Crystal Tipps and Alistair

Crystal Tipps and Alistair
GenreCartoon
Written byGraham McCallum and Hilary Hayton
Directed byRichard Taylor
ComposerPaul Reade
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes50
Production
ProducerMichael Grafton-Robinson
AnimatorsAlthea Battams and Maggie Clarke
Running timeFive minutes
Production companyQ3 London
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release28 February 1972 (1972-02-28) –
1974 (1974)

Crystal Tipps and Alistair is a British cartoon produced for the BBC[1] that aired between 28 February 1972[2] and 1974 on BBC One.

The title characters are a girl and her dog who are joined by their friends Birdie and Butterfly.[3]

The series has no dialogue but is accompanied by a full musical soundtrack composed by Paul Reade. However, when shown on Captain Kangaroo in the U.S. in the 1970s the series did have voice-over narration by Cosmo "Gus" Allegretti in his high-pitched "Mister Moose" voice.[citation needed]

Broadcast

There are 50 five-minute episodes and a 20-minute Christmas special, all first shown between 1972 and 1974.[4] It was regularly repeated until 1980. Between 1985 and 1987 the programme aired on Children's ITV (with its BBC TV/Q3 credit replaced by a "Children's ITV" endboard on the 4pm broadcast).[5] In 1990, the BBC claimed back the rights with continued airings until 1994.[6] It was created by Hilary Hayton and Graham McCallum. Michael Grafton-Robinson, a BBC producer went independent, setting up Q3 of London to produce the series.[4] The animation was done by Richard Taylor Cartoons, who were also contracted to make the Charley Says and the Protect and Survive public information films for the Central Office of Information.

Episodes

  1. Birdie
  2. Butterfly
  3. Flying High
  4. The Art Gallery
  5. Keep Fit
  6. Fishing
  7. Party Time
  8. Decorating
  9. Sowing Seeds
  10. Trip to the Seaside
  11. Yo Yo
  12. The Postman
  13. Dressing Up
  14. Music Makers
  15. Snow
  16. It's Quicker By Tube
  17. Zoo Time
  18. Spring Cleaning
  19. Boots
  20. Chimney Sweep
  21. The Circus
  22. On Wheels
  23. Tennis Time
  24. The Swimming Pool
  25. Picnic Time
  26. Surprise
  27. Bubbles
  28. Pussy
  29. Gardening
  30. Still Life
  31. Sailing
  32. Golf
  33. Waterworks
  34. Eastern Magic
  35. Dough
  36. The Fortune Teller
  37. The Monster
  38. Hotel
  39. The Dog House
  40. Trampoline
  41. Knitting
  42. Bump in the Night
  43. Vacuum Cleaner
  44. Professor
  45. Cricket
  46. Kitten Care
  47. The Farm
  48. Sculptures
  49. Topiary
  50. The Magician

Crystal's Christmas Special was shown on 25 December 1974.

Credits

  • Designed and Written by: Graham McCallum and Hilary Hayton
  • Music Composed by: Paul Reade
  • Animation Directed by: Richard Taylor
  • Animators: Althea Battams and Maggie Clarke
  • Produced by: Michael Grafton-Robinson
  • A BBC TV/Q3 London Co-Production

References

  1. ^ Sheridan, Simon (2004). The A–Z of Classic Children's Television: From Alberto Frog to Zebedee. Reynolds & Hearn. pp. 93–96. ISBN 1903111277.
  2. ^ https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e0c3f51bf8cc4de5b2d5fc76d657db68 [bare URL]
  3. ^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 81. ISBN 9781476672939.
  4. ^ a b Alistair McGown. "Crystal Tipps and Alistair (1972–74)", BFI screenonline
  5. ^ Continuity link from CITV with Supergran leading into Crystal Tipps
  6. ^ "Search – BBC Programme Index".


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