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Paul Castle
Old Bear Stories by Jane Hissey
Old Bear Stories TV theme songwritten and performed by
Paul Castle
repeated
in the UK on Channel Five's 'Milkshake' .
TV Series Director: Kevin Griffiths
(for Ealing Animation / Optomen Television)
Narrated by Anton Rodgers
~ see Old Bear Wikipedia
~ Join the Old Bear Appreciation Society on Facebook
BAFTA - Best Children's Programme 1993
Royal Television Society - Best Children's Series 1994
New York Film Festival - Gold Medal 1993
Chicago Film Festival - Silver Plaque 1993
Prix Jeunesse - 2nd Prize, Best Children's 1994
Awards of Excellence (Home Video)
Winner 1993 - 'Old Bear and Friends'
Winner 1995 - 'Ruff' Royal Television Society 1995
Nomination - Best Children's Entertainment -
British Animation Awards 1996
Nomination - Best Children's Series
Chicago International Children's Film Festival 1995 -
Outstanding Achievement
Old Bear theme songwriter
Paul Castle, with Little Bear,
Old Bear and the 1993 'Best
Children's Programme' BAFTA
Listen
broadband / dial-up
Theme song musicians
Paul Castle
vocals, acoustic guitar & keyboards
Mat Fox - hammered dulcimer
Bob Winquist - viola
Ian Pressland - cello
Barbara Bolte - oboe
Alison Goldfrapp - vocals
"It may not have had the hype of Middlemarch or
Martin Chuzzlewit, nor been discussed at length on
arts programmes and in the columns of Sunday
supplements, but the series of Jane Hissey's Old Bear
Stories have soared since they were televised. There is
something about television that makes us want to read
the book, however old or young we are... Far from
preventing children from reading, therefore, it often
encourages them. They want to revisit a programme
that they have enjoyed."
Dr. Bethan Marshall, The Times (12/94)
"Carlton also had its first Number One in the kids' chart,
Old Bear (Christmas Special)."
Broadcast (1/94)
"As is so often the case with this kind of British series,
the translation is perfect, right down to the last worn
thread of fur....From the opening bars of its hummable
theme, "Old Bear and Friends" carries the viewer away
downstream, with gentle characters and stories, and the
warm, cossetting tones of Anton Rodgers' narration.
Little wonder the series picked up a BAFTA and
animation awards around the globe."
Toonhound
see full review @ www.toonhound.com/oldbear.htm
"World-weary sophisticates of 14 or so are quite capable
of coming over all soppy at the sound of the Old Bear
signature tune.."
The Daily Mail (8/95)
"Pick of the Day....no wonder the series has won
innumerable awards."
Daily Telegraph (12/97)
"Has deservedly chalked up Bafta and RTS awards...
the secret is its simple charm..."
Mail on Sunday (12/97)
"...magical animation.."
Radio Times (12/97)
"Delightful tales...requested again and again...very true to
the books."
Parents (12/93)
"Youngsters will be captivated by the enchanting
value-packed Old Bear & Friends video."
Woman & Home (11/93)
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