Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (1977 TV series)


Sítio do Picapau Amarelo is a Brazilian children's television series, which aired on Rede Globo from 1977 to 1986. It was produced in partnership with TVE and the Brazilian Ministry of Education, based on the written works of Monteiro Lobato. It was inspired by the first live-action version, which aired on Rede Tupi between 1952 and 1963.

Plot

Dona Benta is an old lady who lives in Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo, a rural property away from the rush and noise of the big city. With her also lives "Tia Nastácia" the maid and her granddaughter Lúcia, better known as Narizinho. Living alone and having only the two elderly women as company, the girl creates a world of fantasy, in which the main character is her doll Emilia, made by Tia Nastácia from scraps of cloth. Also living on the farm are old Uncle Barnabé and his handymen, Zé Carneiro and Malazarte, who are responsible for maintenance of the property.
One day, Narizinho meets Príncipe Escamado, or "Prince Scaly," sovereign leader of the Kingdom of the Clear Waters, which, coincidentally, is located underwater deep in the farm's creek. The Prince is completely enchanted by the girl and invites her to see his kingdom. There, she is introduced to the most prominent subjects, such as Carochinha, responsible for general administration of fairy tales, and determined to keep Little Thumbling trapped inside her books. Also to Dr. Caramujo, a renowned scientist, who gives Emilia the "talking pill", allowing her to speak.
During the school vacation, Narizinho is accompanied by her cousin Pedrinho, who studies in the big city where he lives with his mother. The boy also owns a doll made by Tia Nastácia, the Viscount of Sabugosa, made from an old corn spike, who also comes to life. After having been forgotten for a long time amongst piles of books, the Viscount acquired wonderful wisdom, becoming an intellectual and a scientist.

Cast

Fogo Atificial e Sons de Cavalo
The ideal designation for the program format is called a "series", due to its format of many episodes that form closed, separate story arcs. The episodes ranged in length from 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 65 and 90 minutes. This was the best known of all versions, considered the "classical" one amongst all of them. The screenplays for this production were written by well-known names of Brazilian teledramaturgy, such as Wilson Rocha, Marcos Rey, Silvan Paezzo and Benedito Ruy Barbosa. The general direction and idealization of the show was done by Geraldo Casé, considered the "father" of the program during the nearly 10 year long airing of the show. Other directors also went through the program, such as Fábio Sabag, Gracindo Júnior, Roberto Vignati, Reynaldo Boury, but always with Geraldo Casé's general direction. Edwaldo Pacote was the show's general supervisor.
It was almost ten years long: After premiering on March 7, 1977 and going off air on January 31, 1986, having produced and aired 69 episodes and 1,550 chapters. From 1977 to 1981 the show was broadcast at 17.30, with a reprise in the following morning. From 1982 with the entry of the "Caso Verdade" program at 5:30 p.m., Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo changed its schedule to 4:45 in the afternoon. In 1983 The show started at noon, eventually returning to its previous schedule at 4:45 p.m. in 1984. In 1985 and 1986, during the last seasons, It returned at the normal old time of 5:30 in the afternoon. In the mid-1990s, TVE reprised several episodes of the series.
Barra de Guaratiba was the location chosen for the fixed location of TV Globo's unforgettable children's series. A small farm with a house, a corral/pen and beautiful gardens was built especially for the program in Burle Marx Road in Barra de Guaratiba. The other settings were recorded at the Cinédia studios. Woodland scenes were recorded in the Tijuca Forest and in the woods of Barra de Guaratiba and Pedra de Guaratiba. The "Toucan Arraial" was built right next to the farm and indoor settings, such as Mr. Elias' Store, were made there. The beach that serves as backdrop/setting in some episodes such as "The Minotaur," "Captain Hook's Pirates," "Don Quixote," "The Terrible Bird Rock," "Robinson Crusoe," amongst others; were recorded on the beach of Grumari, near Barra de Guaratiba, which served and still serves today many other Global productions.

Soundtrack

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (album)

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo is the first soundtrack album for the series, released in 1977 by Som Livre, and contained 13 tracks.

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo Vol. 2

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo Vol. 2 is the second soundtrack for this series, released in 1979 also by Som Livre, and contained 11 tracks.

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (2001 album)

Sítio do Picapau Amarelo, the third soundtrack of the series of the same name, consists of a total of 13 songs: