The Raggy Dolls

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The Raggy Dolls
Raggydolls Title Card.png
Title card
Genre Fantasy
Children and family series
Comedy drama
Adventure
Created byMelvyn Jacobson
Developed by John Walker
Written by Neil Innes
Voices ofNeil Innes
Narrated byNeil Innes
Theme music composerNeil Innes
Opening themeRaggy Dolls, Dolls like you and me
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series9
No. of episodes112
Production
Executive producerJohn Marsden
ProducerJo Kemp / Neil Molyneux / Joy Whitby
Running time11 minutes
Production companies Yorkshire Television (1986–1994)
Orchid Productions (1987–1994)
Original release
Network ITV (CITV)
Release3 April 1986 (1986-04-03) 
20 December 1994 (1994-12-20)

The Raggy Dolls is a British cartoon series which originally aired on ITV that aired from 1986 to 1994. The series is set in Mr Grimes' Toy Factory, where imperfect dolls are thrown into a reject bin. While unobserved by human eyes, the dolls come to life and climb out of the reject bin to have adventures. The series was designed to encourage children to think positively about physical disabilities. [1] 112 episodes were produced. [2]

Contents

Production history

The series was produced for Yorkshire Television and ran from 3 April 1986 to 20 December 1994. It was created by Melvyn Jacobson, with scripts, narration, and music by Neil Innes. Yorkshire Television produced the first two series of The Raggy Dolls before production shifted to Orchid Productions Limited in 1987.

This was the first programme Yorkshire Television commissioned from an independent production company. Orchid Productions went on to produce over 100 more episodes of the series. The initial animator for Yorkshire Television was Roy Evans. After the move to Orchid Productions, Mark Mason took over the role, animating and storyboarding 26 episodes, and storyboarding and directing other animators on a further 26 episodes before moving on to work on other children's TV series. He was replaced by Peter Hale from the 7th series onwards. The series was sold to a number of broadcasters in several countries around the world.

Characters

The Raggy Dolls

Friends

Humans

Episodes

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 133 April 1986 (1986-04-03)26 February 1987 (1987-02-26)
2 1313 November 1987 (1987-11-13)28 September 1988 (1988-09-28)
3 1316 November 1988 (1988-11-16)30 August 1989 (1989-08-30)
4 136 September 1989 (1989-09-06)30 August 1990 (1990-08-30)
5 136 September 1990 (1990-09-06)20 December 1990 (1990-12-20)
6 136 September 1991 (1991-09-06)13 December 1991 (1991-12-13)
7 138 September 1992 (1992-09-08)8 December 1992 (1992-12-08)
8 1028 September 1993 (1993-09-28)7 December 1993 (1993-12-07)
9 1011 October 1994 (1994-10-11)20 December 1994 (1994-12-20)
Series 1
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
11013 April 1986The Flying MachineThe Raggy Dolls see a radio-controlled aeroplane fly overhead, and when it crash-lands, they decide to fix it up and fly in it.
210210 April 1986The Big TopThe Raggy Dolls wind up inside a circus tent and perform stunts as they try to make their way out.
310317 April 1986The Pigeon RaceWhilst out for a walk, Hi-Fi and Back-To-Front meet a homing pigeon that has become injured whilst tangled on some electric wires. They decide to help him, with the help of the other dolls.
410424 April 1986The War of the WizardsWith Back-To-Front's magic tricks being out of practice, Hi-Fi uses his metal detector to uncover a chest that has a real magic book in it. Back-To-Front uses the book to fix his head, but it soon causes problems.
51051 May 1986The Special OfferThe Raggy Dolls are taken to a toy shop in London and become special offers for anyone who buys a computer game. However, despite this new life, they do not wish to give up their friendship after being bought individually, which is what happens after Lucy is bought by a rich girl.
61068 May 1986The Litter BugsAfter Sad Sack gets chased by a duckling, the Raggy Dolls discover that the peaceful area of a field they are in is being littered by a careless family out on a picnic.
720120 November 1986The Dark WoodWhile visiting the Dark Wood, the Raggy Dolls come to realise that the woods are under threat, because of a poacher using steel traps to catch animals.
820227 November 1986The FunfairA man called Toby Martin comes to the factory and takes the Raggy Dolls to a funfair; they are then put on hooks as prizes for the coconut shy. However, as they see the coconuts being hit by the balls, they soon see that there is something odd about Toby Martin.
92034 December 1986Too Many CooksClaude enjoys food and cooking, but after seeing Florrie Fosdyke bake a cake for the factory competition, he is disgusted with her poor efforts. The dolls decide to help her out by replacing it with an even better cake.
1020411 December 1986After the StormAfter a storm, the Raggy Dolls decide to visit Pumpernickle but find him lying on the ground. They also notice that Farmer Brown is not around to help the animals, so, with the help of Rufus the sheepdog, they find him stuck in an old mineshaft and decide to rescue him.
1120518 December 1986Christmas DollsOne snowy Christmas Eve, the Raggy Dolls decide to go tobogganing in the snow, but Sad Sack meanwhile wishes he was still back in bed. The dolls end up crashing into the doors of a children's hospital, where they become temporary Christmas presents for sick children.
1220619 February 1987The Trouble with ClaudeAfter hearing about a French Week being held at Bunce's Emporium, the Raggy Dolls decide to go there to have a look, only for Claude to get into a lot of trouble after wandering off. From there, he gets lost and meets another French doll called Babette.
1320726 February 1987Happy BindayIt is Princess's "binday", and she feels that she is being ignored as her friends get the preparations for the party ready in secret. She decides to reward them with a flight on an owl.
Series 2
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
1430113 November 1987The GeniusAn American artist, Andre G. Hamburger, needs inspiration for his new work and takes Dotty and Back-To-Front. Only when Hi-Fi rescues them, do they end up making his art even more famous.
1530220 November 1987Speaking FrenchClaude teaches the Raggy Dolls French. At first, Princess tries, then the rest of the Raggy Dolls, except Sad Sack, who thinks it is silly until he comes across a troubled French doll in an apple tree.
1630327 November 1987The Winter SwanThe Raggy Dolls find a swan in distress one cold winter's night and decide to help it.
173044 December 1987The Terrible TwinsMr. Grimes's twin nephews come to visit him for the weekend and cause problems, not just for him, but for the Raggy Dolls as well.
1830511 December 1987Sports DayThe Raggy Dolls hold a Sports Day, and everyone enjoys it, except for Sad Sack.
193068 January 1988To the RescueThe Raggy Dolls help repair a knitted doll that they find thrown away at the dump.
2040119 August 1988Spring ToysMr. Grimes is running out of ideas, and it is up to the Raggy Dolls to help him, in order to keep his business running.
2140226 August 1988A Trip to the SeaMr. Grimes visits the seaside for a holiday, and the Raggy Dolls follow.
224032 September 1988The Royal TourPrincess feels like she is not royal enough, so the Raggy Dolls dress her up in fancy clothes and give her a royal tour around the countryside, but things do not go according to plan when her coronet is stolen and eaten by a magpie and a fierce bull chases her, because her dress is red.
234047 September 1988Onion SoupClaude gets himself into trouble after looking for onion soup, made by Florrie, and ends up being put inside a saucepan.
2440514 September 1988Moving HouseDotty decides that the dolls should move to a new home. But when night falls and a storm takes place, she climbs inside a hollow tree for shelter. When the other Raggy Dolls hear she is in trouble, they build a raft and set off to the rescue.
2540621 September 1988Factory MiceAfter giving a baby mouse some of their picnic food, the Raggy Dolls tell it where they got it. The next day, the factory is overtaken by a huge hoard of mice, and they now have to find a way to get rid of them.
2640728 September 1988A Trip to FranceThe Raggy Dolls sail on a toy boat and end up lost at sea. They end up on a beach which Claude thinks is France, and camp there before sailing back home. In the end, Dotty discovers they were on an island in the middle of the sea.
Series 3
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
2750116 November 1988Hot Air BalloonThe Raggy Dolls have fun watching clouds when a hot air balloon lands in the big field. The pilot leaves a boy in charge and while looking for help, the boy accidentally climbs in and is knocked unconscious as the balloon takes off by high winds, and it is up to the dolls to save the boy.
2850223 November 1988GhostsOne night, Lucy wants to be brave for once, and manages to succeed when she and the other Raggy Dolls met up with some spooky skeleton dolls.
2950330 November 1988The Tree HouseThe Raggy Dolls decide to build a treehouse as a place to hang out. While they are building, they notice that a magpie has been stealing jewellery from Mr. Grimes’ Toy Factory.
305047 December 1988The Memory MachineClaude comes up with an idea for all the Raggy Dolls to dance for the evenings, and while planning to do that, they then find in the reject bin a Memory Machine with faulty answers. They manage to fix it, in return of it lighting up the disco.
3150514 December 1988Doll OverboardThe Raggy Dolls decide to go for a sail, only for them to have a rough time with speed boats.
3250621 December 1988The Unlucky HedgehogIt's autumn, and the Raggy Dolls decide to camouflage their treehouse. While gathering things, they find a stubborn hedgehog living in a bonfire in which would soon be set alight.
3360119 July 1989Easter BunnyThe Raggy Dolls find out what happens when a greedy rabbit eats too many chocolate eggs.
3460226 July 1989In Days of OldSad Sack has trouble drawing a picture, so he decides to read a book about a magic sword, which then causes him to have the most amazing dream he ever has.
356032 August 1989The Old Clock LadyGrimes Soft Toys have a clearout. The Raggy Dolls find themselves thrown in a skip and taken to the town dump. A poor old lady visits the dump looking for scrap items to sell so that she can make some money to buy herself food. She spots the Raggy Dolls in the skip and takes them home with her. In return for her kindness, the Raggy Dolls help the woman by repairing all the broken clocks that she has so that she can sell them.
366049 August 1989Peace and QuietIt's a peaceful day in the Raggy Dolls' new treehouse until they are interrupted by jets and aeroplanes.
3760516 August 1989We are Not AmusedThe Raggy Dolls find an amusement park but they soon discover that it is not much fun at all.
3860623 August 1989The Lost PuppyMr. Grimes looks after his sister Ethel's puppy. The Raggy Dolls spot the puppy getting into all kinds of trouble, and eventually go missing.
3960730 August 1989Horse SenseThe Raggy Dolls find something strange in the big field, which turns out to be horse jumps for a Welsh pony, belonging to Farmer Brown's daughter that then has an accident. Once again, the Raggy Dolls come to the rescue.
Series 4
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
406086 September 1989The Terrible StormThe Raggy Dolls fix their new treehouse after it is damaged in a storm.
4160913 September 1989The Stolen ParrotThe Raggy Dolls help a sea captain's pet parrot who had been birdnapped by robbers.
4261020 September 1989Crazy GolfMr Grimes plays a game of golf, so, feeling inspired, the Raggy Dolls decide to make a game of crazy golf for themselves.
4370128 June 1990Pumpernickle's PartyThe Raggy Dolls try to help Pumpernickle by scaring all the crows away.
447025 July 1990So SafariMr. Grimes's terrible twin nephews are on a trip to a safari park. The Raggy Dolls follow them with the help of the safari park animals.
4570312 July 1990Making FacesIn an attempt to cheer Sad Sack up, the Raggy Dolls hold a puppet show to make him believe in himself.
4670419 July 1990The Old WindmillThe Raggy Dolls find an old windmill.
4770526 July 1990The Little CarthorseThe Raggy Dolls, with a little help from Hercules the farm horse, meet a little carthorse who does not know who he is.
487062 August 1990Making JamThe Raggy Dolls harvest crabapples and blackberries and decide to make jam with them.
497079 August 1990The Teddy Bear's PicnicWhile the Raggy Dolls are having a picnic, they meet Mr. Grimes's long-lost teddy bear, Old Edward, who had been lost for a very long time. The Raggy Dolls fix his broken arm and give him a new button eye, and in no time at all, he is as good as new.
5070816 August 1990Mr. MarmaladeThe Raggy Dolls have had quite enough of Mr. Marmalade's tricks after scaring them. While making their way to the factory, they are terrified by a rat, so Mr. Marmalade tries to rescue them by scaring the rat away.
5170923 August 1990The Treasure HuntMr. Marmalade give the Raggy Dolls clues as they go on a search for hidden treasure.
5271030 August 1990Rupert the RooSad Sack meets a toy kangaroo, named Rupert the Roo, who had been mailed from Australia, so the Raggy Dolls try to help him out before he can head back to Australia.
Series 5
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
537116 September 1990Witch is Which?When a witch tries to spoil their Halloween Party, the other Raggy Dolls think her magic is the surprise laser show promised by Back-To-Front and Hi-Fi, and their laughter drives the witch away. When the boys explain that their show did not work, the Raggy Dolls make sure to laugh all the way home.
5471213 September 1990Bonfire NightThe Raggy Dolls explain the significance of 5 November to Claude and set out to watch a firework display. Claude is captured by a group of boys who are planning their own bonfire in an abandoned paint factory. They tie Claude to a rocket and light their bonfire, oblivious to the sparks, which set the factory alight. Hi-Fi calls the Fire Brigade, but before they can arrive, a spark sets off the boys' box of fireworks and drives them away. In the commotion, the Raggy Dolls free Claude, just before a spark ignites the rocket.
5571320 September 1990Rainbow's EndPrincess learns that good friends are worth more than a whole pot of gold.
5671427 September 1990Lost in SpaceThe Raggy Dolls are kidnapped by aliens from another planet and Hi-Fi befriends an alien who stammers just like him.
577154 October 1990Roman RamblersThe Raggy Dolls go hiking but get lost in the hot weather. Luckily, the Romans have left handy signposts to help them find their way again. Sad Sack dreams about life in Roman times.
5871611 October 1990The Great ExpeditionThe Raggy Dolls go on an adventure in the jungle and meet a lonely gorilla.
5971718 October 1990The TwitcherThe Raggy Dolls find out who the Twitcher is.
6071825 October 1990Too BossyDotty learns a valuable lesson about being bossy.
617191 November 1990The Toy FairThe Raggy Dolls are at a toy fair when a monkey causes chaos and takes over the fair.
627208 November 1990RagamuffinThe Raggy Dolls meets Ragamuffin, a wandering traveller doll who had lost his owner and decided to spend his life taking in new sights and experiences of his adventures.
6372115 November 1990Grand Prix DollsRagamuffin and the Raggy Dolls play Grand Prix games.
6472222 November 1990Fond FarewellsThe Raggy Dolls gives Ragamuffin a teary farewell.
6572320 December 1990Doctor DollsThe Raggy Dolls play a game of doctors and nurses.
Series 6
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
668016 September 1991Old Fashioned DollsThe Raggy Dolls teach Edward about old-fashioned things from the past.
6780213 September 1991Lady LuckThe Raggy Dolls meets a mysterious woman called Lady Luck who takes them on an adventure they will never forget.
6880320 September 1991Invisible DollsThe Raggy Dolls are invisible today.
6980427 September 1991The Great OutdoorsThe Raggy Dolls hitch a ride with Mr. Grimes when he goes camping. After setting up their home-made tents and sleeping bags, they notice that a rock climber is in trouble. The Raggy Dolls come to his rescue.
7080518 October 1991The Lonely EchoWhile staying in the countryside, the Raggy Dolls meet a lonely cliff.
7180625 October 1991Homeward BoundThe Raggy Dolls learns that there is no place like home.
748071 November 1991Railway DollsThe Raggy Dolls enjoy a day at the railway station.
758088 November 1991Windy WeatherThe wind blows a young crow out of its nest. With the help of Back-To-Front's kite and a helpful cow, the Raggy Dolls manage to return him to the treetops.
7680915 November 1991Purple DiamondsThe Raggy Dolls dig up a troublesome rock. Thinking they have discovered valuable purple diamonds, they dream of what they would do with their riches, until Mr. Marmalade, the factory cat, explains that is only amethyst, and worth very little.
7781022 November 1991The Giant BumblebeeMr. Grimes' sister leaves the terrible twins Oz and Boz with Mr Grimes. He suggests they collect insects to study, but when the Raggy Dolls find that they have trapped the insects in a jar without air-holes, they dress up Sad Sack as a giant bumblebee to teach the twins a lesson.
7881129 November 1991The Return of the RooThe Raggy Dolls are excited when Rupert returns from Australia.
798126 December 1991The Boomerang GamesRupert teaches the Raggy Dolls how to use a boomerang.
Series 7
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
809018 September 1992The Royal County ShowThe Raggy Dolls and Rupert the Roo visit the Royal County Show.
8190215 September 1992Open DayThe Raggy Dolls and Rupert the Roo visit an Open Day with great results.
8290322 September 1992The Town CarnivalThe Raggy Dolls visit a town carnival with over-the-top results.
8390429 September 1992Cave DollsThe Raggy Dolls dream about life in the Stone Age.
849056 October 1992Barbecue BallThe Raggy Dolls have a barbecue ball and Claude asks Princess if she would like to dance.
8590613 October 1992High and DrySad Sack accidentally steers 'The Spirit of Adventure' into a sandbank, leading him to discover a secret cave on the beach.
8690727 October 1992Smugglers CaveSad Sack befriends the ghost of a fisherman who tells stories of the seven seas.
879083 November 1992William the ConkerThe Raggy Dolls play conkers.
8890910 November 1992Bonnie ScotlandThe Raggy Dolls travel to Scotland.
8991017 November 1992On the TownThe Raggy Dolls visit London with Ragamuffin.
9091124 November 1992Danger, Men at WorkWhile holidaying in London, there is trouble for the Raggy Dolls and the workmen.
919121 December 1992Sight-Seeing DollsThe Raggy Dolls tour London with their friend Ragamuffin.
929138 December 1992Dolls on WheelsHi-Fi and Back-To-Front build a skateboard and run into trouble with finding the right wheels for the job. Rupert the Roo brings them the wheels from Mr. Grimes's tea trolley. Sad Sack doubts that these are the best wheels for a skateboard, and it looks like he may be right.
Series 8
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
93100128 September 1993Robot CanteenAfter Florrie steps out to do some shopping, Mr. Grimes hires a robot to do the hard work as the Raggy Dolls try to devise a plan to get Florrie back.
9410025 October 1993Mister MoleThe Raggy Dolls meet a mole while having a picnic.
95100312 October 1993The Empty HouseWhile testing a toy aeroplane until it lands on an empty house, the Raggy Dolls try to find it before heading back home with a flight on an owl.
96100419 October 1993Mon ReposeMr. Grimes goes on holiday near the seaside, but things do not go according to plan when the Raggy Dolls try to help people from getting washed away by the sea.
97100526 October 1993The Runaway MonkeyThe Raggy Dolls make plans to catch a mischievous monkey.
9810062 November 1993Lucy's GreenhouseAfter the cabbages in Lucy's garden are eaten by slugs, the Raggy Dolls build a greenhouse for her. Overcome by the heat, she dreams she shrinks in size and meets many strange plants and insects. The Raggy Dolls rescue her, but she realises even pests have to eat.
9910079 November 1993The Horrible PrincessesThree haughty princess dolls make fun of Princess, but the Raggy Dolls convince them that a terrible wizard is on their trail so they can teach them all a lesson.
100100816 November 1993The Town GalaThe Raggy Dolls watch Cynthia and Mr. Grimes doing a skydive at the town gala.
101100923 November 1993Mr. Grimes in LoveThe Raggy Dolls decide to write a love letter to Mr. Grimes thinking it was from Cynthia Popplethwaite.
10210107 December 1993Wedding BellsMr. Grimes is too shy to declare his feelings to Cynthia Popplethwaite, so the Raggy Dolls play cupid. When Mr. Grimes and Cynthia get married, she brings the Raggy Dolls with her to the cottage so they can all live happily ever after.
Series 9
#ProdAir dateTitleSummary
103110111 October 1994Off on a HoneymoonNewlyweds Mr. Grimes and Cynthia Popplethwaite go on their honeymoon. The Raggy Dolls, feeling very proud of Mr. Grimes after his marriage, decide to follow the couple inside their suitcase.
104110218 October 1994A Mediterranean CruiseAfter arriving in Spain via cruise liner, Princess is captured by a monkey. It's up to the Raggy Dolls to save her before heading back to the cruise liner with the help of some seagulls.
105110325 October 1994Stormy WeatherThe Raggy Dolls decide to make a paddling pool to swim in until a storm arrives.
10611041 November 1994When in RomeAfter arriving in Italy, the Raggy Dolls try to help an Italian alley cat by finding its lost kitten.
10711058 November 1994Just a MinotaurWhile visiting an ancient temple in Greece, leaving crisps and peanuts for a trail, the Raggy Dolls find a lizard who knows the way out of the temple, until it is revealed that the "Minotaur" is only just Mr. Grimes carrying a bicycle thanks to one of Back-To-Front's pranks.
108110615 November 1994The Eyes of RamiWhile on a trip to Egypt, the Raggy Dolls are tricked by a scorpion, until they meet an Egyptian princess doll named Shehabi, who helps them find emeralds for the eyes of a princess statue named Rami, before it magically sends them back home to the Reject bin.
109110722 November 1994Elephants do ForgetThe Raggy Dolls and Mr. Marmalade help a baby elephant by trying to remember everything and scaring it with a help of a mouse caught by Mr. Marmalade.
11011086 December 1994What's the Time?The Raggy Dolls try to help Sad Sack try to remember the time.
111110913 December 1994The Russian DollNatasha, a Russian nesting doll of seven in the care of Mrs Grimes, becomes friends with the Raggy Dolls, Rupert the Roo, and Old Edward.
112111020 December 1994BoredRupert the Roo is bored of talking to Natasha and Old Edward, so he decides to join the Raggy Dolls on a boat ride. They discover a film crew, along with some famous actors and actresses, filming a scene for a film on the bridge of the water pond. As they see Rupert, one of the actors throws him over the bridge and later on, Rupert finds out that he is not bored anymore. Series finale.

Transmission guide

Later broadcasts

After the series ended, The Raggy Dolls later aired in repeats on digital television on the now-defunct children's network Carlton Kids, and then on free-for-air satellite television on Tiny Pop.

The series was broadcast in numerous countries around the world.

Merchandise

Three videos (with five episodes each) were released during the late 1980s by Castle Communications Plc, each featuring a selection of episodes from the first two series narrated by Neil Innes. They were later re-released in Australia during the early 1990s by Castle Communications Australia.

In the spring of 1993, 4 Front Video released one VHS tape as part of its 'Pocket Money Video' sub-label (Cat No. 0867323) with six episodes:
"The Flying Machine", "The Pigeon Race", "The Fun Fair", "Spring Toys", "A Trip to the Sea", "A Royal Tour".

The complete first series of The Raggy Dolls was released on DVD on 21 June 2010 through Revelation Films; the complete second series was available from 18 October 2010, the complete third series was available from 7 February 2011 and the complete fourth series was released on 6 June 2011, but the complete fifth series was never released.

Books

A series of at least ten books were published in 1990 by both Boxtree Limited (in association with Yorkshire Television Limited) and ABC Enterprises (for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The books were written or adapted by Neil Innes and illustrated by Steve Smallman. Titles include:

References

  1. Brewer, Susan (2013). Famous Character Dolls. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN   9781783376223 . Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  2. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 53. ISBN   9781476672939.
  3. "Raggy Dolls". 80scartoons.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. "Raggy Dolls 2 [VHS]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2015.