Are you sitting comfortably ? This will take a while. The back of the book has a date, which is not fully readable, but seems to be 197-, with the book being printed and made in Spain. Based on the BBC tv series The Adventures of Barnaby. Barnaby himself is a bear, to me he looks rather like a koala. I do not seem to have anything on Barnaby, but a little hunting on the internet (yes, I cheated, and googled him) turned up the following. This character started out in the 1950s, as a character named Colargol, created by a French writer named Olga Pouchine. It became a series of children's story records in the 1960s. Later it was turned into a television series, made using the stop-motion technique. This was a French series. An English language version, using only some of the French episodes, was produced as The Adventures of Barnaby. These screened as part of the Watch With Mother series on the BBC in 1973. There were 13 English episodes. This sounds like what happened with The Magic Roundabout. There was then a Canadian adaption of the original French episodes called Jeremy the Bear, and this version was, I understand, seen on ITV in Britain. Three films were also made in Poland in the 1970s. As a result of a dispute over rights, the series is not currently available. Obviously, there were also some books published. I do not know if the story records were also available in English. As the same character is known by several different names, in different countries, this makes things harder.
I can still remember the theme tune! 'Barnaby the Bear's my name. Never call me Jack or James.....' Started on the BBC in 1973. Repeated many times in the 70s.
Are you sitting comfortably ? This will take a while.
ReplyDeleteThe back of the book has a date, which is not fully readable, but seems to be 197-, with the book being printed and made in Spain. Based on the BBC tv series The Adventures of Barnaby.
Barnaby himself is a bear, to me he looks rather like a koala.
I do not seem to have anything on Barnaby, but a little hunting on the internet (yes, I cheated, and googled him) turned up the following.
This character started out in the 1950s, as a character named Colargol, created by a French writer named Olga Pouchine. It became a series of children's story records in the 1960s. Later it was turned into a television series, made using the stop-motion technique. This was a French series. An English language version, using only some of the French episodes, was produced as The Adventures of Barnaby. These screened as part of the Watch With Mother series on the BBC in 1973. There were 13 English episodes. This sounds like what happened with The Magic Roundabout. There was then a Canadian adaption of the original French episodes called Jeremy the Bear, and this version was, I understand, seen on ITV in Britain. Three films were also made in Poland in the 1970s. As a result of a dispute over rights, the series is not currently available.
Obviously, there were also some books published. I do not know if the story records were also available in English. As the same character is known by several different names, in different countries, this makes things harder.
Fascinating Paul and thanks for researching it! I'd no idea this little book would the tip of such a convoluted iceberg!
DeleteI recall Barnaby, but always found those cold, dead eyes a little disturbing. Same with Pob too. Weird
ReplyDeleteCold dead eyes? Blimey! Who's Pob?
DeleteI can still remember the theme tune! 'Barnaby the Bear's my name. Never call me Jack or James.....' Started on the BBC in 1973. Repeated many times in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteFab Yorkie, glad it brought back memories! never call me Jack or James! Love it!
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