Fred Wolf Films Dublin
Encyclopedia
Fred Wolf Films Dublin is an animation studio in Dublin, Ireland founded by Fred Wolf
, and Jimmy Murakami
(the latter of whom worked on the TV special The Snowman
). It was originally founded as MW (Murakami Wolf). The studio produced The Point
, the first U.S. animated special to air in prime time
(on the ABC
network in 1971). It was also responsible for Free to Be… You and Me
, the Puff the Magic Dragon specials, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
, James Bond Jr.
, and Sarah Ferguson
's Budgie the Little Helicopter
. It was named for founders Jimmy Murakami
and Fred Wolf
, as well as partner Charles Swenson. It later became known as MWS (Murakami-Wolf-Swenson; with Charles Swenson who had already been with the company for some time) and even later as MWD (Murakami-Wolf-Dublin) before eventually adopting its current name.
Fred Wolf
Fred Wolf is an American animator. His works include the 1967 short subject The Box, for which he won an Academy Award; television specials such as The Point! and Free to Be... You and Me, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, James Bond Jr., and Sarah Ferguson's Budgie the...
, and Jimmy Murakami
Jimmy Murakami
Teruaki "Jimmy" Murakami, , is a Japanese American animator and director with a long career working in numerous countries. Among his best-known works are the animated adaptations of the Raymond Briggs books When the Wind Blows and The Snowman...
(the latter of whom worked on the TV special The Snowman
The Snowman
The Snowman is a children's book by English author Raymond Briggs, published in 1978. In 1982, this book was turned into a 26-minute animated movie by Dianne Jackson for the fledgling Channel 4. It was first shown on Channel 4 late on Christmas Eve in 1982 and was an immediate success. The film was...
). It was originally founded as MW (Murakami Wolf). The studio produced The Point
The Point!
- Musical play :In 1975, Esquire Jauchem, Artistic Director of the Boston Repertory Theater, approached Harry Nilsson about creating a stage musical of "The Point!" Although Nilsson said he had been asked many times and had always turned down the request, this time he granted his permission...
, the first U.S. animated special to air in prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
(on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
network in 1971). It was also responsible for Free to Be… You and Me
Free to Be… You and Me
Free to Be… You and Me, a project of the Ms. Foundation for Women, is a record album and illustrated book first released in November 1972 featuring songs and stories sung or told by celebrities of the day including Alan Alda, Rosey Grier, Cicely Tyson, Carol Channing, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross...
, the Puff the Magic Dragon specials, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
, James Bond Jr.
James Bond Jr.
James Bond Jr. is a fictional character described as the nephew of Ian Fleming's masterspy James Bond. The name "James Bond Junior" was first used in 1967 for an unsuccessful spinoff novel entitled 003½: The Adventures of James Bond Junior written under the pseudonym R. D. Mascott...
, and Sarah Ferguson
Sarah, Duchess of York
Sarah, Duchess of York is a British charity patron, spokesperson, writer, film producer, television personality and former member of the British Royal Family. She is the former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, whom she married from 1986 to 1996...
's Budgie the Little Helicopter
Budgie the Little Helicopter
Budgie the Little Helicopter is a series of children's books and animated television series relating to a fictional character 'Budgie' and his friends. The characters were based on the books by Sarah, Duchess of York , who was influenced by her flight training in the Royal Navy...
. It was named for founders Jimmy Murakami
Jimmy Murakami
Teruaki "Jimmy" Murakami, , is a Japanese American animator and director with a long career working in numerous countries. Among his best-known works are the animated adaptations of the Raymond Briggs books When the Wind Blows and The Snowman...
and Fred Wolf
Fred Wolf
Fred Wolf is an American animator. His works include the 1967 short subject The Box, for which he won an Academy Award; television specials such as The Point! and Free to Be... You and Me, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, James Bond Jr., and Sarah Ferguson's Budgie the...
, as well as partner Charles Swenson. It later became known as MWS (Murakami-Wolf-Swenson; with Charles Swenson who had already been with the company for some time) and even later as MWD (Murakami-Wolf-Dublin) before eventually adopting its current name.
TV
- The PointThe Point!- Musical play :In 1975, Esquire Jauchem, Artistic Director of the Boston Repertory Theater, approached Harry Nilsson about creating a stage musical of "The Point!" Although Nilsson said he had been asked many times and had always turned down the request, this time he granted his permission...
- Free to Be... You and Me (select animated segments)
- The Mouse and His ChildThe Mouse and His ChildThe Mouse and His Child is a 1977 animated film based on the 1967 Russell Hoban novel The Mouse and His Child. In the United States the film isalso known as The Extraordinary Adventures of the Mouse and His Child...
- Puff the Magic Dragon (3 TV specials)
- The Little Rascals Christmas Special
- Strawberry ShortcakeStrawberry ShortcakeStrawberry Shortcake is a licensed character owned by American Greetings, originally used in greeting cards and expanded to include dolls, posters, and other products...
TV specials (1stThe World of Strawberry ShortcakeThe World of Strawberry Shortcake is a 1980 animated television special written by Romeo Muller, directed by Charles Swenson, and produced by Swenson, Muller and Fred Wolf. Starring the voices of Romeo Muller, Russi Taylor, Julie McWhirter and Joan Gerber, it was made by animators from...
and 3rdStrawberry Shortcake: Pets on ParadeStrawberry Shortcake: Pets on Parade is an animated television special from 1982, made by Romeo Muller, Robert L. Rosen, and Fred Wolf. This is the third to feature the American Greetings character, Strawberry Shortcake.-Synopsis:...
ones only) - Peter and the Magic Egg
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. The pilot was shown during the week of December 28, 1987 in syndication as a five part miniseries and began its official run on October 1, 1988...
- Toxic CrusadersToxic CrusadersToxic Crusaders is an animated series based on The Toxic Avenger films. It features Toxie, the lead character of the films leading a trio of misfit superheroes who combat pollution. This followed a trend of environmentally considerate cartoons of the time, including Captain Planet and the...
- Dino BabiesDino BabiesDino Babies was a family-friendly educational cartoon spotlighting six young dinosaurs who share stories and adventures. It was a BBC television series that aired from September 29, 1993 to May 4, 1995...
- Budgie the Little HelicopterBudgie the Little HelicopterBudgie the Little Helicopter is a series of children's books and animated television series relating to a fictional character 'Budgie' and his friends. The characters were based on the books by Sarah, Duchess of York , who was influenced by her flight training in the Royal Navy...
- The New Adventures of Speed RacerThe New Adventures of Speed RacerThe New Adventures of Speed Racer was a short-lived update of the classic Speed Racer cartoon series. This new Americanized version did not catch on and only lasted a single 13 episode season . A new theme song was written...
- The California Raisin ShowThe California Raisin ShowThe California Raisin Show is an animated television series based on the claymation advertising characters The California Raisins. The show is based on an Emmy Award-winning claymation special, Meet the Raisins!, which originally aired on CBS in 1988...
- Barnyard CommandosBarnyard CommandosBarnyard Commandos is an action figure line that was produced by Playmates in 1989. A four-episode animated series was based on the figures the following year. Produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, it features the vocal talents of S. Scott Bullock, Thom Bray, Pat Fraley, Paul Hreppel, John Mariano,...
- James Bond Jr.James Bond Jr.James Bond Jr. is a fictional character described as the nephew of Ian Fleming's masterspy James Bond. The name "James Bond Junior" was first used in 1967 for an unsuccessful spinoff novel entitled 003½: The Adventures of James Bond Junior written under the pseudonym R. D. Mascott...
- The Fantastic Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor
- Alvin and The ChipmunksAlvin and the Chipmunks (TV series)Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring The Chipmunks, produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983–87, and DIC Entertainment from 1988-90....
(eleven episodes from the sixth season