Toonhound - Paddington's Birthday Bonanza (1986)

"Mr Brown was looking forward to his birthday,
    and Paddington wanted to buy him something nice..."

    Paddington wants to buy something nice for Mr Brown's birthday, but he
    doesn't have enough money. His friend Mr Gruber has given him a book
    for inspiration, only "1001 Ways of Making Money" doesn't have anything
    in it to help a bear in a hurry. So Paddington is still searching for ideas...

    And one quickly forms, when an organ grinder shows up at the house.
    Mr Brown is not amused at having to fork out for a fellow who merely turns
    a handle... What a cheek!...Now, if he'd been a One Man Band, he might
    have been more forthcoming...

    Thus Paddington takes to the streets with his harmonica, though he gets
    short shrift from the neighbours and it looks like his moneymaking venture
    won't ever make some actual money. That is, until he arrives at the fashionable
    home of Mrs Daphne Smith Cholmley. She's throwing a party, and our little
    bear is mistaken for the replacement waiter. In no time at all, he's serving
    soup to her bemused guests. And soon after, he's taking over culinary
    duties in the kitchen, as Vladimir the chef does a runner. Paddington's
    affable ways and wiles delight his captive audience, and the following day
    her receives an invite to a televised charity ball she's staging, where there's
    a £50 cash prize on offer to the best couple of the night...

     Mrs Daphne Smith Cholmley

    So it's Paddington again, in FilmFair form, just as we know and love.
    Only, this particular Paddington is different, because the film is imbued
    with colour, everywhichway, from the credits to the backgrounds and
    even the cutouts. It's all in colour now, because this is one of two film
    specials made in the wake of Paddington's success in America (the
    other being "Paddington Goes to School"). The story is sound, and
    Paddington himself is as charming and self-effacing as ever. The sets
    too feature some delightful prop details, like the Wedgwood on Mrs
    Smith Cholmley's mantelpiece, and the photos of Aunt Lucy which
    adorn Paddington's bedroom. And yet... all that colour... it doesn't
    particularly add anything to proceedings. In fact, dare on say, it takes
    the shine off the film, somewhat. There's something just so chic about
    the original black and white concept. Why tinker with it?

    Well, tinkering aside, this is another classic little story in Paddington's
    cannon, animated with all the aplomb you'd expect of the FilmFair team.
    The young bear captures the camera's attention at the ball, and he
    never lets it go. He waltzes and rumbas with Mrs Smith Cholmley,
    all the way to first place, thanks to a misplaced marmalade sandwich.
    And soon he's won himself a £25 share of the winnings, which he uses
    for a special musical gift for Mr Brown...

    Hats off

    Paddington wears a yellow hat throughout this film!

     Paddington an his Great Aunt Lucy

    Aunt Lucy

    Well lookee here. Paddington's Great Aunt Lucy appears in two
    framed photographs in her nephew's bedroom...

    Busking badly

    Paddington knocks on three doors, without success, before he arrives at
    Mrs Cholmley Smith's party.

    At the first, he's met by an old codger and his bristling bulldog. Then he
    moves on to a big blue door, which turns out to be the main entrance to
    a Police Station. Finally, the occupant at #47 chases him away with the
    aid of a bucket of water!

    Suits you

    Look out for the suit of armour in Mrs Cholmley Smith's hallway. As
    Paddington totters past and outside, the head turns towards him!

    Is there someone inside - Or is it just a ghostly game by the animators?


    Incidental characters

    Vladimir
    He's the troubled chef whose pastanovich looks more like mashed potatovich...

    Seymour Ward
    He's the geeen suited host at the charity ball...

    Alf Wiedersehen
    He conducts the band at said ball...

    See also

    Paddington (series)
    Paddington Goes to the Movies (special)

   Current promos/tie-ins



   Robert Harrop figures
    2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary, don't you know. And to
    celebrate, Robert Harrop Designs have launched a range of collectable
    figures. Stockists include the fine folks at Boojog Collectables...

   Regular figures
   Paddington Bakes a Cake
   Paddington Feeds the Birds

   +
   Singin' In the Rain
   Music box ltd to 1000 editions

    Paddington's Birthday Bonanza on DVD

    In the UK, this film is paired up with "Paddington Goes to the
    Movies" as part a double-bill release:

     Paddington Goes to the Movies
                Region 2 / double-bill / Abbey Home Media / Oct 2007


    Paddington's Birthday Bonanza
     by Michael Bond

    a FilmFair presentation

  producer:                  Barrie Edwards
    exec producer:          Graham Clutterbuck
   director:                   Glenn Whiting
    original film design:   Ivor Wood
    puppet animation:     Martin Pullen, Jo PierPiont- White
    model maker:            Linda Thodesen
    cut out animation:     Glenn Whiting, Colin White
    assisted by:              Elaine Koo, Sooo Smart
    trace and paint:         Heather Boucher, Kivelli Selly,
                                    Lynn Bailey, Steve Colwell,
                                    Lyn Sachs, Stephane Moriane
    lighting:                    Ted Martin
    prod assistant:          Mark Woodroffe
   paddington theme:    Herbert Chappel
    titles:                       The Optical House
    editor:                      Robert Dunbar
    assistant editor:        Sharon Johnson
   narrated by:              Sir Michael Hordern

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			Paddington's Birthday Bonanza (1986) producers: FilmFair animation: stop-motion animation run time: 24mins
		"Mr Brown was looking forward to his birthday, and Paddington wanted to buy him something nice..." Paddington wants to buy something nice for Mr Brown's birthday, but he doesn't have enough money. His friend Mr Gruber has given him a book for inspiration, only "1001 Ways of Making Money" doesn't have anything in it to help a bear in a hurry. So Paddington is still searching for ideas... And one quickly forms, when an organ grinder shows up at the house. Mr Brown is not amused at having to fork out for a fellow who merely turns a handle... What a cheek!...Now, if he'd been a One Man Band, he might have been more forthcoming... Thus Paddington takes to the streets with his harmonica, though he gets short shrift from the neighbours and it looks like his moneymaking venture won't ever make some actual money. That is, until he arrives at the fashionable home of Mrs Daphne Smith Cholmley. She's throwing a party, and our little bear is mistaken for the replacement waiter. In no time at all, he's serving soup to her bemused guests. And soon after, he's taking over culinary duties in the kitchen, as Vladimir the chef does a runner. Paddington's affable ways and wiles delight his captive audience, and the following day her receives an invite to a televised charity ball she's staging, where there's a £50 cash prize on offer to the best couple of the night... So it's Paddington again, in FilmFair form, just as we know and love. Only, this particular Paddington is different, because the film is imbued with colour, everywhichway, from the credits to the backgrounds and even the cutouts. It's all in colour now, because this is one of two film specials made in the wake of Paddington's success in America (the other being "Paddington Goes to School"). The story is sound, and Paddington himself is as charming and self-effacing as ever. The sets too feature some delightful prop details, like the Wedgwood on Mrs Smith Cholmley's mantelpiece, and the photos of Aunt Lucy which adorn Paddington's bedroom. And yet... all that colour... it doesn't particularly add anything to proceedings. In fact, dare on say, it takes the shine off the film, somewhat. There's something just so chic about the original black and white concept. Why tinker with it? Well, tinkering aside, this is another classic little story in Paddington's cannon, animated with all the aplomb you'd expect of the FilmFair team. The young bear captures the camera's attention at the ball, and he never lets it go. He waltzes and rumbas with Mrs Smith Cholmley, all the way to first place, thanks to a misplaced marmalade sandwich. And soon he's won himself a £25 share of the winnings, which he uses for a special musical gift for Mr Brown... Hats off Paddington wears a yellow hat throughout this film! Aunt Lucy Well lookee here. Paddington's Great Aunt Lucy appears in two framed photographs in her nephew's bedroom... Busking badly Paddington knocks on three doors, without success, before he arrives at Mrs Cholmley Smith's party. At the first, he's met by an old codger and his bristling bulldog. Then he moves on to a big blue door, which turns out to be the main entrance to a Police Station. Finally, the occupant at #47 chases him away with the aid of a bucket of water! Suits you Look out for the suit of armour in Mrs Cholmley Smith's hallway. As Paddington totters past and outside, the head turns towards him! Is there someone inside - Or is it just a ghostly game by the animators? Incidental characters Vladimir He's the troubled chef whose pastanovich looks more like mashed potatovich... Seymour Ward He's the geeen suited host at the charity ball... Alf Wiedersehen He conducts the band at said ball... See also Paddington (series) Paddington Goes to the Movies (special) Current promos/tie-ins Robert Harrop figures 2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary, don't you know. And to celebrate, Robert Harrop Designs have launched a range of collectable figures. Stockists include the fine folks at Boojog Collectables... Regular figures Paddington Bakes a Cake Paddington Feeds the Birds + Singin' In the Rain Music box ltd to 1000 editions Paddington's Birthday Bonanza on DVD In the UK, this film is paired up with "Paddington Goes to the Movies" as part a double-bill release: Paddington Goes to the Movies Region 2 / double-bill / Abbey Home Media / Oct 2007 Paddington's Birthday Bonanza by Michael Bond a FilmFair presentation producer: Barrie Edwards exec producer: Graham Clutterbuck director: Glenn Whiting original film design: Ivor Wood puppet animation: Martin Pullen, Jo PierPiont- White model maker: Linda Thodesen cut out animation: Glenn Whiting, Colin White assisted by: Elaine Koo, Sooo Smart trace and paint: Heather Boucher, Kivelli Selly, Lynn Bailey, Steve Colwell, Lyn Sachs, Stephane Moriane lighting: Ted Martin prod assistant: Mark Woodroffe paddington theme: Herbert Chappel titles: The Optical House editor: Robert Dunbar assistant editor: Sharon Johnson narrated by: Sir Michael Hordern On the web Paddington Bear The official site for all-things Paddington related... Abbey Home Media Abbey distribute the UK DVDs... index » previous » next »
© FilmFair a subsidiary of CINAR/ Paddington & Company Ltd / F2008