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Special Delivery (TV series) facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids
Special Delivery
Nickelodeon Special Delivery title card.png
Narrated by Bill St. James (1984–1993)
Country of origin United States
Production
Running time 30 minutes–2 hours
Production company(s) Various
Distributor Various
Release
Original network Nickelodeon
Picture format NTSC
Audio format Mono/Stereo
Original release April 6, 1980 (1980-04-06) – September 13, 1993 (1993-09-13)
Chronology
Related shows 16 Cinema
Nick Jr. Storytime

Special Delivery was a special TV show on Nickelodeon. It aired on weekend afternoons from 1980 to 1993. This show was an anthology series, which means it showed different movies and specials each time. Nickelodeon bought many of these shows from other companies.

The programs included live-action and animated stories. Many were TV movies made in Canada during the 1970s and 80s. It also showed short films from popular series like ABC Afterschool Special and CBS Schoolbreak Special. Sometimes, it even featured sports events or pilot episodes for new TV shows.

From 1987 to 1989, another show called 16 Cinema aired after Special Delivery on Sundays. 16 Cinema was for teenagers. Some shorter Special Delivery episodes also aired on weekdays. These were part of blocks like Nickelodeon Lunch Break Theater (in summer 1992), Nick Jr. Lunchbreak Theater (late 1992 to April 1993), and Nick Jr. Storytime (April 1993 to June 1995).

What Was Special Delivery About?

Special Delivery showed many different kinds of programs. A magazine called Boys' Life once described them as "fill-in shows." This meant they filled time between Nickelodeon's main programs. Most shows were for families.

Sometimes, Nickelodeon even aired rock-and-roll concerts. This was to be like its sister channel, MTV. The first known Special Delivery show was a Rick Derringer concert in April 1980. Before choosing a show, Nickelodeon would test it in schools. This helped them pick programs that kids would enjoy.

Featured Episodes and Specials

Special Delivery showed a wide range of movies and specials. Here are some of the programs that aired:

Title Airdate Reference
Rick Derringer in Concert April 6, 1980 (1980-04-06)
The Magical Mystery Trip Through Little Red's Head August 20, 1980 (1980-08-20)
Courage to Succeed August 31, 1980 (1980-08-31)
The Little Fugitive September 1, 1980 (1980-09-01)
The Day The Derby Almost Died September 9, 1980 (1980-09-09)
Star City Roll Out September 21, 1980 (1980-09-21)
Mandy's Grandmother December 10, 1980 (1980-12-10)
Hansel and Gretel December 25, 1980 (1980-12-25)
Michel's Mixed-Up Musical Bird January 18, 1981 (1981-01-18)
On Stage At The Agora: Toto February 6, 1981 (1981-02-06)
My Mom's Having a Baby February 11, 1981 (1981-02-11)
The Incredible, Indelible, Magical Physical, Mystery Trip February 25, 1981 (1981-02-25)
Circles and Spins March 18, 1981 (1981-03-18)
Portrait of Grandpa Doc April 17, 1981 (1981-04-17)
Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book May 16, 1981 (1981-05-16)
Clever Jack July 10, 1981 (1981-07-10)
Circus Town August 9, 1981 (1981-08-09)
China Spectacular August 15, 1981 (1981-08-15)
The Ransom of Red Chief September 20, 1981 (1981-09-20)
We Are All One People September 28, 1981 (1981-09-28)
The Darts October 3, 1981 (1981-10-03)
I'll Find A Way October 14, 1981 (1981-10-14)
The Police October 17, 1981 (1981-10-17)
Beware, Beware, My Beauty Fair October 30, 1981 (1981-10-30)
Robinson Crusoe November 1, 1981 (1981-11-01)
David Johansen in Concert November 6, 1981 (1981-11-06)
One Of A Kind November 15, 1981 (1981-11-15)
Nikkolina November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26)
A Gift to Last December 24, 1981 (1981-12-24)
Kids' Writes December 25, 1981 (1981-12-25)
Marie Anne January 1, 1982 (1982-01-01)
The World According to Nicholas January 27, 1982 (1982-01-27)
Meeting Halfway February 5, 1982 (1982-02-05)
Roger Daltrey: Ride A Rock Horse February 14, 1982 (1982-02-14)
Danny February 15, 1982 (1982-02-15)
Hello Symphony February 20, 1982 (1982-02-20)
Kids in Performance ("Suzuki's Children"/"Dancespace") March 11, 1982 (1982-03-11)
Wild Rides March 17, 1982 (1982-03-17)
His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz April 1, 1982 (1982-04-01)
The Adventures Of Dinosaur Badlands April 4, 1982 (1982-04-04)
The Amazing Mr. Blunden April 5, 1982 (1982-04-05)
The Velveteen Rabbit April 9, 1982 (1982-04-09)
Clay Creatures May 7, 1982 (1982-05-07)
End of the Game May 17, 1982 (1982-05-17)
Big Apple Birthday June 9, 1982 (1982-06-09)
Split Enz June 11, 1982 (1982-06-11)
The Cars July 2, 1982 (1982-07-02)
The American Hero Show July 3, 1982 (1982-07-03)
Santa Fe Trail July 7, 1982 (1982-07-07)
The Stowaway July 10, 1982 (1982-07-10)
Let the Balloon Go August 7, 1982 (1982-08-07)
Alex and the Wonderful Doo Wah Lamp September 12, 1982 (1982-09-12)
The Water Babies October 11, 1982 (1982-10-11)
Tuck Everlasting November 25, 1982 (1982-11-25)
ELO In Concert In Wembley December 10, 1982 (1982-12-10)
Clarence and Angel December 19, 1982 (1982-12-19)
Kävik the Wolf Dog January 29, 1983 (1983-01-29)
Foghat February 5, 1983 (1983-02-05)
Voice Of The Fugitive February 13, 1983 (1983-02-13)
Clarence and the Ottaway March 5, 1983 (1983-03-05)
Adam & the Ants: The Prince Charming Revue March 12, 1983 (1983-03-12)
Silver City April 9, 1983 (1983-04-09)
Quarterflash May 1, 1983 (1983-05-01)
Gulliver's Travels June 4, 1983 (1983-06-04)
Duran Duran in Concert June 11, 1983 (1983-06-11)
Haircut 100 in Concert June 26, 1983 (1983-06-26)
Talk Talk And Depeche Mode In Concert July 2, 1983 (1983-07-02)
Avengers of the Reef July 9, 1983 (1983-07-09)
Someday, Sometime July 16, 1983 (1983-07-16)
Altered Images August 13, 1983 (1983-08-13)
Star Chart September 2, 1983 (1983-09-02)
School Daze ("Louis James Hates School"/"Miss Nelson Is Missing!") September 25, 1983 (1983-09-25)
Aladdin October 9, 1983 (1983-10-09)
Introducing Janet November 6, 1983 (1983-11-06)
Raisins and Almonds December 3, 1983 (1983-12-03)
The Nutcracker December 11, 1983 (1983-12-11)
English Beat In Concert January 8, 1984 (1984-01-08)
One Last Ride January 8, 1984 (1984-01-08)
UFO Kidnapped January 14, 1984 (1984-01-14)
Wings in the Wilderness February 5, 1984 (1984-02-05)
Mariposa March 3, 1984 (1984-03-03)
Spirit Bay April 7, 1984 (1984-04-07)
  • "A Time To Be Brave" (April 7, 1984)
  • "Rabbit Pulls His Weight" (March 9, 1986)
  • "Rabbit Goes Fishing" (September 12, 1986)
  • "Words on a Page" (May 12, 1987)
  • "Hot News" (June 13, 1987)
  • "A Real Kid" (July 4, 1987)
  • "Big Save" (February 7, 1988)
  • "The Blueberry Bicycle" (March 12, 1988)
  • "Hack's Choice" (April 3, 1988)
  • "Water Magic" (May 15, 1988)
Bob Welch and Friends April 14, 1984 (1984-04-14)
BMX World Championships May 5, 1984 (1984-05-05)
February 5, 1985 (1985-02-05)
June 8, 1986 (1986-06-08)
October 4, 1987 (1987-10-04)
The Get Along Gang (pilot) May 6, 1984 (1984-05-06)
Kajagoogoo June 9, 1984 (1984-06-09)
Cody June 10, 1984 (1984-06-10)
Belle and Sebastian June 30, 1984 (1984-06-30)
Kansas in Concert July 8, 1984 (1984-07-08)
Rolex Junior Tennis Championships July 14, 1984 (1984-07-14)
July 6, 1985 (1985-07-06)
Atomic Legs September 2, 1984 (1984-09-02)
The Raccoons: Let's Dance! October 6, 1984 (1984-10-06)
The Boy Who Couldn't Lose October 6, 1984 (1984-10-06)
Thompson Twins October 27, 1984 (1984-10-27)
The Adventures of Marco Polo Jr. November 3, 1984 (1984-11-03)
The Americanization of Elias November 17, 1984 (1984-11-17)
Mighty Moose and the Quarterback Kid November 17, 1984 (1984-11-17)
Joshua's Confusion December 2, 1984 (1984-12-02)
The Snowman December 15, 1984 (1984-12-15)
Doctor Snuggles January 5, 1985 (1985-01-05)
Brother Tough January 12, 1985 (1985-01-12)
In the Fall January 13, 1985 (1985-01-13)
Andrew February 9, 1985 (1985-02-09)
Sometimes I Wonder March 9, 1985 (1985-03-09)
Do Me A Favor... Don't Vote For My Mom March 17, 1985 (1985-03-17)
The Magic Laser April 7, 1985 (1985-04-07)
Black Magic April 13, 1985 (1985-04-13)
Grandma Didn't Wave Back April 14, 1985 (1985-04-14)
Backstreet Six May 4, 1985 (1985-05-04)
Road To The Stars July 14, 1985 (1985-07-14)
Just An Overnight Guest June 9, 1985 (1985-06-09)
Keiko August 3, 1985 (1985-08-03)
The Boy Who Never Was September 21, 1985 (1985-09-21)
Cubanos September 28, 1985 (1985-09-28)
Mr. Gimme September 29, 1985 (1985-09-29)
Lassie: A New Beginning October 1, 1985 (1985-10-01)
The Magic of Lassie October 5, 1985 (1985-10-05)
The Mystery of the Million Dollar Hockey Puck November 2, 1985 (1985-11-02)
A Merry Mirthworm Christmas December 1, 1985 (1985-12-01)
Benji's Very Own Christmas Story December 1, 1985 (1985-12-01)
Today's Special: Live On Stage December 1, 1985 (1985-12-01)
Little Lord Fauntleroy December 7, 1985 (1985-12-07)
Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure January 4, 1986 (1986-01-04)
Stanley, the Ugly Duckling January 5, 1986 (1986-01-05)
The Witches and the Grinnygog January 12, 1986 (1986-01-12)
Snowbound February 1, 1986 (1986-02-01)
The Tap Dance Kid February 2, 1986 (1986-02-02)
My Mother Was Never a Kid February 8, 1986 (1986-02-08)
The Incredible Book Escape March 1, 1986 (1986-03-01)
A Movie Star's Daughter March 1, 1986 (1986-03-01)
The Little Princess April 5, 1986 (1986-04-05)
The Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid April 6, 1986 (1986-04-06)
The Treasure of Alpheus T. Winterborn April 6, 1986 (1986-04-06)
Starstruck May 3, 1986 (1986-05-03)
Big Henry and the Polka Dot Kid May 11, 1986 (1986-05-11)
Zoom the White Dolphin May 17, 1986 (1986-05-17)
BMX: Win With The Pros June 8, 1986 (1986-06-08)
The Brave Frog's Greatest Adventure June 14, 1986 (1986-06-14)
A Tale of Two Cities July 5, 1986 (1986-07-05)
Revenge of the Humanoids July 6, 1986 (1986-07-06)
David Copperfield August 2, 1986 (1986-08-02)
Misunderstood Monsters August 10, 1986 (1986-08-10)
Little Women September 6, 1986 (1986-09-06)
Red Shoes October 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile October 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
The Haunting of Harrington House November 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus Caper December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06)
Santa's Pocket Watch December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06)
Chocky December 13, 1986 (1986-12-13)
Abra Cadabra January 10, 1987 (1987-01-10)
Dinky Hocker January 11, 1987 (1987-01-11)
Children's Island January 17, 1987 (1987-01-17)
The Courage of Rin Tin Tin February 7, 1987 (1987-02-07)
Talking Animal February 7, 1987 (1987-02-07)
Collared February 8, 1987 (1987-02-08)
Peking Circus February 15, 1987 (1987-02-15)
Sunkist Junior Invitational Track Meet March 1, 1987 (1987-03-01)
March 12, 1988 (1988-03-12)
Prince and the Great Race March 7, 1987 (1987-03-07)
Really Rosie March 7, 1987 (1987-03-07)
The Wrong Way Kid March 8, 1987 (1987-03-08)
The Empty Chair April 5, 1987 (1987-04-05)
Minors April 11, 1987 (1987-04-11)
Umpire April 11, 1987 (1987-04-11)
National Junior Freestyle Championship April 26, 1987 (1987-04-26)
Pick Up Your Feet: The Double Dutch Show May 2, 1987 (1987-05-02)
Gulliver's Travels May 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
Somewhere Else June 14, 1987 (1987-06-14)
Look at Me July 12, 1987 (1987-07-12)
Miss Peach of the Kelly School September 5, 1987 (1987-09-05)
  • "Back to School" (September 5, 1987)
  • "The Kelly School Annual Picnic" (August 13, 1988)
  • "The Kelly School Annual Heart-Throb Ball" (February 5, 1989)
Cadichon September 13, 1987 (1987-09-13)
  • "Cadichon" (September 13, 1987)
  • "Cadichon II" (October 11, 1987)
  • "Cadichon III" (January 2, 1988)
  • "Cadichon IV" (March 5, 1988)
Chocky's Children October 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
The Little Fox November 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
The Pinballs November 8, 1987 (1987-11-08)
Uncle Marvin November 8, 1987 (1987-11-08)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1981) November 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Trouble River December 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)
Oliver and the Artful Dodger December 6, 1987 (1987-12-06)
The Prince and the Pauper December 12, 1987 (1987-12-12)
Jack and the Beanstalk December 13, 1987 (1987-12-13)
Cyrano January 2, 1988 (1988-01-02)
Master of the World January 3, 1988 (1988-01-03)
Gaucho January 16, 1988 (1988-01-16)
The Mysterious Island February 6, 1988 (1988-02-06)
Psst! Hammerman's After You! February 7, 1988 (1988-02-07)
Danny's Egg February 7, 1988 (1988-02-07)
Moon Madness March 5, 1988 (1988-03-05)
Summer Switch April 2, 1988 (1988-04-02)
A Home Run For Love April 9, 1988 (1988-04-09)
Sharon, Lois & Bram: Downtown April 10, 1988 (1988-04-10)
Moby Dick May 8, 1988 (1988-05-08)
The Contest May 8, 1988 (1988-05-08)
Dynaman May 14, 1988 (1988-05-14)
Sara's Summer of the Swans May 15, 1988 (1988-05-15)
Cuckoo Land June 5, 1988 (1988-06-05)
Hewitt's Just Different July 3, 1988 (1988-07-03)
Theresa at the Palace July 10, 1988 (1988-07-10)
The Secret Life of T. K. Dearing July 16, 1988 (1988-07-16)
Fat Chance July 17, 1988 (1988-07-17)
The Amazing Cosmic Awareness of Duffy Moon July 30, 1988 (1988-07-30)
Me and Dad's New Wife August 7, 1988 (1988-08-07)
The Red Balloon August 13, 1988 (1988-08-13)
The Horrible Honchos August 20, 1988 (1988-08-20)
The Electric Grandmother September 3, 1988 (1988-09-03)
The Hand-Me-Down Kid September 3, 1988 (1988-09-03)
The Fabulous Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen September 11, 1988 (1988-09-11)
Animal Talk October 2, 1988 (1988-10-02)
The Story of Heidi October 8, 1988 (1988-10-08)
The Crown of Bogg October 15, 1988 (1988-10-15)
A Family of Strangers November 6, 1988 (1988-11-06)
Luke Was There November 6, 1988 (1988-11-06)
The Gnomes' Great Adventure December 3, 1988 (1988-12-03)
A Very Merry Cricket December 10, 1988 (1988-12-10)
The Snow Queen (1981) December 10, 1988 (1988-12-10)
The Box of Delights December 11, 1988 (1988-12-11)
Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics January 7, 1989 (1989-01-07)
A Cricket in Times Square February 11, 1989 (1989-02-11)
The Three Musketeers March 5, 1989 (1989-03-05)
An Easter Story March 11, 1989 (1989-03-11)
The Great Gilly Hopkins April 9, 1989 (1989-04-09)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea May 6, 1989 (1989-05-06)
The Train Mice May 6, 1989 (1989-05-06)
Davy Crockett on the Mississippi June 10, 1989 (1989-06-10)
Yankee Doodle Cricket July 1, 1989 (1989-07-01)
A Far Out Fourth July 2, 1989 (1989-07-02)
Mirthworms on Stage July 22, 1989 (1989-07-22)
The Zertigo Diamond Caper August 6, 1989 (1989-08-06)
Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents? August 6, 1989 (1989-08-06)
It Isn't Easy Being a Teenage Millionaire August 12, 1989 (1989-08-12)
Eureeka's Castle August 27, 1989 (1989-08-27)
The Count of Monte Cristo September 2, 1989 (1989-09-02)
Black Beauty September 9, 1989 (1989-09-09)
Young American Bowling Alliance Championship Tournament September 17, 1989 (1989-09-17)
Lisa Gets the Picture October 1, 1989 (1989-10-01)
A Thanksgiving Tale November 12, 1989 (1989-11-12)
All-American Soap Box Derby November 12, 1989 (1989-11-12)
November 4, 1990 (1990-11-04)
Santa's Magic Toy Bag December 9, 1989 (1989-12-09)
The Kids of Degrassi Street December 10, 1989 (1989-12-10)
Mowgli's Brothers January 6, 1990 (1990-01-06)
The White Seal January 6, 1990 (1990-01-06)
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi February 10, 1990 (1990-02-10)
Night of the Red Hunter March 10, 1990 (1990-03-10)
Peter Pan March 17, 1990 (1990-03-17)
Around the World in 80 Days April 1, 1990 (1990-04-01)
Wind in the Willows April 14, 1990 (1990-04-14)
Friendliest and Funniest Fish in the Sea May 5, 1990 (1990-05-05)
Sharon, Lois & Bram: Live in Your Living Room June 2, 1990 (1990-06-02)
Sharon, Lois & Bram: Back by Popular Demand June 2, 1990 (1990-06-02)
AYSO Championships September 2, 1990 (1990-09-02)
Manxmouse September 9, 1990 (1990-09-09)
Peter of Placid Forest September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15)
Junior Olympics October 7, 1990 (1990-10-07)
Pardon Me for Living October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)
Babe Ruth Baseball Championships October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer December 1, 1990 (1990-12-01)
The Light Brigade December 1, 1990 (1990-12-01)
Treasure Island January 5, 1991 (1991-01-05)
Lady and the Lion February 3, 1991 (1991-02-03)
Ivanhoe February 10, 1991 (1991-02-10)
The Nightingale March 2, 1991
The Tin Soldier March 2, 1991
The Disappearance March 3, 1991 (1991-03-03)
The Wilder Summer March 10, 1991
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde March 17, 1991 (1991-03-17)
Drawing a Blank April 13, 1991 (1991-04-13)
The Velveteen Rabbit (Atkinson Film-Arts) May 11, 1991 (1991-05-11)
The Moonstone Gem May 12, 1991 (1991-05-12)
The Day My Kid Went Punk June 8, 1991
The Hunchback of Notre Dame June 9, 1991 (1991-06-09)
Lassie's Great Adventure August 3, 1991 (1991-08-03)
The Jungle Book (Saban) August 18, 1991 (1991-08-18)
The Dog Days of Arthur Cane September 8, 1991
The New Misadventures of Ichabod Crane October 5, 1991 (1991-10-05)
The Witch Who Turned Pink October 5, 1991 (1991-10-05)
Lassie the Voyager October 13, 1991 (1991-10-13)
Prisoner of Zenda November 10, 1991 (1991-11-10)
Ziggy's Gift December 1, 1991 (1991-12-01)
The Wizard of Oz January 11, 1992 (1992-01-11)
Jack and the Beanstalk January 11, 1992 (1992-01-11)
Snow White February 8, 1992 (1992-02-08)
Sleeping Beauty April 4, 1992 (1992-04-04)
Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Summer Safari June 13, 1992 (1992-06-13)
Molly's Pilgrim June 14, 1992 (1992-06-14)
The Greatest Little Show on Earth July 5, 1992 (1992-07-05)
Harry the Dirty Dog July 6, 1992 (1992-07-06) Originally aired on April 2, 1991.
Tales From The Whoop: Hot Rod Brown, Class Clown July 7, 1992 (1992-07-07) Originally aired on October 20, 1990.
The Adventures of Pete & Pete: Space, Geeks, and Johnny Unitas July 8, 1992 (1992-07-08) Originally aired on June 16, 1992.
Stories from Growing Up July 9, 1992 (1992-07-09) Originally aired on February 23, 1991.
Cinderella August 2, 1992 (1992-08-02)
Jungle Book August 2, 1992 (1992-08-02)
Fair Game August 2, 1992 (1992-08-02)
The Garden October 4, 1992 (1992-10-04)
Johann's Gift to Christmas December 5, 1992 (1992-12-05)
Gallavants January 2, 1993
His Master's Ghost January 3, 1993 (1993-01-03)
Paper Camera June 8, 1993 (1993-06-08)
Moccasin Flats June 8, 1993 (1993-06-08)
Double Daniel June 11, 1993 (1993-06-11)
Cutaway June 11, 1993 (1993-06-11)
Thinking Big July 12, 1993 (1993-07-12)
The Great Cheese Conspiracy July 15, 1993 (1993-07-15)
Bill Body I September 13, 1993 (1993-09-13)
Bill Body II September 13, 1993 (1993-09-13)

Other Special Showings

Nickelodeon also aired other special programs alongside Special Delivery. These included shows for older kids and shorter weekday specials.

16 Cinema for Teens

16 Cinema was a block of specials aimed at teenagers. It aired on Sundays, usually an hour after Special Delivery. Some of these specials were later shown again on Special Delivery.

Weekday Lunchbreak and Storytime Shows

Shorter versions of Special Delivery episodes and new specials aired during weekdays. These were part of different blocks:

  • Nickelodeon Lunch Break Theater (Summer 1992)
  • Nick Jr. Lunchbreak Theater (Late 1992 to April 1993)
  • Nick Jr. Storytime (April 1993 to June 1995)

These weekday shows often featured shorter stories or pilot episodes. For example, Lighthouse Island and Papa Beaver's Storytime were shown during these times.

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