Toonhound - The Adventures of Rupert Bear (1970-1977)

    "There's a million stories to be told,
   of the things that he's done..."

   The sing-a-long title song says it all. Everyone knows and loves Rupert Bear,
   and this ITC production surely remains the definitive adaptation.

   The series was put together by Mary Turner and John Read, who struck out on
   their own after a very successful period working with Gerry Anderson, on his
   various Supermarionation shows. Together, they retooled Mary Toutel's little
   bear into three glorious dimensions, and they brought all his friends along for
   the ride too. Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Edward Trunk, Constable Growler and the
   rest of the Nutwood gang, stepped straight out of the pages of the Daily Express
   and into our living rooms. Or at least, most did, because Rupert tended to roam
   the countryside in his flying blue chariot - again, fashioned skillfully after the
   original. There were at least two new additions, however, and they came in
   the form of Mr Grimnasty (otherwise known as the Old Man of the Wood) and
   the floating, fiery wood sprite, Willy Wisp. But these were so faithful, you'd be
   hard pressed to notice.

   Some shows are simply note-perfect, from the very opening second. Such
   was the case here. The series had a live-action intro, set in a child's bedroom.
   A woman could be seen, "reading" a Rupert tale to an unseen child, as we
   zoomed in on a toy version of Rupert, propped against a cupboard door. Then
   that snazzy theme song would kick in...

   Though Rupert was the rightful star, his bitter, spiky pal Raggety seems to
   have stolen his own slice of tv fame. He was a bit-part character in the original
   books, but here in three dimensions, this blue-sticked monster positively
   snapped and twitched. Raggety was revealed beneath the roots of a
   toppled tree in the episode "Rupert and Raggety", and duly named because
   - well - he looks so raggety. In the end, he finds a new home, as a "pet" to
   Mr Grimnasty.

     Rupert in his chariot, with Raggety and Willy Wisp

   The first episode, "Rupert and the Flying Machine", was broadcast in October
   1970 and ITC never looked back. Okay, so they didn't bring us a million stories,
   but over the course of four triumphant series the producers shared a whopping
   156 adventures with their viewers, with writing duties shared between Anna
   Standon and Marcia Webb. There was a huge range of tie-in apparel and
   toys, and a hit record, in the form of Ron Roker and Len Beadle's spangling
   theme song. Jackie Lee thrilled us all with her vocals, and sang her way to
   the number 12 spot in 1971.

   Lost Rupert

   Sadly, many of Rupert's adventures appear to have been lost over the years,
   with only half remaining in the ITC archives. Kaleidoscope's Lost Shows site
   identifies what's missing for you. It appears that out of a 67 of the 156 episodes
   are currently missing, whilst 42 others exist on formats inferior to the original.
   If you can help plug the gaps, Kaleidoscope would love to hear from you...

» Pedants will note that Jackie Lee sings about "Rupert... Rupert the Bear..."
      when, in reality, our yellow-scarfed friend is simply "Rupert Bear"...

» After Rupert, Mary Turner and John Read turned their talents upon Katherine
      Tozer's "Mumfie" books, and later "Cloppa Castle" and "The Munch Bunch"
     were brilliantly brought to life...

     See also

     Rupert and the Frog Song
     Rupet Bear, Follow the Magic

     Broadcast info

     The series premiered on the ITV network on 28th October 1970.
     It ended its run on 24th August 1977...

     In the news

     The Hound: October 2010
     Raggety is a Top 10 Toon Terror....

     The Hound: September 2003
     Rupert rights wrangle sorted...

     The Hound: April 2003
     Rupert rights wrangle...

     The Hound: June 2000
     Rupert Annual at auction...

     an ITC production

      based upon the character created
      by the Daily Express

      director:            Mary Turner
      photography:    John Read
      adaptations:     Anna Standon, Marcia Webb
      script editor:     Ruth Boswell
      music & lyrics:   Ron Roker, Len Beadle
                              sung by Jackie Lee
      puppetry:          Christine Glanville, Sheena Lane
                             Rowena White, David Ross
      art director:       John Jelly
      assistant:          Terry Blackall
      editor:               David Elliott
      narrator:            Judy Bennett

     On the web

     Little Gems
     The Gems give Rupert a splendid presentation here, with lots of
     screen shots, and that theme to hum along to...

     Off the Telly
     TJ Worthington has contributed this excellent Rupert/Mary Turner article
     to an equally-excellent tv site - well worth a read....

     Off the Telly: Ron Roker
     "Off the Telly" also talk to Rupert's hit-makers...

     Marcia Webb
     Rupert's story queen has her own site...

     Jackie Lee
     An excellent guide to Jackie's career...

      index »    next »

	cartoons, animation, comic strips and puppets in the UK
HOME THE HOUND british toon news & chatter MOVIE TOONS animated films & shorts TV TOONS animated series TOON MAKERS animation studios & people IT'S A PUPPET! string, hand & finger puppets COMICS characters, strips & comic books TOON GODS British animators & illustrators RESOURCES FLEETWAY ST. GENTLEMAN BRIGGS BUNTY'S BOOTY CRACKING COLLECTIBLES _______________ ABOUT ME CONTACT ME DISCLAIMER _______________
			The Adventures of Rupert Bear producers: Mary Tuner and John Read for ITC Entertainment puppets: string and radio-controlled puppets SERIES ONE 1970-1971 / 26 x 11mins SERIES TWO 1971-1972 / 26 x 11mins SERIES THREE 1973-1975 / 52 x 11mins SERIES FOUR 1975-1977 / 52 x 11mins
		"There's a million stories to be told, of the things that he's done..." The sing-a-long title song says it all. Everyone knows and loves Rupert Bear, and this ITC production surely remains the definitive adaptation. The series was put together by Mary Turner and John Read, who struck out on their own after a very successful period working with Gerry Anderson, on his various Supermarionation shows. Together, they retooled Mary Toutel's little bear into three glorious dimensions, and they brought all his friends along for the ride too. Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Edward Trunk, Constable Growler and the rest of the Nutwood gang, stepped straight out of the pages of the Daily Express and into our living rooms. Or at least, most did, because Rupert tended to roam the countryside in his flying blue chariot - again, fashioned skillfully after the original. There were at least two new additions, however, and they came in the form of Mr Grimnasty (otherwise known as the Old Man of the Wood) and the floating, fiery wood sprite, Willy Wisp. But these were so faithful, you'd be hard pressed to notice. Some shows are simply note-perfect, from the very opening second. Such was the case here. The series had a live-action intro, set in a child's bedroom. A woman could be seen, "reading" a Rupert tale to an unseen child, as we zoomed in on a toy version of Rupert, propped against a cupboard door. Then that snazzy theme song would kick in... Though Rupert was the rightful star, his bitter, spiky pal Raggety seems to have stolen his own slice of tv fame. He was a bit-part character in the original books, but here in three dimensions, this blue-sticked monster positively snapped and twitched. Raggety was revealed beneath the roots of a toppled tree in the episode "Rupert and Raggety", and duly named because - well - he looks so raggety. In the end, he finds a new home, as a "pet" to Mr Grimnasty. The first episode, "Rupert and the Flying Machine", was broadcast in October 1970 and ITC never looked back. Okay, so they didn't bring us a million stories, but over the course of four triumphant series the producers shared a whopping 156 adventures with their viewers, with writing duties shared between Anna Standon and Marcia Webb. There was a huge range of tie-in apparel and toys, and a hit record, in the form of Ron Roker and Len Beadle's spangling theme song. Jackie Lee thrilled us all with her vocals, and sang her way to the number 12 spot in 1971. Lost Rupert Sadly, many of Rupert's adventures appear to have been lost over the years, with only half remaining in the ITC archives. Kaleidoscope's Lost Shows site identifies what's missing for you. It appears that out of a 67 of the 156 episodes are currently missing, whilst 42 others exist on formats inferior to the original. If you can help plug the gaps, Kaleidoscope would love to hear from you... » Pedants will note that Jackie Lee sings about "Rupert... Rupert the Bear..." when, in reality, our yellow-scarfed friend is simply "Rupert Bear"... » After Rupert, Mary Turner and John Read turned their talents upon Katherine Tozer's "Mumfie" books, and later "Cloppa Castle" and "The Munch Bunch" were brilliantly brought to life... See also Rupert and the Frog Song Rupet Bear, Follow the Magic Broadcast info The series premiered on the ITV network on 28th October 1970. It ended its run on 24th August 1977... In the news The Hound: October 2010 Raggety is a Top 10 Toon Terror.... The Hound: September 2003 Rupert rights wrangle sorted... The Hound: April 2003 Rupert rights wrangle... The Hound: June 2000 Rupert Annual at auction... an ITC production based upon the character created by the Daily Express director: Mary Turner photography: John Read adaptations: Anna Standon, Marcia Webb script editor: Ruth Boswell music & lyrics: Ron Roker, Len Beadle sung by Jackie Lee puppetry: Christine Glanville, Sheena Lane Rowena White, David Ross art director: John Jelly assistant: Terry Blackall editor: David Elliott narrator: Judy Bennett On the web Little Gems The Gems give Rupert a splendid presentation here, with lots of screen shots, and that theme to hum along to... Off the Telly TJ Worthington has contributed this excellent Rupert/Mary Turner article to an equally-excellent tv site - well worth a read.... Off the Telly: Ron Roker "Off the Telly" also talk to Rupert's hit-makers... Marcia Webb Rupert's story queen has her own site... Jackie Lee An excellent guide to Jackie's career... index » next »
© ITC Entertainment / Express Newspapers / Entertainment Rights / F2010