Captain Zeppos
Encyclopedia
Captain Zeppos is a Belgian
children's television series from the 1960s, based on a script by Lode De Groof. Its original title (in Dutch) is Kapitein Zeppos. In all, the BRT
made three series with a Flemish actor, Senne Rouffaer, in the title role.
A strange man arrives in Belder on horseback, and introduces himself as Captain Zeppos. Initially, he is met with suspicion and jealousy, but he soon befriends a local, Ben Kurrel. It becomes apparent that Zeppos had a motive to come to Belder: when in Greece a stranger had made him an offer on a piece of land he had inherited near the town. Ben Kurrel and his friend Rita Mees help him investigate the mystery.
De Eglantier - 8 episodes (1968)
Strange things happen in Belder - a group of hunters are regularly spotted around town, and Zeppos' wife Arianne meets 'Aunt Cara' a mysterious woman who can stand on her head. All seems to revolve around art theft
s in nearby churches.
Tweng - 8 episodes (1968)
Tweng is a pacifist organisation led by mister Elias, who asks Zeppos to take charge of his cause, as he is lacking the strength to continue
Raymond Bossaerts - Ben Kurrel
Raymond Verhaeghe - Alfred Kurrel
Jo Nupie - Agnès Kurrel/Erna
Herman Smits - Roel Kurrel
Alex Wilequet - Policeman
Henriette Cabanier - Grandma
Cyriel Van Gent - Gust the Postman
Paula Sleyp - Slien
Jan Reusens - Miel
Truus Demedts - Rita Mees
Fik Moeremans - Pukkel
Vera Veroft - Ariane Despinal
Robert Maes - Ivo/Baker Mees
Rik Bravenboer - Ward/Policeman
Marc Van Acker - Ben, as a boy
Marc De Munck - Wim
Fons Derre - Nelis, Forester
Bart Rouffaer - Zeppos, as a child
Jacques Germain - Plumber
Alice Toen - Martha
Dora Van der Groen - Beatrice
Ward Deravet - Baral
Jo Coppens - Blonde Frans/Slome Piet
François Bernard - Marinus
Jef Van Dalsen - Raf
Jos Simons - Max
Ivo Pauwels - Figaro
Mary Boduin - Usherette
Dolf Denis - Bernard Spriet
Jackie Morel - Blonde Frans/Slome Piet
Jef Demedts - Peters
René Peeters - Wittock
Piet Herman - Notary
R. Berghmans - Flower Girl
Frank Struys - Postman
André Delys - Policeman
Hans Caprino - Black Person
Jos Mahu - Doorman
Mrs Schepers - Manageress
Jaak Van Hombeek - Policeman
Paul Van Roey - Drillmaster post
Jaak Germain - Overseer
from October 1966.
It was broadcasted in the original Flemish in Belgium, the Netherlands and (with subtitles) in Sweden and Finland.
The theme tune for the series was "Living it Up", recorded by Bert Kaempfert
and His Orchestra. Featuring Kaempfert's characteristic trumpet sound, it became very popular at the time the first series was airing.
In series 1 Zeppos drove an Austin Champ ex-British Army Jeep style 4x4 vehicle powered by a Rolls Royce engine.
Zeppos drove an amphibious vehicle
in series 2 and 3, resulting in this type of car being referred to as a "Zeppos" in Flanders even years later.
Most of the location filming was done in Roosdaal
in Flemish Brabant
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
children's television series from the 1960s, based on a script by Lode De Groof. Its original title (in Dutch) is Kapitein Zeppos. In all, the BRT
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
made three series with a Flemish actor, Senne Rouffaer, in the title role.
Storylines
Belderbos - 16 episodes (1964)A strange man arrives in Belder on horseback, and introduces himself as Captain Zeppos. Initially, he is met with suspicion and jealousy, but he soon befriends a local, Ben Kurrel. It becomes apparent that Zeppos had a motive to come to Belder: when in Greece a stranger had made him an offer on a piece of land he had inherited near the town. Ben Kurrel and his friend Rita Mees help him investigate the mystery.
De Eglantier - 8 episodes (1968)
Strange things happen in Belder - a group of hunters are regularly spotted around town, and Zeppos' wife Arianne meets 'Aunt Cara' a mysterious woman who can stand on her head. All seems to revolve around art theft
Art theft
Art theft is usually for the purpose of resale or for ransom . Stolen art is sometimes used by criminals to secure loans.. One must realize that only a small percentage of stolen art is recovered. Estimates range from 5 to 10%. This means that little is known about the scope and characteristics of...
s in nearby churches.
Tweng - 8 episodes (1968)
Tweng is a pacifist organisation led by mister Elias, who asks Zeppos to take charge of his cause, as he is lacking the strength to continue
Cast
Senne Rouffaer - Captain Zeppos/Uncle NicoRaymond Bossaerts - Ben Kurrel
Raymond Verhaeghe - Alfred Kurrel
Jo Nupie - Agnès Kurrel/Erna
Herman Smits - Roel Kurrel
Alex Wilequet - Policeman
Henriette Cabanier - Grandma
Cyriel Van Gent - Gust the Postman
Paula Sleyp - Slien
Jan Reusens - Miel
Truus Demedts - Rita Mees
Fik Moeremans - Pukkel
Vera Veroft - Ariane Despinal
Robert Maes - Ivo/Baker Mees
Rik Bravenboer - Ward/Policeman
Marc Van Acker - Ben, as a boy
Marc De Munck - Wim
Fons Derre - Nelis, Forester
Bart Rouffaer - Zeppos, as a child
Jacques Germain - Plumber
Alice Toen - Martha
Dora Van der Groen - Beatrice
Ward Deravet - Baral
Jo Coppens - Blonde Frans/Slome Piet
François Bernard - Marinus
Jef Van Dalsen - Raf
Jos Simons - Max
Ivo Pauwels - Figaro
Mary Boduin - Usherette
Dolf Denis - Bernard Spriet
Jackie Morel - Blonde Frans/Slome Piet
Jef Demedts - Peters
René Peeters - Wittock
Piet Herman - Notary
R. Berghmans - Flower Girl
Frank Struys - Postman
André Delys - Policeman
Hans Caprino - Black Person
Jos Mahu - Doorman
Mrs Schepers - Manageress
Jaak Van Hombeek - Policeman
Paul Van Roey - Drillmaster post
Jaak Germain - Overseer
In other languages / countries
Series 1 was translated into English and screened by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
from October 1966.
It was broadcasted in the original Flemish in Belgium, the Netherlands and (with subtitles) in Sweden and Finland.
Trivia
There are commemorative Kaptein Zeppos cafes in both Amsterdam and Antwerp.The theme tune for the series was "Living it Up", recorded by Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
and His Orchestra. Featuring Kaempfert's characteristic trumpet sound, it became very popular at the time the first series was airing.
In series 1 Zeppos drove an Austin Champ ex-British Army Jeep style 4x4 vehicle powered by a Rolls Royce engine.
Zeppos drove an amphibious vehicle
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
in series 2 and 3, resulting in this type of car being referred to as a "Zeppos" in Flanders even years later.
Most of the location filming was done in Roosdaal
Roosdaal
Roosdaal is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Borchtlombeek, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek, Pamel and Strijtem. It borders to four other municipalities:...
in Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven...
.