Count Duckula, 1988
We’re Still in 1988 and we come across another debut. This time it’s Kids animated series Count Duckula.
Count Duckula is a UK kids animated series from Cosgrove Hall Films . A Spin off from the popular Danger Mouse in which the Count Duckula character had a recurring role as a villain.
A total of 65 episodes were made, screened across four series between 1988 and 1993. Episodes were typically 22 minutes in length.
When Danger Mouse was re-booted in 2015 Count Duckula returned as a villain.
Count Duckula series came about as a result of Nickelodeon. They’d acquired the US broadcast rights to Danger Mouse. A huge hit in the US it lead to Nickelodeon approaching Cosgrove Hall about co-producing a new series.
In an interview with Brian Cosgrove, Cosgrove revealed that then head of Nickelodeon, Gerry Laybourne had spotted a picture of Count Duckula in Cosgrove’s office, and said, “That’s the one I want”.
As the series went into production, one of the writers suggested Count Duckula become a vegetarian, adding an even sillier concept to the series.
Summary
High above the Transylvanian Alps stands the dark and foreboding Castle Duckula, for centuries the home of the terrifying, blood sucking Duckula vampires.
Terrifying until now…the current Count is a vegetarian vampire with a desire for showbusiness!
Accompanied by his long suffering manservant Igor and his clumsy house-keeper Nanny, Duckula uses his teleporting castle to seek his fame and fortune across the world!
Clips
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Narrated By
Barry Clayton
Voices
Count Duckula – David Jason
Igor – Jack May
Nanny and Dimitri – Brian Trueman
Dr. Von Goosewing and Sviatoslav – Jimmy Hibbert
Details
Channel: ITV (UK), Nickelodeon (USA)
Created By: Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall
Original Transmission Dates: 6th September 1988 – 16th February 1993