Pat & Mat facts for kids

Pat and Mat
Pat (left) and Mat (right)
Genre	Slapstick comedy
Created by	Lubomír Beneš Vladimír Jiránek
Written by	Lubomír Beneš Vladimír Jiránek Jiří Kubíček Vendulka Čvančarová Marek Beneš others
Directed by	Lubomír Beneš Marek Beneš others
Theme music composer	Petr Skoumal
Composer(s)	Petr Skoumal (ep. 2–91) Zdeněk Zdeněk (ep. 92–130) Luboš Fišer (ep. 1)
Country of origin	Czechoslovakia Czech Republic Slovakia
No. of episodes	129 (+1 unreleased)
Production
Running time	6 – 9 min.
Production company(s)	Krátký Film Praha aiF Studio Patmat film Ateliéry Bonton Zlín others
Release
Original network	ČST (1979–1992) ČT (1992–present) STV (1993–2011) ČT :D (2013–present) TV JOJ (2016)
Picture format	4:3 (ep. 1–49, 51–78) (ep. 50, 79–130)
Audio format	Mono (1976–94) Stereo (1998–present)
Original release	August 12, 1976–present

Pat & Mat (Czech and Slovak: Pat a Mat) is a Czechoslovak slapstick stop-motion animated series created by Lubomír Beneš and Vladimír Jiránek for Czechoslovak Television (later Czech Television). The characters first appeared in the theatrically released short Kuťáci (Tinkers) in 1976, while the first made-for-TV episode Tapety (Wallpaper) was produced for ČST Bratislava. The main characters of the series are two handymen, Pat and Mat, who are inventive but extremely clumsy. As of 2020^[update], 129 episodes of the show have been released, and it has been syndicated in a large number of countries due to its lack of dialogue.

Names

The original name of the series was Kuťáci (The Tinkers). However, when production of episodes started for ČST Bratislava, a Slovak name was required, and the crew eventually settled for ... a je to! (... and that's it!). The characters themselves were nameless until 1989, when they were given the names Pat and Mat. Pat and Mat are shortened forms of Czech expressions Patlal and Matlal, which can roughly be translated as Clumsy and Awkward. The authors intentionally gave the characters short and universal names suitable for a worldwide audience.

The show

Each episode typically features the two characters facing mostly self-made problems, and trying to solve them using a range of possible and impossible tools and construction gadgets. Their solutions appear to work, before everything suddenly goes wrong, leading to even more problems than before. However, Pat and Mat invariably find a solution in the end, usually via a surprising or innovative method. They then shake hands, before making their trademark hand gesture with a bent hand and closed fist.

According to the authors, it is manual ineptitude that inspires the stories. Alongside the humour, another motif of the show is the importance of an optimistic approach towards life. The two characters always get into problematic situations, but they never give up until they solve the problem in imaginative ways.

The show is also memorable for its soundtrack, composed by Petr Skoumal, of which the main parts are the theme song and a harmonica tune.

Awards

Several Pat & Mat episodes have received prizes and awards at international animation festivals.

The 38th episode The Cyclists, directed by Lubomír Beneš and animated by Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, participated in the "Annecy '93" (Annecy, France) animation festival competition, and was invited to a number of other world festivals. The episode was also included in the selection "The Best of Annecy '93" by Cinémathèque Québécoise (Montreal), Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley), Museum of Modern Art (New York City) and presented by these institutions in their autumn 1993 show.

The 44th episode The Billiards, animated by František Váša, was selected for the "Annecy '95" competition, and invited to many other international film festivals. The episode was awarded two prizes at the World Animation Celebration in Agoura, California in March 1997:

• 1st prize - best animation for a daytime TV series
• 2nd prize - best stop motion professional animation.

The 50th episode Playing Cards (originally named Karty) written, animated and directed by František Váša, was selected for the "Annecy '99" TV competition.

Production years

Nr.	Episode(s)	Production year
1	1 (1)	1976
2	2–29 (28)	1979–1985
3	30–35 (6)	1989–1990
4	36–49 (14)	1992–1994
5	50 (1, unreleased)	1998
6	51–78 (28)	2002–2004
7	79–91 (13)	2009–2015
8	92–104 (13)	2018
9	105–117 (13)	2018–2019
10	118–130 (13)	2019–2020

List of episodes

N°	Year of production	English Title	Czech Title (Slovak in 1979-1985)	Episode Director
Kuťáci (Tinkers) produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague
1	1976	Tinkers	Kuťáci	Lubomír Beneš
... a je to! produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague for Czechoslovak Television, Bratislava
2	1979	Tapestry (Wallpaper)	Tapety	Lubomír Beneš
3	1979	Workshop	Dielňa	Lubomír Beneš
4	1979	Carpet	Koberec	Lubomír Beneš
5	1979	Rocking Chair	Hojdacie kreslo	Lubomír Beneš
6	1979	Picture	Obraz	Lubomír Beneš
7	1979	Garage	Garáž	Lubomír Beneš
8	1979	Light (The Light)	Svetlo	Lubomír Beneš
9	1981	Record Player (Gramophone)	Gramofón	Lubomír Beneš
10	1981	Grill	Grill	Lubomír Beneš
11	1982	Removal (Moving Day)	Sťahovanie	Lubomír Beneš
12	1982	Water	Voda	Lubomír Beneš
13	1982	Garden	Záhradka	Lubomír Beneš
14	1982	Painting Job	Maľovanie	Lubomír Beneš
15	1982	Jumpers	Skokani	Lubomír Beneš
16	1982	Crossword (Crossword Puzzle)	Krížovka	Lubomír Beneš
17	1983	Bird Feeder (Birdhouse)	Búdka	Lubomír Beneš
18	1983	Big Laundry (Laundry Day)	Veľké pranie	Lubomír Beneš
19	1983	Gym	Telocvičňa	Lubomír Beneš
20	1983	Breakfast (Breakfast in Grass)	Raňajky v tráve	Lubomír Beneš
21	1983	Washing Machine	Práčka	Lubomír Beneš
22	1983	Rain	Dážď	Lubomír Beneš
23	1984	Excursion (Trip)	Výlet	Lubomír Beneš
24	1984	Winegrowers (Winemakers)	Vinári	Lubomír Beneš
25	1984	Skates	Korčule	Lubomír Beneš
26	1984	Piano	Klavír	Lubomír Beneš
27	1985	Potters	Hrnčiari	Lubomír Beneš
28	1985	Defect (Malfunction)	Porucha	Lubomír Beneš
29	1985	Apple	Jablko	Lubomír Beneš
Pat & Mat produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague
30	1989	Key (The Key)	Klíč	Lubomír Beneš
31	1989	Furniture	Nábytek	Lubomír Beneš
32	1990	Mowing Machine (Lawnmower)	Sekačka	Lubomír Beneš
33	1990	Big Cleanup	Generální úklid	Lubomír Beneš
34	1990	Roof	Střecha	Lubomír Beneš
35	1990	Door	Dveře	Lubomír Beneš
Pat & Mat produced in the authors' aiF Studio, Prague
36	1992	Biscuits	Sušenky	Marek Beneš
37	1992	Garage Door	Vrata	Lubomír Beneš
38	1992	Cyclists	Cyklisti	Lubomír Beneš
39	1992	Paving Bricks (Tiles)	Dlaždice	Lubomír Beneš
40	1992	Parquetry (Parquet)	Parkety	Lubomír Beneš
41	1992	Gutter Pipe	Okap	Marek Beneš
42	1992	Convertible	Kabriolet	Lubomír Beneš
43	1994	Flat Tire (Accident)	Nehoda	Lubomír Beneš
44	1994	Billiards	Kulečník	Lubomír Beneš
45	1994	Quickset Hedge (Hedgerow)	Živý plot	Lubomír Beneš
46	1994	Safe (The Safe)	Trezor	Lubomír Beneš
47	1994	Mudguard (Fender)	Blatník	Lubomír Beneš
48	1994	Model Builders	Modeláři	Lubomír Beneš
49	1994	Windsurfing	Windsurfing	Lubomír Beneš
episode not released for distribution (produced by part of Lubomír Beneš's former team without his heirs' consent)
50	1998	Playing Cards	Karty	František Váša
Pat a Mat, Pat a Mat se vracejí (Pat & Mat return) (followers, with Marek Beneš or his consent) produced by Ateliery Bonton Zlín
51	2002	Puzzle	Puzzle	Marek Beneš
52	2003	Roasted Sausages	Opékají špekáčky	Ladislav Pálka
53	2003	Roof Repair	Opravují střechu	Ladislav Pálka
54	2003	Black Box	Černá bedýnka	Vlasta Pospíšilová
55	2003	Furniture on wheels	Kolečka	Vlasta Pospíšilová
56	2003	Dog House	Psí bouda	Milan Šebesta
57	2003	Lacquering the Floor	Natírají podlahu	Ladislav Pálka
58	2003	The Greenhouse	Skleník	Marek Beneš
59	2003	The Swing	Houpačka	Marek Beneš
60	2003	Unwanted Guest	Nezvaný návštěvník	Marek Beneš
61	2003	Bodyguards	Bodygárdi	Marek Beneš
62	2003	Painting The Windows	Natírají okna	Marek Beneš
63	2003	Easter Egg	Velikonoční vajíčko	Vlasta Pospíšilová
64	2003	Slim Figure	Štíhlá linie	Vlasta Pospíšilová
65	2003	Vending Machine	Automat	Marek Beneš
66	2003	Autodrome	Autodráha	Marek Beneš
67	2003	Aquarium	Akvárium	Marek Beneš
68	2003	Canning	Zavařují	Ladislav Pálka
69	2003	Hang Glider	Rogalo	Ladislav Pálka
70	2003	Christmas Cake	Vánočka	Milan Šebesta
71	2003	Flu	Stůňou	Ladislav Pálka
72	2003	Fax Machine	Fax	Josef Lamka
73	2003	Strawberries	Jahody	Vlasta Pospíšilová
74	2004	Playing Golf	Hrají golf	Ladislav Pálka
75	2004	Bottle Cap	Někam to zapadlo	Vlasta Pospíšilová
76	2004	Swimming Pool	Kopají bazén	Marek Beneš
77	2004	Hanging a Painting	Věší krajinu	Marek Beneš
78	2004	Christmas Tree	Vánoční stromeček	Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat na venkově (Pat & Mat in the Countryside) produced by Patmat film, Prague
79	2009	Beds	Postele	Marek Beneš
80	2011	Water Supply	Vodovod	Marek Beneš
81	2011	Paper Plates	Papírový servis	Marek Beneš
82	2011	Projector	Promítačka	Marek Beneš
83	2012	Vacuum Cleaner	Vysavač	Marek Beneš
84	2012	The Pool	Bazén	Marek Beneš
85	2012	The Floor	Podlaha	Marek Beneš
86	2013	Deadwood	Suchý strom	Marek Beneš
87	2014	Orange Juice	Pomerančová šťáva	Marek Beneš
88	2014	Bicycle	Rotoped	Marek Beneš
89	2015	Cactus	Kaktus	Marek Beneš
90	2015	Bathroom Tiles	Obkladačky	Marek Beneš
91	2015	Sun Cover	Sluneční clona	Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat nás baví (Pat & Mat Entertain Us) produced by Patmat film, Prague
92	2018	Bees	Včely	Marek Beneš
93	2018	(Solar) Lawnmower	Sekačka	Marek Beneš
94	2018	Mole	Krtek	Marek Beneš
95	2018	Fence	Plot	Marek Beneš
96	2018	Clogged Chimney	Ucpaný komín	Marek Beneš
97	2018	Power Station	Elektrárna	Marek Beneš
98	2018	Rock Garden	Skalka	Marek Beneš
99	2018	Rodeo	Rodeo	Marek Beneš
100	2018	Carousel	Kolotoč	Marek Beneš
101	2018	Dishwasher	Myčka	Marek Beneš
102	2018	Waste	Odpad	Marek Beneš
103	2018	Stairs	Schody	Marek Beneš
104	2018	Camera	Kamera	Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat v zimě (Pat & Mat in Winter) produced by Patmat film, Prague
105	2018	Calamity	Kalamita	Marek Beneš
106	2018	Christmas Lights	Vánoční světýlka	Marek Beneš
107	2018	Sauna	Sauna	Marek Beneš
108	2018	Nativity Scene	Betlém	Marek Beneš
109	2018	Tree	Stromeček	Marek Beneš
110	2018	Gifts	Dárky	Marek Beneš
111	2018	New Year	Silvestr	Marek Beneš
112	2019	Christmas Card	Novoroční přání	Marek Beneš
113	2019	Potato Salad	Bramborový salát	Marek Beneš
114	2019	Carp	Kapr	Marek Beneš
115	2019	Gingerbread House	Perníková chaloupka	Marek Beneš
116	2019	Glazed Frost	Ledovka	Marek Beneš
117	2019	Igloo	Iglú	Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat kutí (Pat & Mat Adventures) produced by Patmat film, Prague
118	2019	Pancakes	Palačinky	Marek Beneš
119	2019	Flying Machine	Létající stroj	Marek Beneš
120	2019	Popcorn	Popcorn	Marek Beneš
121	2019	Furniture	Nábytek	Marek Beneš
122	2019	Car Wash	Automyčka	Marek Beneš
123	2019	Harvest	Sklizeň	Marek Beneš
124	2019	Phototrap	Fotopast	Marek Beneš
125	2020	Barbecue	Barbecue	Marek Beneš
126	2020	Tube Post	Potrubní pošta	Marek Beneš
127	2020	Ice Making	Výroba ledu	Marek Beneš
128	2020	Pizza	Pizza	Marek Beneš
129	2020	Bread	Pečou chleba	Marek Beneš
130	2020	Garage Door	Garážová vrata	Marek Beneš

Feature films

Year	Czech title	English title
2016	Pat a Mat ve filmu	Pat & Mat in a Movie
2018	Pat a Mat znovu v akci	Pat & Mat Back in Action
2018	Pat a Mat: Zimní radovánky	Pat & Mat: Winter Fun
2019	Pat a Mat: Kutilské trampoty	Pat & Mat: DIY Troubles

Broadcast

Original

Country	TV channel(s)	Year(s)
Czech Republic	ČST, ČT, ČT :D	1979–1992, 1992–present, 2013-present
Slovakia	Jednotka, TV JOJ	1979–1992, 2016

Home media

After being released on VHS for ten years, the first 35 episodes were released on DVD in the early 2000s, with the 28 new episodes featuring in the last release in 2005. Shorts from the AIF era were initially unavailable because of copyright issues, but appeared on DVD for the first time in 2007.

English Dub

In 1999, AIF Asia located in South Korea dubbed Pat & Mat episodes in English for educational purposes. The dub, covering episodes 1 to 49, was originally released on 10 VHS tapes, and re-released in 2003 for 10 DVD discs.

Related products

At least two books with the series' characters have been published:

On 1 August 2007 a Czech computer development company, Centauri Production, announced via their website that they had secured the rights to create a Pat & Mat video game. The game was released in the Czech Republic on 1 October 2009, and other EU countries in 2010. The game was taken down from Steam in July 2020.

There is a wide range of Pat & Mat merchandise available, including games, dolls, key rings, office material, posters and T-shirts. In Dutch supermarkets Pat & Mat food is also available.

Images for kids

• 

  Episodes made from 1979 to 1985 have Mat (left) wearing a grey shirt.

See also

In Spanish: Pat y Mat para niños