Noddy's Toyland Adventures
Noddy's Toyland Adventures is a British children's television program that was broadcast from September 1992 until April 1993 and December 1994, and again in 2000 on the BBC. It was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films in stop-motion animation.
The show featured the memorable voice acting talents of voice actors and television writers Susan Sheridan and Jimmy Hibbert, with every episode being written by Julia and Chris Allen respectively during its broadcast run. The composer Paul K. Joyce sings the theme song to this series.
It follows the adventures of Noddy, a little wooden doll who lives in Toyland with his red and yellow taxi, often trying to make sixpence or getting himself in trouble. His best friends Big Ears, Mr. Plod and Tessie Bear are always ready to lend a hand, especially when he gets tricked by Gobbo and Sly, the wicked Goblins. Whatever the situation the episode mostly ends with Noddy laughing and nodding his head which makes the bell on his hat ring.
Episodes of this series aired in Canada and the United States as part of a full thirty-minute program titled "Noddy" which featured the original UK animations re-dubbed with North American voices, which were shown in between all new live action segments. Paul K. Joyce's soundtrack was replaced by a new score by Stacey Hersh, who also scored the live action part of the series. Nashville-based songwriter Dennis Scott composed 99 new songs for the live action segments, including the theme song. Several of the re-dubbed Noddy animations were also released on VHS by Universal under USA Home Entertainment and PolyGram Video. These videos also featured songs written by Stacey Hersh and co-writer Ari Posner. This new series aired in the United Kingdom in 1999, under the title "Noddy in Toyland" ; the original British sound-track was used, but the live action segments were unaltered.
Production
wanted to make Noddy series styled in Claymation using Latex Rubber for the BBC.Characters
Main
- Noddy, the protagonist of the series. He is an imaginative young wooden boy who lives in Toyland. Voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian dub.
- Tessie Bear, A clever and kind female teddy bear who is Noddy's best friend. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Karen Bernstein in the American/Canadian dub.
- Big Ears, a wise, bearded gnome who lives in a toadstool house in Toadstool Woods. He is Noddy's helper and father figure and if Noddy has problems, Big Ears is always happy to help. His catchphrase is "You funny little Noddy!" He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub.
- Dinah Doll, a china doll who sells all kinds of everything in the market. She is a good friend to Noddy, and the two are always ready to help each other out. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Sharon Lee Williams in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Plod, The Toytown policeman. He is a good friend of Noddy and thinks Toytown can't live without him. He has a British accent in both the United Kingdom and United States dubbed versions, but in the United Kingdom version, he speaks with a West Country accent. His catchphrase is "Halt, in the name of Plod!" He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub.
- Bumpy Dog, Noddy's constant companion who is Tessie's pet dog. He is highly excitable and will rush at friends, but has sensitive feelings if scolded by Noddy or anyone else. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs.
- Sly and Gobbo, the main antagonists of the series. They are goblins who are very mischievous and greedy, and always play horrible tricks on Noddy. They were voiced by Susan Sheridan and Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher and James Rankin in the American/Canadian dub, and in this dub Sly is portrayed as a female character.
- Noddy's Car, the yellow car with red decals which Noddy drives. He is voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs.
Recurring
- Mr. Wobbly Man, a funny little man who cannot lie down. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American dub.
- Master Tubby Bear, Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear's son whose sometimes naughty and mischievous. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian dub.
- Clockwork Mouse, a toy mouse who often requires winding up. He also often gets into scrapes as a result of Noddy's misadventures, although the two are generally good friends. He was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Sparks, Toyland's handyman with a Scottish accent, who can mend anything. His catchphrase is "A challenge? I like it!" He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- Miss Pink Cat, a French/Southern cat who is fussy and neat cat and has no patience for foolishness, even her own. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Jumbo, an elephant who is friendly with Clockwork Mouse. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- The Skittles, a family of bowling pins consisting of Mrs. Sally Skittle and her many children of various sizes. They love to be knocked down.
- Martha Monkey, a mischievous tomboy who is very silly and bossy and is always making rude remarks. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian dub.
- Clockwork Clown, an Italian toy clown who does amazing tricks. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Train Driver, a train driver who drives the Toyland Express train. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
Minor
- Mr. Tubby Bear, Noddy's next door neighbour. His first name is John. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mrs. Tubby Bear, Noddy's next door neighbour. It is clear that she, like Mr Tubby Bear are the superiors of Noddy, as he always refers to them as "Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear". Her first name is Fiona. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan and Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Milko, Toyland's local milkman. He sometimes can be gloomy and sad, but Noddy's bell on his hat always cheers him up. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- Sammy Sailor, local harbour sailor. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- Bert Monkey, a monkey with a tail that is very naughty and has a mind of its own, often stealing objects all by itself. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert. It is heavily implied that this character is the same character as Bunkey, though this is never confirmed within the series.
- Mr. Noah, lives on the ark with Mrs. Noah and the animals based on the bible story. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American dub.
- Mrs. Noah, lives on the ark with Mr. Noah and the animals. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mr. Straw, lives on the farm with Mrs. Straw and the farm animals. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub.
- Mrs. Straw, lives on the farm with Mr. Straw and the farm animals. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub.
- Lord Giraffe, lives on the ark with Mr. and Mrs. Noah and the other animals. He was voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs.
- Lady Giraffe, lives on the ark with Mr. and Mrs. Noah and the other animals. She was voiced by Susan Sheridan in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs.
Episodes