Noddy's Toyland Adventures

Noddy's Toyland Adventures is a British children's television programme produced by Cosgrove Hall Films from September 1992 until April 1994 and December 1994 (and reran in 2000 on the Children's BBC block of the BBC). The show stars the voices of Susan Sheridan and Jimmy Hibbert. Each episode was written by Julia and Chris Allen respectively during its broadcast run. Paul K. Joyce composed and performed the show's opening theme.
In North America, episodes were broadcast as part of a full thirty-minute program titled Noddy. The program featured the original UK animations re-dubbed with North American voices (broadcast in between all new live action segments), while 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 show's opening theme.
Universal released several of the re-dubbed Noddy animations on VHS (through 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 UK in 1999, under the title Noddy in Toyland (unrelated to the 2009 series of the same name); the original British soundtrack was used - however the live action segments were unaltered for original cut.
Premise
The show follows the adventures of Noddy, a little wooden doll who lives in Toyland with his red and yellow car, often trying to make sixpence or getting himself in trouble. Along with his best friends (Big Ears, Mr. Plod and Tessie Bear), they are always ready to lend a hand, especially when he gets tricked by Gobbo and Sly, the wicked Goblins. Each episode mostly ends with Noddy laughing and nodding his head (likely ringing the bell on his hat in the end).
Characters
Main
Noddy (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian dub) is the protagonist of the series. Noddy is an imaginative young wooden boy who lives in Toyland.
Tessie Bear (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Karen Bernstein in the American/Canadian dub) is a neutral and clever young female teddy bear, who is happy trying new things and is Noddy's girlfriend.
Big Ears (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is a wise, bearded male gnome who lives in a toadstool house in Toadstool Woods. He serves as a father figure to Noddy, and is the one Noddy usually goes to for advice and support. If Noddy has problems, Big Ears is always happy to help with his astute knowledge and sense-of-humour.
Dinah Doll (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Sharon Lee Williams in the American/Canadian dub) is a kind female china doll, who sells all kinds of everything in the market. Dinah plays an older sibling figure role to both Noddy and Tessie, and the three are always ready to help each other out when a problem arises.
Mr. Plod (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is the Toytown policeman. Mr. Plod is quite committed to upholding the law, and thinks Toytown can't live without him. Mr. Plod has a British accent in both the United Kingdom and United States dubbed versions, but in the United Kingdom version, Mr. Plod speaks with a West Country accent. He uses the following catchphrase: "Stop, in the name of the law".
Bumpy Dog (vocal effects performed by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs) is Noddy's constant companion and Tessie's pet dog. Bumpy is highly excitable and will rush at friends, but is loyal, and has sensitive feelings if scolded by Noddy or anyone else.
Sly (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian dub) and Gobbo (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and James Rankin in the American/Canadian dub) are the main antagonists of the series. They are goblins who are very mischievous and greedy, and always play horrible tricks on Noddy. Ironically, Gobbo is the more conniving and intelligent one.
Noddy's Car (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs) is the yellow car with red decals which Noddy drives; it parps its horn and sways on its chassis to indicate emotion.
Recurring
Mr. Wobbly Man (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American dub) is a male roly-poly toy who is very diligent about things.
Master Tubby Bear (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Catherine Disher in the American/Canadian dub) is Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear's son who is sometimes naughty and mischievous. As a mummy's boy sort of character, Master Tubby gets easily jealous whenever Noddy receives more attention from his parents than him.
Clockwork Mouse (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is a toy mouse who often requires winding up. Clockwork is perky and often gets into scrapes as a result from Noddy's misadventures, but the two are generally good friends.
Mr. Sparks (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is Toyland's handyman with a Scottish accent, who has a street-smart personality and can mend anything.
Miss Pink Cat (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian dub) is a French/Southern 'young adult' female cat who is fussy and neat and has no patience for foolishness, even her own.
Mr. Jumbo (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is a mild-mannered male elephant who is friends with Clockwork Mouse.
The Skittles are a family of three bowling pins consisting of Mrs. Sally Skittle and her many children of various sizes. They like being knocked down.
Martha Monkey (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Lynne Griffin in the American/Canadian dub) is a mischievous tomboy monkey who is very silly and bossy and is always making rude remarks. She has a similar older sibling figure position to Noddy with Dinah Doll, but is considerably more careless.
Clockwork Clown (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is an Italian toy clown who does amazing tricks.
Mr. Train Driver (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is a train driver who drives the Toyland Express train.
Minor
Mr. Tubby Bear (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Benedict Campbell in the American/Canadian dub) is Noddy's next-door neighbour. His first name is John.
Mrs. Tubby Bear (voiced by Susan Sheridan and Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian dub) is Noddy's next-door neighbour. Her first name is Fiona. It is clear that she, like Mr. Tubby Bear, are the superiors of Noddy, as John always refers to them as "Mr. and Mrs. Tubby Bear" and they regard Noddy like another son, helping Noddy grow in confidence.
Mr. Milko (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is Toyland's local milkman. Milko sometimes can be gloomy and sad, but Noddy's bell on his hat always cheers him up.
Sammy Sailor (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) is the local Scottish harbour sailor.
Bert Monkey (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert) is a youngish monkey with a tail that is very naughty and has a mind of its own, often stealing objects all by itself. While it's heavily implied that this character is the same character as Bunkey, this is never confirmed within the series.
Mr. Noah (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American dub) lives on the ark with Mrs. Noah and the animals, obviously based on the bible story.
Mrs. Noah (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub, and Fiona Reid in the American/Canadian dub) lives on the ark with Mr. Noah and the animals.
Mr. Straw (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in the United Kingdom dub, and Michael Stark in the American/Canadian dub) lives on the farm with Mrs. Straw and the farm animals.
Mrs. Straw (voiced by Susan Sheridan in the United Kingdom dub) lives on the farm with Mr. Straw and the farm animals.
Lord Giraffe (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs) lives on the ark with Mr. and Mrs. Noah and the other animals.
Lady Giraffe (voiced by Susan Sheridan in both the United Kingdom and American/Canadian dubs) lives on the ark with Mr. and Mrs. Noah and the other animals.
Episodes
Please note; only a few episodes had their titles Americanised. This was for a US video release. The rest were left unchanged.
Series 1 (1992)
Series 2 (1994)
Series 3 (3 and 4 in US) (1994)
It should be noted in US releases of Series 3 was split into the 3rd and 4th seasons, and Series 4 was released as the 5th season in the US.
Christmas Special (1994)
Series 4 (5 in US) (2000)
Series 1 and 4 episodes share the title "Noddy and the Goblins": the former opens with "It had been a busy day in Toyland", while the latter opens with "It was a quiet morning in Toyland".
VHS releases in the United Kingdom
VHS releases in the United States
In the US, a few VHS Tapes were released by PolyGram Video/USA Home Entertainment using the US Dub from Noddy, and two exclusive songs.
DVD release in the United Kingdom
, only one official DVD was released: a 1999 release of Noddy in Toyland with three episodes ("Noddy Lends A Hand", "Noddy Meets Some Silly Hens" and "Noddy and His Unhappy Car").
Home media
In 2020, the series began streaming on NBCUniversal's Peacock and Apple TV.
References
External links
The Unofficial Noddy site
BBC children's television shows
Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
British children's animated adventure television series
British children's animated comedy television series
British stop-motion animated television series
British television shows based on children's books
1992 British television series debuts
2000 British television series endings
1990s British animated television series
2000s British animated television series
1990s preschool education television series
2000s preschool education television series
Animated preschool education television series
British preschool education television series
Animated television series about children
English-language television shows
Adaptations of works by Enid Blyton
Television series by Universal Television
DreamWorks Classics
Television series by Cosgrove Hall Films
Sentient toys in fiction
CBeebies