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Ludwig (1977 TV series)

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Ludwig
still from the cartoon series showing the main egg-shaped character playing the violin with mechanical arms
The main Ludwig character
GenreAnimated series
Created byMirek and Peter Lang
StarringJon Glover (voiceover)
Music byLudwig van Beethoven
Opening themeSymphony No.5/Symphony No.1
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes25
Production
Running time5 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release1977 (1977) –
1977 (1977)

Ludwig is a surreal 1977 British-made children's animated television series featuring cutout animation. The TV series is about a magical egg-shaped gemstone who lived in a forest.[1] 25 five-minute episodes were made.[2]

Main character

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The character's name came from Ludwig van Beethoven, whose music is played in the background. The series consisted of 25 five-minute episodes, in each of which something would happen to the animals of the forest and Ludwig would come to the rescue. His "body" facets would open up and out would pop arms, legs, gadgets or even a helicopter rotor blade when he needed to get somewhere fast. He was constantly watched by a human birdwatcher (voiced by Jon Glover) who had a deerstalker and large binoculars. This character was both the viewer's point of view and narrator, as no other character talked. Many of the musical phrases are the excerpts from Beethoven's famous Septet. At the end of every episode Ludwig played the final movement of Beethoven's first symphony through the credits.

Production

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The programme was produced by father and son team, Mirek and Peter Lang. The Langs were immigrants from Czechoslovakia; they left the country in 1968 in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, as Mirek's films criticized the Czechoslovak regime. After unsuccessful attempts to find work in British current affairs broadcasting, Mirek moved into animation work.[3]

Collaborating with his son Peter, they produced Ludwig, shooting it on 16 mm film on a wind-up Bolex camera. Filming took place in their spare bedroom at their flat in Buckland Crescent, Swiss Cottage in London. The episodes were written by Jane Tann, Susan Kodicek, and Michael Cole. The music was arranged and played by Paul Reade. Jon Glover provided the voice of the birdwatcher. The Langs shared the animation.[citation needed]

Peter went on to animate Pigeon Street.[citation needed]

Title music

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The title music and opening theme of Ludwig is just 16 seconds long, and features first, a theme from the symphony No.5, followed by a small section of Beethoven's symphony No.1. It ends with the programme's narrator Jon Glover saying 'Ah, Ludwig' in an interested, well spoken manner.

Broadcast in the United States

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In the United States, Ludwig was one of the cartoons featured in Captain Kangaroo.

List of episodes

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  1. "Arrival – Ludwig's here to stay"
  2. "Hiccups"
  3. "Hooter"
  4. "Glue"
  5. "Kites"
  6. "Tennis"
  7. "Sculptor"
  8. "Skating"
  9. "Umbrellas"
  10. "Swing"
  11. "Bubbles"
  12. "Clock"
  13. "Ball"
  14. "Coin"
  15. "Yo-Yo"
  16. "Investigation - Research"
  17. "Christmas"
  18. "Home Sweet Home – Architect"
  19. "Balloons"
  20. "High Jump"
  21. "Magician"
  22. "Artist"
  23. "Party"
  24. "Nuts"
  25. "TV - Western."

Parody

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In 2011 Charlie Brooker showed a short spoof of Ludwig, called Orlov, in the first part of his series How TV Ruined Your Life.

References

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  1. ^ Sheridan, Simon (2004). The A-Z of Classic Children's Television: From Alberto Frog to Zebedee. Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. pp. 149–151. ISBN 1903111277.
  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. 177. ISBN 9781476672939.
  3. ^ Lesnik-Oberstein, K. (13 June 2011). Children in Culture, Revisited: Further Approaches to Childhood. Springer. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-230-30709-4. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
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