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'{{short description|British children's television show}} {{about|the television show|the song|Tales from the Riverbank}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox television | image = Tales of the Riverbank.png | caption = Hammy the Hamster and G.P. the Guinea Pig during the episode "Hammy the Flying Postman" | alt_name = {{plainlist| * Hammy Hamster * Once Upon a Hamster }} | genre = [[Children's television]] | creator = {{plainlist| * Dave Ellison * [[Paul Sutherland (TV Producer)|Paul Sutherland]] }} | developer = | writer = {{plainlist| * Dave Ellison * Charles Fullman * Paul Sutherland * Cliff Braggins }} | director = | creative_director = | presenter = Peggy Miller | starring = | judges = | voices = {{plainlist| * Paul Sutherland (Canada) * [[Johnny Morris (television presenter)|Johnny Morris]] (UK) }} | narrated = | theme_music_composer = | opentheme = Raccolta, op. 43, no. 6: Andante in C by [[Mauro Giuliani]] | endtheme = | composer = | country = {{plainlist| * United Kingdom * Canada }} | language = English | num_series = 5 | num_episodes = {{plainlist| * 143 * First: 13 * Second: 39 * ''Hammy Hamster'': 26 * HBO/C4: 65 }} | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = {{plainlist| * Dave Ellison * Paul Sutherland }} | editor = | location = | cinematography = Josef Seckeresh | camera = | runtime = | company = [[Working Title Television]] (1995–1996)<br>Delroy (1995–1996) | channel = {{plainlist| * [[BBC]] (1960) * [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] (''Hammy Hamster'') (1972) * [[Channel 4]] (1995–1998) }} | picture_format = {{plainlist| * [[16 mm film]] [[black-and-white]] (1960s) * 16 mm film colour (''Hammy Hamster'') }} | audio_format = | first_aired = | last_aired = | related = }} '''''Tales of the Riverbank''''', sometimes called '''''Hammy Hamster''''' and '''''Once Upon a Hamster''''' for the Canadian version, is a British [[children's television]] series developed from a Canadian [[Television pilot|pilot]]. The original series was later broadcast on Canadian and U.S. television, dubbed by Canadian and US actors for the markets they were to be broadcast in. The pilot was created by David Ellison and [[Paul Sutherland (TV producer)|Paul Sutherland]], [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] film editors, in 1959. After completing the pilot programme, CBC turned down the production and so Dave Ellison travelled to the [[BBC]] in London to show it.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/paul-sutherland-730573.html Obituary of Paul Sutherland] in ''The Independent'' 12 June 2004</ref> The BBC initially commissioned thirteen episodes, but extended this later. A second series was made in colour in the 1970s, narrated by [[Johnny Morris (television presenter)|Johnny Morris]]. ==Revival== A later remake was produced by Canada's [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] and [[Channel 4]] in 1995 which ran for three years, and a feature-length film was made in 2008 using puppets rather than live animals. ==Format== The programme had human voices in sync with the actions of the live animals, to give the impression that the creatures were performing activities. They lived in a place called "The Riverbank" and operated various artefacts including toy [[sailboat]]s, cars, and even a [[diving bell]]. Various techniques were used to persuade the animals to do what was required, including smearing jam on the objects they were to handle.<ref>[http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/childrens/watchwithmother/part3.htm Off The Telly web-site]</ref> The voices were selected to reflect the personalities of the animals. Each episode ended with the narrator alluding to an event involving the characters, but refusing to elaborate, saying "But that is ''another'' story." The original [[black and white]] ''Tales of the Riverbank'' series was first shown by the BBC on 3 July 1960 at 4:50&nbsp;pm.<ref name="Telly Nation web-site">[http://www.gozzys.com/tellynation/article.php?cm_id=10 Telly Nation web-site]</ref> It was originally narrated by Paul Sutherland, but the BBC did not want Canadian accents and so for the BBC showings, all the voices were provided by [[Johnny Morris (television presenter)|Johnny Morris]]. The series was eventually sold to 34 countries around the world. ==Telecast and home release== In the U.S., The show also aired on the [[Animal Planet]] during the late 1990s and early 2000s. === UK VHS releases === {| class="wikitable" !VHS Title !Release Date !Episodes |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - The Picnic and other Stories'' (VC1259) | align="center" | 5 October 1992 | align="center" |The First Day of Spring, Sunken Treasure, The Fortune Teller, The Flying Lesson, The Picnic, King Gus's Birthday, Hammy the Helpful Hamster, Flying High, The Circus |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - A Nice Surprise and other Stories'' (VC1279) | align="center" | 8 February 1993 | align="center" |G.P.'s Medicine, Litter Bugs, The Riverbank Clock, The Drought, Say ''Cheese'', Mischief, First Past The Post, Hammy The Flying Postman, A Nice Surprise |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - The Race and other Stories'' (VC1310) | align="center" | 12 July 1993 | align="center" |Windy Weather,The Magic Word, G.P to the Rescue, King Gus's False Alarm, The Race, Hammy's Crystal Ball,Roderick to the Rescue, The Flood |- |} === UK DVD releases === {| class="wikitable" !DVD Title !Release Date !Episodes |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - Volume 1'' | align="center" | September 2013 | align="center" |The First Day of Spring, Sunken Treasure, Hammy the Helpful Hamster, The Flying Lesson, The Circus, Litter Bugs, River Bank Race, The Flood, Hammy's Crystal Ball. |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - Volume 2'' | align="center" | April 2015 | align="center" |Hammy the Flying Postman, The Riverbank Clock, Say Cheese, GP to the Rescue, GP's Medicine, A Nice Surprise, Windy Weather, Roderick to the Rescue. |- | ''Further Tales of the Riverbank - Volume 3'' | align="center" |April 2016 | align="center" |The Fortune Teller, The Picnic, Flying High, King Gus's Birthday, The Drought, Mischief, First Past the Post, The Magic Word, King Gus's False Alarm |} === US DVD releases === {| class="wikitable" !DVD Title !Episodes |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 1'' | align="center" |Arrival - Hammy Finds the Riverbank, The Boothouse |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 2'' | align="center" |Birdwatching, Contest with the Wind |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 3'' | align="center" |The Golden Flower, The Aeroplane |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 4'' | align="center" |Bubbles, The Monster |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 5'' | align="center" |A Diving We Shall Go, Garage Sale Recycling Story |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 6'' | align="center" |The Golden Coach, Hammy's Wings |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 7'' | align="center" |Spring Has Sprung, Little Red Hammy Hoops, Package from the Sky, The Music Box |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 8'' | align="center" |Ship Ahoy, The Bat Story, The Visit, Sherlock Hammy |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 9'' | align="center" |Soap Box Derby, Hammy to the Rescue, Corkers, Cap'n Toadie's Band, GP's Amazing Machine |- | ''Hammy Hamster Volume 10'' | align="center" |Who am I?, Dig, The Big Wheel, The Riverbank Fair |- |} ==Further episodes== After the original thirteen episodes, 39 further episodes were made in black-and-white. The majority were written by David Ellison, Charles Fullman, Paul Sutherland and Cliff Braggins. The episodes of ''Tales of the Riverbank'' purchased by the BBC were adapted by staff writer Peggy Miller. Much of the filming was done on location at [[Wootton Creek]] on the [[Isle of Wight]]. A later series with 26 episodes was filmed in colour in the 1970s, retitled ''Hammy Hamster''<ref>[http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/programming_popup.php?id=458 http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/programming_popup.php?id=458]</ref> (full title: ''Hammy Hamster's Adventures On the Riverbank'') launched in 1972. The BBC had introduced a policy of not using human voices for live animals and so this series was shown in the UK by [[ITV Network|ITV]]. In Australia, the show aired on [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC TV]] through the 1970s as ''Adventures on the River Bank''. The final series, dubbed ''Further Tales of the Riverbank'', made from 1991 to 1992, was produced for [[Working Title Films|WTTV]] and [[Channel 4]]; 26 episodes of that series were made.<ref name="Telly Nation web-site"/> It is ranked 79th in Channel 4's 2001 poll of the ''100 Greatest Kids' TV shows''. This series was the only one to have been released on DVD, in a set of three DVDs published in-house by Hammytime Productions UK. In the United States, ''Once Upon A Hamster'' was broadcast in a late-night slot, which helped the programme transcend its intended audience and develop a cult status among US viewers.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/Obituary/NtoS/article/107886 Obituary of Paul Sutherland] ''Toronto Star'' 20 May 2004</ref> The late Dave Ellison launched his own website <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.furthertalesoftheriverbank.com/ |title=Home |website=furthertalesoftheriverbank.com}}</ref> to regularly update information about Hammy Hamster and his friends. He was also involved with optimising the TV show, last shown on Channel 4, for release on DVD. Three children's books were published by [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Publications Ltd]] in 1993 based on the series and illustrated by Pauline Hazelwood. ==Main characters== In the later series the list of characters was expanded from the original first three listed below. {|class=wikitable !Character !Description |- |Hammy Hamster |The series' main protagonist and best-known character. He is curious and kind and lives in an old boot on the Riverbank. He became GP's co-pilot in the episode ''The Aeroplane Ride''. |- |Roderick the Water Rat |Hammy's best friend. He is cautious, resourceful and owns a small motorboat. In the Canadian and U.S. versions of the series, this character was Matty or Martha Mouse (although the "mouse" is really a rat). In Australia, the character was known as Matthew. |- |G. P. the Guinea Pig |Boastful and creative, he is the Riverbank's resident inventor. His creations included a "winch-a-ma-bob" and a "recyclamobile". He lived in a wooden house with a prominent water wheel at the front. He had a small plane, which he flew in several episodes, and spoke in a voice that sounded rather like [[W. C. Fields]] (in the BBC version, he speaks with a strong Yorkshire accent). |- |Turtle |A slow and plodding character. He teaches his friends the importance of patience. |- |Wise Old Frog |A grouchy but clever frog. His wise advice is often sought by the other characters. |- |Granny Rabbit |Acts as a grandmother to the whole community. She is fond of baking, singing and story-telling. |- |Berti and Herbi |Roderick's sneaky hamster nephews, who have no relation to Hammy. Appear in ''Bubbles''. |- |The Owl |Always on a tree branch, the only word it usually ever says is "who", but will sometimes say other question words. |- |King Gus |A Guinea Pig dressed in a crown and a cloak with ermine, who appears in several episodes, most notably "King Gus' Birthday". |} ==Feature film== A feature-length film, also titled ''Tales of the Riverbank'', was released in September 2008 [[Direct-to-video|directly to DVD]]. It used a mix of puppets, live action, and special effects. Directed by [[John Henderson (director)|John Henderson]], produced by Handmade Pictures and starring [[Stephen Fry]] as Owl, [[Ardal O'Hanlon]] as Hammy, [[Steve Coogan]] as Roderick and [[Jim Broadbent]] as G. P., the story follows three friends who live in a riverbank. After being swept away from their homes by a storm, they embark on an adventure to find their home and save it from the danger of the Fat Cats' factory. ==US news broadcast accidental reference== A publicity image by David Ellison of Hammy Hamster holding a clapperboard{{refn|group=nb|The pic is now the trademarked property of Hammytime Productions UK, reprinted on page 69 of ''True North: Everything You Wanted to Know About Canadian Television'' by Peter Kenter (Vancouver/Toronto: Whitecap, 2001, {{ISBN|1-55285-146-X}}))}} made an unexpected appearance on a January 2009 [[WFSB#News operation|news broadcast]] regarding the disappearance of a young girl named [[Death of Molly Bish|Molly Bish]]. During a report regarding the questioning of a potential suspect eight years after the girl's disappearance, an error resulted in the image of Hammy Hamster being shown instead of a photo of the potential suspect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2oxb7GoIdM|title=Youtube: "News Reporter Shows Picture Of Hamster Instead Of Mug Shot"]|website=[[YouTube]]|date=2009-02-02|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Anthropomorphism]] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=nb}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{IMDb title|tt0401070}} * [http://www.oreshko.co.uk/giuliani/Andante1.mp3 Andante in C by Giuliani] * [http://www.furthertalesoftheriverbank.com The Official website of the series 'Further Tales of the Riverbank' Dave Ellison and Hammy Hamster] {{Watch with Mother}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tales Of The Riverbank}} [[Category:BBC children's television shows]] [[Category:British children's television series]] [[Category:Channel 4 original programming]] [[Category:ITV children's television shows]] [[Category:Television series about mammals]] [[Category:Television series by Corus Entertainment]] [[Category:Television shows filmed in Toronto]] [[Category:1960s British children's television series]] [[Category:1970s British children's television series]] [[Category:1990s British children's television series]] [[Category:1959 Canadian television series debuts]] [[Category:1972 Canadian television series debuts]] [[Category:1995 Canadian television series debuts]] [[Category:1997 Canadian television series debuts]] [[Category:1950s Canadian children's television series]] [[Category:1960s Canadian children's television series]] [[Category:1970s Canadian children's television series]] [[Category:1990s Canadian children's television series]] [[Category:Black-and-white British television shows]] [[Category:Black-and-white Canadian television shows]] [[Category:Fictional cavies]] [[Category:Fictional hamsters]] [[Category:English-language television shows]]'