The Adventures of Rupert Bear

The Adventures of Rupert Bear (My Little Rupert in the US) was a live-action puppet television series, based on the Mary Tourtel character Rupert Bear, produced by ATV. It aired from 28 October 1969 to 24 August 1977 on the ITV network, with 156 11-minute episodes produced over four series. but would later enjoy regular repeat screenings until 1981

Production
The characters were all puppets, although the opening sequence featured a toy version of Rupert Bear sitting in a live-action child's bedroom. Rupert's friends and flying chariot appeared just as they had in the pages of the Daily Express, although he was joined by some new friends, including a sprite called Willy Wisp. One of the most-remembered elements of the series was the theme song, which was written by Len Beadle and Ron Roker, sung by Jackie Lee, and reached No. 14 in the United Kingdom charts in 1971. The song includes the erroneous lyric "Rupert the Bear" (Rupert has never had the definite article in his name). The narrator of the stories was Judy Bennett.

How it all began
It all started in 1967 when Mary Turner was out of work and John Read left the company so She tried asking a few people to get more work but did not make it, suddenly she had an idea, ‘’what if I could make another children’s Tv show about Rupert Bear and his adventures,” so John Read came back to the company which was named ATV in 1969, they made the series that they worked on before, they got the franchise for doing Rupert Bear. They did 26 episodes of season one in 16 weeks, they shot the first series, they did the episodes 11 minutes long so they didn’t shot one episode and then go on to another episode so it’s hard to say how long an actual episode took. But then ATV said ‘’we can show these to future generations, we don’t need to make anymore,’’ luckily they stored all the stuff at that time and then released the 26 episodes on October 1969, suddenly someone named Alice Boswell said they could make season 2 of Rupert Bear next year with another 26 episodes, then they released season 3 in 1972 with 52 episodes and finished off with season 4 that ran from 1973 to 1977 with another 52 episodes. After that the 156 episodes of Rupert bear was finished, and the company had no work at all.

Archival status
Of the 156 episodes made, for many years only 75 were known to exist in their original colour film format, with a further 16 duplicated on black-and-white 16mm film. The remaining episodes were thought to be lost. On 21 April 2017, it was announced by the Network imprint that original film elements for all 156 episodes had been located, and were to be released on DVD in three volumes, with the first release comprising the earliest 52 episodes.

Characters
‘Raggety’s the name they gave me, I live here in this hollow tree, And when I’m helping everyone, I’m as happy as can be, but sometimes I’m not very friendly,’
 * Rupert Bear - a little bear who lives near Nutwood village and likes adventures and helping people. He owns a flying go-kart - which he calls his magic chariot- and has a catchphrase “Wizardy whizz!”
 * Mr. Bear - Rupert’s father, who loves gardening and carpentry.
 * Mrs. Bear - Rupert’s mother, who loves to cook and often throws parties for Rupert and his friends.
 * Great Aunt Emily - Rupert’s great aunt and a kind-hearted one like him.
 * Willy Wisp - an occasionally mischievous but usually friendly and helpful sprite who gave Rupert’s go-kart the ability to fly. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Flying Chariot’.
 * Bill Badger - a little badger and Rupert’s best friend, who has accompanied him on more adventures than anyone else.
 * Bobby Badger - Bill’s baby brother. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Baby Badger’.
 * Podgy Pig - a little pig who is always hungry and often greedy, but means well.
 * Edward Trunk - a little elephant who is very strong and has a catchphrase “Trumpety trumps!”.
 * Algy Pug - a young dog and a friend of Rupert.
 * Pong-Ping - a Pekinese with Chinese origins.
 * Ottiline Otter - a little otter who finds Rupert very handsome. She lives in a Scottish castle that once belonged to her Ancestors.
 * Freddy and Ferdy Fox - two mischievous foxes that play tricks on Rupert.
 * Greagory Guinea Pig - a funny Guinea pig and a friend of Rupert.
 * George - a little dragon and Pong-Ping’s pet.
 * P.C. Growler - the local constable who ensures on law and order and always has time for a cup of tea.
 * Margot - one of Rupert’s closest friends, rather timid and likes animals. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Sky Boat’.
 * Tiger Lily - a young girl with Chinese origins.
 * The Chinese Conjuror - Tiger Lily’s father who possesses magic powers.
 * Sailor Sam - a sailor who lives in a shack and is often away on sea trips.
 * Gypsy Granny - a wise old gypsy who often gives Rupert advice in riddles. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Raggety’.
 * Sir Humphrey Pumphery - a fat, snooty villain who finds riches for his own good.
 * Rosalie Pig - Podgy’s spoilt cousin. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Truant’.
 * Ting Ling - Tiger Lily’s cousin. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Crackerjack’.
 * The Imps of Spring - 10 tiny imps that inform Rupert if something is wrong in spring.
 * Raggety - a grumpy but good-hearted twig troll who feeds on wood. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Raggety’.He also has a little rhyme he made up himself,
 * Santa Claus - a kind old man who delivers presents to the children of the world at Christmas.
 * The Wise Old Goat - a very holy goat who helps Rupert on his adventures
 * Jack Frost - Prince of the North Pole and in charge of ice and snow. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Snow Machine’.
 * The Snow Queen - Queen of the North Pole. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Winter Woolies’.
 * Simple Simon - Formerly from Nursery Rhyme Land and not very clever. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Unlucky Simon’.
 * The Sage Of Um - a forgetful sage that has an umbrella that he can ride in.
 * Mr. Grimnasty - the bad tempered Old Man of the Wood and Raggety’s housemate. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Raggety’.
 * The Inventor - mad but well meaning scientist. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Blue Fireworks’.
 * The Professor - sensible and clever scientist.
 * The Wise Old Wizard - expert on spells and potions. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Baby Badger’.
 * Farmer Termutt - local farmer. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Old Hat’.
 * Omedod - Farmer Termutt’s walking talking scarecrow.
 * The Crow - a mischievous but sometimes helpful crow.
 * Goosegog - a mischievous imp and friend of Raggety’s, who loves practical jokes and has a head like a huge gooseberry. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Gooseberry Fool’.
 * The Wizard of the Wind - head of the world’s weather. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Flying Chariot’.
 * Drizzle - grumpy assistant to the Wizard of the Wind who likes to do odd jobs. He owns a magic sou’wester which can grow to three times its size and fly. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Flying Chariot’.
 * Mother Dragon - George’s mother. Lives with the Emperor of Games. First appeared in “Rupert and the Hiccuping Dragon’.
 * Great-Grandfather Dragon - George’s great-grandfather. Lives with the Emperor of Games. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Dragon Sweets’.
 * Mary-Mary Quite Contrary - character from nursery rhyme of the same name. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Unlucky Simon’.
 * Jack and Jill - characters from nursery rhyme of the same name. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Unlucky Simon’.
 * The Witch - a friendly witch whose spells often go awry. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Witch’s Chariot’.
 * Mr. & Mrs. Weather - weather people who live in a huge weather house in the sky and control the weather. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Newspapers’.
 * Bianco and Bianca - two children who live in Cloud Land and look after the clouds. First appeared in ‘Rupert in Cloud Land’.
 * The Rabbit - a white rabbit who lives under Nutwood Common. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Moledigger’.
 * The Spring Chicken - personal alarm clock for King Alfred. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Spring Chicken’.
 * King Alfred - a king of all birds. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Spring Chicken’.
 * Amelia - a friendly giant and a friend of Margot and Rupert. She lives in Margot’s giant playhouse in the Common. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Margot.’
 * Mrs Hood - A hat seller at the hat shop.
 * King of Spain - A very important and very rich ruler of Spain. First appeared in ‘Rupert and Raggety’s Birthday.’
 * Andraco - King of Spain’s daughter and very caring to Rupert.
 * Mr Og - A little man with a hard-understanding language.
 * Toy Shopkeeper - a very anxious man who runs the toy shop in a very unusual way.
 * Belmonte - a puppeteer of Punch and Judy.
 * Alice - a curious girl who is friends with the rabbit.
 * Ashima - a princess who lives in a palace. First appeared in ‘Rupert and the Princess.’
 * Mr Chimp - a school teacher and sometimes a explorer.
 * The Old Man - a man who hibernates during winter.
 * Joan - a hyper girl who is very active and has a strong personality but also very sensitive.
 * Gleep the puppet in a box - A muppet from Sesame Street that lives in a hat.
 * Salt Queen - A very nice but salty queen that rules Saltington.
 * Hamilton - a yellow dog rose that lives in Daisyham.
 * Paul the Post dog - A post dog that delivers the letters.
 * Snuff Box - a box that family’s fourtune has never seen.
 * Rusty - a boy who loves history and is a expert at it.
 * Donna Duck - a little duck that Rupert and his friends stop by when they see her.
 * Bingo The Brainy Pup - a little dog who is very smart.
 * Stella - a princess that lives in Zeus’ kingdom and loves berries.
 * Miranda - a mermaid that lives in a sea.
 * Merlin - a wizard that lives in the medieval era.

Season 1 (1969)

 * 1) Rupert and the Flying Chariot. Rupert does both things and wins an unexpected reward.
 * 2) Rupert and Raggety. Rupert shelters a spiky and bad mannered orphan of the storm.
 * 3) Rupert and the Unknown. Rupert finds an unusual travelling machine and takes off.
 * 4) Rupert and the Blue Fireworks. Rupert, when interviewed by the inventor gets blown away.
 * 5) Rupert and the Fishing Rod. Rupert’s good turn for today lands him in an unexpected adventure.
 * 6) Rupert and the Snow Machine. Rupert rescues Jack Frost who almost melts away.
 * 7) Rupert at Rocky Bay. Rupert rescues a naturalist and keeps a secret
 * 8) Rupert and the Christmas Toffee. Rupert tries his hand at cooking and cures some important colds.
 * 9) Rupert and the Spring Chicken. Rupert goes in search for a strange creature to put the spring right.
 * 10) Rupert and Sky Boat. Rupert gets caught by a mad, sad inventor who’s making UFOs.
 * 11) Rupert and the Paper Fall. Rupert gets caught in a shower of paper and stops Christmas presents astray.
 * 12) Rupert and the Compass. When Rupert and Edward go out, they find an unusual man.
 * 13) Rupert and the Butterflies. Rupert finds more about Raggety and Butterflies that come in the most peculiar manor.
 * 14) Rupert and the Magic Ball. Rupert is very puzzled by an odd behaviour of a familiar object.
 * 15) Rupert and the Basket Rocket. Rupert gets into and out of trouble with a rocket
 * 16) Rupert and the Green Buzzer. Rupert gets blamed for stinging a tree but soon catches the real culprit.
 * 17) Rupert and the Blue Moon. Rupert goes in search for a birthday present and travels to an unusual place.
 * 18) Rupert in Mysteryland. Rupert’s birthday party ends him up in a very strange place.
 * 19) Rupert and Margot. Rupert makes friends with a lonely giant.
 * 20) Rupert and the Snowman. Playing in the snow gets Bill into trouble, but Rupert gets help from a clever bird.
 * 21) Rupert and the Train Journey. Rupert and Podgy go on a train journey, starting off as passengers and ending up as goods.
 * 22) Rupert and the Distant Music. Rupert goes in search for his missing friends and hears a faint tune.
 * 23) Rupert and the Cold Cure. Rupert helps gets the professor’s cold cure from Raggety and helps Raggety to recover.
 * 24) Rupert and the Ice Flowers. Rupert breaks some eggs and helps and helps an old man who’s been trying to hibernate,
 * 25) Rupert and the Old Hat. Mrs Bear plans to give her old hat to a jumble sale but Rupert has over ideas.
 * 26) Rupert and the Inventor. Rupert helps the inventor with some very naughty machines.

Season 2 (1970)

 * 1) Rupert and the Truant. Podgy’s spoilt brat cousin, Rosalie visits for the day.
 * 2) Rupert and the Autumn Primrose. Rupert and Algy go for a spin when they spot an old woman.
 * 3) Rupert and the Baby Badger. Rupert helps Bill look after the baby badger who crawls into danger.
 * 4) Rupert and the Rope Ladder. Rupert and Ottiline see a odd looking ladder.
 * 5) Rupert and the Gooseberry Fool. Raggety’s friend causes some havoc around Nutwood.
 * 6) Rupert and the Yellow Dog-Roses. Rupert and Willie go into a land of yellow dog roses.
 * 7) Rupert and the Flying Saucer. Rupert’s day gets ruined by a magic frisbee.
 * 8) Rupert and the Top Hat. The professor’s daughter is getting married but things don’t go to plan.
 * 9) Rupert and the Forest Fire. Raggety accidental starts a dangerous alarm to Nutwood forest.
 * 10) Rupert and the Crackerjack. Tigerlily’s party guest are imprisoned by a cracker.
 * 11) Rupert and the Birthday Kettle. Bill’s birthday party goes wrong when a talking kettle appears.
 * 12) Rupert and the Snuff Box. Rupert finds that not all paintings are the same.
 * 13) Rupert and the Dragon Sweets. Pong ping’s pet dragon throws some party games the wrong way round.
 * 14) Rupert and the Elephants. Rupert plans a new idea and sees a elephant parade.
 * 15) Rupert and the Winter Woolies. Rupert’s Christmas has to wait when he goes to the North Pole.
 * 16) Rupert and the Sketch-Book. Rupert notices a theif with the loot.
 * 17) Rupert and the Woffle Fly. Rupert and Freddy and Ferdy go nuts when they see a woffle fly.
 * 18) Rupert and the Lost Chariot. Rupert and his chums hear about the lost chariot.
 * 19) Rupert and the Golden Acorn. Rupert sees some acorns.
 * 20) Rupert and the Balloon. Rupert has a great idea of getting balloons for Podgy’s birthday.
 * 21) Rupert and the Spring Adventure. Rupert and everybody are going out for some very serious things.
 * 22) Rupert and the Missing Pieces. Rupert breaks a puzzle.
 * 23) Rupert and the Outlaw. Rupert and the professor make a story book.
 * 24) Rupert and Unlucky Simon. Rupert makes some unusual friends and helps Nutwood’s new residents
 * 25) Rupert and Rusty. Rupert learns some history.
 * 26) Rupert and the Old Chimney. Rupert goes to Tigerlily’s party and helps a smansul in distress.

Season 3 (1972)

 * 1) Rupert and the Salt Queen. Rupert gets captured by the Salt guards.
 * 2) Rupert and the Falling Star. It is Star night and Rupert has a lot to do.
 * 3) Rupert and the Piggy Bank. Rupert captures a cat theif.
 * 4) Rupert Gets a Message. Rupert helps everyone but soon forgets that he is ill.
 * 5) Rupert and the Willow Patterned Plate. Rupert goes to the church.
 * 6) Rupert and the Moledigger. Rupert helps the white rabbit.
 * 7) Rupert and the Witch’s Chariot. Rupert and Podgy meet the witch.
 * 8) Rupert and the Dragon Feast. Rupert an P.C Growler try to clear the traffic.
 * 9) Rupert and the Scaredly Scarecrow. Rupert meets Omedod.
 * 10) Rupert, Raggety and the Bricks. Rupert gets some bricks.
 * 11) Rupert to the Rescue. Rupert helps everyone.
 * 12) Rupert and the New Star. Rupert goes to space.
 * 13) Rupert and the One-Eyed Monster. Rupert’s friend Margot has been captured by Captain Morgan.
 * 14) Rupert and the Christmas Stocking. Rupert plays the part of Santa Claus.
 * 15) Rupert’s Christmas Party. Rupert invites one more guest to the Christmas party.
 * 16) Rupert at the Pantomime. Rupert rescues Aladdin just in time for the play.
 * 17) Rupert and the Floating Water. Rupert goes on a undersea adventure.
 * 18) Rupert in Rhyme Land. Rupert delivers Miss Muffet’s spider.
 * 19) Rupert and the Magic Icicle. Rupert finds some icicles.
 * 20) Rupert and Great Aunt Emily. Rupert visits Great Aunt Emily.
 * 21) Rupert and the Snow Guard. Rupert is imprisoned.
 * 22) Rupert and the Chinese Kite. Rupert goes to China for a very important mission.
 * 23) Rupert and the Wonderful Lamp. Rupert goes to India.
 * 24) Rupert and the Forgetful Flowers. Rupert helps some flowers.
 * 25) Rupert and the Thief. Rupert visits a bank.
 * 26) Rupert in Cloud Land. Rupert meets Bianca and Bianco.
 * 27) Rupert and the Goosegog Trap. Rupert has had enough of Goosegog.
 * 28) Rupert and the Treasure Hunt. Rupert sets sail on a pirate adventure.
 * 29) Rupert and the Jack-in-the-Box. Rupert finds Jack In A Box without a box.
 * 30) Rupert in Space. Rupert and Pong Ping go to space.
 * 31) Rupert and the Changing Weather. Rupert is curious about why winter and summer are on each side.
 * 32) Rupert and the Troublesome Tent. Rupert goes camping.
 * 33) Rupert and the Leaking Roof. Rupert’s house needs a plumber.
 * 34) Rupert and the Jigsaw Puzzle. Rupert goes to Jigsaw Land.
 * 35) Rupert and the Tightrope Walker. Rupert goes to the circus.
 * 36) Rupert and the Roses. Rupert’s uncle dies.
 * 37) Rupert and the Poppies. Rupert’s been on a lot of good things lately but he sees poppies.
 * 38) Rupert and the Time Zone. Rupert goes back in time.
 * 39) Rupert and the Flying Sou’Wester. Rupert finds Drizzle’s Sou’wester.
 * 40) Rupert and the Newspapers. Rupert goes back to cloud land.
 * 41) Rupert on the Farm. Rupert helps Farmer Termutt.
 * 42) Rupert and the Electronic Key. the bears house has run out of electricity.
 * 43) Rupert and the Holiday Adventure.Rupert goes to Daisyham Seaside
 * 44) Rupert and the Castaway. Rupert finds a castaway.
 * 45) Rupert and the Princess. Rupert meets Ashima.
 * 46) Rupert and Rosalie. Rupert finds Rosalie is very furious with him.
 * 47) Rupert and the Air Smugglers. Rupert is very happy when it’s winter.
 * 48) Rupert and the Rainbow. Rupert touches a rainbow.
 * 49) Rupert and the Pothole. Rupert, Rex and Reggie find a mysterious pothole.
 * 50) Rupert and the Seashell. Rupert goes on holiday.
 * 51) Rupert and the Experiment. Rupert goes to Science Land.
 * 52) Rupert and the Pie Contest. Rupert wins a pie contest.

Season 4 (1973)

 * 1) Rupert and the Cyclone.
 * 2) Rupert and the Daffodil Telephone.
 * 3) Rupert and the Singing Birdseed.
 * 4) Rupert Turns Detective.
 * 5) Rupert and the Computer.
 * 6) Rupert Rescues Rosalie.
 * 7) Rupert and the Hiccuping Dragon.
 * 8) Rupert and the Upside-Down Tree.
 * 9) Rupert and the Giant Pancake.
 * 10) Rupert and the Sleepless Hedgehog.
 * 11) Rupert and the Man in the Moon.
 * 12) Rupert and the Red Mac.
 * 13) Rupert and the Lonely Pillar Box.
 * 14) Rupert and Nutwood Station.
 * 15) Rupert and the Fancy Dress Party.
 * 16) Rupert and the Sand Castle.
 * 17) Rupert and the Eskimo.
 * 18) Rupert and the Wool Gathering.
 * 19) Rupert and the Golden Egg.
 * 20) Rupert and the House That Never Was.
 * 21) Rupert and the Snow Cloud.
 * 22) Rupert and the Light Situation.
 * 23) Rupert and the New Neighbours.
 * 24) Rupert and the Buried Silver.
 * 25) Rupert and the Shoemaker’s Son.
 * 26) Rupert and the Unusual Portrait.
 * 27) Rupert and Raggety’s Birthday.
 * 28) Rupert and the Rope Trick.
 * 29) Rupert and Red Riding Hood.
 * 30) Rupert and the Crock of Gold.
 * 31) Rupert and the Knight.
 * 32) Rupert and the Easter Parade.
 * 33) Rupert and the New-Fangled Heater.
 * 34) Rupert and the White Christmas.
 * 35) Rupert and Little Jumping Joan.
 * 36) Rupert Goes Shopping Twice.
 * 37) Rupert and Mr. Grimnasty’s New Home.
 * 38) Rupert and Tiger Lily.
 * 39) Rupert and the White Rabbit.
 * 40) Rupert and the Happy Families.
 * 41) Rupert and the Old Coat.
 * 42) Rupert and the Bedoozle Man.
 * 43) Rupert and the Helpful Time.
 * 44) Rupert and the Profusion Plant-Grower.
 * 45) Rupert and the Striped Digger.
 * 46) Rupert and the Nutwood Fair.
 * 47) Rupert and the Naughty Tinker.
 * 48) Rupert and the Old Mill.
 * 49) Rupert and the Good Deed.
 * 50) Rupert and the Late Winter.
 * 51) Rupert and the Professor’s Problem.
 * 52) Rupert and Punch and Judy.

DVD release
In April 2017, Network announced it would be releasing the first 52 episodes from the first two series on DVD (Region 2, PAL format). http://networkonair.com/exclusives/2626-adventures-of-rupert-bear-the-volume-1

The set was made available only directly through Network's website.

A second volume containing the 52 episodes from series 3 was released soon afterward, again exclusive to the Network DVD website and in the same format. http://networkonair.com/exclusives/2686-adventures-of-rupert-bear-the-volume-2

Later, a third volume containing all 52 episodes from series 4 was released, once again exclusive to the Network DVD website and in the same format as the other volumes. http://networkonair.com/all-products/2715-adventures-of-rupert-bear-the-volume-3

All four series were later released as a complete set in October 2017, available from all major retailers.