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Crystal Tipps and Alistair facts for kids

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Crystal Tipps and Alistair is a classic British cartoon series. It was made for the BBC and first aired between 1971 and 1974. The show follows the adventures of a girl named Crystal Tipps and her shaggy dog, Alistair. They are often joined by their friends, a little bird called Birdie and a colorful Butterfly. The series is known for having no spoken words. Instead, it tells its stories through music and animation.

What is Crystal Tipps and Alistair About?

This fun cartoon series features 50 short episodes, each lasting about five minutes. There was also a special 20-minute Christmas episode. The show was very popular and was repeated on TV for many years. It first aired on the BBC until 1980. Later, it was shown on Children's ITV from 1985 to 1987. The BBC then got the rights back, and the show continued to air until 1994.

The cartoon was created by Hilary Hayton and Graham McCallum. A BBC producer named Michael Grafton-Robinson started his own company, Q3 of London, to produce the series. The animation was done by Richard Taylor Cartoons. This studio also worked on other well-known British public information films like "Charley Says".

Music and Voices

One special thing about "Crystal Tipps and Alistair" is that it has no talking! The stories are told only through the actions of the characters and a wonderful musical soundtrack. This music was composed by Paul Reade.

However, when the show was shown in the United States on a program called Captain Kangaroo in the 1970s, it did have a voice-over. A person named Cosmo "Gus" Allegretti narrated the episodes using a high-pitched voice.

A Look at the Episodes

There are 50 different adventures that Crystal Tipps and Alistair go on. Each episode shows them doing something new or exploring a different place. For example, some episodes include:

  • Birdie
  • Butterfly
  • Flying High
  • The Art Gallery
  • Keep Fit
  • Fishing
  • Party Time
  • Decorating
  • Trip to the Seaside
  • Zoo Time
  • The Circus
  • The Swimming Pool
  • Picnic Time
  • Snow
  • The Monster
  • The Magician

The special "Crystal's Christmas Special" was first shown on Christmas Day in 1974.

Who Made the Show?

Many talented people worked together to bring "Crystal Tipps and Alistair" to life.

  • Designed and Written by: Graham McCallum and Hilary Hayton
  • Music Composed by: Paul Reade
  • Animation Directed by: Richard Taylor
  • Animator: Maggie Clarke
  • Produced by: Michael Grafton-Robinson

The series was a co-production between BBC TV and Q3 London.

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