Pan Tau
Encyclopedia
Pan Tau is a character created for a children's television series. 33 episodes were made in Czechoslovakia
in cooperation with German TV network WDR
from 1967 on. The project ended with a feature film in 1988. Pan Tau, who generally didn't speak, was played by Otto Šimánek
(1925 – 1992 in Prague). The series was written by Ota Hofman and directed by Jindřich Polák.
Pan Tau was famous for his magic bowler hat
. By tapping on his hat, Pan Tau was able to change his appearance into a puppet, to conjure up miscellaneous objects or to do other magic. His most characteristical behaviour is that he would help children who were experiencing some sort of difficulty, like finding a place for skiing, settling family problems on Christmas, and even give a boy a good time at a fair when he is supposed to have piano
lessons.
He was also featured in Nena
's music video for Du Bist Überall ("You Are Everywhere").
Theodor Pištěk
designed the costumes for the series.
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in cooperation with German TV network WDR
Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Westdeutscher Rundfunk is a German public-broadcasting institution based in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia with its main office in Cologne. WDR is a constituent member of the consortium of German public-broadcasting institutions, ARD...
from 1967 on. The project ended with a feature film in 1988. Pan Tau, who generally didn't speak, was played by Otto Šimánek
Otto Šimánek
Otto Šimánek was a Czech actor. Šimánek worked at the Prague City Theater. He also taught mime at the Prague Conservatory. He became internationally known through the role of the silent wizard Pan Tau.- External links :*...
(1925 – 1992 in Prague). The series was written by Ota Hofman and directed by Jindřich Polák.
Pan Tau was famous for his magic bowler hat
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
. By tapping on his hat, Pan Tau was able to change his appearance into a puppet, to conjure up miscellaneous objects or to do other magic. His most characteristical behaviour is that he would help children who were experiencing some sort of difficulty, like finding a place for skiing, settling family problems on Christmas, and even give a boy a good time at a fair when he is supposed to have piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons.
He was also featured in Nena
Nena
Gabriele Susanne Kerner , better known by her stage name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons". In 1984, she re-recorded this song in English as "99 Red Balloons". Nena was also the name of the band with whom she...
's music video for Du Bist Überall ("You Are Everywhere").
Theodor Pištěk
Theodor Pištěk (costume designer)
Theodor Pištěk is a Czech artist known for creating photo-realistic drawings and paintings, movie costumes and decorations. He won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for the film Amadeus, and received an Academy Award nomination in the same category for the film Valmont.He is the son of...
designed the costumes for the series.