Toonhound - Paddington Goes to the Movies (1980)

"..In view of the weather, 'Singin' in the Rain'
    sounded an ideal way of keeping dry..."

    In his first FilmFair special, Paddington is doing the weekly shopping for
    the Browns, when he gets caught in a storm and finds himself blown towards
    the entrance to the local Podium Cinema. And as coincidence would have it,
    "Singin' in the Rain" is the week's movie attraction (with Reginald Clove
    at the organ during the intermission). But alas for Paddington, the
    Commissionaire on the door informs that the film currently showing is
    an "A" certificate, which prevents him from entering on his own, because
    Paddington is only seven. Thus our little bear is moved on, but as he
    passes a side exit he hears music and investigates.. and discovers..
    a whole new way of life...

     The Commissionaire

    What follows is Paddington's finest FilmFair moment in which he reenacts
    Gene Kelly's titular dance from that classic MGM musical. And yes, it's that
    very same song, straight out of the film. And Paddington apes every beat
    of the original rain dance. He romances his umbrella, swings around a
    lamp post, and stands under a water chute. It even ends with a haughty
    policeman watching Paddington depart, after he's kicked his way
    through the puddles...

    It's a wonderful sequence, and frankly, negates any need to take the
    story any further. But because it occurs only a third of the way into
    this film special, we therefore continue with more shenanigans at the
    Podium cinema. Our young bear returns with the Browns that very
    same evening, whereupon he creates havoc with his emergency
    Magi-Toff toffee that's really glue, and he somehow manages to get
    a marmalade sandwich into the film projector. Even so, Paddington is able
    to make amends by helping Reginald Kloves at the organ, and he and the
    Browns depart with applause in their ears and Paddington's newfound
    adoration for the cinema no less diminished...

    And likewise, our adoration for that magical sequence isn't diminished.
    Paddington isn't the most flexible of bears. That stop-motion puppet has
    quite stubby legs and arms that restrict his movement. Even so,
    Barry Leith and his then assistant Martin Pullen are able to get
    the fellow shuffling, jumping and tapping through the rain with terrific
    aplomb. It's a class act with which to crown a classic teatime tv series...

  » In the cinema, Paddington reveals that his famous black hat was
        given to him by his uncle in Darkest Peru...

    » Other films discernible on the reels outside the cinema projection room
        include "The Wild Bunch", "The Wild Geese" and "This Island Earth"...


    Singin' with the scissors?

    "Paddington Goes to the Movies" is Paddington's crowning FilmFair
    appearance. The animation is impeccable. But a curious object pops
    into frame, 27 seconds into the film. It's only there for the briefest of
    moments, on the right-side of our screen. Let's take a look:



    Oh dear. It's a pair of scissors, left in shot by the animators!

    See also

    Paddington (series)
    Paddington's Birthday Bonanza (special)

   Current promos/tie-ins



   a Robert Harrop figure
    2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary, don't you know. And to
    celebrate, Robert Harrop Designs have launched a range of collectable
    figures, as well as a rather desirable ltd edition music box. But before
    we get sidetracked with that beauty, in the heart of the range is this fab
    figure of Paddington taken from his famous film special. Ain't it great?
    Stockists for these figures include the fine folks at Boojog Collectables...

    Paddington Goes to the Movies on DVD

    In the UK, this classic film is paired up with "Paddington's Birthday
    Bonanaza" as a double-bill release:

     Paddington Goes To The Movies
                Region 2 / double-bill / Abbey Home Media / Oct 2007


    Paddington Goes to the Movies
     by Michael Bond

    a FilmFair presentation

   animated & directed by Barry Leith

  exec producer:          Graham Clutterbuck
                                    with grateful acknowledgement to Gene Kelly
   paddington theme:    Bert Chappel
    music at the organ:   Bill Davies
    sound:                     Ted Spooner
                                   John Wood Studios

                                   "Singin' in the Rain"
                                   courtesy MGM Films
                                   and Polydor Intl GMBH

    prod co-ordinator:     Barrie Edwards
    assistant
     animator:                 Martin Pullen
  editor:                      Martin Bohan
   assistant editor:        Andi Sloss
   as told by:                Michael Hordern

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			Paddington Goes to the Movies (1980) producers: FilmFair animation: stop-motion animation run time: 20mins
		"..In view of the weather, 'Singin' in the Rain' sounded an ideal way of keeping dry..." In his first FilmFair special, Paddington is doing the weekly shopping for the Browns, when he gets caught in a storm and finds himself blown towards the entrance to the local Podium Cinema. And as coincidence would have it, "Singin' in the Rain" is the week's movie attraction (with Reginald Clove at the organ during the intermission). But alas for Paddington, the Commissionaire on the door informs that the film currently showing is an "A" certificate, which prevents him from entering on his own, because Paddington is only seven. Thus our little bear is moved on, but as he passes a side exit he hears music and investigates.. and discovers.. a whole new way of life... What follows is Paddington's finest FilmFair moment in which he reenacts Gene Kelly's titular dance from that classic MGM musical. And yes, it's that very same song, straight out of the film. And Paddington apes every beat of the original rain dance. He romances his umbrella, swings around a lamp post, and stands under a water chute. It even ends with a haughty policeman watching Paddington depart, after he's kicked his way through the puddles... It's a wonderful sequence, and frankly, negates any need to take the story any further. But because it occurs only a third of the way into this film special, we therefore continue with more shenanigans at the Podium cinema. Our young bear returns with the Browns that very same evening, whereupon he creates havoc with his emergency Magi-Toff toffee that's really glue, and he somehow manages to get a marmalade sandwich into the film projector. Even so, Paddington is able to make amends by helping Reginald Kloves at the organ, and he and the Browns depart with applause in their ears and Paddington's newfound adoration for the cinema no less diminished... And likewise, our adoration for that magical sequence isn't diminished. Paddington isn't the most flexible of bears. That stop-motion puppet has quite stubby legs and arms that restrict his movement. Even so, Barry Leith and his then assistant Martin Pullen are able to get the fellow shuffling, jumping and tapping through the rain with terrific aplomb. It's a class act with which to crown a classic teatime tv series... » In the cinema, Paddington reveals that his famous black hat was given to him by his uncle in Darkest Peru... » Other films discernible on the reels outside the cinema projection room include "The Wild Bunch", "The Wild Geese" and "This Island Earth"... Singin' with the scissors? "Paddington Goes to the Movies" is Paddington's crowning FilmFair appearance. The animation is impeccable. But a curious object pops into frame, 27 seconds into the film. It's only there for the briefest of moments, on the right-side of our screen. Let's take a look: Oh dear. It's a pair of scissors, left in shot by the animators! See also Paddington (series) Paddington's Birthday Bonanza (special) Current promos/tie-ins a Robert Harrop figure 2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary, don't you know. And to celebrate, Robert Harrop Designs have launched a range of collectable figures, as well as a rather desirable ltd edition music box. But before we get sidetracked with that beauty, in the heart of the range is this fab figure of Paddington taken from his famous film special. Ain't it great? Stockists for these figures include the fine folks at Boojog Collectables... Paddington Goes to the Movies on DVD In the UK, this classic film is paired up with "Paddington's Birthday Bonanaza" as a double-bill release: Paddington Goes To The Movies Region 2 / double-bill / Abbey Home Media / Oct 2007 Paddington Goes to the Movies by Michael Bond a FilmFair presentation animated & directed by Barry Leith exec producer: Graham Clutterbuck with grateful acknowledgement to Gene Kelly paddington theme: Bert Chappel music at the organ: Bill Davies sound: Ted Spooner John Wood Studios "Singin' in the Rain" courtesy MGM Films and Polydor Intl GMBH prod co-ordinator: Barrie Edwards assistant animator: Martin Pullen editor: Martin Bohan assistant editor: Andi Sloss as told by: 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 »

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