Roobarb

July 2, 2003 4:19 PM

RoobarbFor people of a certain age in Britain, the name Roobarb conjures up visions of a large green dog in wobbly animation, with Richard Briers describing his every turn. Now we have the news that new episodes are to be made using Flash animation for the web. While that's being prepared, the entire series is being released for viewing online over the coming months, starting with 'When Roobarb Made A Spike'. Cue pub discussion about old kids programmes ... Anyone remember 'Henry's Cat' or 'Chips Comic'?
posted by feelinglistless (18 comments total)

Nur-nur-nur-nur, nur-nur-nur-nur, nur-nurnur nuh-nuh nur,
Nur-nur-nur-nur, nur-nur-nur-nur, nuh-nuh nuh-nuh nur.

Cool! I though Roobard was hilarious when I was a kid. There was classic episode all about "When the birds gave up smoking"...
posted by carter at 5:01 PM on July 2, 2003

Yes, Roobarb conjures up visions but they are nothing without the accompaniment.

And, strangely, aside from the fact that he knew everything about nothing, and not a lot about that, Henry's Cat mainly makes me think of Ricicles. I'm sure he featured on the cereal packets prominently.
posted by MUD at 5:04 PM on July 2, 2003

I'll see you, and raise you a Hammy Hamster!
posted by chrisgregory at 5:38 PM on July 2, 2003

check the amazing jungle soundtrack on the roobarb cartoon ...years ahead of its time....
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:21 PM on July 2, 2003

'Made a spike' is a cLASsic!
But will the flash Roobarb's outline wobble appropriately?
posted by asok at 6:26 PM on July 2, 2003

asok, the banner at the top of the page seems to wobble, so it looks promising.

Roobarb without wobble is like Misery without hobble.
posted by Blue Stone at 6:36 PM on July 2, 2003

New Roobarb animations?

I almost came. Then I realised there was no mention of the godlike Bob Godfrey, the animator who brought Roobarb's original insanity to life, and who also got four Oscar nominations and one win for his other work. I can't imagine Roobarb working without his involvement, or at least a tip of the hat to his very British genius.
posted by Hogshead at 7:06 PM on July 2, 2003

I have a few friends aged 23-28 who have never heard of El Kabong.

Kee-rist! Makes me feel old.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 8:48 PM on July 2, 2003

I reckon Roobarb, with his endless madcap schemes putting things together in the shed whilst being mocked by the birds/cats, was my earliest role model. I've been unable to resist designing stupid things ever since.
posted by malevolent at 11:18 PM on July 2, 2003

Magic! I have two computers here on my desk: roobarb and custard. I never did watch Henry's Cat though.
posted by salmacis at 12:39 AM on July 3, 2003

Apparently Bob Godfrey would draw two versions of everything and overlay them, hence the 'wobble'.

While Roobarb & Custard were fantastic, it was the birds who were the stars of the show.
posted by niceness at 2:45 AM on July 3, 2003

All very nice, but Ulysses 31 is all you need to know.
posted by ed\26h at 4:06 AM on July 3, 2003

Ulysses my well have been flying through all the galaxies, in search of earth, but he wasn't quite as witty as Roobarb and Custard, despite the efforts of the small robot No-No to lighten the atmosphere.
IMHO
Yes I can remember the theme tune, and will attempt to sing it given the slightest provocation, you have been warned.
posted by asok at 4:49 AM on July 3, 2003

The Guardian did a good interview with Bob Godfrey a couple of years ago; you can read it online.
posted by lowlife at 6:02 AM on July 3, 2003

Now we can all remember the Ulysses 31 theme tune! But be warned: it's dreadful and catchy.
posted by infravires at 6:32 AM on July 3, 2003

I think there is only one other theme tune more catchy than Ulysses 31, the one from the Mysterious Cities of Gold.

Oh yeah, and the Dogtanian and the Muskehounds theme still pops in to my head every now and then......

I think all of these cartoons came to British TV via the same people, but I'm not sure......

....Can anyone enlighten me?
posted by davehat at 8:58 AM on July 3, 2003

I think there is only one other theme tune more catchy than Ulysses 31, the one from the Mysterious Cities of Gold.

I love that. It's my favourite theme tune of all time. I believe MCOG was a French/Japanese co-production. More about it, inc the theme tune, here.
posted by Summer at 9:25 AM on July 3, 2003

While I'm at it, TV Cream ...
posted by feelinglistless at 4:24 PM on July 3, 2003