Paddington (TV series)

The series was produced by FilmFair, a London-based animation studio, and directed by Ivor Wood, who had previously worked on The Herbs and The Wombles. Wood developed a unique stop-motion technique using cut-out figures and painted backgrounds, giving the show a distinctive, storybook look. The animation was praised for its warmth and attention to detail, capturing the charm of Bond's original illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.

Michael Hordern, a renowned British actor, provided the narration, his voice becoming synonymous with the character for many viewers. The series was first broadcast on BBC One in 1976, with a second series following in 1977. Each episode ran approximately 10 minutes, and the show was later rebroadcast on other channels, including ITV and the Disney Channel.

The series follows the adventures of Paddington, a young bear from Darkest Peru who is found at Paddington Station by the Brown family. He carries a suitcase and a label reading "Please look after this bear. Thank you." The Browns take him in, and he becomes a beloved member of their household at 32 Windsor Gardens.

Paddington is known for his politeness, his love of marmalade sandwiches, and his tendency to get into mischief, often with the best of intentions. Key characters include Mr. and Mrs. Brown, their children Judy and Jonathan, and the housekeeper Mrs. Bird. The series also features recurring characters such as the gruff Mr. Curry, who often finds himself the victim of Paddington's mishaps.

The series was well-received by critics and audiences, praised for its faithful adaptation of Bond's stories and its gentle humor. It won a BAFTA award for Best Children's Programme in 1977, cementing its place in British television history. The show's popularity led to a revival in the 1990s with a new series, but the original remains a nostalgic favorite.

The 1976 series has been released on DVD and is available on streaming platforms, introducing Paddington to new generations. Its influence can be seen in later adaptations, including the 2014 live-action film starring Ben Whishaw, which drew inspiration from the original stories and the animated series' tone.

One lesser-known fact is that the series was initially conceived as a puppet animation, but Ivor Wood's cut-out technique was chosen for its cost-effectiveness and visual appeal. The show's theme music, composed by Herbert Chappell, was released as a single and became a minor hit in the UK.

Another detail is that the series was one of the first to use a narrator rather than character voices, a stylistic choice that set it apart from other children's shows of the time. The original series also included a Christmas special, "Paddington's Christmas," which was broadcast in 1976 and later included in the DVD releases.

Additionally, the series was dubbed into several languages, including French, German, and Japanese, and was broadcast in over 20 countries, contributing to Paddington's global popularity.

Stop-motion

An animation technique that physically manipulates objects to create motion.

Cut-out animation

A form of stop-motion using flat characters and props made from paper or card.

FilmFair

A British animation studio that produced the series.

Michael Hordern

British actor who narrated the series.