Magic Adventures of Mumfie

The Magic Adventures of Mumfie is an animated children's television series and movie, inspired by the works of Katharine Tozer, with an original music score containing more than 22 songs. Created by Britt Allcroft, creator of Thomas and Friends, narrated by American actor Patrick Breen and directed by John Laurence Collins, Mumfie was first seen in the United States on FOX from 1995 to 1996, as part of The Fox Cubhouse.[1] 79 episodes were produced.[2]

The Magic Adventures of Mumfie
Created byBritt Allcroft
Narrated byPatrick Breen
Music byLarry Grossman
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes79 (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)Britt Allcroft
Running time10 minutes
Production company(s)The Britt Allcroft Company
Quality Family Entertainment
Release
Original networkITV (CITV)
Original release18 September 1994 (1994-09-18) –
6 October 1998 (1998-10-06)
External links
Website

Characters
  • Mumfie

The main character of the story, Mumfie is an elephant who lives in a little cottage in the woods. He always expects mail but never receives any. One day he decides to go on an adventure and the first thing he sees is a bird who asks if he can brighten up a dull tree.

  • Scarecrow

When Mumfie first met Scarecrow he was always in a field not ever moving until he set on the quest with him. Scarecrow is with Mumfie in all episodes.

  • Pinkey the Flying Pig

Starting her first appearance in a farm where other pigs bully her, Pinkey is upset because she misses her mother so Scarecrow and Mumfie help her out.

  • The Black Cat

A mysterious, magical cat who riddles Mumfie as he proceeds his journey. Disappearing and reappearing the black cat helps Mumfie in ways he doesn't expect. She has a niece who is a grey kitty.

  • The Secretary

The villain of the story who wants the Queen of Night's jewel as his source of power to rule all.

  • Whale

Whale is Mumfie, Scarecrow and Pinkey's Friend who helps them to get to the island because instead of internal organs inside him he has a glamorous, luxury room set with portholes, hammocks, carpets and lights.

  • Pinkey's mother

Pinkey wanted to see her mother with Mumfie and Scarecrow only to find that she didn't want her to get caught by the secretary.

  • Bristle

At first a servant to the secretary Bristle is very strict about rules as he explains to Mumfie. When the secretary was defeated, he became loyal to the Queen of Night instead.

  • Napoleon

Napoleon is the bird who is kept a prisoner by the secretary. He had his feathers cut off a long time ago and, believing he couldn't fly anymore went into deep depression, until Pinkey made him understood after all these years they have grown back which persuades him to fly.

  • The Queen of Night

The queen was the ruler of the island which Mumfie goes to. She is undercover as the secretary wants her jewel to rule all. She is voiced by Britt Allcroft instead of Breen due to his inability to speak in a female voice.

  • Mr and Mrs Admiral

These two married people were having a dream of living an underwater house (despite the fact that humans can't breathe underwater) until one day Mr Admiral was kidnapped by Davy Jones and his pirates which was a big blow to Mrs Admiral.

  • Eel

Mumfie first met Eel in the cave that lead them to the pirates and Davy Jones because she was glowing in the dark.

  • Davy Jones

Davy Jones is the leader of the pirates (who lived in their underwater ship) when he left he decided to be whale's companion.

  • Pirates

These pirates served Davy Jones when they kept Mr Admiral a prisoner until they became good guys.

  • Youare the Reindeer

Youare is the reindeer character with twisted antlers whose first appearance was in "Mumfie's White Christmas". Despite the fact that "You are?" was a question that was asked to him in Santa's stables, he assumed that was his name.

Production history

Tozer's novels were first adapted for television as Here Comes Mumfie, using puppetry, between 1975 and 1976 and broadcast on Independent Television (ITV) in the United Kingdom. Allcroft's newly created version, with an original musical score featuring 26 Broadway style songs, was broadcast on the UK's ITV network in 1994 and has since been broadcast in other countries, including the US (Fox Kids), Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Finland, Japan and Israel.

The screen library consists of: Mumfie's Quest the movie length epic story, also broadcast as 13x10 minute serial, the Holiday Special Mumfie's White Christmas, plus Series 1 and Series 2 totaling 62 individual story episodes. After the sale of The Britt Allcroft Company in 2002, Mumfie became owned by HiT Entertainment. In 2009 Britt Allcroft bought back all the screen library, all the assets and underlying rights. Her family owned business, Britt Allcroft Productions LLV, recently announced a home entertainment distribution deal for the Mumfie screen library with Lionsgate for the U.S, U.K, Australia and many other parts of the world. They also had a partnership with United Talent Agency to handle all licensing for the Mumfie brand worldwide.

In 2015, it was announced that Zodiak Kids will produce a new animated Mumfie series with Britt Allcroft Productions.[3]

Critical reception

During its original run, Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie received positive reviews from critics. The Chicago Tribune called the show "a moving work of art" while the New York Daily News describes the show as "gentle, smart and beautifully animated".

VHS releases
#VHS nameRelease dateEpisode story
1The Beginning of Things24 October 1994Includes: The Beginning of Things, A Whale of Discovery, Pinky's Mysterious Island, and Definitely Danger.
2The Queen of the Night7 November 1994Includes: The Queen of Night, Bottom of the Ocean Blues and Sea of Surprises.

Despite a third release was advertised on the end of the second release, it was never released.

DVD releases
#DVD nameRelease dateEpisode story
1Mumfie's White Christmas3 November 2014Includes: Mumfie's White Christmas, Bristle's Holiday, Reindeers Keep Dropping On My Head,

Pinkey's First Winter.

2Mumfie's Quest: The Movie28 July 2014Includes: Mumfie's Quest the Movie
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References
  1. Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. pp. 106–107. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 179. ISBN 9781476672939.
  3. "Zodiak Kids, Britt Allcroft to redevelop Mumfie". Retrieved 6 September 2019.
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