Jack Ford

Does anyone remember the classic programmes the BBC used to put on for us kids during the week day mornings in school summer break? Most of them were foreign & dubbed into English. I recall Belle & Sebastien was one of them, Robinson Crusoe another but the ultimate in school hol entertainment must have been the Flashing Blade!! Oh the memories.

What am I doing here Sgt? I should have been having lunch at the Saville!

jaycad

what decade do you mean? 1980's? i remember the summer holidays being the vehicle for rubbish australian stuff like 'just for the record' and 'secret valley'(or something like that)-but that was probably ITV! i remember dubbed stuff like 'silas' on BBC-i hated all that foreign stuff!!

'QUIS EST ISTE QUI UENIT'

retroman

Belle and Sebastien and Flashing blade were shown during the summer in the 70s .You may have hated it, I happen to think that they were very good for their time, particularly B & S. White Horses and Robinson Crusoe were also very good. I have watched all of these in recent years and they still hold up. Also it is worth remembering the reason why we had all of that "foreign stuff": the BBC Children's TV department was on its knees in terms of money available for their budget, and dubbed foreign made series which were generally very well made and produced - as well as being damn fine stories - offered a way out. Full credit to the late Peggy Miller of the children's TV department who vetted much of the material, and who was also instrumental in many of the Tales of Europe films. I remember these all with particular fondness.

"I've agreed with you from the first about the danger. But now I think you are utterly mistaken".

winsfordtown

Wasnt there a follow up called 'Belle, Sebastian and the Horses'?

retroman

Indeed there was.

"I've agreed with you from the first about the danger. But now I think you are utterly mistaken".

lupinpooter

I well remember watching Robinson Crusoe in the mid to late seventies, often followed by Abbott and Costello

willothewisp

The Flashing Blade was a favourite of mine but I lalso oved The Singing Ringing Tree, The Tinderbox and Three Wishes for Cinderella

dremble wedge

And what a great theme song too...

Jack Ford

Yeah, sorry Jaycad, I was referring to the early 70's. Forgot that everyone isn't as old as me although it appears there are a few about in here! I also remember the Banana Splits being shown on weekday mornings too and a programme called 'Why Don't You......' which came to our school once looking for geeky kids to take part in the show. And no, I did not audition ... well, I might have. Ok I did but I didn't get picked!! Damn their eyes.

What am I doing here Sgt? I should have been having lunch at the Saville!

smudge

Anybody recall those two dashing and cool French Mirage pilots, THE AERONAUTS?

I seem to recall Claude Akins in WHIRLYBIRDS used to get a summer run-out as well, to continue the aviation theme...

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Jack Ford

I remember Whirlybirds although can't say I was keen. Wasn't that programme produced by the same company that produced Star Trek? If so, why was it so inferior? It certainly lacked the finesse and fine acting skills that were clearly evident in 'Champion the Wonderhorse'. Nurse!

What am I doing here Sgt? I should have been having lunch at the Saville!

Dai Bando

Thanks for the clip of Flashing Blade (just what I need before going into work). White horses and Belle and sebastian had great theme tunes too if i remember.

I never knew there was a sequel to Belle and sebastian, love to see it, but i suppose there's not a snow ball in hells chance of that now.

scholes

Belle and Sebastian was first screened on Monday evenings in late 1967.It was on after Blue Peter.
Belle Sebastian and the Horses followed a year or two later.
Robinson Crusoe was first screened in 1965, again on Monday Evenings- what is it about Mondays?
I also have fond memories of Tin Tin, which was on for very short 5 minute episodes, but they were on every week day.
The Flashing Blade was brilliant too.

lupinpooter

Ah, the Double Deckers were great!

Lord Brett

Yes, I remember that one - I've been asking a few people about it lately, but no-one else seems to recall it. Another one with a cracking theme song.