The Famous Five, 1978
From ITV’s Monday tea-time kids schedules we have The Famous Five.
Episodes were recorded on location and on film (rather than the more usual medium of video tape), this made it the most expensive children’s television series ever produced at that point. Each stories were taken from the original novels with slight amendments to fit in with the 1970’s but featured the same main characters; George, Julian, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog.
Produced by Southern television it ran for 26 episodes over 2 series between 1978 and 1979. Of the original 21 novels, three were never adapted; Five on a Treasure Island, and Five Have Aa Mystery To Solve were excluded because the Children’s Film Foundation still had the film and TV rights to the books, whilst Five Have Plenty Of Fun didn’t fit in the production schedule.
Such was the success of the series Southern Television were keen to produce a third series but the Enid Blyton estate refused to allow the to create original stories.
Summary
The stories take place in the school holidays after they have returned from their respective boarding schools.
Each time the five meet they get caught up in an adventure, often involving criminals or lost treasure.
Clips
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Cast
Michele Gallagher – George
Marcus Harris – Julian
Gary Russell – Dick
Jennifer Thanisch – Anne
Toddy – Timmy the Dog
Details
Channel: ITV
Created By: Enid Blyton
Adapted For TV By: Various
Produced By: Southern Television and Portman Productions for ITV
Original Transmission Dates: 3rd July 1978 – 8th August 1979