Tales of the Riverbank
Encyclopedia
Tales of the Riverbank, sometimes called Hammy Hamster, is a Canadian children's television show starring Hammy Hamster and other animals.
The series was created by David Ellison and Paul Sutherland
, CBC
film-editors, in 1959. After completing the pilot programme, CBC turned down the production and so Dave Ellison travelled to the BBC
in London to show it. The BBC at first commissioned thirteen episodes.
The programme had human voices in sync to the actions of the live animals to give the impression that the creatures were going about on activities. They lived on a place called "The Riverbank". The animals operated various artifacts including toy
sailboat
s, cars, and even a diving bell
. The voices were selected to reflect personalities of the animals. Each episode ended with the narrator alluding to an event involving the characters, but refusing to elaborate, saying "But that is another story."
The original black and white Tales of the Riverbank series was first shown by the BBC on 3 July 1960 at 4:50pm. It was originally narrated by Paul Sutherland, but the BBC did not want Canadian accents and so for the BBC showings, all the voices were provided by Johnny Morris
. The series was eventually sold to 34 countries around the world.
After the original thirteen episodes, 39 further episodes were made in black and white. The majority of the episodes were written by David Ellison, Charles Fullman, Paul Sutherland and Cliff Braggins. The episodes of Tales of the Riverbank that were purchased by the BBC were adapted by staff writer Peggy Miller. Much of the filming was done on location at Wootton
Creek on the Isle of Wight
.
A later series with 26 episodes was filmed in colour in the 1970s, retitled Hammy Hamster (full title: Hammy Hamster's Adventures On the Riverbank) launched in 1972. The BBC had introduced a policy of not using human voices for live animals and so this series was shown in the UK by ITV.
A further series, from 1995 to 1998, was produced for YTV
and Channel 4
; 65 episodes of that series were made. It is ranked 79th in the UK Channel 4
's 2001 poll of the 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows. In the United States, Once Upon A Hamster was broadcast in a late-night slot, which helped the programme transcend its intended audience and develop a cult status among American viewers.
The theme music played on guitar is based on Andante in C by Mauro Giuliani
.
In Australia the show aired on ABC TV through the 70s as Adventures on the River Bank. The mouse's name was Matthew, rather than Roderick.
Various techniques were used to persuade the animals to do what was required, including smearing jam on the objects to be handled by the animals.
, produced by Handmade Pictures and starring Stephen Fry
as Owl, Ardal O’Hanlon as Hammy, Steve Coogan
as Roderick and Jim Broadbent
as G. P., the story follows three friends who live in a riverbank. After being swept away from their homes by a storm, they embark on an adventure to find their home and save it from the danger of the Fat Cats’ factory.
The series was created by David Ellison and Paul Sutherland
Paul Sutherland (TV producer)
Paul Sutherland was born in Toronto, Canada December 7, 1930 and died in Toronto, Canada May 15, 2004 from a heart attack.Paul was the co creator of "Tales of the Riverbank". He produced the first series with his partner David Ellison, in 1959. The series ran in 1959, in 1972 David Ellison made a...
, CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
film-editors, in 1959. After completing the pilot programme, CBC turned down the production and so Dave Ellison travelled to the BBC
BBC
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...
in London to show it. The BBC at first commissioned thirteen episodes.
The programme had human voices in sync to the actions of the live animals to give the impression that the creatures were going about on activities. They lived on a place called "The Riverbank". The animals operated various artifacts including toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
sailboat
Sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in the size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a...
s, cars, and even a diving bell
Diving bell
A diving bell is a rigid chamber used to transport divers to depth in the ocean. The most common types are the wet bell and the closed bell....
. The voices were selected to reflect personalities of the animals. Each episode ended with the narrator alluding to an event involving the characters, but refusing to elaborate, saying "But that is another story."
The original black and white Tales of the Riverbank series was first shown by the BBC on 3 July 1960 at 4:50pm. It was originally narrated by Paul Sutherland, but the BBC did not want Canadian accents and so for the BBC showings, all the voices were provided by Johnny Morris
Johnny Morris
Ernest John "Johnny" Morris OBE ) was a Welsh television presenter. He is best known for narrating the imported, Canadian-produced Tales of the Riverbank series of stories about Hammy the Hamster, Roderick the Rat, GP the Guinea Pig, and their assorted animal friends along a riverbank and...
. The series was eventually sold to 34 countries around the world.
After the original thirteen episodes, 39 further episodes were made in black and white. The majority of the episodes were written by David Ellison, Charles Fullman, Paul Sutherland and Cliff Braggins. The episodes of Tales of the Riverbank that were purchased by the BBC were adapted by staff writer Peggy Miller. Much of the filming was done on location at Wootton
Wootton Bridge
Wootton Bridge is a village and civil parish with about 4000 residents on the western bank of Wootton Creek on the Isle of Wight in southern England....
Creek on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
.
A later series with 26 episodes was filmed in colour in the 1970s, retitled Hammy Hamster (full title: Hammy Hamster's Adventures On the Riverbank) launched in 1972. The BBC had introduced a policy of not using human voices for live animals and so this series was shown in the UK by ITV.
A further series, from 1995 to 1998, was produced for YTV
YTV (Canadian TV channel)
YTV is a Canadian English-language Category A specialty channel aimed at youth, available nationwide through cable and satellite television. Presently it is wholly owned by Corus Entertainment and Shaw Media. The "YTV" name is thought by some viewers to be an abbreviation for "Youth Television",...
and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
; 65 episodes of that series were made. It is ranked 79th in the UK Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's 2001 poll of the 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows. In the United States, Once Upon A Hamster was broadcast in a late-night slot, which helped the programme transcend its intended audience and develop a cult status among American viewers.
The theme music played on guitar is based on Andante in C by Mauro Giuliani
Mauro Giuliani
Mauro Giuseppe Sergio Pantaleo Giuliani was an Italian guitarist, cellist and composer, and is considered by many to be one of the leading guitar virtuosi of the early 19th century.- Biography :...
.
Main characters
In the later series the list of characters was expanded from the original first three listed below.| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Hammy Hamster | the series' main protagonist and best known character. He is curious and kind and lives in an old boot on the Riverbank. He became GP's co-pilot in the episode The Aeroplane Ride. |
| Roderick the Water Rat | Hammy's best friend. He is cautious, resourceful and owns a small motorboat. In the Canadian and U.S. versions of the series, this character was Martha Mouse (although the "mouse" is really a rat). |
| G. P. the Guinea Pig | boastful and creative, he is the Riverbank's resident inventor. His creations have included a "winch-a-ma-bob" and a "recyclamobile". He lived in a wooden house with a prominent water wheel at the front. He had a small plane which he flew in several episodes, and spoke in a voice that sounded rather like W.C. Fields. |
| Turtle | a slow and plodding character. He teaches his friends the importance of patience. |
| Wise Old Frog | a grouchy but clever frog. His wise advice is often sought by the other characters. |
| Granny Rabbit | acts as a grandmother to the whole community. She is fond of baking, singing and story-telling. |
| Berti and Herbi | are Roderick's sneaky hamster nephews who have no relation to Hammy. Appear in Bubbles. |
| The Owl | is always on a tree branch. The only word it ever says is "who". |
In Australia the show aired on ABC TV through the 70s as Adventures on the River Bank. The mouse's name was Matthew, rather than Roderick.
Various techniques were used to persuade the animals to do what was required, including smearing jam on the objects to be handled by the animals.
Feature film
A feature-length film, also Tales of the Riverbank, was released in September 2008 directly to DVD. It used a mix of puppets, live action and special effects. Directed by John HendersonJohn Henderson
-Politics:*Sir John Henderson, 5th Baronet British Member of Parliament for Seaford 1785–86*John Henderson , British Liberal MP for Durham 1864–74...
, produced by Handmade Pictures and starring Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
as Owl, Ardal O’Hanlon as Hammy, Steve Coogan
Steve Coogan
Stephen John "Steve" Coogan is a British comedian, actor, writer and producer. Born in Manchester, he began his career as a standup comedian and impressionist, working as a voice artist throughout the 1980s on satirical puppet show Spitting Image. In the early nineties, Coogan began creating...
as Roderick and Jim Broadbent
Jim Broadbent
James "Jim" Broadbent is an English theatre, film, and television actor. He is known for his roles in Iris, Moulin Rouge!, Topsy-Turvy, Hot Fuzz, and Bridget Jones' Diary...
as G. P., the story follows three friends who live in a riverbank. After being swept away from their homes by a storm, they embark on an adventure to find their home and save it from the danger of the Fat Cats’ factory.