Comments on: Roobarb

Roobarb

feelinglistless — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 16:19:01 -0800

Roobarb For 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'?

By: carter

carter — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 17:01:06 -0800

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"...

By: MUD

MUD — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 17:04:42 -0800

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.

By: chrisgregory

chrisgregory — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 17:38:27 -0800

I'll see you, and raise you a Hammy Hamster!

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 18:21:19 -0800

check the amazing jungle soundtrack on the roobarb cartoon ...years ahead of its time....

By: asok

asok — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 18:26:39 -0800

'Made a spike' is a cLASsic! But will the flash Roobarb's outline wobble appropriately?

By: Blue Stone

Blue Stone — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 18:36:43 -0800

asok, the banner at the top of the page seems to wobble, so it looks promising. Roobarb without wobble is like Misery without hobble.

By: Hogshead

Hogshead — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 19:06:36 -0800

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.

By: uncanny hengeman

uncanny hengeman — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 20:48:10 -0800

I have a few friends aged 23-28 who have never heard of El Kabong. Kee-rist! Makes me feel old.

By: malevolent

malevolent — Wed, 02 Jul 2003 23:18:58 -0800

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.

By: salmacis

salmacis — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:39:29 -0800

Magic! I have two computers here on my desk: roobarb and custard. I never did watch Henry's Cat though.

By: niceness

niceness — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 02:45:14 -0800

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.

By: ed\26h

ed\26h — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 04:06:11 -0800

All very nice, but Ulysses 31 is all you need to know.

By: asok

asok — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 04:49:08 -0800

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.

By: lowlife

lowlife — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 06:02:09 -0800

The Guardian did a good interview with Bob Godfrey a couple of years ago; you can read it online.

By: infravires

infravires — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 06:32:34 -0800

Now we can all remember the Ulysses 31 theme tune! But be warned: it's dreadful and catchy.

By: davehat

davehat — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 08:58:58 -0800

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?

By: Summer

Summer — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 09:25:22 -0800

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.

By: feelinglistless

feelinglistless — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 16:24:12 -0800

While I'm at it, TV Cream ...