Heh, in the U.S., they actually aired some of these as part of Eureeka's Castle...while of course redubbing it to give Roobarb this horrible, howling idiot dog voice. That is some really impressive animation, very fluid and, there I say, "artsy" for the medium. The "squiggle vision" look has allowed it to age amazingly well.
They had The Shoe People as well. The US had a tendancy to place UK animations into their children's shows (Shining Time Station had Thomas The Tank Engine, Captain Kangaroo had The Wombles and Ludwig while Saltys Lighthouse had a heavily edited TUGS). I guess maybe they thought the five minute narrated short concept might not have enough appeal (though Godfrey's other work Henrys Cat was aired separately, and had Dom De Louise as the narrator).
The dopey voice sounds like a bad direction, though maybe that's just because I immediately connect Briers' voice with Roobarb.
True, the style worked out well. Since it was the UK's first cartoon series, they may as well start of with something truly distinct and vibrant (apparently Richard Williams gave his praise to Godfrey's style). Hey, the US started things with a black cat with a removeable tail, so we may as well start of with a lime green collie with a penchant for make believe.
edited 23rd Feb '13 7:03:54 PM by Psi001
Following the tragic passing of both Bob Godfrey and Richard Briers this week, it seems a respectful time to commemorate this lovely British show they both collaborated on, Roobarb.
Notable for being the first fully animated series for the UK.
edited 23rd Feb '13 10:03:28 AM by Psi001