HBO Storybook Musicals facts for kids
Quick facts for kids HBO Storybook Musicals |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Animation special |
| Starring | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 18 |
| Production company(s) | HBO Michael Sporn Animation Klasky Csupo (episode 6) Cinar ("The Real Story of...") Random House (episode 18) |
| Distributor | HBO Warner Bros. Television Distribution WildBrain ("The Real Story of...") First Run Features (episode 3, 7, 8) |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | November 18, 1987 – December 8, 1993 |
HBO Storybook Musicals was a TV show on HBO that brought classic storybooks to life! It used animation that looked just like the original book pictures. Each episode also had fun, lively songs. You might have also seen these specials on HBO Family.
How the Show Started
The idea for HBO Storybook Musicals came about after an animated short film called Doctor DeSoto was nominated for a big award. HBO, a TV channel, and Michael Sporn, an animator, decided to work together. They wanted to create animated specials for families.
HBO was interested in making shows that everyone in the family could enjoy. Michael Sporn directed the first special, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical. It aired on November 18, 1987. After that, HBO showed more animated stories. These included The Story of the Dancing Frog and The Red Shoes. All these specials mixed beautiful illustrations with catchy songs.
Stories You Can Watch
HBO Storybook Musicals aired 18 different episodes between 1987 and 1993. The first four episodes were shown on their own. But starting with the fifth episode, they were all part of the HBO Storybook Musicals series.
Many of these stories are still owned by HBO. However, some are now owned by other companies like WildBrain and First Run Features.
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical" | November 18, 1987 | |
|
The Primm family finds a friendly crocodile named Lyle in their new home. They quickly grow to love him! This story is based on a book by Bernard Waber.
|
|||
| 2 | "The Story of the Dancing Frog" | October 3, 1989 | |
|
George the Dancing Frog brings happiness to Gertrude, a woman who feels lonely. Prudence Plummer tells this story.
|
|||
| 3 | "The Red Shoes" | February 7, 1990 | |
|
This classic Hans Christian Andersen tale is set in modern times. It's about a girl named Lisa who learns about friendship with the help of some magic slippers. Ossie Davis narrates.
|
|||
| 4 | "Earthday Birthday" | April 22, 1990 | |
|
The Zwibble-Dibbles are special dinosaurs who live in a beautiful forest. They are sad about pollution. So, they plan a birthday party for Earth to teach kids about protecting our planet. You'll hear the voices of Christopher Reeve, Fred Gwynne, and Lainie Kazan.
|
|||
| 5 | "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" | September 10, 1990 | |
|
Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, are worried about new machines. They take on a challenge to dig a cellar in one day. They find a town that truly values their hard work. Robert Klein is the voice of Mike.
|
|||
| 6 | "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" | October 2, 1990 | |
|
This episode follows a boy named Alexander through a day where everything seems to go wrong!
|
|||
| 7 | "The Marzipan Pig" | November 5, 1990 | |
|
A marzipan pig gets lost behind a sofa. Even though he's alone, his feelings of love connect him to an owl, a mouse, and a flower in a surprising way. Tim Curry narrates this story.
|
|||
| 8 | "The Little Match Girl" | December 6, 1990 | |
|
This Hans Christian Andersen classic is updated for today. It tells the story of Angela, a child without a home who sells matchsticks to survive. The story has a hopeful ending. F. Murray Abraham narrates.
|
|||
| 9 | "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" | June 11, 1991 | |
|
Carol Burnett tells the famous story by Beatrix Potter. It's about Peter, a mischievous rabbit who can't stay out of Mr. McGregor's garden. He almost ends up in a pie, just like his father did!
|
|||
| 10 | "The Ice Queen's Mittens" | October 2, 1991 | |
|
Freezelda the Ice Queen needs warm mittens. Three kittens must be careful! This is part of "The Real Story of..." series. It features the voices of Bryan Adams and Lauren Bacall.
|
|||
| 11 | "Spider Junior High" | October 16, 1991 | |
|
Students at Spider Junior High try to scare their human classmates. This is part of "The Real Story of..." series.
|
|||
| 12 | "Ira Sleeps Over" | November 6, 1991 | |
|
Ira is invited to spend the night at his best friend Reggie's house. Ira worries what Reggie will think if he brings his teddy bear, Tah Tah. Ira makes a tough choice, only to find out Reggie has his own little secret.
|
|||
| 13 | "The Prince's Rain" | November 13, 1991 | |
|
A prince who only thinks of himself learns a lesson about caring and love. He tries to trick Mother Nature, but it doesn't work out as planned. This is part of "The Real Story of..." series.
|
|||
| 14 | "The Runaway Teapot" | December 4, 1991 | |
|
This story is like "Alice in Wonderland" but set in modern-day New York City. This is part of "The Real Story of..." series.
|
|||
| 15 | "The Rise and Fall of Humpty Dumpty" | December 18, 1991 | |
|
Humpty Dumpty tries to save a princess from a mean witch. This is part of "The Real Story of..." series.
|
|||
| 16 | "Happy Birthday to You" | January 4, 1992 | |
|
Olivia wants a special song for her birthday. Who will write it? Her caretaker, who can't sing well, or a new friend who is good at music? This is part of "The Real Story of..." series.
|
|||
| 17 | "A Child's Garden of Verses" | April 3, 1992 | |
|
Young Robbie is sick and has to stay in bed. But his amazing imagination helps him experience the world around him.
|
|||
| 18 | "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale" | December 8, 1993 | |
|
Emily the mouse goes on an adventure. She visits her cousin Alexander in New York City for Christmas.
|
|||
