Famous Five 90s Series

Discuss the television and film adaptations of Enid Blyton's stories.
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Courtenay
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Courtenay »

Moonraker wrote: Personally, I found it pretty dire, not helped by Aunt Fanny becoming Aunt Margaret. Who said updates are something new?
I'm quite stunned that they did that as far back as the 1950s - and couldn't they have at least changed her to Aunt Frannie (as with the updated Faraway Tree character) or to something else that at least sounded reasonably like the original?? :shock:
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I'm sure Enid Blyton must have received letters from children asking why Aunt Fanny's name was changed for the film. I wonder how she replied!
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Carlotta King »

Courtenay wrote:couldn't they have at least changed her to Aunt Frannie (as with the updated Faraway Tree character) or to something else that at least sounded reasonably like the original?? :shock:
Yeah, like Aunt Frances in the 90s series; Fanny is a variation/short version of Frances anyway, so, to me, Frances would be the obvious choice for a rename if they really thought a rename was necessary.
That way, she would still be keeping her original name because Aunt Fanny would just be an affectionate shortened version.
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Paul Austin »

"dick" became a slang word for a man's um Johnson because it was a popular nickname for Richard. It's only since Dick has gone out of fashion as a name that the rude meaning has supplanted the neutral one.
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Rob Houghton »

'dick' was actually being used as the slang term as early as 1891 (British army slang)...but considering that Enid had to be told about the term 'spend a penny' in a Noddy book where (supposedly) Noddy was telling everyone he wanted to spend a penny (is this true!?) and she wrote a story called 'Mr Widdle on the Train' I'm guessing Enid didn't know the connotations of the word 'dick' even in the 1950s...
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Estella »

I'm so glad to have found a thread discussing the 90's series, I absolutely love it! It was such a big part of my childhood :D
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Chrissie777 »

Yes, it was a great adaptation of the FF books, true to the decades in which the FF adventures took place.
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Famous Five 1995ish TV series

Post by Mary Mouse »

Merged with an older topic.

Sorry if this has been covered before but I have just been watching these on youtube, and wonder what people think of the plots and characterisation, given that each episode had to be squeezed into 25 mins?

I thought they kept fairly well to the plots. One or two things were changed, such as Guy's twin in Secret Trail, and Sniffer helping the Five out in Wonderful Time, rather than Jo.

I expected George to be much more tomboyish then she was portrayed by Jemima Rooper. Also Berta didn't really look like a boy, and I had expected Henry in Mystery Moor and Harriet in Finiston Farm to look like boys rather then girls with their hair tied back !!

I haven't been able to find the Smugglers Top episode- has anyone seen it?

What do you think of these programmes?
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Re: Famous Five 1995ish TV series

Post by Poppy »

You should have a look at this thread, Mary Mouse, where you will find a lot of discussion about the 1990s Famous Five series.

Now merged.
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Re: Famous Five 1995ish TV series

Post by Mary Mouse »

Thank you.
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think the Smuggler's Top version from the 90's is one of the best in the series - a two parter - 50 minutes rather than 25. :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Nicko »

I believe it was producer John Price who was the main man behind this series. I don't suppose anyone knows what he is up to now and where he is at?
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Chrissie777 »

Robert Houghton wrote:I think the Smuggler's Top version from the 90's is one of the best in the series - a two parter - 50 minutes rather than 25. :-)
Robert, could you tell me where it has been filmed? I enjoyed it very much.
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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'm not really sure where it was filmed unfortunately. I looked it up on Google but still didn't find anything. :(
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Famous Five 90s Series

Post by Moonraker »

I believe Stef is still on friendly terms with Marco and Jemima, if so, maybe she could ask him.
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