Johan en de Alverman

Johan en de Alverman (Johan and the Alverman) was a Flemish children's TV series, broadcast on the BRT (now the VRT) between 1965 and 1966.

Together with Captain Zeppos, it is considered to be one of the classics of Flemish children's television. It was very popular and has been repeated many times. It was also a huge success in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

Concept
The story is set in 1650. A local surgeon, Johan Claeszoons, meets a strange dwarf in the forest who is unable to speak his language. He shares some food with him and the dwarf becomes his friend. He turns out to be an alverman, who was banned from the kingdom of Avalon because he was too curious. He is only allowed to return to his people when he can bring something of use to the entire people of Avalon. His magic flute and his magic ring, Fafiforniek, aid him.

Later in the story, Johan meets Rosita, the beautiful daughter of Don Cristobal de Bobadilla, with whom he falls in love, but he has to face the menace of her suitor, the evil Guy de Sénancourt as well as Cristobal, who sends his Native American servant Otorongo after him.

Cast

 * Johan Claeszoon: Frank Aendenboom
 * De Alverman: Jef Cassiers
 * Don Cristobal de Bobadilla: Cyriel Van Gent
 * Rosita de Bobadilla: Rosemarie Bergmans
 * Otorongo: Dolf De Winter
 * Guy de Sénancourt: Alex Cassiers
 * Oom Willem: Ward De Ravet
 * Tante Liezelotje: Fanny Winkler
 * Ome Ben: Vic Moeremans
 * Cipolla: Walter Moeremans
 * Pietro: Jos Mahu
 * Simone: Chris Lomme
 * De Baljuw: Marcel Hendrickx
 * Farmer Janus: Jan Reussens
 * Marquis: Roger Bolders
 * Knight servant: Raymond Bossaerts
 * Alberic van Avalon: Robert Maes
 * Elf: Marilou Mermans
 * Royal servant: Jacky Morel
 * 'Guard: Jaak Van Hombeek

Background
Originally, Luc Phillips was to play the Alverman, but he had other commitments, so Jef Cassiers replaced him.

The actors Aendenboom and Bergmans became a couple in real life during the recordings.

The show was recorded in several historical or nature resorts in Belgium, including in Gaasbeek, the Caves of Han-sur-Lesse, Brussels, Orp-Jauche and Bokrijk.

The story was also adapted into a series of novels.

The theme music, "The Duchess of Brighton" was taken from the film The V.I.P.s (1962) and composed by Miklós Rózsa.

The success of Johan en de Alverman inspired the Dutch children's TV series Floris, which is also a costume drama.