Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse facts for kids

Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse is a fun animated TV show for kids. It was made in Canada and China. The show is about a young horse named Marvin who performs in a carnival.

The show was created by Michael Paraskevas and Betty Paraskevas. They also made the book that the show is based on. You might know their other show, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse first aired in 2000. It was shown on PBS Kids in the United States and Teletoon in Canada. Later, reruns were shown on Qubo until 2020.

Some episodes of the show feature original songs. These songs help tell the story or explain what's happening.

Meet the Carnival Characters

The show features many interesting characters who work and live at the carnival.

Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse

Marvin is a brown horse with a black mane and tail. He is the star of the carnival! His hooves are designed to look like a tuxedo. They make special tapping sounds when he dances. Marvin also wears a red bowtie. He used to be in movies and on Broadway, which is a famous theater area.

Eddy Largo, the Assistant

Eddy is a 9-year-old boy. He joins the carnival in the first episode. He works as an assistant for Fast-Talking Jack, the carnival owner. Eddy is very good at holding his breath underwater. He changed his name to Eddy Largo because he thought his real name was too plain.

Diamonds the Elephant

Diamonds is a fancy pink elephant. She is a big attraction at the circus. She wears a large cloth on her back with a yellow star. Her act involves balancing on a big, inflated beach ball.

Elizabeth the Emotional Pig

Elizabeth is a pig who feels emotions very strongly. She can get upset easily and might cry. But when things go well, she becomes extremely happy! She wears a turquoise dress with yellow lines. Elizabeth is great at juggling, especially pineapples. She also loves to eat corn on the cob.

Stripes the Tiger

Stripes is a tiger who can be a bit grumpy. But he has a soft spot for his torn Teddy bear, Mr. Grizzly. Stripes is quite heavy, weighing about 400 pounds. He enjoys eating 32 chickens for dinner! For breakfast, he likes a giant bowl of cereal soaked just right. Stripes also likes reading the newspaper. Because he's a tiger, he is often seen inside his cage.

Fast-Talking Jack

Jack is the owner of the carnival. He is also the ringmaster of the big show. He even performs as a lion tamer during Stripes' act.

Edna the Fortune Teller

Edna is a smart fortune teller at the carnival. She also makes and sells delicious lemonade and lemon ice. She insists on using only fresh, hand-squeezed juice. Edna has a very loud singing voice that can sometimes break glass!

Lyman Slime, the Rival

Lyman Slime owns a rival clown circus. He sees Jack's carnival as competition. Sometimes, he sends his three clowns to spy on or try to cause trouble for the carnival.

The Penguin's Five

This is a band made up of five penguins. They play music for the acts in the performance tent.

Eddy's Grandma

Eddy's grandma is a strong woman. She often taps her cane on the floor to make a point. Eddy stays at her house during the summer while he works at the carnival. She still calls him by his real name, Edward.

Squinty Pete

Squinty Pete runs the Whomp-A-Weasel game in the carnival's midway.

Mr. P. Nutty

Mr. P. Nutty sells peanuts during the big show and around the carnival. He wears a peanut costume with a huge grin. His real name is Philbert, and he has a high-pitched voice. He says he is shy.

Lula Belle Rose

Lula Belle Rose is a tan mare with a light brown mane and tail. She has red lips and a daisy on her ear. She is Marvin's girlfriend and is also a great tap dancer. She appears in the episode "The Importance of Being Eddy."

Lucy

Lucy is Jack's niece. She appeared in the episode "Eddy's Charm." Eddy has a crush on her.

Boris the Bear

Boris is a Russian circus bear. He came to the carnival looking for work. He is good at peeling peanuts and telling stories about Russia. He appeared in "Truth or Bear."

Clyde, Marvin's Brother

Clyde is a racehorse and Marvin's younger brother. He is now bigger than Marvin. He appeared in "Marvin Keeps Track." Marvin and Clyde used to do great things together when they were young, and Marvin always won. Clyde reminded Marvin that if it wasn't for him, Clyde would never have become a racehorse.

Voice Actors

Here are some of the talented people who gave voices to the characters:

• Ron Pardo as Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse and Stripes the Tiger
• Marlowe Gardiner-Heslin as Eddy Largo
• Fiona Reid as Diamonds the Elephant
• Sheila McCarthy as Elizabeth the Emotional Pig
• Dwayne Hill as Fast Talking Jack
• Robin Duke as Edna
• Rummy Bishop as Lyman Slime

Episodes Overview

The show has two seasons with a total of 26 episodes. Each episode usually has two shorter stories.

Season 1 (2000)

The first season aired in 2000. Some of the episode titles include:

• "Eddy's Job" and "Elephants Almost Never Forget"
• "Marvin's High Dive" and "Eddy's Wrong Order"
• "Stripes' Sticky Situation" and "Stripes Takes Off"
• "The New Band" and "Eddy's Video"
• "Elizabeth's Biggest Fan" and "The Visit"
• "Marvin's Roommate" and "Stripes' Dental Fuss"
• "Marvin's Surprise" and "Eddy Learns to Dance"
• "Visit to Grandma's" and "Gone Fishing"
• "Marvin's Breakfast Jam" and "The Iron Claw"
• "Elizabeth and the Haunted House" and "Marvin Horses Around"
• "The Big Show" and "Eddy's Fortune"
• "Eddy's Charm" and "Eddy and the Cowboy"
• "When Pigs Fly" and "Mr. P. Nutty"

Season 2 (2001–2002)

The second season aired from late 2001 to early 2002. Some of the episode titles include:

• "Now You See It..." and "When the Stars Come Out"
• "Eddy and the Record" and "Marvin in the Movies"
• "Marvin and Eddy in the Middle of Nowhere" and "Stripes' Mis-Fortune"
• "Just for Kicks" and "Edna the Singing Sensation"
• "Elizabeth in Charge" and "Dare to Dream"
• "The Importance of Being Eddy" and "Eddy's Sore Throat"
• "Little Olaf" and "Jokers Go Wild"
• "Pop Goes the Weasel" and "Marvin's Lucky Hat"
• "To Flea or Not to Flea" and "Eddy's Sleepover"
• "Marvin Keeps Track" and "Diamonds' Dance Party"
• "Paint Your Wagon" and "Truth or Bear"
• "Elizabeth's Big Splash" and "Stripes' World Tour"
• "Little Big Man" and "Fast Talkin' Jack's Real Class Act"