Noddy's Toyland Adventures
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television |
| Founded | September 1992 |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Children's television programs |
Noddy's Toyland Adventures is a British children's TV series that originally aired from September 1992 until April and December 1994, with reruns broadcast in 2000 on the Children's BBC segment of the BBC. The series features voice performances by Susan Sheridan and Jimmy Hibbert, with scripts penned by Julia and Chris Allen. The opening theme music was created and performed by Paul K. Joyce.
In North America, the episodes were presented within a half-hour show titled Noddy, which consisted of UK animations re-voiced with North American actors alongside new live-action inserts. The original score by Paul K. Joyce was replaced by music composed by Stacey Hersh, who also provided compositions for the live-action sequences. Additionally, Nashville songwriter Dennis Scott wrote 99 original songs, including the program’s theme tune.
Several re-dubbed Noddy episodes were released on VHS in the United States by Universal through USA Home Entertainment and PolyGram Video, featuring songs by Stacey Hersh and co-writer Ari Posner. This version aired in the UK in 1999 under the title Noddy in Toyland (distinct from the 2009 series), utilizing the original British soundtrack while maintaining the live-action segments without alteration.
Premise
The narrative centers on Noddy, a wooden doll residing in Toyland who drives a red and yellow car. He frequently attempts to earn sixpence or finds himself in various predicaments. Alongside companions such as Big Ears, Mr. Plod, and Tessie Bear, they often assist one another, especially when confronted by Gobbo and Sly, two mischievous goblins known for their trickery. Episodes commonly conclude with Noddy smiling and nodding his head, likely causing the bell on his hat to ring.
Main
- Noddy (originally voiced by Susan Sheridan, with Catherine Disher providing the voice for the American/Canadian version) is the creative wooden boy who lives in Toyland.
- Tessie Bear (original voice by Susan Sheridan; voiced by Karen Bernstein in the American/Canadian dub) is an intelligent young female teddy bear, adventurous and curious, speaking with an Irish accent in the UK original.
- Big Ears (voiced initially by Jimmy Hibbert, with Benedict Campbell in the North American dub) is a wise brownie dwelling in Toadstool Woods who serves as a mentor and father figure to Noddy.
- Dinah Doll (originally voiced by Susan Sheridan; Sharon Lee Williams provides her voice in the American/Canadian adaptation) is a gentle china doll who operates a market stall and acts as an older sibling figure to both Noddy and Tessie.
- Mr. Plod (original voice by Jimmy Hibbert; Benedict Campbell voices him in the American/Canadian version) is Toytown’s policeman dedicated to maintaining law and order, famous for his phrase: "Stop, in the name of the law." His accent is British, specifically West Country in the UK edition.
- Bumpy Dog (vocalized through effects by Jimmy Hibbert) is Tessie’s spirited and faithful pet dog belonging to Noddy.
- Sly (originally voiced by Susan Sheridan; Catherine Disher voices him in North America) and Gobbo (voiced initially by Jimmy Hibbert; James Rankin voices him in the American/Canadian dub) are greedy goblin characters who frequently deceive Noddy; Gobbo is noted for being particularly sly.
- Noddy's Car (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert) is a yellow vehicle adorned with red stripes that Noddy drives, communicating emotions through horn sounds and movements.
Recurring
- Mr. Wobbly Man (originally voiced by Jimmy Hibbert, with Michael Stark in the American version) is a hardworking male roly-poly toy.
- Master Tubby Bear (voiced initially by Jimmy Hibbert and later by Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian adaptation) is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear, occasionally showing mischief and envy toward Noddy's popularity.
- Clockwork Mouse (Susan Sheridan provided the original voice, replaced by Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is a lively wind-up toy mouse frequently involved in Noddy’s escapades.
- Mr. Sparks (original voice by Jimmy Hibbert, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian version) serves as Toyland’s handyman, characterized by a Scottish accent and streetwise demeanor.
- Miss Pink Cat (originally voiced by Susan Sheridan, with Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian dub) is a fastidious French/Southern female cat who has little tolerance for nonsense.
- Mr. Jumbo (Jimmy Hibbert originally, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is a gentle elephant and companion to Clockwork Mouse.
- The Skittles are a trio of bowling pin characters—Mrs. Sally Skittle and her children—who delight in being toppled.
- Martha Monkey (voiced first by Susan Sheridan, later Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian version) is a young, bossy monkey girl known for her blunt remarks and lack of caution.
- Clockwork Clown (originally voiced by Jimmy Hibbert, Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is an Italian toy clown renowned for performing spectacular tricks.
- Mr. Train Driver (Jimmy Hibbert originally, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian version) manages the Toyland Express train.
Minor
- Mr. Tubby Bear (voiced initially by Jimmy Hibbert, Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is Noddy’s neighbour next door; his first name is John.
- Mrs. Tubby Bear (originally voiced by Susan Sheridan, Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian version) is Noddy’s neighbour with the first name Fiona; both Tubby Bears act as parental figures to Noddy.
- Mr. Milko (Jimmy Hibbert originally, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) works as Toyland’s milkman and is brightened by Noddy’s bell.
- Sammy Sailor (voiced originally by Jimmy Hibbert, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian adaptation) is a Scottish harbour sailor local to Toyland.
- Bert Monkey (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert) is a young monkey known for his mischievous behavior and tendency to pilfer items; possibly identical to Bunkey.
- Mr. Noah (original voice by Jimmy Hibbert, Michael Stark in the American dub) resides on an ark alongside Mrs. Noah and various animals, inspired by the biblical narrative.
- Mrs. Noah (Susan Sheridan originally, Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian dub) lives on the ark with Mr. Noah.
- Mr. Straw (originally voiced by Jimmy Hibbert, Michael Stark in the American/Canadian version) shares a farm life with Mrs. Straw and their animals.
- Mrs. Straw (original voice Susan Sheridan) cohabits on the farm with Mr. Straw and animals.
- Lord Giraffe (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both original and American/Canadian versions) inhabits the ark together with Mr. and Mrs. Noah.
- Lady Giraffe (Susan Sheridan voices both original and American/Canadian versions) also resides on the ark alongside Mr. and Mrs. Noah.
Episodes
For the US video release, only a handful of episode titles were adapted to American English; the majority retained their original names.
Series 1 (1992)
| No. overall | No. in series | UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Original airdate
Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list |
Title=Noddy and His Bell | OriginalAirDate=5 November 1992 | EpisodeNumber=8 |
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{{ShortSummary>A thief is at large, but Noddy is wrongly accused because of his jingling bell; he teams up with Tessie Bear to identify the true culprit. |} LineColor=B11618}} Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list |}
Series 2 (1994)
| No. overall | No. in series | UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Original airdate
Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list |
Title=Noddy Borrows an Umbrella | OriginalAirDate=10 May 1994 | EpisodeNumber=19 | EpisodeNumber2=6 | ShortSummary>In rainy Toyland, Noddy borrows Big Ears' umbrella and tries hard not to lose it. |
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{{Episode list |Title=Noddy and the Silly Hens |OriginalAirDate= |EpisodeNumber=20 |EpisodeNumber2=7 |ShortSummary>Noddy is tasked with taking Farmer Straw's hens to the market, but they prove difficult to handle. |} |}
Series 3 (1994)
| No. overall | No. in series | UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Original airdate
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Christmas Special (1994)
| UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Original airdate |
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Series 4 (2000)
| No. overall | No. in series | UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Air Date
Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list |
Title=Noddy Tidies Toyland | OriginalAirDate=21 February 2000 | EpisodeNumber=46 | EpisodeNumber2=7 | ShortSummary>Miss Pink Cat offers a reward for rubbish collection. Noddy strives to win while rescuing Mr. Spark's car from a stream. |
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- Both Series 1 and Series 4 feature episodes titled "Noddy and the Goblins," distinguishable by their opening lines: Series 1 begins with "It had been a busy day in Toyland," whereas Series 4 starts with "It was a quiet morning in Toyland."
Home media
Starting in 2020, the series became available for streaming on NBCUniversal's Peacock as well as Apple TV. Apart from a full series release in 2009 that was exclusive to France, the only officially issued DVD is a 1999 version of Noddy in Toyland, which includes three episodes: "Noddy Lends A Hand," "Noddy Meets Some Silly Hens," and "Noddy and His Unhappy Car."
VHS releases in the United Kingdom
| Title | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Noddy and the Naughty Tail (BBCV 4850) |
5 October 1992 |
|
| Noddy 2: Noddy and the Kite (BBCV 4909) |
5 April 1993 |
|
| Noddy 3: Noddy and the Milkman (BBCV 5129) |
4 October 1993 |
|
| Noddy 4: Noddy and the Missing Hats (BBCV 5385) |
5 September 1994 |
|
| Noddy Live! (BBCV 5463) | 31 October 1994 | Video release of the stage production Noddy Live!. |
| The Great Noddy Video (BBCV 5529) |
6 March 1995 |
|
| Noddy – To The Rescue (BBCV 5665) |
9 October 1995 |
|
| Noddy – The Champion (BBCV 5798) |
4 March 1996 |
|
| Nodddy – The Magician (BBCV 5911) |
7 October 1996 |
|
| Nodddy – The Best of Nodddy (BBCV 6121) |
12 May 1997 |
|
| Nodddy: 2 on 1 – Nodddy And The Naughty Tail / Nodddy And The Kite (BBCV 6352) |
2 February 1998 |
|
| Noddys – Bumper Video. Magic Night and Other Stories (BBCV 6923) |
14 February 2000 |
|
| ' 'Nodey And The Bouncing Ball and Other Stories' ' (BBCV 6984) |
'4 September 2000 | '
|
| ' 'Nodey's Big Video' ' (BBCV 7222) | '9 July 2001 | '
|
VHS Distributions in the United States
Within the United States market, a number of VHS editions were issued by PolyGram Video/USA Home Entertainment, showcasing the American English dub of Noddy along with two unique songs exclusive to these releases.
| Title | Year Released | Included Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Noddy Gives a Birthday Party | 1999 |
|
| Noddy Makes a New Friend | 1999 |
|
| Noddy Loses His Bell | 2000 |
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| Noddy & The Magic Night | 2000 |
|