Toonhound - Edward and Friends (1987)

    Welcome to Fabuland® the happy home of Edward Elephant, Wilfred Walrus,
    Lionel Lion, Bonnie Bunny, Hannah Hippopotamus, Mike Monkey, Joe Crow
    Catherine Cat and many other animal friends. This series was based upon the
    popular LEGO® figures and sets, but wasn't overwhelmed by its commercial
    origins. Indeed, with some jolly design and animation from FilmFair and some
    equally effective voicework lead by Bernard Cribbins, this little series stood
    proudly on its own stickle legs. Stories were simple, frivolous and fun and
    Fabuland® itself was presented as a bright busy place with an airport,
    docks and more - rather like something out of a Richard Scarry book.
    Edward himself was a rather hesitant elephant, keen to take part in things,
    but always cautious to the last...

    The opening credits featured Edward being borne aloft by a bunch of helium
    filled balloons and drifting over and about Fabuland - a terrific little sequence.
    Two episodes were normally broadcast back-to-back and segued with some
    equally-terrific interstitial animation Two Fabuland® stars would 'push apart' the
    screen to reveal Edward the Entertainer, performing or conjuring against a plain
    backdrop, like so:

     Heeere's Edward!...

    Interesting to see Mike Batt on the credits here. Mike, of course, had previously
    created the singalong songs and themes for FilmFair's Wombles and Simon series.
    Likewise, Bernard Cribbins had provided the voices for those two productions and
    that other FilmFair gem Moschops. The series was written by the late Michael
    Cole, of Bod fame. You can find out more about Michael's career over on the
    Toonhound Q&A with his siblings, Lo and Alison Cole...

    Two "Edward and Friends" videos were released by Screen Legends/Pickwick
    in 1987 but alas, these were deleted in 1993. Eagle-eyed collectors may still
    unearth the seven tie-in mini books from Ladybird,  featuring photos from 13 of
    the episodes.

    "Edward and Friends" is a beautiful little series, forgotten by too many and
    deserving rediscovery. It was LEGO's® first foray into animation. "Bionicle"
    and Little Robots have followed...

    Fabu-lous

    LEGO® 's Fabuland® range was produced between 1979 and 1989. It was
    intended to bridge the gap between Duplo® and regular Lego® . Fabuland®
    was an anthropomorphic land full of happy animals. You could buy houses,
    work environments and vehicles. In total, 90 different play sets were produced,
    and it was the first LEGO® range to feature named characters and stories,
    and the first to be granted its very own tv series...

    Fabu-lous friends

     Here's an A-Z of all the Fabuland® pals...

    Barty Bulldog                     Harry Horse
    Billy Bear                          Henry Horse
    Bruno Bear                        Lisa Lamb
    Barney Bear                       Lucy Lamb
    Buster Bulldog                    Lionel Lion
    Bertie Bulldog                     Marc Monkey
    Boris Bulldog                      Mike Monkey
    Bonnie Bunny                     Marjorie Mouse
    Carol Cat                           Max Mouse
    Catherine Cat                     Morty Mouse
    Charlie Cat                         Perry Panda
    Chester Chimp                    Paul Parrot
    Clara Cow                          Patricia Pig
    Clive Crocodile                    Percy Pig
    Joe Crow                           Peter Pig
    Dr David Dog                      Paulette Poodle
    Edward Elephant                 Robby Rabbit
    Ernie Elephant                    Ricky Raccoon
    Freddy Fox                        Roger Raccoon
    Gabriel Gorilla                     Sandy Seagull
    Gertrude Goat                    Walter Walrus
    George Goat                      William Walrus
    Hannah Hippopotamus
    Hugo Hog

      Edward and Friends episodes

     Edward gets the Hiccups     Boris gets a Scooter
     Lionel's Party                     Edward and the Big Balloon
     Edward and the Camera       A Robot for Max
     Wilfred's Treasure               The Play
     Edward Joins the Band         A Day for Skating
     Clive's Kite                        Bonnie and the Mole
     Lionel's Car                        Max and the Rainbow
     Edward to the Rescue         Wildred's Rocking Chair
     Edward Tries to Help           Christmas in Fabuland
     Edward goes Jogging           Bertie's First Chase

       directed and animated by Jo Pullen, Martin Pullen
       and Jeff Newitt

     producer:   Barrie Edwards
     exec prod: Graham Clutterbuck
     writer:         Michael Cole
     technical
      design:        Gordon Tait
     models:      Heather Boucher, Pauline London,
                       Dave Witts
     editor:         Rob Dunbar
     music:         Mike Batt
     voices:        Bernard Cribbins
                       Royce Mills
                       Bill Pertwee
                      Sheila Steafel

      On the web

      LEGO
      For all things LEGO® orientated this is the obvious URL to visit.
      Details here of the very latest products, developments and happenings
      in the LEGO® world - and boy, they really have diversified over the
      years, in to software, education and much more...

      Unofficial Fabuland homepage
      In the abscence of an official guide, here is a tour through all the various
      Fabuland® sets and tie-in products produced over the years....

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			Edward and Friends (1987) producers: LEGO® / FilmFair animation: stop-motion animation episodes: 20 x 5min episodes
		Welcome to Fabuland® the happy home of Edward Elephant, Wilfred Walrus, Lionel Lion, Bonnie Bunny, Hannah Hippopotamus, Mike Monkey, Joe Crow Catherine Cat and many other animal friends. This series was based upon the popular LEGO® figures and sets, but wasn't overwhelmed by its commercial origins. Indeed, with some jolly design and animation from FilmFair and some equally effective voicework lead by Bernard Cribbins, this little series stood proudly on its own stickle legs. Stories were simple, frivolous and fun and Fabuland® itself was presented as a bright busy place with an airport, docks and more - rather like something out of a Richard Scarry book. Edward himself was a rather hesitant elephant, keen to take part in things, but always cautious to the last... The opening credits featured Edward being borne aloft by a bunch of helium filled balloons and drifting over and about Fabuland - a terrific little sequence. Two episodes were normally broadcast back-to-back and segued with some equally-terrific interstitial animation Two Fabuland® stars would 'push apart' the screen to reveal Edward the Entertainer, performing or conjuring against a plain backdrop, like so: Interesting to see Mike Batt on the credits here. Mike, of course, had previously created the singalong songs and themes for FilmFair's Wombles and Simon series. Likewise, Bernard Cribbins had provided the voices for those two productions and that other FilmFair gem Moschops. The series was written by the late Michael Cole, of Bod fame. You can find out more about Michael's career over on the Toonhound Q&A with his siblings, Lo and Alison Cole... Two "Edward and Friends" videos were released by Screen Legends/Pickwick in 1987 but alas, these were deleted in 1993. Eagle-eyed collectors may still unearth the seven tie-in mini books from Ladybird, featuring photos from 13 of the episodes. "Edward and Friends" is a beautiful little series, forgotten by too many and deserving rediscovery. It was LEGO's® first foray into animation. "Bionicle" and Little Robots have followed... Fabu-lous LEGO® 's Fabuland® range was produced between 1979 and 1989. It was intended to bridge the gap between Duplo® and regular Lego® . Fabuland® was an anthropomorphic land full of happy animals. You could buy houses, work environments and vehicles. In total, 90 different play sets were produced, and it was the first LEGO® range to feature named characters and stories, and the first to be granted its very own tv series... Fabu-lous friends Here's an A-Z of all the Fabuland® pals... Barty Bulldog Harry Horse Billy Bear Henry Horse Bruno Bear Lisa Lamb Barney Bear Lucy Lamb Buster Bulldog Lionel Lion Bertie Bulldog Marc Monkey Boris Bulldog Mike Monkey Bonnie Bunny Marjorie Mouse Carol Cat Max Mouse Catherine Cat Morty Mouse Charlie Cat Perry Panda Chester Chimp Paul Parrot Clara Cow Patricia Pig Clive Crocodile Percy Pig Joe Crow Peter Pig Dr David Dog Paulette Poodle Edward Elephant Robby Rabbit Ernie Elephant Ricky Raccoon Freddy Fox Roger Raccoon Gabriel Gorilla Sandy Seagull Gertrude Goat Walter Walrus George Goat William Walrus Hannah Hippopotamus Hugo Hog Edward and Friends episodes Edward gets the Hiccups Boris gets a Scooter Lionel's Party Edward and the Big Balloon Edward and the Camera A Robot for Max Wilfred's Treasure The Play Edward Joins the Band A Day for Skating Clive's Kite Bonnie and the Mole Lionel's Car Max and the Rainbow Edward to the Rescue Wildred's Rocking Chair Edward Tries to Help Christmas in Fabuland Edward goes Jogging Bertie's First Chase directed and animated by Jo Pullen, Martin Pullen and Jeff Newitt producer: Barrie Edwards exec prod: Graham Clutterbuck writer: Michael Cole technical design: Gordon Tait models: Heather Boucher, Pauline London, Dave Witts editor: Rob Dunbar music: Mike Batt voices: Bernard Cribbins Royce Mills Bill Pertwee Sheila Steafel On the web LEGO For all things LEGO® orientated this is the obvious URL to visit. Details here of the very latest products, developments and happenings in the LEGO® world - and boy, they really have diversified over the years, in to software, education and much more... Unofficial Fabuland homepage In the abscence of an official guide, here is a tour through all the various Fabuland® sets and tie-in products produced over the years.... prev » next »
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