WereBear
Encyclopedia
The WereBears were a series of teddy bears released in 1983 in the United Kingdom. They were created by a man named George Nicholas, a famous children's author, so that boys could have teddy bears without worrying about being bullied.
of Bagpuss
fame, with one side explaining how the WereBears came to be and the other telling the individual bear's own adventure. In 1986, another line of teddies called the TerrorTeds
were created. A fifth WereBear named Growler was released the same year. In the late '80s and early '90s, Hornby
bought the rights to the WereBears. Shortly afterwards, the toyline was discontinued. Recently, two websites with information on the WereBears have appeared, explaining that a relaunch of the franchise will happen in the near future. However, nothing concerning the WereBears relaunch has been revealed as of 2010.
were in talks with George Nicholas to make a film about the bears shortly before the toyline's cancellation, but were unable to strike a deal.
History
Four bears were originally released in 1983. The bears were named Grizzler, Howler, Fang, and Gums. Each bear came with a story tape narrated by Oliver PostgateOliver Postgate
Oliver Postgate was an English animator, puppeteer and writer.He was the creator and writer of some of Britain's most popular children's television programmes...
of Bagpuss
Bagpuss
Bagpuss is a 1974 UK children's television series, made by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate through their company Smallfilms. The title character is "an old, saggy cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams"...
fame, with one side explaining how the WereBears came to be and the other telling the individual bear's own adventure. In 1986, another line of teddies called the TerrorTeds
TerrorTeds
The TerrorTeds were toy bears created in 1986 as enemies for the WereBears. They were Grunt, Snapper, Chomp, and Munch. Their story tape introduction explains that Baron Egon Baconburger lost the WereBears in the woods of Muncheon-Luncheon and needed help finding them...
were created. A fifth WereBear named Growler was released the same year. In the late '80s and early '90s, Hornby
Hornby Railways
Hornby Railways is the leading brand of model railway in the United Kingdom. Its roots date back to 1901, when founder Frank Hornby received a patent for his Meccano construction toy. The first clockwork train was produced in 1920. In 1938, Hornby launched its first 00 gauge train...
bought the rights to the WereBears. Shortly afterwards, the toyline was discontinued. Recently, two websites with information on the WereBears have appeared, explaining that a relaunch of the franchise will happen in the near future. However, nothing concerning the WereBears relaunch has been revealed as of 2010.
The Story
The story of the WereBears takes place in the fictional Bavarian village of Muncheon-Luncheon. In Castle Casserole lived a kindly toy maker named Baron Egon Baconburger. He was making four teddy bears when the full moon shone upon him. As it turns out, the Baron had a family curse that turned every Baron Baconburger in his family into a werewolf. The curse also affected the four bears, bringing them to life and transforming them into the WereBears. The Baron names them and then sends them off to have adventures. Eventually, the Baron misses his bears and looks for someone to help him find his missing bears. He ends up asking help from the one person he'd never trust, the wicked Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel gets Baron Baconburger to sign a contract declaring that if she finds his bears, she will have to be repaid with his fortune and Castle Casserole. Hazel then creates the TerrorTeds and uses them to search out and destroy the WereBears. The Baron then creates a fifth bear named Growler and dips him in a magic potion, enabling him to change into a WereBear at will, when the others can only change during a full moon or if they are scared. Growler then sets off to rescue his friends from the TerrorTeds. After the TerrorTeds were defeated, the WereBears attempt to return home to the Baron, but they get lost and Growler disappears. The listener is then left to decide whether the bears made it home or not and whether they are reunited with Growler.Other media
A comic book was published in 1990 by Clearmark Productions and lasted three issues. The first issue was a retelling of the WereBear's origin, the second issue retold the origin of the TerrorTeds, and the last issue retold the origin of Growler. The comic series was never concluded. Also, Universal StudiosUniversal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
were in talks with George Nicholas to make a film about the bears shortly before the toyline's cancellation, but were unable to strike a deal.
External links
- http://werebears.co.uk
- http://werebears.com
- http://www.redhotscott.co.uk/werebear/index.html