ahab. They also confront numerous urban legends such as Bigfoot and a still-living Elvis Presley. 

Fun Fact - This episode posted here was directed by Joe Dante, who also directed Gremlins!

Thursday 26 December 2013

Astro Farm


Today's next cartoon is Astro Farm!

Astro Farm features the adventures of the Foxwoods, a small family who work on an asteroid, which is covered in farmland.
The principal characters are Lizzie; Lizzie's husband Sam; their son, Tom; Dinko, a dog; Daisy, the big moo and Clucks the blue chicken; featuring Gorps, Splodger and Biff, three miscreants who steal food and cause trouble at the farm.
The Foxwoods live in a small cottage with a barn nearby. Daisy, the cow lives in a separate farm. The atmosphere is artificial and is controlled by the weather machine in the cottage. The Gorps live on a nearby asteroid known as 'Gorpdale' which is dark and wet.

Mysterious Cities of Gold

It is the 16th century. From all over Europe, great ships sail west to conquer the New World, the Americas. The men eager to seek their fortune, to find new adventures in new lands. They long to cross uncharted seas and discover unknown countries, to find secret gold on a mountain trail high in the Andes. They dream of following the path of the setting sun that leads to El Dorado and the Mysterious Cities of Gold.



Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Kicking off today's posts, we have The Mysterious Cities of Gold! One of the true cartoon greats!

In 1532 a Spanish orphan named Esteban joins Mendoza, a navigator, and his associates Sancho and Pedro, in their search for one of The seven Cities of Gold in the New World, hoping to find his father. They are joined on their quest by Zia, an Incan girl (who was kidnapped by Mendoza), and Tao, the last descendant of the sunken empire of Hiva.
The series is a mix of ancient South American history, archaeology, and science fiction. The travellers encounter the Maya, Inca, and Olmecs during their journey. They discover many lost technological wonders of the Mu Empire, including a solar powered ship (the Solaris) and The Golden Condor, a huge solar-powered mechanical bird, capable of traveling considerable distances under the sun's power alone. They are constantly pursued by antagonists Gomez and Gaspard, who are also in search of the Cities of Gold.

Earlier this year, over 30 years since the original series was aired, a second series was shown on UK TV on the Kix Channel, and is due for release on DVD early next year!

Wednesday 25 December 2013

The Christmas Raccoons

Our second festive video is another much loved show, The Raccoons!

This Christmas Special was the first of four specials that were produced before the regular TV series was made. The story takes place in the Evergreen Forest, home of the forest ranger Dan, his children Tommy and Julie, and their pet sheepdog, Schaeffer.



It's the day before Christmas Eve, and Ranger Dan receives a call that all the trees in the forest are disappearing. Tommy and Julie are concerned, but Dan is doing the investigating. Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, a trio of raccoons (married couple Ralph and Melissa and their friend Bert) prepare their home, The Raccoondominium, for Christmas. Their joy is cut short when they see in the news that all the trees in the forest are disappearing. Nearby, local aardvark millionaire Cyril Sneer is revealed to be the tree thief hoping to make a profit out of the lumber. His college-educated son Cedric tries to talk him out of his crazed plans to destroy the whole forest. Cyril ignores Cedric and chops down a whole line of trees, including the Raccoondominium.

Will Cyril's money grabbing scheme be stopped? Will the Raccoons get a new home for Christmas? Will we get to hear lots of excellent songs in the way only the Raccoons can give us?

He-Man & She-Ra A Christmas Special

Merry Christmas Everyone! I have two Christmas posts for you today, and first up we have The He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special!


In this special Christmas episode of the He-Man and She-Ra cartoons, their sidekick Orko accidentally gets beamed to Earth during a test of a new spy satellite. Orko manages to get back Planet Eternia, but brings along two Earth children, Alisha and Manuel, with him. Since it's Christmastime on Earth, the kids are naturally filled with the holiday spirit, but this overflowing goodwill attracts the unwelcome attention of the Horde Prime and Skeletor. Will the combined power of He-Man, She-Ra and the spirit of Christmas be enough to stop them?

Tuesday 24 December 2013

A Garfield Christmas

In our last few hours before Christmas arrives, I give you A Garfield Christmas!




Garfield, Jon, and Odie go to Jon's family's farm for Christmas, where Garfield finds a gift for Grandma and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Filled with wonderful holiday music, this is sure to brighten your holiday!  

See you tomorrow after Santa has been for some more Christmas Goodies!

The Box of Delights

Today is Christmas Eve, and as a celebration of the season, I bring you the entire serial of The Box of Delights. All Six episodes in one post! This serial was originally shown on the BBC in 1984 and many consider it a Christmas classic!



The plot follows young Kay Harker as he is returning from boarding school, when he finds himself mixed up in a battle to possess a magical box. It allows the owner to shrink in size, to fly swiftly, to go into the past and to experience the magical wonders contained within the box.
The current owner of the box is an old Punch and Judy man called Cole Hawlings whom Kay meets at the railway station. They develop an instant rapport which leads Cole to confide that he is being chased by a man called Abner Brown and his gang. For safety, Cole entrusts the box to Kay. The schoolboy then goes on to have many adventures as he protects the box from those who wish to use it for bad deeds.




Monday 23 December 2013

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Would you take a trip into the forest with a group of friends in the middle of the night, with the purpose of telling scary stories, and to ask the question 'Are you Afraid of the Dark?'

These guys would!!




Are You Afraid of the Dark? revolved around a group of teenagers who referred to themselves as "The Midnight Society". Every week, at a secret location in the woods, one member would tell a scary story to the group. The actual story, rather than the telling, was displayed to the television viewer. The story was shown between the group's arrival at the site and their departure. Each storyteller would begin their story by saying "Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, I call this story..." at which point he or she would toss a handful of "midnight dust" from a leather pouch into a campfire to heighten the flames and produce an eerie white smoke. The storyteller would continue by announcing its title (The Tale of...).

I purposely chose one of the creepiest stories that was made for the series, because we are all grown ups now and we can handle a decent scare (just make sure you know what's behind you!!)

Fun Fact - Quite a few people who appeared in this show went on to become rather big stars in their own rights in recent years, some of which are Ryan Gosling, Neve Campbell, Hayden Christensen, Laura Vandervoort, Jay Baruchel and Mia Kirshner!

The Paw Paws

Today's next post is one of Hanna Barbera's lesser known, but still equally charming characters, The Paw Paws! (aka Paw Paw Bears)



The Paw Paws are a group of small bears that live in a tribal society, the cubs spend every day defending themselves from their enemies, The Meanos, led by the evil sorcerer, Dark Paw. The antagonist bear and his henchmen are seeking to claim the Paw Paws' three large wooden totems, Totem Bear, Totem Tortoise, and Totem Eagle. The totems also serve as the tribe's protectors, coming to life when needed through means of Princess Paw Paw's Mystic Moonstone, which she wears around her neck, to defend the village.

Shoe People


Today's first post is one of those shows where once you've heard the theme tune, it stays with you for days!

In a shoe repairs shop, the Shoe Mender tries to repair all of the shoes he gets, but sometimes cannot repair them all. But he does not throw away these shoes, he puts them on the back room of the shop.

These join the other shoes and boots he could not bear to throw away and the ones where their owners never came back for them but this room has a secret. Every night when the Shoe Mender locks up the shop, he makes sure the back room door is shut. This door does not shut very easily and when he slams it shut, the strangest thing happens. A large cloud of dust from the room fills the air and when it settles, the shoes come to life and the back wall disappears and Shoe Town appears!

Just below Toecap Hill is Shoe Town, where all the shoes and boots live!


Fun fact - The theme tune was written and sung by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues!!

Sunday 22 December 2013

Bagpuss


Today's next post is fondly remembered by many, many people. Bagpuss, the old, saggy cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams!




Each programme began in the same way: through a series of sepia photographs, the viewer is told of a little girl named Emily who owned a shop. Emily found lost and broken things and displayed them in the window, so their owners could come and collect them; the shop did not sell anything. She would leave the object in front of her favourite stuffed toy, the large, saggy, pink and white striped cat named Bagpuss.
When Emily had left, Bagpuss woke up. The programme shifted from sepia to colour stop motion  film, and various toys in the shop came to life: Gabriel the toad, and a rag doll called Madeleine. The wooden woodpecker bookend became the drily academic Professor Yaffle, while the mice carved on the side of the "mouse organ" woke up and scurried around, singing in high-pitched voices.
The toys discussed what the new object was; someone would tell a story related to the object (shown in an animated thought bubble over Bagpuss's head), often with a song, accompanied by Gabriel on the banjo, and then the mice, singing in high-pitched squeaky harmony as they worked, mended the broken object
The newly mended thing was then be put in the shop window, so that whoever had lost it would see it as they went past, and could come in and claim it. Then Bagpuss would start yawning again, and as he fell asleep the narrator would speak as the colour faded to sepia and they all became toys again.

Come repeat with me now and see if we can wake Bagpuss up together!

Bagpuss, dear Bagpuss
Old Fat Furry Catpuss
Wake up and look at this thing that I bring
Wake up, be bright, be golden and light
Bagpuss, oh hear what I sing!

The Adventures of Tintin

 The Adventures of Tintin is a series of comic albums created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name of Hergé. The series is one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century.

Here is an episode of the 1990's adaptation that used to be shown on Channel 4!!




Tintin is a young Belgian reporter who becomes involved in dangerous cases in which he takes heroic action to save the day. The Adventures may feature Tintin hard at work in his investigative journalism, but seldom is he seen actually turning in a story. He is a boy of neutral attitudes with whom the audience can identify.
Tintin is aided by his faithful dog Snowy. Later, popular additions to the cast included the brash and cynical Captain Haddock, the highly intelligent but hearing-impaired Professor Calculus, and other supporting characters such as the incompetent detectives Thomson and Thompson.



Saturday 21 December 2013

Roger Ramjet




Just a small post to end the day on today, Roger Ramjet!

Roger Ramjet is a patriotic and highly moral — if not very bright — hero, who is typically out to save the world, with help from his Proton Energy Pills ("PEP"), which give him "the strength of twenty atom bombs for a period of twenty seconds". The world is invariably saved by dispensing violence towards the various recurring criminals who populated the series.
On government missions assigned by General G.I. Brassbottom, Ramjet encounters various nemeses during his missions. Typically he is caught, and must be rescued by his crew of sidekicks, the American Eagles: Yank, Doodle, Dan and Dee (a play on Yankee Doodle Dandy). Although his Eagles appear to be children, each of them, except for Dee, flies his own individual ramjet aircraft expertly, and are obviously much more savvy than their leader. (taken from Wikipedia)

Chocky

Today I am bringing you what will hopefully become a regular feature on the BCC, a full mini series in one post. Today to kick off the proceedings, we have the 1984 classic, Chocky!


Based upon the novel by John Wyndham, Chocky is the tale of Matthew Gore, an intelligent boy chosen by a mysterious extraterrestrial visitor to be a source of information about life on Earth. As his schoolwork and artistic talent improve dramatically he arouses the suspicion of powerful groups who wish to tap into the amazing fund of knowledge to which he is now party.

Friday 20 December 2013

Challenge of the GoBots


Today's second post is Challenge of the Gobots - Battle of the Rock Lords!

GoBots dealt with two opposing forces of transforming robots from the planet GoBotron: the heroic Guardians and the evil Renegades. The Guardians were led by Leader-1 while the Renegades were led by Cy-Kill. The characters rarely had guns, instead shooting energy blasts out of their fists. The female robots on the series, such as Crasher, were built like the males, but with some distinguishing female features. The GoBots' origin as organic beings accounted for the presence of genders among the robots.
The series generally focused on a small number of robots from each faction (Leader-1, Turbo, Small Foot and Scooter vs. Cy-Kill, Fitor, Cop-Tur and Crasher), who were virtually ever-present, with other characters seeming to rotate in "guest-star" roles. GoBots had no clear divide between the two factions.

Round the Twist


Round the Twist is an Australian children's comedy, based around the Twist family and the supernatural goings on in their town.



The Twist family are widower Tony Twist and his three children, twins Pete and Linda, and Bronson. They live in the old, and usually haunted lighthouse at Port Miranda.

How this got aired is beyond me due to the content of flatulence, defectation, urination, body odor, underwear, nudity, incest and generalis. Even though they were all done through comedy!

Still, I'm so glad it did! A great piece of kids TV!


Thursday 19 December 2013

Chorlton and the Wheelies




Time for another classic! It's Chorlton and the Wheelies!

The series takes place in "Wheelie World", which is inhabited principally by the "wheelies", a race of creatures who locomote by means of wheels. They have three wheels each: two large ones at the front, and a smaller centred one at the back. The wheels are replaceable, and suitable wheels grow on vegetation found in Wheelie World.
The wheelie society is in conflict with Fenella the Kettle Witch, who lives in Wheelie World but separately from the wheelies, in Spout Hall, an oversized kettle. She has magical capabilities, including a form of teleportation which is her main mode of transport, and enchanted assistants including a talking book (called 'Claptrap Von Spilldebeans') and O'Reilly the Telescope, which advise her on magic spells. Minions include spikers, and toadies. Fenella hates happiness, and uses her powers primarily to make the wheelies unhappy.
The wheelies have adopted into their society a "happiness dragon", Chorlton, who appears in Wheelie World at the very beginning of the series, hatching out of an egg. Chorlton is perpetually good-natured and perpetually clueless. For example, he fails to perceive Fenella as a villain, and affectionately refers to her as a "little old lady". Nevertheless, his presence negates the unhappiness magic, so the wheelies treat him as a hero.

Rude Dog and the Dweebs


Today's first post is a special request by a fan of the BCC. A classic slice of 80's cartoons, Rude Dog and the Dweebs!

Rude Dog runs an auto shop, where he is assisted by the Dweebs, a motley group of mutt minions. The team includes the stuttering Caboose, the uptight Winston, Reginald AKA Reggie, Barney, Ditzy Kibble, Satch, and a friendly Chihuahua named Tweek. Rude Dog has a girlfriend named Gloria.
Their feline foe is the vicious Seymour, and joining him in the chase is the ubiquitous dog catcher Herman (also voiced by Peter Cullen) and his dimwitted rottweiler assistant Rot. Each week, Rude Dog and company balance their auto shop duties with attempts to elude the persistent Seymour, Herman, and Rot.

Fun Fact - Rude Dog was originally created as a mascot for Sun Sportswear in the US as part of a line of surfing and skateboarding related clothing!

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


Everyone knows who the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are, unless you live in a cave, or are dead!


The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat master (or sensei) in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists. From their home in the storm sewers of New York, they battle petty criminals, evil overlords and aliens, all while remaining isolated from society-at-large.

Upon TMNT's first arrival in the United Kingdom and Ireland the name was changed to "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" (or TMHT, for short), since local censorship policies deemed the word ninja to have excessively violent connotations for a children's programme. Consequently, everything related to the Turtles (comic books, video games, toys, etc.) had to be renamed before being released.
The lyrics were also changed, such as changing "Splinter taught them to be ninja teens" to "Splinter taught them to be fighting teens". The policies also had other effects, such as editing out use of Michelangelo's nunchaku (which were at the time banned from appearing in 18 rated movies) and generally toning down the usage of all the turtles' weapons. To head this problem off, the showrunners elected to remove Michelangelo's nunchaku entirely during season three, replacing them with a grappling hook called the "Turtle Line" that served as Mikey's signature weapon for the rest of the show's run.

Luckily for everyone here, The episode I have posted is the original Ninja Turtles, not the censored Hero Turtles, after all we are all grown ups here! (hahaha!!)

Fun Fact - Shredder was voiced by James Avery who played Uncle Phil in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!!


Belle and Sebastian




Today's first post is an often forgotten gem, that was one of my favourites when it used to be on TV.

Belle and Sebastian! (not to be confused with the band of the same name!)

The series is about the mountain-based adventures of a young boy named Sebastian and his Pyrenean mountain dog Belle who live in a small village in France. Sebastian has no friends because he is teased by the other children for not having a mother. But one day, he meets a gentle white dog who has been falsely accused of terrible crimes. He names her Belle and they become the best of friends. To save her from an unjust fate, Sebastian leaves his adoptive family and begins traveling with Belle and his little dog Poochie. They have many adventures as they elude the police and search for Sebastian's long-lost mother.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Pirates of Dark Water






Today's next post is the classic Fantasy series, The Pirates of Dark Water!

The alien world of Mer is being devoured by an evil substance known as Dark Water. Only Ren, a young prince, can stop it by finding the lost Thirteen Treasures of Rule. His loyal crew of misfits that help in his journey are an ecomancer (Tula), a monkey-bird (Niddler), and a treasure-hungry pirate (Ioz). The evil pirate lord, Bloth, will stop at nothing to get the treasures for himself and provides many obstacles for Ren and his crew.

Disappointingly, the series was never completed, ending abruptly after 21 episodes with only eight of the thirteen treasures collected. A real shame.

The Raggy Dolls




It's the Raggy Dolls, Raggy Dolls, Dolls like you and me!

The series is set in Mr. Grimes' Toy Factory where, unless the doll is perfect, it is thrown into the Reject Bin. While unobserved by human eyes, the dolls come to life and climb out of the Reject Bin to have adventures. The series was designed to encourage children to think positively about physical handicaps, as well as teaching kindness, tolerance and humility towards others.

Come now to the reject bin and join Sadsack. Back-To-Front, Dotty, Claude and the rest of the gang!

Monday 16 December 2013

James the Cat



I thought I'd make another post before calling it a day for today. A nice little short cartoon about a cat called James.

James the Cat was a children's series created by Kate Canning. It chronicles the many events which take place at the Cornerhouse (number 104) between James and his new friends. Fellow characters include: Mrs. Lavender, a snail; Frida, a kangaroo; Citroen, a French frog; Rocky, a dimwitted rabbit; and Dennis, a pink fire-breathing Welsh-accented Chinese dragon. There is also a beehive in the garden at the Cornerhouse. Next door are Ma and Pa Rat, and their rat children.

The Space Sentinels


Another request from a fan is being fulfilled with this second post of the day, and this time it's The Space Sentinels!

This show was about the adventures of three young people removed from earth, taken to an alien planet and given super human powers. They were then returned to Earth to look after it and help the people develop naturally without any interference from outside forces. Hercules was the Sentinel empowered with the strength of a hundred men. Astrea was given the ability to transform herself into any other living creature. Mercury was given the gift of speed and was so fast he could match the speed of light.

The threesome were guided by Sentinel One who was a super computer with a holographic head that appeared when it wished to communicate.

Grange Hill

Today's first post is from probably the most famous school in the UK, Grange Hill! This show has been requested by a fan of the BCC, so I dug through the history of the show and picked out one of the most well remembered and hard hitting episodes in it's 30 year history!


The drama was centred on the fictional comprehensive school of Grange Hill in the (equally fictitious) borough of North London called "Northam", and follows the lives of the students as they progress through school.

The programme has covered many controversial storylines, ranging from students throwing benches into the swimming pool (1978; as a result of which, following letters of complaint from teachers and parents, the episode was withdrawn from the repeat season), rape (2001), heroin addiction (1986), Asperger Syndrome (2001), knife crime (1998) and attempted suicide (2005), prompting many complaints from viewers. Grange Hill broke new ground by the inclusion of a gay teacher, Mr Brisley, who was in the cast from 1992 to 1999.

The show began in 1978 and was one of the longest-running programmes on British TV when it ended its run in 2008. It was created by Phil Redmond who is also responsible for the dramas Brookside and Hollyoaks. (Text taken from Wikipedia)

Sunday 15 December 2013

Knightmare


Today's second post is a celebratory one. I made a promise that if the BCC Facebook page reached 200 likes, I would post an episode of Knightmare! Well, as you may have guessed, that target has been reached! So not only is there one episode of Knightmare, I have found the entire first season edited into one video clocking in at just under 3 hours long!!



The show features teams of four children (around 11–16 years old). On the call of "Enter, Stranger", the first member of the team (the "dungeoneer") enters Knightmare Castle via an antechamber belonging to Treguard of Dunshelm. After giving his or her name, the dungeoneer is asked by Treguard to call three advisors, who magically appear next to the viewing apparatus (though, in Series 8, all members of the team appeared at once). Before entering the dungeon, the dungeoneer is given a knapsack to wear, in which food found along the way is to be placed, in order to replenish Life Force. In addition, the "Helmet of Justice" is put on the dungeoneer's head, blocking vision except for the area immediately around. The story is that this is to protect the dungeoneer from seeing the real danger ahead.

The dungeoneer then enters Treguard's partly computer generated, partly hand-drawn fantasy dungeonwhich was accomplished through blue screen technology - hence the need for the helmet, as the dungeoneer otherwise just sees a large blue room. The team watches the dungeoneer from a screen in the antechamber, and guides the player using hurried descriptions and shouted instructions, overcoming a variety of puzzles and traps in the dungeon. 
There are three levels in the dungeon. The object of the game is to collect various items, meeting a selection of the many inhabitants of the dungeon along the way, and get out alive after finding a specified treasure.

Fun Fact - Over the course of the series Treguard became known for his catchphrase "Ooh, nasty!", regularly used just after a dungeoneer had died. Intended only as a passing remark, this was originally an ad lib by Hugo Myatt, who played Treguard.

Sherlock Hound

There seemed to be a trend in the 80's of turning literary fiction into cartoons where all the characters are animals. Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, Around the World with Willy Fog and today's first show, Sherlock Hound!





Loosely based on the "Sherlock Holmes" series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Hound turns all the classic characters into dogs. The canine Sherlock Holmes, his assistant Watson, and housemaid Mrs. Hudson work together to solve mysteries. The culprit is usually Professor Moriarty and his gang, who use many steampunk style contraptions to steal what they want.

Fun Fact - Of the 26 episodes made for the show, 6 were directed by anime legend Hayao Miyazaki who went on to direct many of Studio Ghibli's movies, such as My Neighbour Totoro and Nausicaa of the valley of the Wind.

Saturday 14 December 2013

Bucky O'Hare




When Toads turn bad, who is going to save the day?

Bucky O'Hare will!!

The storyline of Bucky O'Hare follows a parallel universe (the aniverse), where a war is ongoing between the slightly inept United Animals Federation (run by mammals) and the sinister Toad Empire. The Toad Empire is led by a vast computer system known as KOMPLEX, which has brainwashed the toad population.

The series only consisted of 13 episodes, another one of those situations where there seemed to be more episodes than there really were!

Danger Mouse


Arguably one of the greatest cartoons ever made at any time ever, it's Danger Mouse!!


Danger Mouse is a wacky and hilarious adventure featuring a white secret agent mouse and his trusty bumbling sidekick hamster assistant, Penfold. Penfold is lovingly daft and usually needs to be saved from one situation or another, and is the greatest sidekick ever known. Together, they are given assignments by Colonel K., their commander/walrus.
They regularly have to foil the dastardly schemes of their arch nemesis, a meglomanic frog named Baron Silas Greenback and his henchman crow, Stiletto.

Fun Facts - In 1983 when Danger Mouse was at it's peak popularity, it was getting 21 million viewers in the UK, beating the likes of Coronation Street and is a record still unbeaten by any other children's show to this date!

The theme tune was sung by Myfanwy Talog, who was the partner of Sir David Jason (voice of Dangermouse) for 18 years until her death from breast cancer in 1995.

Penfold's first name is Ernest!!

Friday 13 December 2013

Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends




This is my third post of the day, and my final birthday celebration post for this year, Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends!!

Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Bobby Drake (Iceman), and Angelica Jones (Firestar) are all college students at Empire State University. After working together to defeat the Beetle and recovering the "Power Booster" he stole from Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) the trio decide to team-up permanently as the "Spider-Friends". They live together in Peter's Aunt May's home with her and a pet dog, Ms. Lion, (adopted from Firestar). Together, the superheroes battle various supervillains.
Some stories featured team-ups with other characters from the Marvel Universe, including Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Sunfire, and the mid-1970s line up of the X-Men. (taken from Wikipedia)

X-Men (1989)




Today is my birthday, so today's TV shows are based on one of my other loves, Marvel comics. First up to the plate is the 1989 pilot for the X-Men series that never made it past this one episode. Entitled Pryde of the X-Men, it features a very different line-up to the later 90's series. (to be posted in the future)

Funding for this pilot actually came from the budget for RoboCop - The Animated Series. Instead of making a 13th episode of RoboCop, Marvel Productions decided to use their funding to have Toei Animation produce the animation for this pilot. The pilot itself is most specifically influenced by issues #129-139 of Uncanny X-Men.

Narrated by X-Men co-creator Stan Lee, Pryde of the X-Men stars Professor Xand the X-Men (Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolverine, (who speaks with an Australian accent despite being Canadian in the comics) Kitty Pryde, and Dazzler) saving the world from Magneto and his "Brotherhood of Mutant Terrorists" (Toad, the Blob, Pyro, Juggernaut, and the White Queen).

Fun Fact - The reason why Wolverine has an Australian accent in this version was to capitalize on the Aussie craze of the 80's (Crocodile Dundee, Mad Max, etc). Supposedly, the comics were meant to reveal that Wolverine was an expatriated Australian, but it never got past the planning stages, so he was left as a Canadian.

Transformers The Movie (1986)




In celebration of my birthday today, I am slightly changing things up a bit. As well as the usual TV shows, I'm throwing a full length movie into the mix!

Today we have my favourite animated film of all time, Transformers The Movie!

The story takes place in 2005, 20 years after the events of the TV series' second season and serves to bridge into the third season. Set to a soundtrack of synth-based incidental music and hard-driving metal music, composed by Vince DiCola, the movie has a decidedly darker tone than the television series, with detailed visuals in Toei Animation's typical anime film styling, and like G.I. Joe The Movie, Decepticon villains that are more menacing, killing without hesitation. The film features several grand battles in which a handful of major characters meet their end.
The film's tagline was: "Beyond good. Beyond evil. Beyond your wildest imagination."

I first went to see this movie at the cinema with my brother for my 8th birthday!!

Thursday 12 December 2013

The Wuzzles

“Here in the land of Wuz, they’re having twice the fun, ’cause every single thing is really two-in-one…”

Responding to a request from a Broom Cupboard Club fan...

It's The Wuzzles!



The Wuzzles features a variety of short, rounded animal characters (each called a Wuzzle, which means to mix up). Each is a roughly even, and colourful, mix of two different animal species, and all the characters sport wings on their backs.
 All of the Wuzzles live on the Isle of Wuz. Double species are not limited to the Wuzzles themselves. From the appleberries they eat to the telephonograph in the home, or a luxury home called a castlescraper, nearly everything on Wuz is mixed together in the same way the Wuzzles are.

Fun Fact - Eleroo was voiced by Henry Gibson, who appeared in many movies, including The Blues Brothers, The 'Burbs, Innerspace and Gremlins 2!

Thunderbirds 2086




Today's first offering is Thunderbirds 2086!

The series takes place in 2086 and chronicles the adventures of TechnoVoyager, a rescue team portrayed as the "Thunderbirds" working for the International Rescue Organisation.
Unlike the original International Rescue, which was small-scale and family-run, TechnoVoyager is a vast organisation comprising numerous branches and overseen by the Federation, this series' equivalent of the United Nations.
Although the show is called Thunderbirds 2086, the Tracy family, who ran IR in the original series, are not mentioned. In this version, the Thunderbirds name is used to refer to the team, while in the original series the name merely referred to their vehicles.
Also another major difference in this series is that there were a total of 17 different Thunderbird vehicles used throughout the show.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Silverhawks


It's SilverHawks!! The space adventure series produced by the same people who brought you ThunderCats!



Bionic policeman Commander Stargazer recruited the SilverHawks, heroes who are "partly metal, partly real," to fight the evil Mon*Star, an escaped alien mob boss who transforms into an enormous armor-plated creature with the aid of Limbo’s Moonstar. Joining Mon*Star in his villainy is an intergalactic mob: the snakelike Yes-man, the blade-armed Buzz-Saw, the "bull"-headed Mumbo-Jumbo, weather controller Windhammer, shapeshifter Mo-Lec-U-Lar, robotic card shark Poker-Face, weapons-heavy Hardware, and "the musical madness of" Melodia (uses a "keytar" that fires musical notes).

Quicksilver (formerly Jonathan Quick) leads the SilverHawks, with his metal bird companion TallyHawk at his side. Twins Emily and Will Hart became Steelheart and Steelwill, the SilverHawks’ technician and strongman respectively. Country-singing Col. Bluegrass played a sonic guitar and piloted the team’s ship, the Miraj. Rounding out the group is a youngster “from the planet of the mimes,” named Copper Kidd, a mathematical genius who spoke in whistles and computerized tones. Their bionic bodies are covered by a full-body close-fitting metal armor that only exposes the face and an arm, the armor is equipped with a retractile protective mask, retractile wings under-arm (except Bluegrass) thruster on elbows, and laser-weapons over the body.
At the end of every episode, Copper Kidd was quizzed (along with the home audience) on various space facts by Col. Bluegrass.

Fun Fact - The voice of Melodia was performed by Maggie Wheeler, famously known as Janice from Friends! Oh. My. God!

Paddington Bear



Paddington Bear!

Found at Paddington train station by the brown family and taken home, this friendly and polite bear from darkest Peru is here to warm your hearts. With a never ending love for marmalade sandwiches and a penchant for getting himself into trouble, Paddington always tries 'so hard to get things right'!

It was one of the few television programmes to combine a puppet show with cartoon - Paddington himself was a puppet, but other characters in the series were depicted as cartoon characters.

Tuesday 10 December 2013

The Wind in the Willows

Everyone knows the tales of The Wind in the Willows, so I have posted the Cosgrove Hall stop motion classic for you to enjoy!  The series follows on from the feature film produced in 1983, made by the same production company.




The series is set at "The Riverbank", a mythical location somewhere in Berkshire. The Riverbank is where Ratty, Mole and Toad live. Nearby is the Wild Wood, where Badger and the Wily Weasels live.

The series stars David Jason as Toad and the Chief Weasel, Michael Hordern as Badger, Peter Sallis as Rat (replacing Ian Carmichael who voiced Rat in the original 1983 film), and Richard Pearson as Mole. Ian Carmichael remained in the series, re-cast as the narrator. The Chief Weasel was almost always accompanied by his unnamed bumbling henchman.




Badger, Ratty, Moley and Toad are all waiting for you!


Monday 9 December 2013

Captain Planet

Captain Planet! Earth needs your help!



Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, is awakened from a long sleep by Hoggish Greedly, who happens to be drilling above her resting chamber. Realizing that the damage is extensive, Gaia sends five magic rings, four with the power to control an element of nature and one controlling the element of Heart, to five chosen youths across the globe: Kwame from Africa, Wheeler from North America, Linka from the Soviet Union, Gi from Asia, and Ma-Ti from South America.
These five are dubbed the Planeteers and are tasked with defending the Earth from the greatest of disasters and making efforts to educate mankind to keep others from happening.
In situations that the Planeteers cannot resolve alone, they can combine their powers to summon Captain Planet, a super hero, who possesses all of their powers magnified, symbolizing the premise that the combined efforts of a team are stronger than its individual parts. 

Fun Fact - The voice cast was riddled with Hollywood stars. Whoopi Goldberg, LeVar Burton, Meg Ryan, Tim Curry, David Rappaport, Dean Stockwell, John Ratzenberger, James Coburn, Martin Sheen, Neil Patrick Harris and Elizabeth Taylor all lent their voices to the show at one point or another!

Willo The Wisp




Willo The Wisp was a cartoon featuring all manner of odd yet wonderfully enchanting creatures. The Wisp himself narrates the stories about the various characters living in Doyley Wood.

All of the character were voiced by Kenneth Williams of the 'Carry On' movies.

Join us now and find out what Brian the caterpillar, Mavis the fairy, Carwash the cat, The Moog (the dog who shouldn't think) and Evil Edna the TV are up to!

Sunday 8 December 2013

The Real Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters!!

Not just any old Ghostbusters, mind! (Yes Filmation, I am looking at you!)

It's The Real Ghostbusters!



Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston are suited up, proton packs charged and have traps at the ready to save the city, and even the world from those menacing spooks and spectres!

Fun Facts - Ernie Hudson was the only actor from the films who auditioned to voice his character in the cartoon. He lost out to Arsenio Hall!
Also many early episodes were written by J. Michael Straczynski, who went on to create Sci-Fi classic, Babylon 5 and also spent time writing issues of Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man comic!

The Animals of Farthing Wood


Farthing Wood is in danger. Humans are planning on tearing it all down an building a housing development on it. There is nothing the resident animals can do except leave and try to find a new home.

And so begins the epic quest of the Animals of Farthing Wood!




Based upon the novels written by Colin Dann, the cartoon series ran for three seasons chronicling the adventures of Fox, Vixen, Badger, Mole, Adder, Owl, Toad, Kestrel and many more as they travel to White Deer Park in search of a new place to call home and the subsequent adventures after they arrive!

Saturday 7 December 2013

Roobarb




Roobarb is a green dog, and Custard is a pink cat. Roobarb is always involved in some kind of misadventure which he approaches with unbounded enthusiasm. Custard is cynical and sets out to sabotage Roobarb's fun. Other characters in the series are the birds, who watch the antics of the other two from the safety of a nearby tree, often making snide remarks, and siding with whoever is winning.

Fun Fact - Roobarb was the first fully animated television series to be made in the United Kingdom!

Look! We are now on Twitter!!

Thundercats

Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats HO!




ThunderCats follows the adventures of the eponymous team of heroes, cat-like humanoid aliens from a planet called Third Earth. The series plot begins with the dying planet Thundera meeting its end, forcing the ThunderCats (a sort of Thunderean nobility) to flee their homeworld. The fleet is attacked by the Thundereans' enemies, the Mutants of Plun-Darr, who destroy most of the starships in the "ThunderFleet," but spare the flagship hoping to capture the legendary mystic Sword of Omens they believe is on board.
The sword holds the Eye of Thundera, the source of the ThunderCats' power, which is embedded in the hilt. Though the Mutants damage the flagship, the power of the Eye drives them back. The damage to the ship means the journey to their original destination is not possible, instead having to journey to "Third Earth"; which will take much longer than they had anticipated. The eldest of the ThunderCats, Jaga, volunteers to pilot the ship while the others sleep in capsules; however, he dies of old age in the process, but not before ensuring they will reach their destination safely. The flagship contains the young Lord of the ThunderCats, Lion-O, as well as the ThunderCats Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit and WilyKat, and Snarf.
When the ThunderCats awake from their suspended animation on Third Earth, Lion-O discovers that his suspension capsule has slowed, rather than stopped, his aging, and he is now a child in the body of an adult. Together, the ThunderCats and the friendly natives of Third Earth construct the "Cat's Lair," their new home and headquarters, but before long, the Mutants have tracked them down to Third Earth. The intrusion of these two alien races upon the world does not go unnoticed, however - a demonic, mummified sorcerer calling himself Mumm-Ra recruits the Mutants to aid him in his campaign to acquire the Eye of Thundera and destroy the ThunderCats so that his evil may continue to hold sway over Third Earth.

(Text taken from Wikipedia because I'm very lazy today!!)

Friday 6 December 2013

Jimbo and the Jet-Set




Flying high in the sky! It's Jimbo! The little plane with the big heart!

Always up to mischief and causing the air controller massive amounts of stress!
The controller can often be heard shouting "I want words with you Jimbo!!"

Created by the Maddocks animation company, who also created The Family Ness and Penny Crayon!





Thursday 5 December 2013

Godzilla

Godzilla!
Godzilla!
Godzilla!

And Godzooky!!



The series follows the adventures of a team of scientists on the research vessel called the Calico, which is headed by Captain Carl Majors. The rest of the crew include scientist Dr. Quinn Darien, her nephew Pete, her research assistant Brock, and the ship's first mate, Carl. Also along for the ride is Godzooky, the "cowardly cousin" of Godzilla and Pete's best friend, who has a lighthearted role in the show. Godzooky can attempt to fly using the small wings under his arms. Whenever Godzooky tries to breathe fire, he usually just coughs up smoke.
The group often call upon Godzilla by using a special communicator when in peril, such as attacks by other giant monsters. Godzooky is also able to howl to summon Godzilla. Godzilla's size in the animated series shifts radically, sometimes within a single episode or even one scene. For instance, Godzilla's claw can wrap around a large ship, and only minutes later the team of scientists fit rather neatly on Godzilla's palm. In addition, Godzilla's trademark atomic breath is altered so he breathes simple fire. He can also shoot laser beams from his eyes much like Supermans's heat vision. (Quoted from Wikipedia)

The Moomins


Today's first show is the much loved classic The Moomins!

Although this show had many children enchanted in their younger years, many were also scared of some of the more unusual characters in the show. Can anyone remember the Hattifatteners, or even the rather horrific Groke?




Wednesday 4 December 2013

Fraggle Rock


It's time to visit the Gorgs, Doozers and most importantly the Fraggles down at Fraggle Rock!


Fraggles are unusual creatures, who live in caves and live their lives solely for music and play. Also living with the Fraggles are the tiny creatures known as Doozers who love to build and work. All of the constructions that the Doozers build are regularly broken down and eaten by the Fraggles.
Living just outside of the caves are a family of giants known as Gorgs. Junior Gorg is obsessed with capturing and keeping Fraggles, but always seems to be outsmarted.




Meet these and many more odd and wonderful characters when you travel to Fraggle Rock!

The Incredible Hulk (1982)

He's mean, he's green and he's on your screen!

The Incredible Hulk!!

This series from 1982, focusses on Dr Bruce Banner's attempts to cure hmself of his transformations into the Hulk, and the Hulk defeating various monsters and villains whilst fending off the army's attempts to subdue and capture him. The series also featured introductory narration by Stan Lee.

If you listen carefully, you'll notice that some of the music used in this show was also used in another Marvel animated show (posted last month) Dungeons and Dragons!


Tuesday 3 December 2013

Alfred J Kwak

A duck known as Alfred J. Kwak!

Alfred J. Kwak was born as the son of Johan Sebastian and Anna Kwak. Some time after his birth, Alfred loses his parents and his brothers and sisters who died when a car hit them. Henk the mole, a good friend of the Kwak family, raises the little yellow duck. Alfred experiences a lot of adventures as he gets older.

This show was very different in tone from most other children's cartoons as it dealt with a lot of political themes from fascist dictators to taking in refugees fleeing apartheid. Not all the storylines in the show had happy endings, but told tales of the important values of friendship and solidarity.

A rare yet compelling classic indeed.





Jem and the Holograms

Ever wanted to front a rock band? Reach the dizzy heights of fame and fortune and all of the dangers that come with it?

Here's a show about a girl who wanted all of it and more, Jem and the Holograms!!




The series revolves around Jem, the mysterious lead singer and front-woman of the rock group "Jem and the Holograms." Her real name is Jerrica Benton, and under this name she is the owner and manager of Starlight Music. Jerrica adopts this persona with the help of a holographic computer, known as Synergy, which was built by Jerrica's father to be "the ultimate audio-visual entertainment synthesizer" and is bequeathed to her after his death. Jerrica is able to command Synergy to project "the Jem hologram" over herself by means of the remote micro-projectors in her earrings, thus disguising her features and clothing enabling her to assume the Jem persona. While disguised as Jem, Jerrica is able to move freely without restrictions and on several occasions other people have been in direct physical contact with her without disrupting the holographic projection. Jem, through the use of her earrings, is also able to project holograms around her and uses this ability throughout the series to avoid danger and provide special effects for the performances of her group.
(Text taken from Wikipedia)



Monday 2 December 2013

Jamie and the Magic Torch

 Follow Jamie and Wordsworth as they have crazy adventures in Cuckoo Land!

 Jamie and The Magic Torch!!

The programme was based around the young boy of the title and his torch. When shone on the floor, the torch opened up a hole into a fun dimension called Cuckoo Land.

The series was written and narrated by Brian Trueman, who later wrote shows such as Dangermouse and Count Duckula.


The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Everyone knows the tale of Dorothy being whisked away to the land of Oz, but not many people seem to remember this Japanese animated version, that continued into some of the other Oz books written by L. Frank Baum, so I thought this would be a good time to add it to the BCC!

This version is also narrated by Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane in the Superman movies of the 80's!






Sunday 1 December 2013

Poddington Peas

Down at the bottom of the garden, among the birds and the bees, Live a lot of little people, they're called the Poddington Peas!

All of the characters you'll meet in this show have names ending in -py (pea) such as the overweight Dum-pea and the sinister looking Creep-pea!

I used to love this show as a kid, and my niece used to have the theme song sung to her as a baby to help her settle!

T-Bag Strikes Again

Greetings everyone!

This post is a special request by one of the fans of the site and is stepping outside of the normal schedule. You request it, and I'll do my best to deliver!
This show isn't a cartoon at all, but part of a long running live action series, featuring a villainous witch known as 'T-Bag'.

T-Bag obtains magical powers by drinking tea made from the 'High T-Plant'. She cannot brew it properly, requiring an assistant (T-Shirt) to do it for them. In return, T-Bag shares her magical powers with T-Shirt. T-Shirt is presented as T-Bag's constant companion.T-Bag and T-Shirt's magical powers, (rather limited, owing to cheap 1980s special effects) mostly consist of conjuring objects out of thin air when needed, sending objects elsewhere and teleporting across time and space. T-Bag triggers her teleport ability by clicking her fingers. T-Shirt finds finger clicking too difficult and blinks instead.

This episode was from the second series, T-Bag Strikes Again, where T Bag takes up residence in a storybook and creates a T-Room in a magical garden at the end of the book where she finds a more powerful T-Plant (a fine specimen of Maximus brewuppacuppa). She stops time in the book by stealing the silver numbers from the clock in the first story so that none of the stories will ever end. 
The heroine of the show has to find and collect the silver numbers and restore time to the book!



Babar

Sunday mornings. Waking up slowly, no alarms no rushing about, just a nice quiet day. That calls for a nice cartoon to start the day.

Babar!


The plot focuses on the story of Babar as it is told by him to his children. Babar is a young elephant who undergoes many challenges and adventures. However, Babar always finds the strength to rise above difficulty and search out every cloud's silver lining. Babar is crowned king of the elephants, plans and builds Celesteville, and becomes a father himself. And he learns the greatest lesson of all: "despite life's challenges, great things are possible if one never gets discouraged" (quoted from wikipedia)




Saturday 30 November 2013

Star Fleet

Presenting my personal favourite of all of the puppet shows, Star Fleet!

Released originally in Japan as X-Bomber, the series follows a small band of heroes piloting an untested spacecraft known as X-Bomber trying to defend Earth against the forces of Commander Makara and the Insectoid army, who are searching the galaxy for the mysterious artifact known as F-01.

Rather than using the marionette string puppetry of other shows like Thunderbirds, this show used the 'rod puppetry' technique to allow more freedom of movement for the figures, and is also the reason why most of the shots are from the waist up.






A couple of little facts about this show - Brian May and Eddie Van Halen recorded a single of the theme and released it as 'The Star Fleet Project'
Jay Benedict, who voices Shiro, played Newt's father in Aliens - Special Edition, also Mark Rolston who played Private Drake in the same movie provided the voice of John Lee. (See pic below for comparison!)

Around the World with Willy Fog

Oh yes indeed!

The bet has been placed, are you ready for a trip over land, across the sea and through the air, with our heroic Lion friend Willy Fog?

Accompanied by his butler Rigadon, and Tico, Rigadon's best friend, they must race around the world and return to London within 80 days to settle a bet between Willy Fog and his aristocrat peers.
The trip was never going to be easy though, pursued by Inspector Dix of Scotland Yard who is convinced Willy robbed the bank of England and Transfer, who has been employed to hinder the heroes on their journey to ensure Willy fails and loses the bet.

Another superb theme tune that instantly sparks memories and brings a smile to your face.

Truly a classic!

Friday 29 November 2013

Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers

Ch-ch-ch-chip and Dale!

Chip and Dale are two chipmunks who start a detective agency, Rescue Rangers, along with their friends Gadget, Monterey Jack, and Zipper the fly (I wonder if this was an intentional pun?). The pint-sized detectives deal with crimes that are often "too small" for the police to handle. The gang frequently find themselves going up against the Mafia-style tabby cat Fat Cat!

Another classic theme tune that everyone seems to know the words to, even though they probably haven't seen the show in 20 odd years!!




The Trap Door

Poor old Berk. No matter how he tried to keep the castle tidy for 'The Thing  Upstairs, something always seems to go wrong. Those monsters keep creeping out of the trap door and making Berk's job as caretaker all that much harder.
Thankfully he has his best friend and voice of reason Boni to help him out!




Fun fact - The theme tune was written by Bob Heatlie, who also wrote Merry Christmas Everyone for Shakin' Stevens and Japanese Boy for Aneka!


Thursday 28 November 2013

The Amazing Adventures of Morph

It's Morph!

The lovable lump of plasticine who comandeered our hearts when he was featured on Tony Hart's art programmes Take Hart and Hartbeat.

He soon after got his own programme where his friends Chas, Delilah, Folly, Gillespie and Grandmorph joined him for all sorts of michief and adventures!

Enjoy!


Battle of the Planets

Five young people, brought together to form G-Force protecting Earth from the forces of Zoltar and the forces of planet Spectra!

It's Battle of the Planets!



Originally released in Japan as Gatchaman, BotP was changed siginificantly from it's origins. For example, 7-Zark-7 was never in the original show, he was created as a filler for all of the material that was removed from the original because it had too many scenes of graphic violence for a children's show!


Count Duckula


Today's first offering is a dark and twisted tale of a mysterious (vegetarian) vampire duck!

Count Duckula!

Accompanied by his butler Igor! who always attempts to turn Duckula into a proper vampire and bring back the 'good old days' and his clumsy, doting Nanny, Duckula searches the world in his teleporting castle, seeking fame and riches!



Wednesday 27 November 2013

Moschops

Who remembers this beauty from 1983?
 Moschops and his friend Ally, Mr Ichthyosaurus, Uncle Rex and Grandpa Diplodocus and of course the most important character, Flower!

I used to love it when  Moschops got dizzy after having a special thought. 




Super Mario Brothers Super Show

Come on it's time to go, Do the Mario!!

Hey folks, a very late first post today due to having a poorly head all day, but I'm feeling better now, so it's on with the show!

The Super Mario Brothers Super Show that is!

Follow Mario and Luigi down the warp pipe and see what trouble King Koopa is brewing!


I used to love the live action segments of this show, because they were so cheesy and awful!

Fun Fact - Did you know that the live action Mario was played by WWE hall of famer Lou Albano?


Tuesday 26 November 2013

Inspector Gadget

A classic show plain and simple.

A bungling police Inspector without a clue about what is really happening around him, equipped with a cyborg body fully loaded with as many 'gadgets'  His street smart and tech savvy niece and her dog, who is probably one of the best spies on TV. Ever.

Wowzers!

If I remember correctly, the villain of the show, Doctor Claw was never fully revealed to the audience, only his arm and gauntleted hand was ever shown. Then again,who needed to see him, cos M.A.D cat stole the show anyway! If anyone knows of an episode with Doctor Claw in all his glory or has a picture, let me know!




This message will self destruct...!

Pole Position


Two cars, two talking computers, two crime fighting teens, one awesome cartoon!

Pole Position!





The show featured three young sibling crime fighters, two of whom were stunt drivers and part of a secret government operation under the guise of the "Pole Position Stunt Show" that was run by their uncle. The youths inherited the role after their parents died in an unfortunate car accident. The team is equipped with two high-tech talking vehicles named "Roadie", and "Wheels".
The vehicles featured numerous hidden gadgets like water skis and hover jets. The vehicles' computers themselves are portable and can be removed from the dashboards and carried around using handles (thus they are often referred to as "the modules"). They are characters that appeared as computer-drawn faces displayed on video screens.

Fun fact - The voice of Wheels was performed by Melvin Franklin of the 60's Motown group, The Temptations!

Monday 25 November 2013

Button Moon!

Welcoming to the Broom Cupboard Club with open arms is our first puppet show rather than an animation, and what better show to bring out first, than Button Moon?

Follow the adventures of Mr. Spoon, who travels to Button Moon, has wonderful adventures and uses his telescope to view other character in far away places.

Fun fact - The theme tune was written and performed by Peter Davidson (The 5th Doctor Who!) and his wife at the time Sandra Dickinson (who played Trillian in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). Who says you can't learn cool things from this site?



We're off to Button Moon, We'll follow Mr. Spoon, Button Moon, Button Moon...

The Family Ness

That's right folks! Nessie does exist! In fact there's not just one, but a whole family of them! They won't just come from the bottom of the loch for just anyone though, you have to be the owner of the Thistle Whistle to get them to appear!

 It's The Family Ness!


Sunday 24 November 2013

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors

Thundering across the stars,
to save the universe from the Monster Minds!
Jayce searches for his father, to unite the magic root,
and lead his Lightning League to victory over the changing form of Saw Boss!
Wheeled Warriors explode into battle!
Lightning Strikes!

Every time I hear this intro spoken it gives me chills because I know it's about to launch into another classic theme tune from the 80's, for another show that captivated and enthralled me every week!

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors!

Sharky and George

It's Sunday morning and that means if you were growing up in the early 90's, you were watching today's first offering, Sharky and George! It was the law!


Come now, on a trip under the waves, to Seacago where Sharky and George are waiting to solve another case!



Saturday 23 November 2013

Dungeons and Dragons

Six kids, teleported to an unknown world full of monsters, magic and mystery. Given the powers of Ranger, Thief, Barbarian, Magician, Acrobat and Cavalier, guided only by a crossbreed of Yoda and Paul Daniels, known as Dungeon Master trying to find a way back home.

Dungeons and Dragons really needed no introduction, but I had to fill a little space before the video!

The series was never officially completed, and the final episode never got animated. However the script for the last episode 'Requiem' can be found here - http://www.dungeonsdragonscartoon.com/2009/08/requiem.html

Fun Tip - Keep your ears peeled and you will notice that the voice actor for Venger is Peter Cullen, the same person who voiced Optimus Prime in Transformers!

Also check out the end of the episode for a total bombshell!


The Legend of Prince Valiant

Morning folks!

Thought I'd do an early morning post seems it's Saturday, and Saturdays were made for cartoon watching!

This morning, we have a story of a young prince, exiled from his home after the kingdom his father owned was overthrown. Haunted by dreams of King Arthur, he decides to set off in search of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.

This is The Legend of Prince Valiant!