The Wombles

The Wombles

1973
The Wombles
The Wombles

The Wombles

6.9 | en |

The Wombles is a stop motion animated British television series made in 1973–1975. After the first Wombles book, published in 1968, was featured on the BBC children's television programme Jackanory, the BBC commissioned producer FilmFair to create a television series of the books. The series was produced by Graham Clutterbuck and directed by Ivor Wood using stop-motion. The characters were all voiced by actor Bernard Cribbins. Sets and model making were by Barry Leith. Two series of 30 five minute episodes were produced, with the first series airing in 1973, animated by Ivor Wood, and the second in 1975, animated by Barry Leith. In all, sixty episodes were produced. The original television series was regularly screened for many years. After FilmFair was acquired by the Canadian company Cinar Films in 1996, a new series of episodes was created, with a number of new Womble characters. In the UK, the series was purchased by ITV.

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Seasons & Episodes

5
4
3
2
1
EP13  The Womble Times
Jan. 01,0001
The Womble Times

It's the Wimbledon Wombles turn to produce the copy of the Womble Times, which goes out to all the Wimbledon burrows everywhere. With Great Uncle Bulgaria as editor, everyone has an important role on the paper, but, as ace reporter, Bungo thinks his is the most important.

EP12  The Womble Races
Jan. 01,0001
The Womble Races

Stepney and Wellington fall out when she invents a Womble vehicle better than his Wimbledon Wombles Wombuggy.

EP11  Queen For A Day
Jan. 01,0001
Queen For A Day

The Queen is paying a visit to Wimbeldon Common.

EP10  What's A Womble?
Jan. 01,0001
What's A Womble?

While the wombles are playing, Bungo gets a nasty knock on the head and seems to forget who he is.

EP9  Tomsk's Pen Pal
Jan. 01,0001
Tomsk's Pen Pal

Tomsk is thrilled to receive a letter from his new pen pal, Moosonee Womble, until he realises he must write back.

EP8  Practically Joking
Jan. 01,0001
Practically Joking

Great Uncle Bulgaria's former nanny is visiting, but on the big day Bungo fills the burrow with practical jokes.

EP7  Star Struck
Jan. 01,0001
Star Struck

As Tomsk is performing his night-watch duty he realises Shansi is missing and organises an emergency search party.

EP6  Wom-TV
Jan. 01,0001
Wom-TV

Great Uncle Bulgaria, Madame Cholet and Tobermary were all planing on going to see the Thames Burrow Pantomime, until Orincoco loses their tickets. Therefore the young wombles come up with an idea to entertain the older wombles, instead of the show.

EP5  A Life In The Day Of Madame Cholet
Jan. 01,0001
A Life In The Day Of Madame Cholet

Madame Cholet takes the wombles on a guided tour of her life, by showing them old mementoes.

EP4  The Sleep Wombler
Jan. 01,0001
The Sleep Wombler

There's a Phantom Wombler on the common - rubbish is clearing itself away magically and unexplainably. Bungo and the others are determined to catch this mystery creature and set a series of cleverly masterminded traps.

EP3  The Thingummawotsit
Jan. 01,0001
The Thingummawotsit

The wombles become confused when they each find a thingummawotsit, and are unsure what they do!

EP2  Alderney's Big Break
Jan. 01,0001
Alderney's Big Break

When Alderney injures her back paw on spring cleaning day, all the wombles decide to give her a present to make her feel better.

EP1  New Year! New You!
Jan. 01,0001
New Year! New You!

It's New Years Eve, Great Uncle Bulgaria's favourite time of year. But when he is nowhere to be found, the wombles become worried.

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6.9 | en | | More Info
Released: 1973-02-05 | Released Producted By: , Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

The Wombles is a stop motion animated British television series made in 1973–1975. After the first Wombles book, published in 1968, was featured on the BBC children's television programme Jackanory, the BBC commissioned producer FilmFair to create a television series of the books. The series was produced by Graham Clutterbuck and directed by Ivor Wood using stop-motion. The characters were all voiced by actor Bernard Cribbins. Sets and model making were by Barry Leith. Two series of 30 five minute episodes were produced, with the first series airing in 1973, animated by Ivor Wood, and the second in 1975, animated by Barry Leith. In all, sixty episodes were produced. The original television series was regularly screened for many years. After FilmFair was acquired by the Canadian company Cinar Films in 1996, a new series of episodes was created, with a number of new Womble characters. In the UK, the series was purchased by ITV.

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Cast

Bernard Cribbins

Director

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Reviews

ShadeGrenade The late Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel was at a charity event in the '70's when he popped outside for a breath of air. There, before his eyes, was a sight guaranteed to startle the senses - Tony Blackburn in a speedboat being driven by a Womble! The decade's pop scene encapsulated in a single, memorable image.But what were the Wombles? They were the creation of children's author Elisabeth Beresford. After one of her children was heard to mispronounce 'Wimbledon', she got the idea that there should be living in a secret burrow a race of furry creatures who came out when everyone had gone, collected whatever rubbish they could find and adapted it for their own use. There was 'Great Uncle Bulgaria', a wise old sage, 'Madame Cholet' the cook ( and the only female Womble it appeared - no dirty jokes please! ), studious 'Wellington', macho 'Tomsk', cute 'Orinoco', bowler-hatted 'Tobermory' amongst others.In 1973 the Wombles landed their own television show - each episode exactly five minutes long - broadcast nightly on B.B.C.-1 between the children's' programmes and the evening news. The Wombles themselves were realised using stop-motion animation, and the stories charmingly narrated by Bernard Cribbins. So popular was it that a Wombles craze swept the nation. Yes, alongside Osmondmania and then Rollermania, there was Womblemania. In terms of merchandising, the Wombles was the Harry Potter of its day. Mike Batt's catchy theme tune made the charts, inspiring him to write other songs with the word 'Womble' in the title. For their live performances on 'Top Of The Pops' and elsewhere, the Wombles were played by men in costume. When they made a guest appearance on the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, they caused a sensation - mainly because our European partners had not a clue who or what they were. They also appeared in the 1975 classic 'Goodies Rule O.K.'.Lionel Jeffries wrote and directed a live-action film featuring the lovable furry beasts - 1977's 'Wombling Free'. It flopped - Womblemania had ended by the time it went on release.The B.B.C. got tremendous mileage out of the 60 episodes, repeating them over and over again, making people think there were more than there were.In 1998, the Wombles came back to television - only this time on I.T.V. Mike Batt's theme was wisely retained, and the new show boasted the latest in computer animation, meaning the Wombles could do things they had never done before, such as fly aeroplanes and run. Alas an important ingredient was left out - Bernard Cribbins. Though technically superior to the old, the show completely lacked its charm. '90's kids preferred the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'.So what of the future? The Wombles seem to have gone quiet lately, with no signs of a new album or appearances on reality television. This does seem strange. In terms of musical and acting ability they were streets ahead of the Bay City Rollers.It has just been announced that the '80's band 'Spandau Ballet' have reformed, and are set to tour. Surely the Wombles can be persuaded to come out of their burrow after all these years and show the likes of Westlife and Robbie Williams how it should be done?
jackstnicholas I Love the wombles and I always have. My favorite character is Orinoco Because he is lazy and likes eating. I also like Bungo because he is Clumsy and over enthusiastic. Wellington is good because he is Scientifically inclined. He is shy but very clever. I love Tomsk Because he is ever energetic and athletic. I've always liked Great Uncle Bulgaria. He is the oldest and wisest Womble. Tobermory is an Engineer and is also a handy man. I admire Madame Cholet because she's The French Cook! I like the idea of them going around Wimbledon Common, putting litter in their tidy bags. They live in burrows. I like Superwomble and OOW!
John Fernandez (kennelman) The story goes that Elizabeth Beresford was driving across Wimbledon Common one day when one of her young children called out 'We're in Wombledon!' and Beresford spent the rest of the journey wondering about characters called 'Wombles' and the show was thus born.The stop-frame animation techniques may look dated when compared to - say - Wallace and Grommet, but actually add to the charm. Cribbins is sublime as the narrator, and Mike Batt's pacy theme tune was so good it launched his own mini pop career as a performer in the seventies. A seventies classic that the kids will love.