Gullane Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Gullane Entertainment was the name of the company that replaced that of The Britt Allcroft Company in 2000, when Britt Allcroft
herself left the company she had originally co-founded with her then-husband Angus Wright.
As Gullane Entertainment PLC, the company continued to own all the intellectual property rights to Ms Allcroft's award-winning creative body of work - Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
, Shining Time Station
and Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie
.
Gullane was also well known for its acquisition of Art Attack
, Fireman Sam
, Sooty
and Captain Pugwash
.
. Gullane was itself purchased by HiT Entertainment
in 2003. In 2006, Apax Partners
purchased HiT.
In 2008, Britt Allcroft re-acquired the whole of the Mumfie
production library from Hit Entertainment.
Britt Allcroft
Britt Allcroft is the multi- award-winning creator of a trio of children's entertainment produced in the 1980s and 1990s: "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends", , "Shining Time Station" and "Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie".She was born Hilary Mary Allcroft, in Worthing, England and, at...
herself left the company she had originally co-founded with her then-husband Angus Wright.
As Gullane Entertainment PLC, the company continued to own all the intellectual property rights to Ms Allcroft's award-winning creative body of work - Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Thomas and Friends is a British children's television series, first broadcast on the ITV network in September 1984. Until 2003, it was named Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. This series was shot on 35mm film...
, Shining Time Station
Shining Time Station
Shining Time Station is an American children's television series co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York for New York City PBS Station WNET, and was filmed first in New York and then in Toronto...
and Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie
Magic Adventures of Mumfie
Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie is an animated made-for-television movie and television series created by Britt Allcroft and directed by John Laurence Collins. It is based on the Mumfie novels by Katherine Tozer, which were originally published in 1936. Mumfie is a 'nelifunt', a toy...
.
Gullane was also well known for its acquisition of Art Attack
Art Attack
Art Attack is a British children's television series revolving around art. The original series was one of ITV's longest running programmes, running from 1990 to 2007, and was presented throughout by Neil Buchanan. The brand new series launched on Disney Junior on June 6 2011 and is presented by...
, Fireman Sam
Fireman Sam
Fireman Sam is a Welsh animated children's television series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other townspeople in the Welsh town of Pontypandy . The original idea for the show came from two ex-firemen from Kent...
, Sooty
Sooty
Sooty is a British glove puppet bear and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The children's television show which bears his name has continued in various forms since the 1950s and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the...
and Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash is a fictional pirate in a series of British children's comic strips and books created by John Ryan. The character's adventures were adapted into a TV series, using cardboard cut-outs filmed in live-action , also called Captain Pugwash, first shown on the BBC in 1957, a later colour...
.
- Thomas the Tank Engine and FriendsThomas the Tank Engine and FriendsThomas and Friends is a British children's television series, first broadcast on the ITV network in September 1984. Until 2003, it was named Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. This series was shot on 35mm film...
-- First broadcast in the UK in 1984. TV series created by Britt Allcroft and based on the books The Railway SeriesThe Railway SeriesThe Railway Series is a set of story books about a railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first being published in 1945. Twenty-six were written by the Rev. W. Awdry, up to 1972. A further 16 were written by his son, Christopher Awdry; 14...
by The Rev. Wilbert AwdryW.V. AwdryWilbert Vere Awdry, OBE , was an English clergyman, railway enthusiast and children's author, better known as the Reverend W. Awdry and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who starred in Awdry's acclaimed Railway Series.-Life:Awdry was born at Ampfield vicarage near Romsey, Hampshire in 1911...
. Storytellers - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
, Michael AngelisMichael AngelisMichael Angelis is an English actor and voice actor.Michael Angelis was one of the stars of the famous 1982 BBC drama serial Boys from the Black Stuff and another Alan Bleasedale drama G.B.H.. He also starred in comedies such as Luv and The Liver Birds, in which he appeared between series 5 and 9...
, George CarlinGeorge CarlinGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums....
, Alec BaldwinAlec BaldwinAlexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
, Michael BrandonMichael BrandonMichael Brandon is an American actor who resides in the United Kingdom and United States.-Life and career:Brandon was born Michael Feldman in Brooklyn, New York to Miriam and Sol Feldman...
and Pierce BrosnanPierce BrosnanPierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
.
- James the CatJames the CatJames the Cat was a children's series created by Kate Canning and produced by Jan Clayton with Grampian Television. It chronicles the many events which take place at the Cornerhouse between James and his new friends. Fellow characters include: Mrs...
-- First broadcast 1984. Spin-off of Flower Stories about a black and white cat who lives in an old house with his friends.
- Fireman SamFireman SamFireman Sam is a Welsh animated children's television series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other townspeople in the Welsh town of Pontypandy . The original idea for the show came from two ex-firemen from Kent...
-- First broadcast 1985. About a plucky fireman in Pontypandy who has his fire engine Jupiter bright and clean.
- Shining Time StationShining Time StationShining Time Station is an American children's television series co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York for New York City PBS Station WNET, and was filmed first in New York and then in Toronto...
-- First broadcast US 1989. Created by Britt AllcroftBritt AllcroftBritt Allcroft is the multi- award-winning creator of a trio of children's entertainment produced in the 1980s and 1990s: "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends", , "Shining Time Station" and "Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie".She was born Hilary Mary Allcroft, in Worthing, England and, at...
and Rick Siggelkow. A live-action situation comedy series about life in a train station called Shining Time and featuring a cast of characters such as Stacy Jones the Manager (Didi ConnDidi ConnDidi Conn is an American film, stage and television actress.-Personal life:Conn was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of a clinical psychologist. "Didi" was her childhood nickname...
), Schemer the Arcade Owner (Brian O'ConnorBrian O'ConnorBrian O'Connor may refer to:*Brian O'Connor , head coach of the University of Virginia baseball team*Brian O'Connor , bassist for rock band Eagles of Death Metal*Brian O'Connor , Queensland opening bowler of the 1930s....
), the Jukebox Band and the magical Mr. Conductor (Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
, George CarlinGeorge CarlinGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums....
) who tells the stories about Thomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
and his friends.
- 'Tis a GiftShining Time Station: 'Tis A GiftShining Time Station: 'Tis A Gift is the Christmas special of the PBS television series Shining Time Station.It takes place during the Christmas season at Shining Time Station. The scene opens with Mr...
-- First aired 1990. One of five 1-hour specials of the same series. As the adults bicker over who will play Santa's Helper, Matt and Tanya are left to play with Vicki, a girl unwilling to experience the joys of the season. Featuring Lloyd BridgesLloyd BridgesLloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr. was an American actor who starred in a number of television series and appeared in more than 150 feature films. Bridges is best known for his role of Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt, the most-popular syndicated American TV series in 1958...
as Mr. Nicholas, this holiday special features Christmas Carols by The Juke Box Puppet Band and Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
as Mr. Conductor.
- Mr. Conductor's Thomas TalesMr. Conductor's Thomas TalesMr. Conductor's Thomas Tales was a spin-off series of Shining Time Station. The plotlines, secondary to the five stories told by George Carlin in each episode, focused solely on Mr. Conductor; no other characters from Shining Time Station appear...
-- First aired 1996. A spinoff show of Shining Time Station. It stars George CarlinGeorge CarlinGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums....
as Mr. Conductor. This series includes five Thomas stories and a song.
- Art AttackArt AttackArt Attack is a British children's television series revolving around art. The original series was one of ITV's longest running programmes, running from 1990 to 2007, and was presented throughout by Neil Buchanan. The brand new series launched on Disney Junior on June 6 2011 and is presented by...
-- First broadcast 1989. An art and craft show hosted by Neil BuchananNeil BuchananNeil Buchanan is an English television presenter best known for his work on the CITV programme Art Attack, a television programme that he presented during its run from 1990 to 2007...
- Sooty & Co.Sooty & Co.Sooty & Co is a British children's television series that was aired on ITV from 1993 to 1998 for six series, replacing the 37 year old Sooty Show. The programme centres on Matthew Corbett, and puppets Sooty, Sweep, Soo and Scampi, as they try to run a shop in Manchester. In 1998 Matthew Corbett...
-- First broadcast 1993. A new TV series featuring SootySootySooty is a British glove puppet bear and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The children's television show which bears his name has continued in various forms since the 1950s and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the...
and his pals SweepSweep-Cleaning :* Chimney sweep* Street sweeper* Swept quartz, a cleaning of quartz crystal from alkali metal ions-Sports: * Sweep * Sweep , winning a five game series 3 games to none, or winning a seven game series 4 games to none; typically fans bring brooms to ballparks or ball courts in the final...
, Soo and Scampy.
- Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of MumfieMagic Adventures of MumfieBritt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie is an animated made-for-television movie and television series created by Britt Allcroft and directed by John Laurence Collins. It is based on the Mumfie novels by Katherine Tozer, which were originally published in 1936. Mumfie is a 'nelifunt', a toy...
-- First broadcast 1994. Based on the works of artist Katharine Tozer. Featuring the voice of storyteller Patrick BreenPatrick BreenJoseph Patrick Breen is an American actor. He has acted primarily on TV but has also appeared in numerous films, as well as on Broadway and Off Broadway...
and a score of 26 original songs.
- Captain PugwashCaptain PugwashCaptain Pugwash is a fictional pirate in a series of British children's comic strips and books created by John Ryan. The character's adventures were adapted into a TV series, using cardboard cut-outs filmed in live-action , also called Captain Pugwash, first shown on the BBC in 1957, a later colour...
-- First aired 1957, later 1998. Captain Pugwash and his mates search for treasure on the Black Pig against the evil Cut Throat Jake. Originally based on characters by John RyanJohn Ryan (cartoonist)John Gerald Christopher Ryan was a British animator and cartoonist, best known for his character Captain Pugwash. His brother was Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher Columba Ryan.-Biography:Ryan was born in Edinburgh...
.
- EckhartEckhart-People with the surname Eckhart:* Aaron Eckhart, an American film actor* Johann Georg von Eckhart, historian* Meister Eckhart, a German theologian and philosopher-Other:* Eckhart Tolle is a German-born writer and public speaker living in Canada....
-- First broadcast 2000. About a little mouse and his friends who has a lot of adventures traveling around the world.
- Thomas and the Magic RailroadThomas and the Magic RailroadThomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced...
-- First released July 2000. Gullane's only feature length movie. This movie features Thomas and his friends protecting a lost engine from the evil Diesel 10 and finding some magic. The film stars Alec BaldwinAlec BaldwinAlexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
as Mr. Conductor, Peter FondaPeter FondaPeter Henry Fonda is an American actor. He is the son of Henry Fonda, brother of Jane Fonda, and father of Bridget and Justin Fonda...
as Burnett Stone, Mara WilsonMara WilsonMara Elizabeth Wilson is an American former child actress best known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire , Miracle on 34th Street , and Matilda . She was born in Los Angeles, California, to Michael and Suzie Wilson . She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and...
as Lily, Russell MeansRussell MeansRussell Charles Means is an Oglala Sioux activist for the rights of Native American people. He became a prominent member of the American Indian Movement after joining the organisation in 1968, and helped organize notable events that attracted national and international media coverage...
as Billy Twofeathers, Didi ConnDidi ConnDidi Conn is an American film, stage and television actress.-Personal life:Conn was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of a clinical psychologist. "Didi" was her childhood nickname...
as Stacy Jones, and Edward GlenEdward GlenEdward Glen, also credited as Eddie Glen , is a Canadian actor who has voiced various TV shows and films.-Credits:* Angela Anaconda - Gordy Rhinehart* Blazing Dragons - Flicker* Dangaioh - Rol Kran...
as the voice of Thomas.
Trivia
Gullane Entertainment owned the Guinness Book of World Records when it was sold by DiageoDiageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
. Gullane was itself purchased by HiT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment
Hit Entertainment is a British-American entertainment distribution company established in 1989, and originally the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called Henson International Television...
in 2003. In 2006, Apax Partners
Apax Partners
Apax Partners LLP is a global private equity and venture capital firm, headquartered in London. The company also operates out of eight other offices in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tel-Aviv, Madrid, Stockholm, Milan and Munich. The firm, including its various predecessors, have raised...
purchased HiT.
In 2008, Britt Allcroft re-acquired the whole of the Mumfie
Magic Adventures of Mumfie
Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie is an animated made-for-television movie and television series created by Britt Allcroft and directed by John Laurence Collins. It is based on the Mumfie novels by Katherine Tozer, which were originally published in 1936. Mumfie is a 'nelifunt', a toy...
production library from Hit Entertainment.
Key people
- Britt AllcroftBritt AllcroftBritt Allcroft is the multi- award-winning creator of a trio of children's entertainment produced in the 1980s and 1990s: "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends", , "Shining Time Station" and "Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie".She was born Hilary Mary Allcroft, in Worthing, England and, at...
- Co Founder - Angus WrightAngus Wright (producer)Angus Wright - British television producer; co-founder and managing director of The Britt Allcroft Company plc until his retirement in 1999....
- Co Founder - Adam Mills - Chairman of the Board
- William HarrisWilliam HarrisWilliam or Will or Willie Harris may refer to:*William Harris , past president of Columbia University*William Harris , NFL player...
- Chief Executive Officer, Director - Charles Falzon - President, Director
- Tim Hilton - Finance Director, Director
- Helen Byme - Secretary
External links
- Britt Allcroft Productions
- Mills to join Britt Allcroft
[Productions ] The Guardian – 1 December 2000