Toonhound - Paddington (1975-1986)

    Michael Bond's books about the little bear from Darkest Peru starred in this
    memorable tv adaptation from FilmFair, back in the 1970s. Paddington himself was
    a splendid 3D model interacting with distinct cut-out people and environments,
    presented predominantly in black and white, with limited dabs of colour. The very
    polite star of the show stowed away on a ship's lifeboat after his dear Aunt Lucy
    had to go into a home for retired bears. He was found at and named after Paddington
    Station by Mary and Henry Brown, who took him home with them to No. 32 Windsor
    Gardens. Paddington's chief antagonist was the Brown's rambunctious neighbour
    Mr Curry. He would also encounter the housekeeper Mrs Bird, and Mr Gruber a
    friendly antiques dealer. Paddington especially liked the company of Brown's
    children, daughter Judy and son Jonathon. Mr and Mrs Brown's first encounter
    with the bear is depicted in the very first episode, called "Please Look After
   This Bear".

    A splendidly gentle series this, embellished by the soothing narration of the
    late Sir Michael Hordern. The package captured much of the droll humour from
    the original books. From Paddington's perspective, everything he does makes
    complete sense, and such a polite little bear could never, ever do anything
    wrong...

    Er, could he...?



   Broadcast info

    The FilmFair series premiered on BBC1, at 5.30pm, on 5th January 1976.

    There was actually a four year gap between the original series and its
    follow-up in 1979, which was topped off by Paddington's first extended
    special, "Paddington Goes to the Movies".

    For US broadcasts, five UK episodes were edited into a half-hour format, with
    each episode introduced by Oscar-winning performer Joel Grey ("Cabaret").
    This Americanized series premiered on PBS, April 13th 1981 and was
    subsequently nominated for an Emmy. On the back of this success
    two further 24minute specials were commissioned. "Paddington Goes
    to School" and "Paddington's Birthday Bonanza" were buffed up so
   that the backgrounds and 2D characters were now full colour. And the films
    featured additional cel animated titles, courtesy of Ian Sachs (The Blunders).
    They premiered on the Disney Channel in America in 1985/1986...

    Paddington returned to TV yet again in 1989 in a new, 2D, all-American Hanna-
    Barbera production, most notable for featuring the voice of Tim Curry as - you
    guessed it - Mr Curry. And Paddington is just as popular as ever today, with that
    popularity aided and abetted by still another TV reincarnation, because in 1998
    CINAR produced a 2D animated series which took our Marmalade-lover off around
    the world with Mr Gruber.

    For many, though, it's the original FilmFair version that was first and best....



    My name is Bond...

    Creator Michael Bond was a former BBC cameraman who turned to writing.
    Paddington himself came into being when his soon-to-be creator went looking
    for a Christmas present for his wife one Christmas Eve. He found a lonely looking
    bear sitting on a shop shelf and brought him on the spot. Soon after bringing
    him home, Bond and his wife christened the bear Paddington after the London
    station that was close to where they lived.

    As well as discovering our favourite bear, Michael has also unearthed
    Sir Basil's magic garden, wherein dwells Parsley the Lion and The Herbs.
    These were also brought into animated life by Ivor Wood and FilmFair.



    Hats off...

    Well, who would have thought it. In the film special "Paddington Goes
   to School" our little bear puts on a brand new red hat to mark his arrival
at St Luke's School...

      Padding Goes To School - in a RED hat

    And in Paddington's Birthday Bonanza, our favourite bear swops it
    for a yellow creation!...





    See also

    Paddington Goes to the Movies
    Paddington's Birthday Bonanza



     Paddington Books

     Over the years there have been numerous books about the little bear.
     Compilations, picture books and tie-in editions abound. But there were
     eleven original tales written by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy
     Fortnum. Here are the titles:

    1958 - A Bear Called Paddington
    1959 - More About Paddington
    1960 - Paddington Helps Out
    1961 - Paddington Abroad
    1962 - Paddington at Large
    1964 - Paddington Marches On
    1966 - Paddington at Work
    1968 - Paddington Goes to Town
    1970 - Paddington Takes the Air
    1974 - Paddington on Top
    1979 - Paddington Takes the Test



     But wait - Hold up! - You see, 2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary,
     and to celebrate this milestone, Michael Bond has put pen to paper
     once more to bring us a 12th tale. Paddington Here and Now
    wa published in June...



     Awards & nominations

     1981 Emmy Award Nomination - Outstanding Children's Program
     1979 New York Film & Television Festival - Silver Award



     Episodes

    Please Look After This Bear            Padding Hits the jackpot
    A Bear in Hot Water                      Paddington Hits out
    Paddington Goes Underground         A Visit to the Hospital
    A Shopping Expedition                   Paddington Recommended
    Paddington and the Old Master       Fortune Telling
    A Spot of Decorating                    An Unexpected Party
    A Family Group                            Paddington in Court
    Paddington Makes a Bid                 Paddington Bakes a Cake
    Do-It-Yourself                             A Picnic on the River
    A Disappearing Trick                     Paddington's Patch
    Something Nasty in the Kitchen      In and Out of Trouble
    Trouble at the Launderette            Paddington at the Tower
    Paddington and                            A Visit to the Bank
    the Christmas Shopping                 Paddington Clears the Coach
    Too Much Off the Top                   Picture Trouble
    A Visit to the Dentist                    Paddington in the Hot Seat
    Paddington Cleans Up                   Paddington Weighs In
    Trouble at No.32                          Paddington Takes a Snip
    Mr Curry Takes a Bath                  A Visit to the Theatre
    Paddington Turns Detective           Paddington Buys a Share
    Paddington and the Cold Snap        Trouble in the Bargain Basement
    Trouble at the Wax Works             Paddington in Touch
    Paddington Makes a Clean Sweep   Comings and Goings at No.32
    A Sticky Time                             Paddington Dines Out
    Paddington's Christmas



    In the news

    The Hound: Sept 2007
    Paddington loves Marmite now, and he's heading to the Big Screen...



    Current Promos/Tie-ins



    Paddington prints
    Our friends at Lollipop Animation are currently stocking a very fine
     selection of prints and canvasses from the FilmFair series...



     Paddington figures
     And Robert Harrop Designs have launched a terrific range of collectable
     figures, to tie in with that anniversary. Topping it off is a magnificent limited
    edition music box. Wind it up to hear Herbert Chapell's famous tune!

     You can buy the box and the figures from the friendly folks at
     Boojog Collectables...



     Paddington on DVD

     Fans will want to get their paws on the complete collection,
     featuring every episode of the show. It's available in two formats:



     The Complete Paddington Bear (Deluxe Suitcase Set)
                Region 2 / two discs / Abbey Home Media / October 2008

     The Complete Paddington Bear (Regular)
                Region 2 / two discs / Abbey Home Media / June 2008

     But if all you want is a taster, then these individual releases
     will no doubt fit the bill:

     Paddington Bear: Please Look After This Bear
                Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / February 2006

     Paddington Bear: Too Much Off the Top
                Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / June 2006

     Paddington Bear: Paddington Hits the Jackpot
                Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / January 2007

     Santa's Favourites
                You'll also find "Paddington and the Christmas Shopping"
                and "Paddington's Christmas" on this seasonal compilation...



    series credits

    a FilmFair production
    adapted by Michael Bond from his books

    animation:   Ivor Wood
    producer:    Graham Clutterbuck
    music:         Herbert Chapell
    editor:         Chris Wright
    narrator:      Sir Michael Hordern



     On the web


     Paddington Bear
     The official site for all-things Paddington related. And in amongst
     the expected kids activities and games is a handsome amount
     of historical detail, info on Michael Bond, the books and associated
     collectables. Nice to see the creation's heritage included in the
     package - unlike some other modern licenses we won't mention!...

     Abbey Home Media
     Abbey distribute the UK DVDs. They have their own web store too...

      index »    previous »   next »

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			Paddington (1975-1986) producers: FilmFair animation: stop-motion animation 1975 / 30 x 5 mins 1979 / 26 x 5 mins PADDINGTON GOES TO THE MOVIES 1980 / 20min special PADDINGTON GOES TO SCHOOL 1985 / 24min special PADDINGTON'S BIRTHDAY BONANZA 1986 / 24min special
		Michael Bond's books about the little bear from Darkest Peru starred in this memorable tv adaptation from FilmFair, back in the 1970s. Paddington himself was a splendid 3D model interacting with distinct cut-out people and environments, presented predominantly in black and white, with limited dabs of colour. The very polite star of the show stowed away on a ship's lifeboat after his dear Aunt Lucy had to go into a home for retired bears. He was found at and named after Paddington Station by Mary and Henry Brown, who took him home with them to No. 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington's chief antagonist was the Brown's rambunctious neighbour Mr Curry. He would also encounter the housekeeper Mrs Bird, and Mr Gruber a friendly antiques dealer. Paddington especially liked the company of Brown's children, daughter Judy and son Jonathon. Mr and Mrs Brown's first encounter with the bear is depicted in the very first episode, called "Please Look After This Bear". A splendidly gentle series this, embellished by the soothing narration of the late Sir Michael Hordern. The package captured much of the droll humour from the original books. From Paddington's perspective, everything he does makes complete sense, and such a polite little bear could never, ever do anything wrong... Er, could he...? Broadcast info The FilmFair series premiered on BBC1, at 5.30pm, on 5th January 1976. There was actually a four year gap between the original series and its follow-up in 1979, which was topped off by Paddington's first extended special, "Paddington Goes to the Movies". For US broadcasts, five UK episodes were edited into a half-hour format, with each episode introduced by Oscar-winning performer Joel Grey ("Cabaret"). This Americanized series premiered on PBS, April 13th 1981 and was subsequently nominated for an Emmy. On the back of this success two further 24minute specials were commissioned. "Paddington Goes to School" and "Paddington's Birthday Bonanza" were buffed up so that the backgrounds and 2D characters were now full colour. And the films featured additional cel animated titles, courtesy of Ian Sachs (The Blunders). They premiered on the Disney Channel in America in 1985/1986... Paddington returned to TV yet again in 1989 in a new, 2D, all-American Hanna- Barbera production, most notable for featuring the voice of Tim Curry as - you guessed it - Mr Curry. And Paddington is just as popular as ever today, with that popularity aided and abetted by still another TV reincarnation, because in 1998 CINAR produced a 2D animated series which took our Marmalade-lover off around the world with Mr Gruber. For many, though, it's the original FilmFair version that was first and best.... My name is Bond... Creator Michael Bond was a former BBC cameraman who turned to writing. Paddington himself came into being when his soon-to-be creator went looking for a Christmas present for his wife one Christmas Eve. He found a lonely looking bear sitting on a shop shelf and brought him on the spot. Soon after bringing him home, Bond and his wife christened the bear Paddington after the London station that was close to where they lived. As well as discovering our favourite bear, Michael has also unearthed Sir Basil's magic garden, wherein dwells Parsley the Lion and The Herbs. These were also brought into animated life by Ivor Wood and FilmFair. Hats off... Well, who would have thought it. In the film special "Paddington Goes to School" our little bear puts on a brand new red hat to mark his arrival at St Luke's School... And in Paddington's Birthday Bonanza, our favourite bear swops it for a yellow creation!... See also Paddington Goes to the Movies Paddington's Birthday Bonanza Paddington Books Over the years there have been numerous books about the little bear. Compilations, picture books and tie-in editions abound. But there were eleven original tales written by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. Here are the titles: 1958 - A Bear Called Paddington 1959 - More About Paddington 1960 - Paddington Helps Out 1961 - Paddington Abroad 1962 - Paddington at Large 1964 - Paddington Marches On 1966 - Paddington at Work 1968 - Paddington Goes to Town 1970 - Paddington Takes the Air 1974 - Paddington on Top 1979 - Paddington Takes the Test But wait - Hold up! - You see, 2008 is Paddington's 50th anniversary, and to celebrate this milestone, Michael Bond has put pen to paper once more to bring us a 12th tale. Paddington Here and Now wa published in June... Awards & nominations 1981 Emmy Award Nomination - Outstanding Children's Program 1979 New York Film & Television Festival - Silver Award Episodes Please Look After This Bear Padding Hits the jackpot A Bear in Hot Water Paddington Hits out Paddington Goes Underground A Visit to the Hospital A Shopping Expedition Paddington Recommended Paddington and the Old Master Fortune Telling A Spot of Decorating An Unexpected Party A Family Group Paddington in Court Paddington Makes a Bid Paddington Bakes a Cake Do-It-Yourself A Picnic on the River A Disappearing Trick Paddington's Patch Something Nasty in the Kitchen In and Out of Trouble Trouble at the Launderette Paddington at the Tower Paddington and A Visit to the Bank the Christmas Shopping Paddington Clears the Coach Too Much Off the Top Picture Trouble A Visit to the Dentist Paddington in the Hot Seat Paddington Cleans Up Paddington Weighs In Trouble at No.32 Paddington Takes a Snip Mr Curry Takes a Bath A Visit to the Theatre Paddington Turns Detective Paddington Buys a Share Paddington and the Cold Snap Trouble in the Bargain Basement Trouble at the Wax Works Paddington in Touch Paddington Makes a Clean Sweep Comings and Goings at No.32 A Sticky Time Paddington Dines Out Paddington's Christmas In the news The Hound: Sept 2007 Paddington loves Marmite now, and he's heading to the Big Screen... Current Promos/Tie-ins Paddington prints Our friends at Lollipop Animation are currently stocking a very fine selection of prints and canvasses from the FilmFair series... Paddington figures And Robert Harrop Designs have launched a terrific range of collectable figures, to tie in with that anniversary. Topping it off is a magnificent limited edition music box. Wind it up to hear Herbert Chapell's famous tune! You can buy the box and the figures from the friendly folks at Boojog Collectables... Paddington on DVD Fans will want to get their paws on the complete collection, featuring every episode of the show. It's available in two formats: The Complete Paddington Bear (Deluxe Suitcase Set) Region 2 / two discs / Abbey Home Media / October 2008 The Complete Paddington Bear (Regular) Region 2 / two discs / Abbey Home Media / June 2008 But if all you want is a taster, then these individual releases will no doubt fit the bill: Paddington Bear: Please Look After This Bear Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / February 2006 Paddington Bear: Too Much Off the Top Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / June 2006 Paddington Bear: Paddington Hits the Jackpot Region 2 / Abbey Home Media / January 2007 Santa's Favourites You'll also find "Paddington and the Christmas Shopping" and "Paddington's Christmas" on this seasonal compilation... series credits a FilmFair production adapted by Michael Bond from his books animation: Ivor Wood producer: Graham Clutterbuck music: Herbert Chapell editor: Chris Wright narrator: Sir Michael Hordern On the web Paddington Bear The official site for all-things Paddington related. And in amongst the expected kids activities and games is a handsome amount of historical detail, info on Michael Bond, the books and associated collectables. Nice to see the creation's heritage included in the package - unlike some other modern licenses we won't mention!... Abbey Home Media Abbey distribute the UK DVDs. They have their own web store too... index » previous » next »
© FilmFair Ltd 1975 / Paddington & Company Ltd / F2008