
BIG BLUE MARBLE
Episode Guide
PROGRAM #001
Colombia
Story of a boy who works for a gamekeeper, looking after animals, making sure
that no poaching is going on and that the animals are in good health. We
see him rescue a dolphin and prevent the killing of an anaconda snake at the
hands of frightened villagers.
Alabama
Fourteen year old Wendy Holcomb from Alabasta, Alabama, started playing the
banjo when she was twelve. She goes on tour, plays at neighborhood nursing
homes to lift the spirits of the old people and dreams of becoming acountry-western
music star.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #002
Hawaii
Keith lives in Hawaii. We see him learning how to make a surfboard - see him
surfingthen meeting and surfing with a world champion surfer.
Italy
Maura visits her uncle on the Island of Sardenia, Italy, to learn a little bit
of the history and traditions of the Island. Her cousin Carlo is partaking
in the traditional festival called "La Sartiglia" - a jousting event.
USA
A special segment featuring famed Broadway actor Jack Gilford. In an urban
setting he sings John Prine's haunting ballad "Hello In There."
The song contains a message that old people are still important and we must reach
out to them.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #003
China
Story of a young girl who is a member of the Chinese Opera. Shows the student's
vocal and physical training (calisthenics, acrobatics, tumbling).
Illinois
James Edwards, age 15, convicted of robbery, has been confined to Little City in
Palatine, Illinois, as part of a work-school therapy program, to train him to
deal with problems of life outside. We see him attending scholastic classes,
budgeting money, participating in sports and social activities and receiving
group therapy.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #004
Uruguay
Father of ten year old boy brings leading gaucho and rodeo performer to his
ranch to train his son.
Pennsylvania
Mary Ellen Ronco, from Redding, PA - an equitation champion. We see her in
training and at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden.
Belgium
Story about Yvan Janssen, age twelve, a young man brought up by deaf and dumb
parents who works with blind people. He was inspired to do this work by a
blind nun. He designed a game for a blind friend which a sighted and blind
person can play together. He also translates books into Braille and has
invented a special cane for the blind.
PROGRAM #005
Cayman Islands
Story about Barbara Card, age fifteen, a Scuba Diver, who lives on Grand Cayman
Island. She is seen cataloging fish, going down to see wrecks and being
drilled in scuba diving techniques.
Morocco
Thirteen year old Ali envies his friend Brahim because Brahim owns a lutar and
Ali desperately wants to buy one but he doesn't have enough money. We see
Ali devise ways to earn money for a lutar.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #006
Switzerland
Story about Andreus, age ten, and his father who train St. Bernard Dogs for
rescue operations in the Alps. We follow them during a dramatic simulated
rescue.
New York & New Jersey
Typical weekly routine of eight year old Tisha Campbell. We see her at school
working with her mother who is her voice coach, at play with her brother
and performing live at a jazz concert in New York's Greenwich Village.
Japan
A boy who lives in this highly industrialized country is maintaining ties with
tradition by studying Keno - an ancient martial art.
PROGRAM #007
South Dakota
Cindy's assignment for her school newspaper is to do a story on the mysterious
creature, Bigfoot, who has been sighted in rural South Dakota.
France
Fifteen year old Hugo Perrier is a member of a team that plays basketball on
skates. They entertain disabled youngsters. We meet his family and friends
at home. The team practices skating at school and stages a charity game
beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Bhutan
The everyday life of apprentice monks in the mountains of Bhutan.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #008
Austria
Story about three students who attend the ski Gymnasium in Stams, Austria, a
school that specializes in teaching skiing. We see these students in ski
practice sessions both outdoors and indoors. We also view them studying academics.
Story ends with Fritz entering a ski competition.
Texas
Mel Kimbro, 12, from Boerne, Texas, rides bucking bulls. Last year, his first as
a pro, Mel earned the title of American Junior Rodeo Reserve World
Champion. We see him teach his younger brother Jim, 9, and benefiting from
his dad, ex-rodeo champ Clyde Kimbro.
India
A 12-year old boy works as a diamond grinder in the same workshop as his father.
The family's need for additional income has forced the boy to leave school.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #009
Missouri
A rafting celebration on the Mississippi river in the tradition of Huck
Finn.
Illinois
Story of Michelle Emerson of Wheeling, Illinois, a female hockey goalie on an
all boys team called the Shields. Her older brother coaches her in hockey
and her older sister coaches her in figure skating. We also see her in music
classes in school.
Spain
Twelve year old Manual becomes a new member of Bemposta School (a total
community - students live, work and play there). Baldeon ( an older
student) orients him, taking Manuel to meet Father Silva (founder of Bemposta). They
go to the school TV station and see a music and dance show that Baldeon is in,
visit a gymnastic practice and watch other students training horses for a
circus act.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #010
Iceland
Traditional Icelandic gathering of eggs from the tall cliffs on three tiny
islands off Iceland's southern coast. Whole families work together in this
exciting once a year event.
Florida
Story of ten year old Maria, who works in the fields on weekends to help her
family of nine brothers and sisters and three nephews. Besides helping out
around home she spends as much time as she can on school work as her dream
is to go to college and become a doctor.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #011
"My Seventeenth Summer" - Part I
A four part serialized adventure story which takes place in 1923. The story
concerns itself with the evils of prejudice within a framework of an
exciting fast action adventure chase involving World War I aircraft, period cars
and a steam locomotive.
Canada
Story about John Alleyn and Sabena Ulman, both students at the National Ballet
School of Canada. We see them in grueling dance classes, rehearsing for an
upcoming performance, attending academic classes and spending time with
classmates.
PROGRAM #012
"My Seventeenth Summer" - Part II
(See Program #011)
Minnesota
Seventeen year old Jon Weaks, who flies private planes, learns the special
skills of Aerobatics with Champion stunt-pilot Debbie Gary of Alexandria,
Minnesota.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #013
"My Seventeenth Summer" - Part III
(See Program #011)
Brinydeep
A group of teens sail across the Atlantic on the route of Christopher Columbus'
first voyage; following the trade winds to the Americas.
Kenya
Story of a young boy who works on a farm with his family. His uncle, a wood
sculptor takes the boy on as an apprentice.
PROGRAM #014
"My Seventeenth Summer" - Part IV
(See Program #011)
Environment...And Not a Drop to Drink
The first in a series of "Big Blue marble" pieces on the environment
and conservation. This segment deals with the problems of the overuse and
misuse of the world's precious water resources.
New York & Colorado
Fourteen year old Peter Wyrick, a cello student at Julliard is seen studying and
rehearsing at school and at home. He travels to Aspen, Colorado to
participate in the famous music festival. In performance, he plays Beethoven's "A
Major Sonata."
PROGRAM #015
Scotland
Two youngsters investigate the mystery of Nessie, the monster of Loch Ness in
the Northern Highlands. Their search is aided by well known Nessie hunters,
including Tim Dinsdale.
New York & California
Greg Wilson, young magician and TV personality, performs in rehearsal with his
father, magician Mark Wilson. We also see Greg performing at the Magic
Castle in Hollywood and at home with his family and friends.
South Carolina
The Blue Marble Mobile with Clark Brandon aboard, visits a farm where they breed
miniature horses and even a miniature cow.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #016
Egypt
Story of the life of a twelve year old actress in Cairo who auditions for a new
children's show.
Utah
Twelve year old boxer Amber Hunt is fighting Frank Avila, one of the few
opponents who previously beat her. We follow her through rigorous training
sessions leading to a 3 round encounter at the Salt Lake Fairgrounds.
Guatemala
An Indian family lives just as its ancestors did centuries ago. We see life
revolving around this close knit family, high in the remote Sierra Madre
Mountains.
PROGRAM #017
USA
Story about fourteen year old tennis champion, competing at the Rolex Tournament
in Port Washington, New York. We follow her through victory against stiff
international competition.
Easter Island
Story about Raquel Hardel Haoa and Jose Belsano Raputuki, who live on Easter
Island. We see them riding horses, exploring the statues and caves of their
ancestors and singing the traditional music of the Island.
Missouri
The Blue Marble Mobile visits Gary Nunn, a twelve year old chef who demonstrates
the making of his unique Popsicle.
PROGRAM #018
New York
A few days with Jim Plattner, the bat boy for the New York Yankees. We see him
practicing and working with the players, as well as trying out for the team
at Yankee Stadium.
Poland
Story about a teenage girl who is a member of the Mime Theatre Gest in Bratslava.
This classical theatre form thrives on the streets and stages of modern
Poland.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #019
England
The activities of a twelve year old Gypsy as her family sets up camp at the
famous fair at Appleby. We see her socializing with many friends who come
to Appleby from all over the British Isles to sell and trade horses.
Environment: Vanishing Firewood
The second of a group of shows dealing with environmental problems. This focuses
on the scarcity of firewood in certain Third World nations and,
specifically, its impact on children.
New York
Candice Coster, a model and aspiring actress is seen at work with a
photographer, and at home rehearsing with her father. She also is seen
horseback riding with a friend in the country.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #020
New York & California
Krae Van Sickle, age seventeen, wins the World Frisbee Championship at the Rose
Bowl. We see him practicing with his father in New York and competing with
the nation's best Frisbee throwers in Pasadena.
New Zealand
A Maori student at St. Stephens School brings a white schoolmate home for the
holidays. Segment explains ancient Maori traditions in rural northern New
Zealand.
PROGRAM #021
Costa Rica & Washington, DC
We see members of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, going to school
and rehearsing in preparation for a special trip to the White House to play
for the Carter family. We see the performance on the White House lawn.
New Jersey
Youngsters compete in the Big Blue Marble National Marbles Tournament in
Wildwood, New Jersey. Thirteen year old Dean Feinauer and thirteen year old
Diane Bertosh emerge victorious among more than two million competitors.
Italy
A visiting art student begins work on a piece of sculpture near the Carrara
marble quarry; the same quarry used by Michelangelo.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #022
Treasure Island - Part I
The first chapter in a five part animated serial of Robert Louis Stevenson's
"Treasure Island," using a radio program recorded in 1944,
starring Basil Rathbone as the narrator and Long John Silver, as the soundtrack.
Kenya
An intimate study of a young Masai herdboy and his exotic tribal life among East
Africa's wildlife.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #023
Treasure Island - Part II
(See program #022)
Hungary
Story about Zoltan Gyonayosi, a fifteen year old member of a water polo team in
Budapest. We see him training and working with Hungary's number one water
player, Gyorg Harkai.
Indiana
"Big Blue Marble" visits a high school animation workshop in which we
follow a class through the entire process of producing an animated
cartoonfrom the first story idea to the finished product.
Dear Pen pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #024
Treasure Island - Part III
(see program #022)
North Carolina
The Blue Marble Mobile visits Spivey's Corner for the annual National Hollering
Contest. This "down-home" version of Swiss yodeling is still
active among the young and old of rural North Carolina.
Bahrain
A visit of the Persian Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain to meet a young Sheik. Abdulla
Al-Khalifa is learning the ancient customs of his land finding time to
explore the desert in a dune buggy.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #025
Treasure Island - Part IV
(See program #022)
New York
The world's greatest soccer player gives some spectacular lessons to a group of
talented youngsters from round the world at his soccer camp. We follow a
group of seven boys and girls from Finland in a memorable week of lessons
from the master.
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #026
Treasure Island - Part V
(See program #022)
New York
Nine year old Katherine Healy is seen working with Britain's Olympic gold medal
figure skater, John Curry, as he develops a new art form, skating-ballet.
She appears with other top skaters in "Superskates" at Madison Square
Garden where she performs a solo dance to Offenbach's "Le Papillon."
Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.
PROGRAM #027
Pennsylvania
Hurdler Candy Young, a world champion hurdler, is training for future Olympic
games. We see her at home and competing in a key race.
County Limerick, Ireland
Farrier - When eighteen year old Liam Brennan finishes his apprenticeship to his
father, he will have become an accomplished farrier. We get a detailed look
at the training needed to practice the art of shoeing horses.
PROGRAM #028
Sarasota, Florida
Sailor Circus is unique in that most facts of the operation are run by kids. The
segment focuses on three youngsters who are accomplished aerialists and
veterans of the circus.
Atlantic Ocean
Seaman QE2 - Seventeen year old Tony Hayes is a Senior Ordinary Seaman aboard
the QE2. We see him performing his various duties during a transatlantic
crossing and join him on one of his infrequent visits to his home in
Clanfield, England.
PROGRAM #029
USSR
Tchen-Burti - Adventurous young horsemen in the high Caucusus, compete in the
traditional Georgian game of Tchen-Burti - a demanding polo-like game
played with sticks similar to those used in lacrosse.
Maryland & New York
Puppets - Kevin Clash has been making puppets since he was ten and now at
eighteen he performs weekly on a local television show in Baltimore.
Kevin's teacher for the last few years has been Kermit Love, the creator of
the famous Muppets. We see Kevin and Kermit perfecting skills, and performing at
a school for handicapped children.
PROGRAM #030
California
1/4 Midget Racer- Tommy Vaninwagen enjoys playing with model cars, but unlike
most kids, he's also involved in the real thing: Quarter Midget Racing.
Under the close supervision of his father, Tommy works on his car to get it
ready for the big race - and what an exciting one it is!
Peru
Cuzco Kid - We meet a young guitarist who lives in Cuzco, Peru, the ancient
capital of the Incas. He and his father travel to Machu Picho to entertain
Foreign tourists and we learn that they still sing in the Inca language and
keep alive the Inca culture.
PROGRAM #031
Ventriloquist Act
Angie Doyen is a thirteen year old ventriloquist who won first prize in the 1976
National Ventriloquist Contest. We see her rehearsing, preparing scripts
with her mother and performing for both young and old.
Zambia
Dance Troupe/singer Banda is a member of an aspiring troop of dancers. We see
them perform a dance that celebrates the role young people played in the
country's fight for independence.
PROGRAM #032
Florida
Water Skier - Cory Pickos is a world champion trick water skier, and trains each
day with his father and two brothers. This is a big week - today Cory
celebrates his fifteenth birthday, and tomorrow he'll put on an exhibition
of trick skating at world famous Cyprus Gardens.
Dominican Republic
Merengue - Rosanna Estrella Fernandez is a ten year old girl who signs and
dances the merengue. Rosanna combines her love of merengue with her work as
a tour guide by performing for tourists.
PROGRAM #033
Connecticut
Stained Glass - 90 year old Len Howard, who for the past 50 years has operated a
one-man stained glass window studio, is visited by his 13 year old
granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Howard. Mr. Howard is working on windows for a
church in Sharon, CT. Elizabeth Ann assists and learns some of the secrets of this
"lost art."
Iran
Falconry - Though falcons are not used for hunting in Iran today, the tradition
of training falcons is still popular. Fourteen year old Karim is taught the
various aspects of falconry by one of Iran's greatest falconers.
PROGRAM #034
Wales
Spider Girl - The countryside outside the village of Clydach in Swansea, Wales,
is a kind of living laboratory for sixteen year old Clare Moseley. Clare is
a naturalist who studies spiders and other insects, mot of which she finds
right in her own backyard.
Kentucky
Coal Mine - eleven year old Valerie and thirteen year old Marshall are aspiring
photographers who receive permission to photograph a coal mine. We join
them on their ride into the mine tunnel, and later see them processing
their photos. (Repeat)
Hong Kong
Floating City - Within Hong Kong there is a floating city named Aberdeen, where
young Lim Sien Fong lives and works as the driver of a water taxi. We spend
a typical day with him and learn of his unusual way of life.
PROGRAM #035
Pennsylvania & Texas
Pentathlon - This segment chronicles young Michael Storm's intensive training
for Olympic competition in the five event Pentathlon, which includes
riding, swimming, fencing, running and target shooting.
Korea
Little Angels - Fourteen year old Shung Wha Sung is getting ready for a big day.
Shung is a featured performer with the "Little Angels," a world
famous dance troupe, and today they begin rehearsals for their upcoming world tour.
Though the work is hard, the rewards are great, and the results speak for
themselves.
West Virginia
Kayak - Jo Ann Lee demonstrates the excitement of learning to ride in a Kayak in
the Lafayette Station Rapids. She describes the practice and training that
are part of kayaking while she takes a breathtaking ride.
PROGRAM #036
Wyoming
Mountain Climbing- Seventeen year old Carolyn Ortenberger of California climbs
Teepee Pillar in the Grand Tetons under the guidance of her father, an
expert mountain climber.
Greece
Honey Farm - On the island of Tasos lives an 11 year old boy who is going to
become a honey farmer. He learns from his uncle, who owns a farm where
nectar bees produce honey. The complex process of getting honey from the
bees is illustrated, as is the machine that removes honey from the combs.
(Repeat)
PROGRAM #037
Featurette
A look behind the scenes at the production of Big Blue Marble's dramatic serial
"Witch's Sister," including pre-production, location filming,
editing and music scoring.
Philippines
Movie Star - four year old actor Nino Mulack is seen rehearsing his part in
"Harabas Con Bulilit" an adventure film. Two action scenes are
filmed, and we learn much about movie stunt work. (Repeat)
PROGRAM #038
Witch's Sister - Part I
Witch's Sister, a six part dramatic serial based on the book by Phyllis Reynolds
Naylor, tells the story of Lynn Morley, 10, who thinks her sister Judith,
16, is being turned into a witch by a mysterious old woman. As Lynn and her
best friend struggle to unravel the mystery, they are plunged into a series of
strange adventures, which finally forces them to face the fact that the
truth is not always what it appears to be.
Nevada
Goldmine - A ghost town is the setting for a gold mining expedition undertaken
by a young boy and an old time gold miner. The intricate process of
searching for gold, mining it, and refining it is explained and demonstrated.
PROGRAM #039
Witch's Sister - Part II
See Program #038
Missouri
Bluegrass - Young Butch Lesterson, a self taught guitar player and singer,
participates in a colorful Bluegrass Music Festival. (Repeat)
Austria
This segment features Margarete Scan and Gephardt Fuchs, apprentice chimney
sweeps living and studying in the city of Linz.
PROGRAM #040
Witch's Sister - Part IV
See program #038
PROGRAM #041
Witch's Sister - Part IV
See program #038
USSR
Go-Carting - Evaldes Misounas and his friends are young go-carting enthusiasts
in Vilmius, the capital of Soviet Lithuania. We follow them through
preparation and an actual race for the regional championship of boys fifteen and
under, a race run over a difficult road course.
PROGRAM #042
Witch's Sister Part V
See Program #038
Colorado
Divorce Part 1 - "Children Facing Divorce" is a counseling program for
children and parents who are struggling with the realities of a broken
home. We follow a family enrolled in the six week program and observe changes in
their lives and attitudes.
PROGRAM #043
Colorado
Divorce Part 2 - see show #042
Witch's Sister Part VI
See show #038
PROGRAM #044
Philadelphia, PA
Harlem Globetrotters - Superb basketball skills, and a comic flair for the
absurd blend on "Big Blue Marble" when Gene Ausbee, son of Harlem
Globetrotter's star Geese Ausbee, visits his father and the team at the
Philadelphia Spectrum. Gene also accompanies the team at a benefit
performance at Philadelphia's Children's Hospital.
PROGRAM #045
New Jersey
Girl Jockey - at age seventeen, jockey Karen Rogers is an experienced rider. The
skill, composure - straight forwardness and courage of this athlete are
revealed in an intimate portrait of a racing star.
Egypt
The Wissa Wassef family has, for two generations, run an unusual workshop in the
small village of Harrania, Egypt. Here, village children are instructed in
the intricate are of creative tapestry weaving. We follow a young weaver who
is involved in the various tasks associated with this work - from raising sheep
and preparing dyes, to designing and weaving tapestry pieces.
PROGRAM #046
Australia
Animal Orphanage - At the Toronga Park Zoo, a teenager, Marian Dunkin, heads up
a unique animal orphanage at this world famous zoo. We also see her and
other zoo personnel on an animal rescue mission in the bush, outside of
Sydney.
Colorado
Cross Country Skier - Cross country skiing on the majestic mountain trails of
Telluride, Colorado. Rigorous training and road work prepare Jamie McAsh
for the 30 ki cross country skiing race which climaxes this segment.
PROGRAM #047
Illinois
Blind Athletes - When Missy Ackens swims the 100m butterfly she hears the crowd
cheering, she feels her competition closing in, she counts the strokes to
know where the edge of the pool is before a turn, because Missy and all the
people she swims with are legally blind. The Handicapped Olympics in Illinois
are a celebration of the determination and spirit of the children
participating.
Israel
Jeweler - We travel to the ancient city of Jerusalem and spend a special weekend
at home with a young Israeli and his family.
PROGRAM #048
Nevada
Adopt-A-Horse - the Adopt-A-Horse program, run by the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management, supervises the welfare and maintenance of herds of wild
mustangs which roam the vast public lands of the West and Southwest. In
this piece we see the exciting action of a wild horse roundup, and the breaking
of a horse for "adoption."
Spain
Jai Alai - Jose Asole, a twelve year old boy from the mountains of the Basque
Country is training in the popular Latin American sport of Jai Alai. The
basics of the sport are explained while Jose effectively communicates the
excitement of the sport.
PROGRAM #049
Italy
Bike racing - Competition in this demanding sport requires discipline and
practice. We visit a young racer at home with his family as he makes the
necessary preparations for the race, and then join him and his friends as
they compete in a local race which sends them careening through the medieval
piazzas of the ancient city of Vicenza.
Florida
Marineland - Robin, sixteen, is learning to be a trainer and performer at
Marineland of Florida, one of the oldest "aquatic zoos" in the
United States. Presently she appears, after school and on weekends, in the "Electric
Eel Act" and is an apprentice in dolphin training.
PROGRAM #050
Arizona
Elephant Girl - A trip with a traveling circus in Arizona provides an "up
close" look at the hectic life of a fifteen year old girl who rides
performing elephants.
Australia
Aboriginals - Before European settlers arrived, Australia was inhabited by a
unique race of aboriginals. We meet a young health worker and share his
experiences at the hospital, as well as seeing tribal ceremonies and ritual
dances that are part of his culture.
PROGRAM #051
France
Couturier - "A stitch in time" can be the beginning of an arduous and
fascinating career. We visit a young fashion designer and watch while she
learns some of the tricks of her trade in the workrooms and salons of one of the great
Couturier houses in Paris.
California
Hobiecat - We ride the wind with a young Californian, who races one of the
world's fastest sailboats - the Hobiecat.
PROGRAM #052
India
Street Performers - The colorful streets of New Delhi, India are the backdrop
for a group of young street performers. Families have passed their skills
down from generation to generation and we see the result as the youngsters prepare
for a big show at a local orphanage that includes magic, puppetry, acrobatics
and singing.
Oregon
Wheat Harvest - There's a lot of effort required by all the members of the
family, when the assignment is a 2000 acre wheat farm. That's what we learn
in this episode from Janet (16) and Kathy (10) Bowman of Pendleton, Oregon.
We see how two critical situations are handled: 1) a fire in the field; and 2)
the rush to harvest the crop before a rainstorm hits. There's much
information too, on the kinds of equipment used on today's farm (Repeat).
PROGRAM #053
"Do Me a Favor ... Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part I
This dramatic serial starring Dina Merrill and Kelly Reno focuses on the
problems fourteen year old Bryan Adams faces when his widowed mother
decides to run for political office. Valuable lessons are learned by all as
the tensions of the campaign create difficult situations for those involved.
PROGRAM #054
"Do Me a Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part II
See Show #053
Pakistan
Shakil Mubariz is celebrating his twelfth birthday and his cousins tent-pegging
team is putting on a show just for him. Tent-pegging is a favorite sport of
Pakistan horsemen. Wooden pegs are put in the ground. Galloping at full speed the
horsemen try to spear the pegs with wooden lances. The team members are such
experts, they make spearing the pegs look easy. Shakil's celebration ends
with an extra surprise a performance by a dancing horse and camel.
(Repeat).
PROGRAM #055
"Do Me A Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part III
See show #053
England
Channel Swimmer - Twelve year old Marcus Hooper goes about the rigors of
preparation for his second attempt to swim the English Channel. In the face
of high winds and heavy seas the courageous youngster embarks on his perilous
adventure.
PROGRAM #056
"Do Me A Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" Part 4
See Show #053
New Guinea
Asaro tribesmen who live high up in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea perform the
"dance of the dead man's skin." The story tells of a battle in
which Asaro warriors are defeated by a powerful enemy. How the Asaros outwit
their enemy is the subject of this exciting story. (Repeat)
PROGRAM #057
New York
Children's Theater - A professional theater where all the performers are
children? That's the First All Children's Theater in New York City.
Preparation for the opening of their new musical involves lots of practice for
the participants and we see it all.
Lapland
Reindeer Roundup - Reindeer herding, in this land above the Arctic Circle, lasts
as long as the snow does - - which is most of the year. A family of three
children is featured in this segment which gives a full picture of life in
Lapland. (Repeat).
Kentucky
Gospel Singer - In Russellville, Kentucky an aspiring gospel singer, thirteen
year old Sha Cross, sings with her family at local churches.
PROGRAM #058
New Mexico
"Cowboys haven't changed much from when my dad was a kid to me now...I
don't think cowboying's going to change for a long time..." says young
Tim Muncie. At his family's ranch in Truth or consequences, New Mexico, we
see Tim at work roping, herding cattle, riding steers, mending fences.
Indonesia
Pencak Silat is a movement in self defense. Thirteen year old Dewa Ayu is
attending the Pencak Silat School. He explains the mystical martial arts
system which blends ideas from India and China to achieve harmony of mind
and body. Designed to build inner strength and character, Pencak Silat is
supervised by a guru. (Repeat)
PROGRAM #059
Norway
Thirteen year old Ellvid Pettersen works with his father on a small commercial
fishing boat. He lives in a small village north of the Arctic Circle, on
the historic island of Senja.
Hawaii
Spectacular volcanic eruptions are part of Hawaiian folklore and also part of
the photographic record. We follow a young girl who works with a team of
scientists as they trek across vast lava fields and extinct craters and
learn that a volcano is something quite more complex than a mountain with a hole
in the top.
PROGRAM #060
Canada
Rising young pop singer, France Joli is just finishing recording her second
album. We see her laying down final singing tracks, at a photo session, and
in performance. We also spend time with her family.
California
Marshall, the 12 year old son of Gossamer Condor inventor Paul MacCready is
learning to pilot a newly designed lightweight experimental aircraft,
presently being prepared for its maiden flight. We also see Marshall learning
acrobatic flying to further his aviation skills and helping his father in the
launching of the Solar Gossamer.
PROGRAM #061
Phoenix & Utah
Fifteen year old Mike Poulson displays his skills in the winter Bicycle
Motocross Nationals in Chandler, Arizona. Similar to a motorcycle race, BMX
takes place on a dirt track with embankments, turns and jumps. This fast growing
sport now has more than 20,000 participants - most from the West Coast.
USSR
We visit the Central Asian City of Samarkand in the Soviet union and meet two
twelve year old girls, Saodat and Zulfia, who are shown embroidering floral
designs on traditional costumes.
PROGRAM #062
Argentina
Seventeen year old Holly Payne uses the facilities of her scientist parents'
whale research station to study the behavior of a large colony of sea lions
who live on the rugged coast of Patagonia in Southern Argentina. Holly's
careful and patient observations of these large mammals in their natural habitat
have led her to some interesting new observations about their behavior.
Canada
Story about John Allyn and Sabena Ulman, both students at the National Ballet
School of Canada. We see them in grueling dance classes, rehearsing for an
upcoming performance, attending academic classes and spending time with
classmates. (Repeat)
PROGRAM #063
Yugoslavia
In a village outside of Kopriznica, Yugoslavia, we see how the peasants
integrate painting as an art form into their everyday life. It is a
tradition which has been passed down through generations; there is no formal instruction.
New Jersey
Fourteen year old Danny Rochelle, pilots his own iceboat across the "hard
water" of a frozen lake in northern new Jersey. Iceboating requires
great skill and endurance as Danny and his family demonstrate as they
prepare for competition.
PROGRAM #064
New York
Like her parents, sixteen year old Jennifer Howard breeds and shows silver
Persian cats. This segment focuses on Jennifer and her young female cat,
Lolita. Jennifer will be showing Lolita at the Long Island Club Cat Show.
It is her first experience in an adult competition. We also see Jennifer
performing her daily responsibilities in the caring of Lolita and her
family's other cats.
Colombia
Story of a boy who works for a gamekeeper, looking after animals, making sure
that no poaching is going on and that the animals are in good health. We
see him rescue a dolphin and prevent the killing of an anaconda snake at
the hands of frightened villagers. (Repeat).
PROGRAM #065
Connecticut
Twelve year old Regina Christopher, who is deaf, travels to Waterford,
Connecticut where she spends a week working with The Little Theater of the
Deaf, an internationally renowned company comprised primarily of deaf performers.
Regina hopes that her theater experience will help overcome her handicap and
increase her access to the hearing world.
Canada
David Horn, sixteen, is a star lacrosse player who lives on an Iroquois
reservation near Montreal, Canada. In this segment we see David and his
teammates practicing and competing against another Iroquois team. We also
join David on a visit to a nearby factory that makes lacrosse sticks.
PROGRAM #066
New Mexico
Following the footsteps of his father, fifteen year old Scott Vesley has become
one of the best young balloon pilots and ground crewmen in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. This segment features his experiences flying and racing his
family's balloon.
Sardenia
Maura visits her uncle on the Island of Sardenia, Italy to learn a little bit of
the history and traditions of the island. Her cousin, Carlo is partaking in
the traditional festival called "La Sartiglia" - a jousting event.
(Repeat)
PROGRAM #067
Germany
Twelve year old Gregor Luetje of Munich, W. Germany is an opera singer. We
observe Gregor studying opera and follow him to Dusseldorf to see him sing
the part of the price in Debussy's opera "Pelius" with the Dusseldorf
Opera Company.
Grand Cayman Island
Story about Barbara Card, age fifteen, a scuba diver, who lives on Grand Cayman
Island. She is seen cataloging fish, going down to see wrecks and being
drilled in scuba diving techniques.
PROGRAM #068
NYC and New Jersey - Tisha Revisited
Tisha Campbell is now twelve years old. Three years after filming this young
singer for Big Blue Marble we revisit her - now starring in the title role
of Rosie in "Really Rosie." This show, written by Maurice Sendak with
music by Carol King, is now in its second year at the American Place Theater.
The segment includes clips from the earlier Big Blue Marble piece.
Mexico City, Mexico
Andres Cruz is a sixteen year old baseball player associated with the amateur
Omega League in Mexico City, Mexico. Like many boys his age, Andres dreams
of becoming a professional ballplayer and of someday playing in the major
leagues. We watch Andres in training and getting tips from the pros. We also
join Andres as he visits historical sites near Mexico City.
PROGRAM #069
Zimbabwe
For the past 20 years the Jairos Jiri Association has set up centers throughout
Zimbabwe to help educate handicapped youngsters. We follow a handicapped
teenager as he leaves academic school in Salisbury for his new home in
Blawayo, where he will begin training in his chosen craft. We also visit
Victoria Falls where goods made at the training center are sold.
New York and Aspen
Fourteen year old peter Wyrick, a cello student a Julliard, is seen studying and
rehearsing at school and at home. He travels to Aspen, Colorado to
participate in the famous music festival. In performance, he plays Beethoven's
"A Major Sonata." (repeat)
PROGRAM #070
People's Republic of China
The building and flying of kites is a very old and very honored tradition in
China. In this segment we see young teenagers in the coastal city of
Tianjin as they study with an old master and learn to build and fly their
own kites.
Green River, Utah
The Green River in Utah is one of the most exciting and scenic white water
rivers in the American west. Two youngsters navigate this river in a raft,
along with a veteran boatman. They travel through rapids, camp on the
sandbars and experience the unique wilderness of Desolation Canyon.
PROGRAM #071
People's Republic of China
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of The People's Republic of China. This
is the real story of a twelve year old boy who returns home after the
school year to spend the summer working with his family on the plains of
Inner Mongolia. The segment focuses on many facts of the boy's life; from
driving herds of Mongolian Steppe ponies to attending a banquet honoring
his father.
PROGRAM #072
England
In the north of England, where sheep farming is an important way of life,
farmers and their families take pride in their specially trained sheep
dogs. Responding to a series of whistle commands, these dogs help with the
herding of sheep. Sixteen year old Tony Cleasdy attends a yearly fair in his
community and competes with his friends and neighbors in a contest to see
which farmer and dog do the best job of herding.
Brinydeep
True life adventure about a group of teenagers who sail across the Atlantic
Ocean in a 200 foot schooner on the route of Christopher Colombus' first
voyage; following the trade winds to the Americas. (Repeat)
PROGRAM #073
South Africa
Ingrid Nordh, age thirteen, works with her parents on a game preserve outside
Johannesburg. Their primary work is in the study of the cheetah, a highly
endangered species. Ingrid and her younger brother Eric have grown up with
the cheetahs and other animals and move freely among them in their daily work on
the preserve.
Oklahoma & Dallas
Jimmy Henley, a seventeen year old banjo and guitar player from Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma is a member of Roy Clark's band. We see him playing duets with Roy
at a charity concert and competing in a fiddling contest in Texas.
PROGRAM #074
Switzerland
In the mountains of the Ticino, the Italian and southernmost section of
Switzerland, children spend the summer milking cows and rounding up goats.
Their families, who remain down in the village, supply the children with
food by sending it up on cable cars.
Yugoslavia
The folktale. A 16-year old boy demonstrates how he makes hundreds of drawings,
photographs them, and - with the help of friends - does the soundtrack for
his animation of the tale, "The Secret of the Czar." In the tale,
a barber discovers the Czar's secret. He reveals it to no one. Yet, the secret
becomes known to everyone. The moral is, "Don't kid yourself, truth
will come out."
Iceland
A young boy spends the summer working on a fishing trawler. He explains that in
his country everyone who is over thirteen years old has a regular summer
job. Parents show appreciation for their children by honoring them on
Iceland Independence Day.
California
Excerpts from the Caleveras County International Frog Jumping Contest are
enhanced by the original song, "No Place Like Earth."
Connecticut
The original song, "Simple Life," sets the atmosphere for an American
girl as she exercises horses, leads pony rides and dreams of someday owning
one herself.
Tunisia
A young boy, Muhammed, and his father and brother load their camel with sheep,
rabbits and beans and begin their journey to the market more than five
miles from their farmhouse. Muhammed sells his sheep which he raised since
birth. Then he joins his friends who are playing soccer and dancing to the
beat of drums.
PROGRAM #075
Taiwan
The Gwang Ren Children's Orchestra performs. As their music continues in the
background, the scene shifts to children practicing their Chinese
calligraphy.
Nevada
A ghost town is the setting for a gold mining expedition. Those involved are a
young boy and an old-time gold miner. The intricate process of searching
for gold, mining it, and refining it is explained and demonstrated.
France
The folktale. "The Bridge of St. Cloud" is a tale about how the bridge
was completed after signing a contract with the Devil and how the Devil was
finally hoisted with his own petard.
England
Kevin shows and tells what it is like to be a deckboy on a tugboat in the harbor
of Southampton, England. They were one of five tugs to bring in a 200,000
ton oil tanker.
Guatemala
A traditional ceremony carried down over the centuries is performed in this
feature. The ceremony is called Palo Valador, or Flying Pole. The Palo
Valador was originally performed to please the gods so they would bring a
good corn crop. Performers dress up as El Mico, the Monkey - the messenger
between the people and the gods. The performers climb to the top of a 130'
pole and swing from the top of it. One of the performers is a fourteen year
old who has been "flying" since he was seven. Accompanying
the ceremony is a piece of original music entitled "Indian
Scene."
PROGRAM #076
Ireland
Jack Nolan is a young apprentice jockey who attends a boarding school called the
Racing Apprentice Center of Education (R.A.C.E.). The students learn all
aspects of training and controlling a horse. They learn how to fall
properly and they also study such subjects as botany. The feature concludes with
an original song called "Riding."
Belgium
Brussels has the world's largest population of marionettes. The Toone Theatre is
the most famous puppet theater. The Toone family founded the Theater 150 years
ago. Toone, the puppetmaster, puts on a play for the audience. He does all
the voices while seven assistants manipulate the marionettes.
Make Your Own Nature Picture
A girl describes and demonstrates how to make a nature picture using flowers,
crayons, wax paper and glue.
California
A sport that started in Europe has caught on in California. That sport is
hang-gliding - body kiting. The son of one of the first hang-gliders in the
United States demonstrates the thrills and pitfalls of this sport.
China
The folktale. A rich and greedy pear seller acts as a perfect foil to a poor but
generous priest in this tale entitled "The Priest and the Pear
Tree." The ending is a typically mysterious Oriental one.
Bermuda
The day after Christmas is Boxing Day here. Young Gombey dancers in colorful
costumes parade in snake-like formation toward the town. They take a ferry
boat across the bay and continue dancing for the tourists. The music in
this feature is original and live using a whistle as an instrument.
PROGRAM #077
Germany
The death of Winter is heralded at a farmer's festival in the Bavarian Mountain
town of Saldorf. Every year a whip-cracking festival called Aperschnaltzen
is held to scare away the demons of ice and snow. Whip-cracking teams
compete for prizes. The team that won was headed by the first girl ever to be
captain of a team.
Taiwan
It is the Year of the Tiger and in Taiwan the first day of the Chinese New Year
is being celebrated. This festive day is marked by a special dinner and the
popular Dragon Dance. The dragon is the symbol of China and the dance in
his honor will bring good luck.
Sweden
The folktale. A fairy princess grants seven wishes to a lazy boy who finally
reforms after making five very foolish wishes in this humorous tale called
"The Seven Wishes."
Venice
Renowned for its beautiful glass, Venice is the appropriate locale for a feature
about an apprentice to a maestro in a glass factory. The difficult process
of creating glass objects is shown in great detail. Speed and timing are
essential qualities in glass making. The apprentice demonstrates his increasing
skill at this difficult art.
New York
Although the setting is New York, the feature opens with an aerial view of the
Caribbean; for the Caribbean was where the steel drum was invented. The man
who created steel drums from oil barrels is Ellie Minette, who now lives in
New York. He expounds on the history of this instrument while he makes a drum
for a young member of a steel drum band.
PROGRAM #078
San Francisco
Children visit the Exploratorium, a science museum built especially for kids.
Here machines are meant to be touched and played with. Your hand can create
sounds, your feet can create electricity, your voice can create pictures.
Thailand
The Walking Buddha is a monastery where young boys learn to practice the
teachings of Buddha - the middle way - without self-indulgence or
self-denial. They learn that work should be done with pleasure, not ambition. They
learn that wisdom is to be found in the languages of all men.
Mock Mosaics
Viewers are shown how to make a mosaic using egg shells, food coloring,
cardboard and glue. They are informed that originally mosaics were made
with bits of colored tiles.
London
A montage of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and people sculpting wax figures is
shown with an informative song as an accompaniment. The theme of the song,
"Madame Tussaud's" is that here, time stands still.
Ethiopia
The folktale. The main characters in "Fire on the Mountain" are a
wealthy prankster and his servant who earns his freedom by most unusual
means.
Quebec
Ice hockey, Canada's national sport, is featured here. Youngsters play, while
aspects of the history and rules of the game are explained. The kids are
joined by a famous Canadian hockey player, Henri Richards. He reveals some
helpful tips about the game.
PROGRAM #079
Belgium
The 500 year old, three day, pre-Lent carnival of Binche features parades,
dancing and prizes awarded by the mayor for best costumes. Rites of spring
are performed to ward off evil weather and poverty; oranges are thrown to
bring good luck; and finally, fireworks are exploded to usher in Lent.
Hong Kong
Within Hong Kong there is a floating city called Aberdeen. After school, many of
which are housed on roof tops, a young boy named Lim Sien Fong earns money
for his family by driving a water taxi. He ferries people all around one of
the world's largest harbors until after nightfall.
Germany
The folktale. This humorous tale, called "The Castles of the Two
Brothers," carries a subtle message to all overly-possessive people.
The dialogue accompanying the animation rhymes.
New York
A fifteen year old girl from Virginia earned ballet scholarships that brought
her to New York City. She lives with six other girls in a penthouse
apartment. She practices ballet several hours a day. In an unusually articulate
fashion, she describes the pains and pleasures of practicing to be a
ballerina. The feature ends in a dream sequence.
PROGRAM #080
Utah
A Navajo Indian girl describes what life is like for the Navajos today. Her
grandmother relates an ancient Navajo fable, which has been animated by a
Navajo teacher in an attempt to preserve their culture for future generations.
The animated version of the fable about a toad and a coyote is shown.
England
A dog training school where children learn proper car and training for their
pets is featured. The teacher's theory is that there are no disobedient
dogs, only inexperienced owners.
Colorful Collages
A girl explains that collage means "paste" in French. She then
proceeds to create a collage of her own. Viewers are encouraged to create
their own collages by pasting all sorts of different things on paper.
Russia
The folktale. "The Humpbacked Horse" turns out to be a magic talking
horse, as well. The horse and his owner, who becomes stable master to the
Tsar, succeed in doing the impossible. The tale ends with the traditional:
the young owner marries the beautiful girl and they live happily ever after.
San Blas
Off the cost of Panama lie the approximately 365 San Blas Islands. An eleven
year old Cuna Indian boy describes life on Nalunega, one of the islands. He
lives in a straw hut, goes fishing every day, helps grow vegetables, and
plays basketball with his friends. Cuna Indian women hold a very important
position in the tribe. When Cunas marry, all the money is turned over to
the bride.
PROGRAM #081
Colorado
Mike Yeats has been mountain climbing for six years. He is twelve now. He and
his parents have just climbed 14,000 feet high Mt. Evans. They are
preparing to rappel, or descend, the face of the cliff. Mike explains the
purpose of the equipment and proper techniques. The feature flashes back to
the Yeats' ascent of Mt. Evans earlier in the day.
Caracas
Venezuelan children help make their capital city beautiful. They paint murals on
the walls of buildings. The subject matter is entirely up to the individual.
England
The folktale "King John and the Abbot of Canterbury" is a classic tale
of impossible riddles and mistaken identity so popular in English
literature. The King, an accurate portrayal of the 13th Century King John I, is
a ruthless ruler. A court jester and his talking parrot play key roles in this
amusing tale.
Scotland
The courtyard of Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye is the site for Highland
Bagpipe playing. The best player in the Children's Pipe Band is selected to
play alone in the courtyard where Scotland's greatest pipers have always
played. A fourteen year old named Angus Monroe is chosen. As he proudly plays
his grandfather's pipes, he dreams of becoming the finest piper in the
land.
PROGRAM #082
France
Sand yachts race along Normandy Beach. These three-wheel sailboats can go as
fast as 80 mph. Nine year old Natalie impatiently waits for next year when
she can enter the race. Meanwhile, she contents herself by sailing in her
father's sand yacht.
Hong Kong
Carolyn Leung's father owns a snake farm. She and the manager of the farm point
out poisonous Malaysian mangrove snakes, pythons, Cambodian elephant -
trunk snakes, cobras. Venom from the snakes is collected in jars and
shipped to research laboratories to make anti-venom. Carolyn's father wants her
to run the farm someday, but she says she would prefer to do something more
unusual.
Thailand
The folktale. This take, "The Parrot and the Lorikeet" proposes that
the lorikeet was the only talking bird with a mind of its own. The lorikeet
humorously explains the circumstances that ultimately convinced his successor,
the parrot, to resign himself solely to mimicry.
Stamp out Potatoes!
Cut a potato in half, then cut out a pattern in one of the halves. Put some
paint in a jar lid. Dip the potato in the paint, and you have a potato
stamp. Decorate wrapping paper, stationery, or greeting cards with different
designs and colors from your potato stamps.
Holland
Four year olds lift up trains with one hand, kids step over three-story
buildings, planes fly under human legs. The place is Madurodam, a miniature
duplication of parts of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. The
Maduro family built Madurodam in the 1950's for their son George.
Colorado
Featured in this segment is a rodeo for high school students. Calf roping,
bronco riding and other rodeo events are included. The original song
"A Rodeo Cowboy" is featured.
PROGRAM #083
Colombia
Boys help earn money for their families by shining shoes in Bogota. Jaime
reveals his secrets of how to get more generous tips. His ambition is to be a
football star and own more shoes than anyone has ever seen.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen has many unusual playgrounds. There are playgrounds full of animals.
There are "junk" playgrounds where kids can play and build with
discarded materials. There are driving playgrounds complete with real
traffic signals and little cars to ride in. There is even an Iron Age village.
Nigeria
The folktale. The moral of this tale, "A Test of Friendship," is true
friends examine both sides of a situation. An old man tests the friendship
of two fellows by purchasing a hat which is black on one side and white on the
other.
Macao
In this Asian province of Portugal is a fireworks factory. There is a tour of
the factory. Lam Dai Sing helps make some fireworks. And, after a permit is
obtained by the police, Lam Dai Sing purchases some firecrackers. He
carefully sets them off that night and takes pride in knowing that he helped
make them.
New York
It's time for the clown auditions at Madison Square Garden. A girl named Lynn
Tarrell is auditioning. She explains that if you are accepted you go to
clown college in Florida, where you just "clown around."
PROGRAM #084
France
Spelunking in or rather under the countryside of southern France is featured
here. A twelve year old girl is the youngest in the group. She explains how
caves are made and the difference between stalactites and stalagmites. The group
climbs to an underground river where they embark on rubber rafts for the
conclusion of their journey.
U.S.A.
The folktale. Entitled "The Runaway Squash" this piece of fantasy is
about a boy who plants a squash seed which immediately begins growing and
carries the kid all over the countryside. At the end we find out he has been
dreaming.
Singapore
A thirteen year old competes in the Men's Table Tennis Championship of
Singapore. He is the only child entry. His opponent is twenty-six.The
opponent wins three out of three games, but the competition is tough.
Utah
The crew on the paddlewheel steamboat, the Canyon King, consists of Anna, the
captain's daughter. She explains how steamboats work as they sail up the
Colorado River on their way to pick up sightseers. Anna gives the history
of the steamboat and mentions how lucky she feels to be riding one of the few
steamboats left in America. An original song "Somedays I Just Want To
Go Somewhere," concludes the program.
PROGRAM #085
Canada
Bathtubs filled with water? No, water filled with bathtubs! It's the
International Bathtub Race from Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, across the strait
to Vancouver. These bathtubs are equipped with motors and are decorated with
great ingenuity.
Philippines
The Bajao tribe live practically their whole lives in boats or in houses on
stilts in the water. Marita and Abdul are Bajaos. They do not go to school.
Instead, they spend much of their time diving for shells. Then they sell their
dried out shells to a factory which makes buttons out of them.
Italy
The folktale. The message in this little tale is that some people judge others
superficially. The tale is called "Princess Clothes" because a
little girl's clothes make all the difference as to whether she is treated
like a princess or a peasant.
New Jersey
"Games" is the name of this original song that introduces the National
Marble Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey. The winner receives a $600.00
scholarship. Twenty-one girls and boys have entered. The rules are
carefully explained. A fourteen year old boy and a thirteen year old girl are
the finalists.
PROGRAM #086
Puerto Rico
Meaning "fine step" the elegant Paso Fino horses are native to Puerto
Rico. On this ranch, or finca, 11-year old Neysa has been helping her
father raise and train Paso Fino horses since she was five. A horse is put
through its paces while the characteristics and history of this breed are
described.
Puerto Rico
The folktale. The well known calypso rhythm of the Caribbean sets the beat for
this lyric folktale, "The Three-Cornered Hat of Bad Miguel."
Miguel tries to hoodwink a wealthy man into believing Miguel's hat can
produce an endless stream of pesos. But sunstroke punishes hatless Miguel for
his evil schemes.
Isle of Guernsey
If this is low tide, it must be time for mudlarking. Junk cars race through the
mud as they do their best to demolish one another. If this is not messy
enough, try riding in sleds pulled by the cars. And the mudlarking will
continue, until the tide rolls back in.
United States
A girl dons her helmet as she prepares to go ballooning. The giant balloons are
controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot air in the bag. As
the manned balloons float through the air, the original "Say Hello to
the Sky" is sung.
PROGRAM #087
Bali
Ancient Hindu legend has it that monkeys once saved a princess from an evil
king. Balinese perform the Kachek Dance, which acts out this legend. They
dance to music created by human voices with no instruments involved. Every
gesture holds special significance. This is only one of the hundred of dances
performed in Bali.
Spain
The folktale. "The Wonderful White Donkey" is the story of a gullible
man who is tricked into believing that his donkey has turned into a man.
Actually, his donkey has been stolen. The man gets his donkey back at the end,
but he never realizes that his donkey is just a donkey.
England
You don't need snow or water to go skiing in England. The sport is grass skiing,
and fourteen year old Phil Jennings is the country's youngest instructor.
Grass skiing is a cross between ice skating and skiing. Phil demonstrates
as he explains the technique.
Global Gourmet
You don't have to be Italian to love pizza. A boy shows how to make pizza from
scratch. The recipe is flashed on the screen. It seems that the pizza takes
longer to make than to eat!
Los Angeles
The hoola hoop is back! Young champions of all ages demonstrate their
proficiency as "Hoopin'", an original son, is sung.
PROGRAM #088
Texas
Boys and girls fourteen or younger came to Texas to compete in the first World
Invitational Minicycle Championship. A fourteen year old from Australia who
thinks he will win walks the track to familiarize himself. He talks about the racing
he has done back in Australia. He does not win, but he still plans to enjoy his
American holiday.
Bulgaria
The folktale. Trinka is a very very spoiled little girl in "Trinka."
Her parents spoil her so much that when she gets married, Trinka is
helpless. Her husband reforms her and they produce several unspoiled children.
St John
Donna and her friends are asked to get some salt. Instead of going to the store,
they do their own salt harvesting down at the salt pond. On their way to
the pond they stop and pick some bay rum leaves, play a game with soldier
crabs, and eat part of the top of a cactus.
Amsterdam
After school, Jess goes to school. But this school is circus school. He is
learning to ride a unicycle. The children in circus school make money
giving performances all over Holland.
PROGRAM #089
Ghana
This segment features a glimpse into the daily life of members of a village in
Ghana. A fourteen year old native visits the market while his brother goes
fishing.
England
A magician with a rabbit puppet named Theodore entertains children in the
audience.
India
The folktale. This tale is about a narcissistic princess who has her necklace
stolen by an envious monkey. The hero, in this case the gardener, figures
out a way of finding out which monkey took the necklace. The title is "The
Princess' Necklace."
Cozumel
This is an island in Mexico off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Jose works
with his father taking visitors on sea trips around Cozumel. One of the
visitors is an American boy named Andy. Andy and Jose become close friends
as they explore Cozumel together. "Come Be My Friend," an original
song, accompanies this feature.
New York
The Star Spangled Banner in sign language introduces this feature about Carol, a
ten year old deaf girl. Carol reads lips and knows sign language. Now she
is working with a speech therapist at a school for the deaf to learn how to
speak. The therapist is helping her practice for her part in the school play.
The feature ends with the children putting on their Christmas play,
"Babes in Toyland."
PROGRAM #090
Colorado
Steam locomotives are extinct now but Old 483 is still huffing over the Rockies.
Kelly, the daughter of the engineer, accompanies dad on a check run. She
explains how the locomotive works and who invented it. An amusing original
song called "Save the Dinosaur" is sung as 483 chugs along.
Ethiopia
Farmers and wandering herdsmen people the highlands of Ethiopia. fifteen year
old Petro, a country boy, visits Addis Adaba, the capital, and shows the
viewers the city's highlights. He relates a bit of Ethiopia's history. But Petro
prefers the country, where he can play with his friends and visit the blacksmith
forge. At school, which is outside, Petro learns the books of the bible
from a blind teacher.
Australia
The Folktale. Aborigines preserve their beliefs through oral tradition.
"Dream Time" is the time when the world began. This dream time
story, "The Frog and the Sound of the Wind," explains why frogs leap
into ponds whenever the wind whistles through the grasses.
Singapore
Kung Fu is an art of speed not power. It is a spiritual exercise invented by
Buddhist monks to protect themselves from bandits. Kung Fu develops a sense
of peace and confidence within oneself. The art of Kung Fu is demonstrated
throughout this feature.
PROGRAM #091
Florida
Diving for buried treasure is more than a dream in the Florida Keys. Eight year
old Thomas has been scuba diving since he was four. Thomas' uncle is a
treasure hunter. With the aid of a magnetometer, the boy and his uncle explore
forty feet underwater in search of the remains of a 17th century Spanish
treasure ship.
Bali
Young apprentice stone carvers first go to a quarry to obtain a block of stone
for their village's Master Carver. The apprentices add small details to a
statue such as toenails or bracelets. The art of stone carving is demonstrated
step by step beginning with a slab of stone and resulting in an elaborate statue
for a Hindu temple.
Brazil
The folktale. A South American version of the Tortoise and the Hare is "The
Parrot, The Paca, and the Dull Brown Beetle." The parrot suggests a
race between the paca and the beetle. The paca thinks he has it all sewn up
but the beetle wins.
Holland
"Muggen Ronde" meaning "gnat's tour" is the annual
children's bicycle race through Holland. The race takes five days and
covers 700 kilometers. There are 110 entries this year. Each day there is a
sprinting event. Kids camp out in tents each night. The winner receives a
trophy. "Round and Round" is an original song in this feature.
PROGRAM #092
Acapulco
Ever since Carlos was four years old he has been diving. Each year he dives from
higher heights. Now he is sixteen and ready to become one of the great
Acapulco cliff divers. He is about to make his first cliff dive from 135'
in the air. He carefully scales the cliff and stops to make a short prayer. When
the wave is at its crest, Carlos dives. He has just become an official
Acapulco diver.
England
Yorkshire is one of the best areas for pot holing, the English term for
spelunking. Two youngsters join Mr. and Mrs. Potts (!) the heads of the
local potholing club. After donning underwater gear the potholers enter the cave
and explore underground streams and passages for an hour.
Greece
Once version of how the world began is animated in this myth of the same name.
Animated contemporary Greek parents explain the myth to their children. Man
was made from mud. Prometheus, the first man, was granted the gift of fire
from the gods on Olympus. Pandora, the first woman who was overly curious, opened
a box and released all the evil elements into the world. Only Hope still
remained.
Utah
There is no turning back once Gooseneck Canyon is reached. And that is where
Terry and her mom and brother along with a river guide are headed. They are
on a rubber raft trip on the San Juan River. They camp overnight, dig fossils
out of rocks, and brave the rapids. "A Time To Live" is the original
song that accompanies this feature.
PROGRAM #093
Jamaica
Reggae bands, now gaining popularity in the United States, originated in
Jamaica. This feature is one day in the life of the son of a reggae band
leader. The boy and his drumsticks are inseparable. The climax comes when he gets
to play in his dad's band that evening.
Philippines
A new, larger canoe is being built for Hambre, who has outgrown his old boat.
The canoe is cut from a single, mahogany log floated over from a nearby
island. While the canoe is being made, Hambre tends the seaweed crop on the
sea farms. Then he climbs a coconut tree and drinks some coconut milk. By then,
his new canoe is ready and he proudly sails off in it.
Ireland
The folktale. True good fortune comes from the honest labor and diligence ...
with a little help from a magic, golden bottle. This humorous tale features
an evil landlord named Nickels O'Nasty and an old peasant couple, the
O'Flynns.
California
A three and a half mile stretch of beach is divided into one hundred sections in
preparation for San Diego's sand castle contest. Not only sand castles are
built. There are models of Indians, dragons, dogs, hippos. All ages can
enter. Prizes are awarded for originality, design, and overall effort.
PROGRAM #094
New York (Upstate)
A man jumps off the top of a castle onto a pile of cardboard boxes. He is a
professional stunt man. His young son, Greg, is very proud of his dad and
tries to emulate him. After his father rappels the face of a cliff, Greg
gets his chance. It's harder than it looks, but Greg makes it.
Holland
Canals in Holland are as common as highways in other countries. And living on a
barge is not uncommon. For barge families there are barge supermarkets and
barge schools. This particular barge transports petroleum products. Barges
are almost always on the move, but this one ties up long enough for the children
to enjoy a fireworks display. The original song in this feature is appropriately
called "Floatin'."
The Netherlands
The folktale. Written in rhymes, "The Widow and the Wheat" tells the
story of why and how the opulent port of Staveren became destitute. This
humorous ballad proves that greed and jealousy do not pay.
Spain
The Rodriguez family has been famous for generations for the excellent guitar
making. Grandfather Rodriquez, now eighty-six, has been making guitars for
seventy years. Their guitars are made 100% by hand. The step by step
process is demonstrated. At the end of a hard day, the Rodriguez' serenade one
another on their home-made guitars.
PROGRAM #095
Alaska
Near the North Pole at Point Hope, Alaska, some Eskimo children are preparing
for winter. They are putting away their umiak, a boat with a frame of wood
and whale bone covered with seal skins. After the winter arrives, the Eskimos
travel by dog sled. They stop at their cache, an Eskimo refrigerator which
stores whale and seal meat. When the snow comes, caribou hunting and ice fishing
begin. Once again there will be enough to eat.
England
This time the magician shows the audience how to make its own puppets with a
handkerchief and a little bowl for the head. Draw a face with a pen. Your
fingers become the arms. And you have your own instant puppet.
Global Gourmet
The recipe for today is crepes. After you combine the ingredients, the trick
seems to be in the flipping. The problem can be solved by skipping the
flipping altogether. But not if you want to be a true French chef.
A Jewish Tale
Called "The Payment", this droll folktale features Samuel, a regular
schlemiel, a Jewish Stan Laurel; an extraordinarily patient woman; and the
Rabbi. In short, the woman pays Samuel, a clock fixer, for repairing her
clock. He loses this payment. She rewards him instead, with a plant. He abuses
this payment and every subsequent one by following the woman' directions for the
previous payments.
Yugoslavia
A children's folk dancing class is rehearsing for a public performance that
evening. Most students begin their training at the Conservatory when they
are only four years old. They practice several hours every day. An ensemble
from the Conservatory goes on tour all over Europe and North America.
PROGRAM #096
Kenya
A game refuge for all kinds of wild animals is where twelve year old Hassan
lives. He lives here with his grandfather, a game warden. White
rhinoceroses are the largest animals at Meru Park. Hassan exercises the
rhinos and discusses their characteristics.
Batik a T-shirt
Children show how to make batik.
Israel
Two thirteen year old boys live by themselves in a little house. There are six
hundred members in their family. They live on a kubbutz. Children learn
responsibility and independence early here. Everything is shared. The school is
right in the middle of the kibbutz, and classes are held six days a week. In
Israel there are now 240 kibbutz settlements.
Japan
The folktale. In this parable "The Axe of Gold", honesty is rewarded
and dishonesty punished. The characters are an old, humble and honest
woodcutter and a younger, greedy and dishonest woodcutter. A goddess of the forest
pond passes judgment on these two by awarding an axe of gold to one and a rusty,
pitted axe to the other.
Arizona/Nevada
The Colorado River flows along the Arizona-Nevada border. In 1935 the Hoover Dam
was constructed across the Colorado. Old filmstrips of the celebration
marking the completion of the dam are shown. The functions of the dam are
explained. Three little girls explore the enormous construction and one of them
temporarily gets lost. The original song in this feature is called
"Dynamite day."
PROGRAM #097
Bali
Boys and girls perform another one of the hundreds of Balinese dances.
Accompanying this dance is a percussion orchestra called gamelan. All the
movements in the dance convey messages just as lyrics do. The name of this particular
dance is the Trampong, an Eastern dance done in Western costume.
Florida
Fishing is one of Florida's most popular sports. Tarpon and bone are two of the
most popular sport fish. An eleven year old girl goes fishing with her
uncle, a fishing guide. Live shrimp is used for bait. When fish are caught
in sport fishing, they are thrown right back.
Canada
The folktale. This tale is an old Indian Tale from Manitoba called "The
Moose's Coat". It tells about the days when all animals had thin, gray
coats. One day the Great Spirit gave each type of animal a different coat. The
moose missed out and ended up with his baggy coat and ugly horns.
India
In New Delhi, a fifteen year old boy is taking his final sitar lesson before his
first public recital. He has been studying the sitar under his guru for
three years. The characteristics and history of the instrument are described.
PROGRAM #098
Canada
Five miles off the coast of British Columbia lies Lennard Island. The only
people who lived on the Island are the chief light keeper and his family.
An assistant light keeper and his family move in in this feature. The
intricacies of running a light station are explained and illustrated.
Mexico
It is Mexican Independence Day and part of the fiesta includes the performance
of the well-known Mexican Hat Dance. This is also the day that young Juan
tries to become a charros. A Charros is the equivalent of our rodeo
performer. Juan has practiced hard with his lariat. Finally it is time for the
Charriada, or rodeo. The new Charro always goes last. Juan and his lariat
give an impressive showing. He becomes one of the elite Charros of Mexico.
South Sea Islands
The folktale. A frivolous tale called "The Spots on the Moon" claims
that the moon has spots because a jealous braggart threw mud at it after he
failed to hook the moon with his fishing rod.
New York (Upstate)
Billy hangs around the local airport and fantasizes about flying in one of the
planes. One day he is asked to help roll out one of the Tiger Moths. Then
to Billy's great delight he is invited to go for a spin in the plane. He
learns tall about the instruments on the panel. After his ride he is more
determined than ever to be a pilot.
PROGRAM #099
Egypt
Almost 4500 years ago the great Pyramid of Giza was built. It is still standing
today. Tourists rent camels to visit this 500' high monument to King Cheops.
Eleven year old Ahmed rents out some camels. He saddles the camels and
provides a kuffiyeh, Arab headdress, for each tourist. They visit the famous
sphinxes and examine the intricate wall carvings of one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World.
Connecticut
"Say Hello to the Sky" is an original song which sets the tone for an
eight year old walking alone in the country on a beautiful day. He feels
like flying, so he does the next best thing - he makes a kite out of two sticks,
some string, and wrapping paper.
Iran
The folktale. A woman is preparing some shish kebob for supper. Her woman
friends come over to gossip and end up eating all the shish kebob. When her
husband returns he is furious to find only rice for dinner. His wife claims
the cat ate the three kilos of mutton. But when the cat is weighed it weighs
only three kilos. The distraught wife vows never to lie again, as she goes
out to buy more mutton. The tale is called "Shish Kebob."
Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
An eleven year old boy is in love with a twenty-five year old, three ton, long
nosed girl elephant. His brother is a professional Mahut, elephant trainer. The
life of an elephant and its Mahut is featured.
PROGRAM #100
New York City
Students at the Walden School here learn how to improvise. they are visited by
the Children's Theater Group of Actors. After demonstrations and pointers
by the Theater Group, the students put on their own improvisational play
about a giant who is unhappy because he never frightens anyone anymore.
If Children Ruled The World
The topic in this program is clothes. The child reprimands her father for
dressing sloppily.
England
The original song "Games" introduces this feature on the International
Marble Tournament. The fourteen year old boy who won the Wildwood (N.J.)
Tournament is here competing again. The difference between American and
British rules are explained. The tournament begins -- the U.S. team emerges
victorious.
Classic Tale
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is animated, put to verse and given a dash of
humor. The message is still salient.
Poland
The Palace of Youth in Warsaw is the setting for the water ballet of "Swan
Lake". The ballet is presented by teenage girls. The girl with the
lead role discusses how she feels about being in the ballet and gives viewers a glimpse
of her city.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #101
Maryland
A fifteen year old girl has the unusual job of being ball-and-broom girl for the
Baltimore Orioles, a major league baseball team. She enjoys her work and her
family is in the stands rooting for her just as if she were another Brooks
Robinson, one of the great players.
If Children Ruled The World
The son patiently explains to his perturbed father that he should try to get
along better with his boss--after all, he is not going to work just to have
a good time.
Senegal
Senegal's national sport is wrestling. Her the wrestling is done on sand. Unlike
the United States, in Senegal, the match is over as soon as one of the
knees touches the ground.
Greek Myth
The well-know legend of Echo, the broken-hearted mountain nymph, and Narcissus,
the beautiful but vain mortal, is animated in the style of the early Greek
vase painters.
Mexico
A young girl is Acapulco enviously watches paraskiers soar through the air. If
only she had enough pesos, she, too, could paraski over the Acapulco
harbor. Being a resourceful child, she decides to sell cold drinks to
thirsty laborers. Soon she has the required amount of money and gets to go
paraskiing.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #102
Haiti
Voodoo, a religious cult, is still practiced in Haiti. A young Haitian girl
learns of the sacred dances and trances used to evoke spirits in an outdoor
church on the island. Voodooists believe in one god, the God of Wisdom.
"Dump Daisy"
This is a song about a child who is walking through a trash dump on her way home
from school. Amid all the garbage she sees a little flower growing out of a
discarded sneaker. When she returns the following day to see if the daisy
is still there, she finds the bulldozers have turned over the original sneaker,
and instead of one daisy she now finds two, proving beauty can survive even
in an atmosphere of ugliness.
A Classic Tale
"Rumpelstiltskin", a classic Grimm Fairy Tale, is adapted and endowed
with humor and imagination in this animated version. USSR The Moscow Circus
School is the topic of this feature. Classrooms surround the circus arena so the
students can see how acrobatic or aerialist feats are properly performed.
Talented youngsters demonstrate their various abilities. After attending
the Moscow Circus School for two years, a young person is regarded as qualified
to perform.
PROGRAM #103
Paris
A group of man-sized penguins nonchalantly walk in the Metro - the underground
subway train system of Paris. They are actually being filmed for a movie.
Children standing by are invited to don some penguin outfits. This feature
focuses on special effects used in movies. A workshop where props (such as foam
rubber horses) are made is visited during this segment.
Greek Myth
"The Golden Touch' is an operatic rendition of the famed King Midas myth.
This rhyming version is lively and humorous. The ending has a particularly
witty twist, but the storyline, on the whole, remains faithful.
India
Camel breeders from western India are featured in this segment. A young camel
breeder describes the origin and characteristics of these animals. The
method of plowing with camels is also demonstrated.
If Children Ruled The World
Trying to get Daddy to understand the importance of doing his homework is the
child's task in this feature.
New York City
A Double Dutch tournament is in progress in Manhattan. Double Dutch is jump rope
using two ropes that swing in opposite directions. Music accompanies this
visually exciting feature. The winners of the tournament treat the viewers
to an encore.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #104
West Virginia
Jo Ann Lee demonstrates the excitement of learning to ride in a Kayak in the
Lafayette Station Rapids. She describes the practice and training that are
part of Kayaking while she whips through the waves.The segment ends with a breathtaking
ride.
Classic Tale
"The Riddle of the Sphinx", an ancient Egyptian legend is animated and
set to a musical refrain. Children will enjoy the riddle and appreciate the
antiquity of the riddle form.
England
In a particularly sensitive segment, we see the "Special Olympics"
through the eyes of a young girl who has been disabled by cerebral palsy.
The International Olympic Games for handicapped children poignantly demonstrate how
much handicapped children can do and wish to do. Exercises, like wheelchair
races and javelin throws give the children the opportunity to improve their
physical condition at the same time help their self-esteem.
If Children Ruled The World
This segment pokes fun at the dress selection a mother makes. The daughter urges
her to purchase "that sweet pink one" instead.
Brazil
In this segment we visit the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil to see young boys who
are learning to be race car drivers. The teachers are all professional
drivers. The boys have classes in mechanics as well as regular school subjects.
The segment ends with a race. The child points out the value of accepting the
disappointments which are part of competition.
PROGRAM #105
South Carolina
Sixteen-year old Jim Blackwell tells about his long wait to grow old enough for
the adventurous sport featured in this segment - skydiving. preparatory
steps, packing the chute, and getting suited up are shown and Jim goes for
his first jump from 2800 feet!
Classic Tale
"Bad Habits" is an African folk tale about a rabbit and a monkey whose
bad habits annoy one another. The resolution of the story is an
accommodation of each others habits, "Live and Let Live."
Hungary
In this segment we visit the Budapest Pioneer Railroad, an organization of young
Hungarians similar to a scout group. The boys run a diesel locomotive,
exchanging jobs each time they work the 38-minute trip. The featured boy's
parents came to meet him at the end of the trip and they celebrated his birthday
in a nearby restaurant.
If Children Ruled The World
In this spoof, children have something to say about their parents' bedtime.
Canada
In the Caribou Mountain area, British Columbia, we visit a 12-year old boy who
demonstrates snowmobiling and iceboating. He puts a ski from a skimobile on
an iceboat and he and a young girl sail off to the delightful song
"Skim Along."
PROGRAM #106
Los Alamedos, California
Debbie Fyke, a 17-year old gymnast is training for the Olympics. She takes the
viewers through some of the events as she talks about the hard work and
will power required for her training. She has been in national competitions as
well as events in Russia, South Africa and Germany.
If Children Ruled The World
The topic in this program is friends. The child reprimands her mother about her
choice in friends.
Denmark
In this segment we visit a training ship for the Danish Merchant Marines that
takes 80 boys on a voyage through the Carribbean. Kaspa, the featured
child, is nervous because he has never been away from home. He talks about
learning responsibilities for himself and others. We work the rigging and learn
about the 6-month training course. The segment ends at sunset as Kaspa is
thinking about home.
Classic Tale
"The Emperor's New Clothes"
Africa
In this segment we make an intriguing visit to the Ivory Coast to see human
jugglers. In this town one must be both an orphan and chosen to be a
juggler. The juggler and his three children dance to entertain the townspeople.
We see all the makeup and costume preparations as well as the actual
performance.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #107
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St Croix provides a beautiful backdrop for two young boys to go Spinnaker
Flying. The children are instructed by an expert in this unusual sport in
which the child sails in the air over the water via the sailboat's Spinnaker.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands we visit a famous Carillon School where a master tells about
casting of the bells and shows children how a Carillon is played. A young
boy tries it out and plays "Big Blue Marble."
If Children Ruled The World
A young boy does a humorous take-off on words parents often have about
allowances.
Classic Tale
"Pegasus," the Greek myth about the Winged Horse of the Gods is done
in exciting animation.
England
Tracy Southerland, a 13-year old, is an expert figure skater. She goes to the
rink six days per week and practices four hours each day. She first started
figure skating at five years of age. Tracy speaks of her ambition to
compete in figure skating championships.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #108
Louisiana
Scott Morin, 12, and his father ride a helicopter to a gas-well platform
thirty-five miles off the coast in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Mr.
Morin is an oil company engineer. He explains to his son how gas is processed
and the difference between a production platform and an oil drilling
platform.
Global Gourmet
The tasty dish prepared in front of your very eyes is chocolate fondue from
Switzerland. Heat up the chocolate, cut up some fruit, dip the fruit into
the chocolate and enjoy the treat!
A Fable
One of Aesop's better known fables, "The Fox and the Grapes", is told
as a humorous rock opera. The fox never quite recovers from the frustration
of trying to reach those "sour" grapes.
If Children Ruled The World
This week the son goes over his mother's report card. Her "D-" in
ironing reveals that she is simply not ironing up to her potential.
Argentina
One hundred miles north of Buenos Aires is a ranch or hacienda where all sorts
of horses including polo ponies, are bred. The origin of this game of polo
is explained while we observe the gauchos saddling up the ponies. The
basics of how to play this exciting 4,000 year old game, are demonstrated by
young horsemen.
Dahomey
It's harvest-time holiday in Katagon, a village in one of Africa's smallest
countries. Beatrice and brother Benjamin prepare for the fete du janvier
and the traditional dance called the aguela ye ye. Benjamin's role in the dance involves
donning a mask and high stilts; He dances around on the stilts as agilely as if
they were part of his body.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #109
Spain
Gypsies originally brought the Flamenco dance to southern Spain. In Cordoba,
twelve year old Maria Sole attends a music school to learn Flamenco
dancing. Her goal is to dance in public. That very evening she gets the
opportunity. she is nervous, but once she hears the castanets and guitar, she
forgets about everything but dancing.
Wyoming
Twelve year old Joe Bressler is getting his sled dogs in shape for the big dog
team race. The course is 3½ miles long, and three dogs pull a sled. Racers
stand on the back of their sleds and urge their dogs on. Joe comes in
second, but he is pleased with his timing.
If Children Ruled The World
The son asks his dad a typical "dumb question": What did you learn at
work today? The father mumbles, "Nothin'," but this child won't
take "nothin'" for an answer.
A Fable
"How the Camel Got his Hump" is presented as an amusing rock opera.
The lazy camel said "Hump" to all suggestions of work. As a
result, a genie came along and gave him just what he asked for -- a great big
"hump" in the middle of his back.
Haiti
Did you know that Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti in 1492? The native
Arawak Indians had already named it Haiti, meaning high ground. On one of
these high pieces of ground is the famous Citadel, built during the rule of
Henri Christophe at the end of the eighteenth century. Young Jocelyn and his
friends make the 2½ hour journey to the Citadel on horseback. Jocelyn
relates the interesting biography of General Christophe as he winds his way
up the mountain.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #110
Russia
The school featured in this episode is no ordinary boarding school. It is a
school for gymnastics in Rostov, Russia. Natasha, an eleven year old
gymnast, is the subject. At the school, she attends regular classes. Six days a
week she and her classmates go by bus to the gymnastics hall. For the past
three years, Natasha has been training for the Olympics. We watcher her
work out on the trampoline, the horse, and the balance beam.
Greek Myth
History's most famous headache took place in Ancient Greece. The Birth of Athena
is presented here as an exciting version of this myth.
Colorado
A former French Olympic skier gradually went blind. Rather than give up, he
began a program called "Bold" for blind skiers. These young blind
people learn to overcome their handicap. Going down a ski slope without
being able to see teaches them that almost nothing is impossible.
If Children Ruled The World
The daughter demands that her father attend dancing school. He has a temper
tantrum and refuses to wear sissy shoes. She assures him that daughter
knows best and he'll love it once he gets there.
Nigeria
Talking drums are the unique instrument of the Yoruba Tribe. A twelve year old
Yoruba boy plays the talking drum at his Cultural Center. He has been
playing them since he was three, and now he is getting the opportunity to
play in the Nigerian version of a rock and roll band.
PROGRAM #111
Belgium
Karin shares her parents' ambition: she, too, wants to become an Olympic
Swimmer. At the age of thirteen, she has already won many swim meets. Today
her father, who is also her swim coach, drives her across the border to
France, where she will compete in an important international meet. She wins the
800-meter crawl and sets a new record. This feat could assure her of a
place on the Olympic Team. The 2½ hours a day of practicing certainly seems
worth it.
"If Children Ruled the World" ... they would write the commercials. Here two girls satirize the laundry detergent commercials. The punch line is that new River will not only clean your clothes, it will dissolve them completely, so you can buy new ones.
Greek Myth
The well-known myth of Arachne, the expert weaver, is retold in this animated
sequence. Arachne, conceited about her weaving prowess, challenged her
teacher, Athena, to a weaving contest. She lost. Athena turned Arachne into
a spider, and until this very day she weaves webs that are appreciated by no
one.
Georgia
The famous Okefenokee Swamp is the setting for catching baby alligators. Kelly
and his dad are not hunters of this now endangered species; Kelly's dad is
a biologist. Every year he rows out into the Swamp, catches little
alligators with his bare hands (Kelly helps too), weighs, measures, and marks
them and throws them back.
England
The Formula One racing drivers are preparing for the big race. The narrator's
sister's boyfriend is one of the racers. These racing cars are so low you
have to lie down in them. All racers wear fireproof clothing and crash
helmets. The race begins. Tom comes in first for the first time ever.
PROGRAM #112
Greece
On the island of Thasos lives an eleven year old boy who is going to become a
honey farmer. He has a good head start; his uncle owns a farm where nectar
bees produce honey. The complex process of getting honey from the bees is
illustrated in this feature. The role of the queen bee is described. The working
of the machine that removes honey from the combs is demonstrated.
Sweden
The celebration of Santa Lucia marks the shortest day of the year. It is already
dark by 2:30 PM. Ten year old Anna is excited because she gets to play the
role of Lucia as she and her sisters go caroling around town. They dress
up, place a crown of candles on their heads, and bring homemade bread and
cookies to neighbors that live alone. As they go from house to house, they
sing the well known son, "Santa Lucia."
Aesop's Fable
One of the better known Aesop's fables is "The Country Mouse and the City
Mouse". Reggie, the stuck-up city mouse, persuades Hiram, the simple
country hick, to return to the city with him. Hiram gives in, but regrets doing so.
The noise, crowds, and fast pace are too much for Hiram. He gladly returns to
the country and resumes his peaceful, simple life.
Massachusetts
Radio controlled aircraft measuring about three feet in length assemble with
their pilots at a meet. Eleven year old Paul, his sixteen year old brother
and his father have been flying remote controlled, home-made planes fro
five years. At the meet the planes go through various events of skill and luck.
Paul does not get to enter this year, but with practice he hopes to
participate at next year's meets.
PROGRAM #113
Iran
Hamzel, a seven year-old boy, who lives in Tehran, the capital city of Iran is
trying to become an apprentice - member of "Zourkhane"
(pronounced: "Zoor ckha na") or House of Strength which is a
semi-religious (Islamic) physical exercise or martial arts society. Actual
training cannot begin until a boy reaches eighteen, but Hamzel's father,
himself a member of the most famous house of strength, the Djafari Zourkhane is
training his son.
Greek Myth
"The First Winter" explains, in allegory, the first winter and why it
happened.
How to-Pinata
Several children take balloons, paste, and crepe paper and make piñatas, the
colorful and popular holiday toy from Mexico.
"If Children Ruled the World"
... they could borrow money from the bank. When the loan officer asks about
collateral, the boy replies, "my mother wouldn't trade me for a
million dollars."
Canada
Even though he's only thirteen, Mark Christmas helps his dad beachcomb, not for
shells, but for giant logs. In Gibson Landing where they live, logging is
an important industry. Finding logs that have gotten lost is important not
only because of the loss to loggers, but also to keep the beaches clean and cut
down on floating deadheads that can damage boats.
PROGRAM #114
California
Viewers go on a colorful trip to the "Cosmic Laser Light Show" in
California. While they learn important information about lasers, they
listen to such Christmas Carols as, "Whose Child is This," "God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Jingle Bells" and others.
Christmas Story
A delightful animated folk song; "the Whole North Pole is Jumpin',"
conveys the happy spirit of Christmas.
Turkey
A master puppeteer from Istanbul explains his craft to a thirteen year old girl
who hopes to study with him. The different characters are explained before
the girl goes to t he studio to learn how the puppets are made. The girl is
delighted to partake in a show in the park. She feels that she made many errors,
but the puppeteer asks her to continue to work the puppets.
Lapland
Reindeer herding, in this land above the Arctic Circle, lasts as long as the
snow does - which is most of the year. A family of three children is
featured in this segment which gives a full picture of life in Lapland.
PROGRAM #115
Chicago
The boy featured in this segment is an aspiring magician. The master magician
explains his idea that magic really comes from dreams. Several tricks are
performed, among them levitation of a wand.
Russia
Eight year old Sergei Nesterov, a pianist, a violinist, and a composer, is
rehearsing for the concert he will give at school tomorrow. He will play a
piece he composed himself when he was only four. As Sergei says, "I
hear music in my head and I must write it down."
Aesop's Fable
Henny Penny, the humorous fable about the alarmist hen. Henny Penny frightens
the entire barnyard when an acorn falls on her head and she decides that
the "sky is falling" and she must run and tell the king.
Spain
Jose Asole, a twelve year old boy from the mountains of the Basque Country is
training in the popular Latin American sport of Jai Lai. The basics of the
sport are explained while Jose effectively communicates the excitement of
the sport.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #116
Ohio
A day at St. Helen's School in Newberry, Ohio is an unusual experience. St.
Helen's is a typical parochial school in every way--except one. Every
student has to learn to ride a unicycle. The head of the school, Father
James Moran, started the program several years ago. Students can ride them
anywhere they want in the school.
Classic Tale
The classic children's tale, "the Gingerbread Man," will be familiar
to many viewers. For those who have never seen it, the story of the
gingerbread cookie who runs out of the baker's oven and then outruns everyone
will be a delight.
Brazil
A twelve year old boy from Manaus is the son of a river boat captain. The ship
"XIMENES" takes cargo and passengers up the Amazon to Mancapurna.
The trip which takes a day and night goes through many miles of jungle on a
river which is very difficult to navigate. The boy must learn the river like his
own yard if he is to become an Amazon River Boat Captain.
"If Children Ruled the World"
The topic in this program is "curfews." Parents have to be in by 11
o'clock.
France
Le Caraque in France is an area where Jean Paul Touzelier's family raises bulls
and horses. He is a cowboy. They are preparing for the festival of the two
St. Marys which winds up with a bullfight where the bull never gets hurt.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #117
Maine
Lobster Fishing is an important industry in New Harbor, Maine. Tod Fawcett and
his father Kendall have the traps. They do more work on the docks than they
do on the water. Every other day they check the traps and do not take the
lobsters that are too small. They plug the claws of the lobsters they keep, and
crate and sell them.
England
What could be more hilarious than a pie-throwing contest. The Custard Pie
Festival is an annual event in England and must be seen.
Greek Myth
"Eos and the Grasshopper" tells the story of Eos, the Goddess of Dawn,
who fell in love with a mortal. She told Zeus of her love and Zeus granted
the mortal eternal life, but not eternal youth.
Finland
The Tapiola School Choir in Helsinki are rehearsing for a concert to be held in
honor of Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom. This innovative choir
provides viewers with a unique musical experience.
PROGRAM #118
Italy
In Sienna, a Cantata is a social club. Alexander is a member of the Caterpillar
Cantata. His parents are coppersmiths. Everyone is getting ready for a big
holiday horse race. Each Cantata has a jockey. The day begins with a parade through
town and a colorful flag toss.
"If Children Ruled the World"
This segment is a spoof on music appreciation. A young boy explains rock to
adults.
Aesop's Fable
"The Fox and the Stork" tells the story of the sly fox who is the
perennial practical joker. He is outfoxed by the more clever stork who
turns the tables.
"How-To"
This craft segment shows a clever girls who turns an old television set into a
puppet theater.
Missouri
A Bluegrass Musical Festival is the subject of this feature. The festival is a
particularly casual affair. Everyone with any kind of instrument can just
sit down and play it. "Butch" received a guitar for Christmas and
learned to play it as well as a variety of stringed instruments.
The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.
PROGRAM #119
Youngstown, Ohio
The International Juggling Association combines juggling with other stunts. Rick
Rheinholtz is one of the contestants and he describes the various events.
Rick won second prize for juggling Indian Clubs for 18.85 seconds.
Panama Canal Zone
One of man's greatest engineering achievements, the building of the Panama
Canal, is described in this segment. The canal, which cut 8,800 miles off
the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, consists of locks, which are
shown as giant steps which lift ships from 85 feet sea level to Gatun Lake.
Classic Tale
The "Golden Goose Egg" is the title of the classic tale about a greedy
farmer who had a goose that laid eggs of pure gold.
Sweden
The Drottingholm Palace is the beautiful palace built by the order of Gustav
III. Viewers see how an 18th century stage functioned. They learn about
scenery and sound effects in a fantasy sequence an unusual perspective of this magnificent
palace is gained.
PROGRAM #120
Iran
Though falcons are not ;used for hunting in Iran today, the tradition of
training falcons is still popular. The falcon has to be taught to grab and
lift his prey. The various aspects of falconry are described. The falcon, an interesting
animal, is explained.
Liechtenstein
A young stamp collector is featured in this segment. The art of stamp designing
is shown and the commemorative aspect of stamps is described.
Folktale
"The Father, the Son and the Donkey" teaches the valuable lesson that
when you try to please everyone, you please no one, particularly yourself.
Pen Pal
"If Children Ruled the World"
The subject of privileges being taken away is the feature of this humorous spoof
on rules.
Aspen, Colorado
The young boy featured in this segment is anxious to try gliding. He persuades
Tom, who is building a house, to drop his work and take him for a glider
ride. A glider is a sail plane that has no motor. Another plane, called a tow
plane has to pull the glider up.
PROGRAM #121
Bulgaria
In this sequence, Slava, fourteen, daughter of a former Bulgarian Olympic team
fencer, goes through a fencing lesson. Each class begins with calisthenics
and special exercises designed to build muscles and reflexes. We also learn
how points in fencing matches are scored. The segment ends with an exciting
fencing match which Slava wins.
Classic Tale
An animated treatment of the classic tale of "Appleseed John" and his
remarkable contribution to his native land. Good music.
USSR
Yuri, age nine, has built an electronic Robot which carries out assignments,
responds to commands, walks, talks, does just about anything a human being
can do. Yuri has fun with his Robot but when he grows up he wants to be a
computer designer.
How-To
Everybody wants to know how to paint a T-Shirt. In this sequence, we learn the
easy way.
Michigan
Tracy is the 14-year old daughter of a man whose occupation is training Leader
Dogs for the blind. It's an exciting episode in which we follow the
training of Star, a Leader Dog, and how Pat, one of the blind children,
learns to work with her dog.
PROGRAM #122
Arkansas
Dotty is just seven and her Daddy, nicknamed "Strawberry" can talk to
animals. Do you believe that? If you don't, wait until you see this
sequence, hear what Dotty has to say about her Daddy's talent and then maybe you'll
believe, too.
Classic Tale
The tale of "The Ugly Duckling," in animation, is told by the duckling
himself. The message about different people with different looks, is
impo