HBO Storybook Musicals
Appearance
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HBO Storybook Musicals | |
---|---|
Genre | Animation special |
Starring | Various |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 18 |
Production | |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production companies | HBO Michael Sporn Animation Klasky Csupo (episode 6) Cinar ("The Real Story of...") Random House (episode 18) |
Original release | |
Network | HBO |
Release | November 18, 1987 – December 8, 1993 |
HBO Storybook Musicals is a series of television specials first airing on HBO, and now airing on HBO Family, combining animation that is true to the original storybook's illustrations, plus high-spirited songs from musical songwriters.
Episodes
The first four episodes originally aired as individual, stand-alone TV specials; the HBO Storybook Musicals branding was introduced with the fifth episode. 18 episodes of HBO Storybook Musicals aired from 1987 to 1993.
No. | Title | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical" | November 18, 1987 | |
The Primm family grows fond of a crocodile left in their new home by its previous owners. Based on The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber. | |||
2 | "The Story of the Dancing Frog" | October 3, 1989 | |
George the Dancing Frog brings joy to Gertrude, a lonely widow. Narrated by Amanda Plummer. | |||
3 | "The Red Shoes" | February 7, 1990 | |
The Hans Christian Andersen tale is given a modern setting in the story of Lisa, a little black girl who learns the value of friendship with help from a pair of magic slippers. Narrated by Ossie Davis. | |||
4 | "Earthday Birthday" | April 22, 1990 | |
The Zwibble-Dibbles are star-touched dinosaurs who live in an idyllic woodland. Dismayed by the pollution of the planet, they plan a birthday party for the Earth so that children can learn about, and appreciate, its fragile beauty. Featuring the voices of Christopher Reeve, Fred Gwynne, and Lainie Kazan. | |||
5 | "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" | September 10, 1990 | |
When newfangled equipment threatens to put Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne out of business, they take on the challenge of digging a cellar in one day, and find a community that appreciates their skills. Starring the voice of Robert Klein. | |||
6 | "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" | October 2, 1990 | |
The story of a boy's bad experiences during the course of a day. | |||
7 | "The Marzipan Pig" | November 5, 1990 | |
A marzipan pig falls behind a sofa and is lost. In his loneliness, the pig's feelings of love reach out, in a strange chain of events, to an owl, a mouse, and a hibiscus flower. Narrated by Tim Curry. | |||
8 | "The Little Match Girl" | December 6, 1990 | |
The Hans Christian Andersen classic is given present-day relevance and an upbeat ending in this story of Angela, a homeless child who sells match sticks to survive. Narrated by F. Murray Abraham. | |||
9 | "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" | June 11, 1991 | |
Carol Burnett narrates Beatrix Potter's story of a mischievous rabbit named Peter, who can't resist Mr. McGregor's garden and almost ends up in a pie. | |||
10 | "Ira Sleeps Over" | November 6, 1991 | |
Ira has been invited to stay overnight at his best friend Reggie's house. But what will Reggie think if Ira sleeps with his teddy bear Tah Tah? Ira makes a difficult decision, only to discover that Reggie has his own little secret. | |||
11 | "A Child's Garden of Verses" | April 3, 1992 | |
Childhood illness has confined young Robbie to bed, but it cannot confine his remarkable imagination, which he uses to experience life. |
These specials are not officially considered a part of the HBO Storybook Musicals series, but they were branded as such when they aired on HBO; the specials haven't been shown on HBO since 1997.
No. | Title | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Ice Queen's Mittens" | October 2, 1991 | |
Freezelda the Ice Queen needs warm mittens, so three kittens had better look out. Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
2 | "Spider Junior High" | October 16, 1991 | |
Spider Junior High students try to scare their human counterparts. Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
3 | "The Prince's Rain" | November 13, 1991 | |
A selfish prince is taught a lesson about caring and love when he tries to fool Mother Nature. Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
4 | "The Runaway Teapot" | December 4, 1991 | |
"Alice in Wonderland" in a modern-day setting in New York City. Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
5 | "The Rise and Fall of Humpty Dumpty" | December 18, 1991 | |
Humpty Dumpty tries to save a princess from an evil witch. Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
6 | "Happy Birthday to You" | January 4, 1992 | |
Olivia wants a special song for her birthday, but who will write it—her tone-deaf caretaker, or a musically talented new friend? Part of "The Real Story of..." series. | |||
7 | "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale" | December 8, 1993[2] | |
Emily the mouse has an adventure when she decides to visit her cousin Alexander in New York City for Christmas.[1] |
References
- Erikson, H. "HBO Storybook Musicals" in Television Cartoon Shows. 2nd Ed. McFarland. 2005. vol 1. pp 397-8. Google Books.