The New Famous Five

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

We have our first glimpse of what the cartoon version of the Famous Five (or son/daughter of Famous Five as I like to call it!) is going to look like from an article in The Mail on Sunday.

I am getting a bit concerned about how this new series will be presented. In the piece of artwork shown in the article it is headed "Famous Five on the case". Is this the title of the series (like "Make Way for Noddy") ,or is it just the name of one episode (like "Five go down to the sea") with the series being known as "Famous Five?"

If the latter, then I think Chorion should be sued for breach of their own copyright! We al know what the Famous Five is, but this could be very confusing for children for whom this is their first exposure to Blyton. This shower will be THE FF to them - unless it is made very clear in every episode, both in the dialogue and the credits that this is a sequel series. (If anyone else were to do this, Chorion would be the first to say that it would damage their "brand".)

There never was any stopping of the cartoon series, but there is still a possibility of influencing it, even now. Chorion have put out a stream of press releases about it, with the sole intention of attracting attention and comment. They should expect a response!

My guess is that EBS isn't bothered about Chorion's brands, but is very concered about the integrity of Blyton's work. This could be something for The Society to comment on, and raise the profile of the Society.

Ginger Pop created stink about the series for 2 years, resulting in a promise from Chorion to keep the "classic" books in print, and I don't think it should be just me being a thorn in the corporate side. Would someone other than Tony like to take it on?

Viv

[Moonraker]

Perhaps one or two of our older members can comment on this, I was only twelve back then.

It always surprises me to hear people say that the locations for the 70s series were so much better - as an unbiased observer I would have said that the 90s locations were vastly superior, as indeed they should have been on a much larger budget.

I must say, I agree with Tony. I thought the 70s locations were pretty dreadful. The one that really sticks in my mind is Castaway, in Five Got To Smuggler's Top. Castaway was a mysterious, misty, old fashioned village, set on a hill - surrounded by marshes. Southern Television used Burley, in the New Forest. Burley is about as far away from the image created by Blyton as it could be. I also detested the modern clothes. I found Five Go off in a Caravan to be pretty absurd too. To site the vans by the side of the road, by a bus stop is about as daft as Lou and Tiger Dan hiding their loot there!

To me, the 90s series wins hands down. I always get the feeling, when watching the 70s series (and it does have good moments), that I am watching a budget version, which I am!

And don't you hate the laughing that ends every episode?

[Julie2owlsdene]

I think I'm with you on that one Nigel. The laughing, is corny, sorry to anyone who is offended.
I bought the Videos of the 70's series, for my daughter when she was young. And of course she loved them. Didn't even bother to read the books!! Shocking!!
The 90's series was nearer the mark, staying in that era. But nothing is ever as good as the books, and I don't think this new cartoon series will be up my street either.

[Moonraker]

We have our first glimpse of what the cartoon version of the Famous Five (or son/daughter of Famous Five as I like to call it!) is going to look like from an article in The Mail on Sunday.

My guess is that EBS isn't bothered about Chorion's brands, but is very concered about the integrity of Blyton's work. This could be something for The Society to comment on, and raise the profile of the Society.

Ginger Pop created stink about the series for 2 years, resulting in a promise from Chorion to keep the "classic" books in print, and I don't think it should be just me being a thorn in the corporate side. Would someone other than Tony like to take it on?

Personally, I am not too concerned with this cartoon series. My interest in Blyton is mainly confined to reading her books in their original format. Quite frankly, I couldn't care if George's child is Indian, Chinese or Argentine. When I have watched it (and I am looking forward to it), I may comment on it, I may not.

If I got steamed up over every adaptation of a book I enjoy, I would have needed psychiatric help years ago. I have given up complaining about the awful television adaptations of Agatha Christie's work (also owned by Chorion). It will not change. TV adapters are frustrated authors. They cannot write their own novels, so they alter existing ones.

I can't agree that the Society is not interested in Chorion brands. I do know that Tony does keep in contact with Chorion, so he is not ignoring this issue. I also think Tony has enough on his plate with the real work of the Society. The enormous amount of time he has spent on scanning magazine covers and the devotion he gives to the Society is second to none. I would rather he focussed on matters such as these than bother about a cartoon series that will go out on the Disney channel.

It could be argued to make the Board of Directors larger - have someone responsible for television releases for example. But surely it is all about the books and magazines. We are a specialist society, devoted to the books of the greatest children's authoress in history. Let us keep focussed on that.

Only my twopenn'orth, but I can't really get steamed up about it.

[Kitty]

If I got steamed up over every adaptation of a book I enjoy, I would have needed psychiatric help years ago. I have given up complaining about the awful television adaptations of Agatha Christie's work (also owned by Chorion). It will not change. TV adapters are frustrated authors. They cannot write their own novels, so they alter existing ones.

I watched an oldish adaptation of The Seven Dials Mystery the other day. It had its faults, but I was surprised at how spare it was compared to the current versions - the scriptwriter hadn't imposed his ego on the script at all! I'm quite happy with the modern Poirots, but I don't watch the new Marples at all now - they didn't so much make me angry as make me laugh, but you can only take a joke so far.

I am looking forward to this little series - I haven't seen any of the past FF incarnations so can't comment - it sounds quite fun, if not entirely Enidish.

[Tony Summerfield]

Ginger Pop created stink about the series for 2 years, resulting in a promise from Chorion to keep the "classic" books in print, and I don't think it should be just me being a thorn in the corporate side. Would someone other than Tony like to take it on?

Viv

You seem to be implying that Tony wouldn't be prepared to take it on, and you are absolutely right Viv! I spend several hours a day, seven days a week on Blyton related matters and have no wish to be a 'thorn' in anyone's side - particularly in taking on what I would regard to be a pointless crusade.

I admire the energy you put into your Save the Famous Five campaign, but in all honesty it didn't make a scrap of difference. Hodders publish the Famous Five books, not Chorion, and they will undoubtedly continue to do so as long as the books continue to sell. I am certain that Chorion would be only too delighted to have every book that Enid wrote in print, but this is not their decision, they only hold the rights, they don't publish the books. Market forces alone determine whether the Famous Five books stay in print.

[Petermax]

Looking again at the Daily Mail article, it looks as if the cartoon Famous Five series will be yet another primitive computer generated animation. All that is needed is some dialogue for Timmy and we will have a Scooby Doo clone series! Seriously though, if it leads to at least some youngsters taking an interest in the Famous Five books then all is well.

With regard to the 1970s series, the parched looking New Forest was certainly not the best location but being situated a few minutes drive from the Southern TV HQ at Southampton probably influenced matters. If only they had used the nearby Meon Valley instead!

[dsr]

Bearing in mind that these cartoon characters often look pretty androgynous anyway, relying fairly heavily and unrealistically on the "pony-tail = girl, short hair = boy" generalisation - I think there could be some problems with the names. Especially Dylan , which is still a boy's name in England but I think is gravitating to being a girl's name in America.

(O/T, I once worked in an office of about 25 people including 2 Dylans. Which must be massively disproportionate. Both would be aged somewhere in their 30's now.)

[Keith Robinson]

I think you're right about Dylan being a male and female name, in which case at least three of the names are "unisex" -- Jo (at least when said aloud), Max, and Dylan. Even Allie is debatable; I have a Palestinian friend who's son is Ali, and most Americans pronounce that "Allie" rather than "ArLEE."

[Pippa-Stef]

When I found out about the new series, as a huge fan, I was quite angry that this was happening. I saw all the negetives to be frank.

I agree that sometimes that the books have to be updated, when they become TV series, but this is almost un reconisable as The Famous Five. I understand the whole PC air surrounding it. It would be un- PC to have all "White, Middle Class" Children, but to change something like the Famous Five so much, is a shame. The books are of their time, and should really be kept that way. At least that''s what I believe.

A Few years ago, when they were threatening to change many aspects off all Enid Blyton books, I wasn't very happy and started a petition against it in my school and recieved a huge amount of support from my fellow students and teachers, who agreed that all the books are of their time.

I sent off copies to the petition to everyone who I could get to take it, and I haven't heard anything back.

What I'm trying to get at is that isn't it the same sort of thing? Updating them to such an extent that they're un reconisable, or a tribute to Enid?

Or am I taking an un reasonable view of it all?

Pippa-Stef

[Petermax]

Or am I taking an un reasonable view of it all? Pippa-Stef

As a child I would sometimes come across updated versions of Just William, Jennings, and of course the numerous Enid Blyton books. How furious I was when my favourite characters used decimal currency instead of good old pounds, shillings and pence! There was a tendency with many publishers to avoid confusing children at all costs. I for one was annoyed at having my intelligence insulted.

As regards the proposed new animated series, I see no great cause for concern. It will apparently feature the offspring of the original Famous Five. They should really of course be portrayed as the grandchildren of the Five if correct timelines are to be followed.

[Pippa-Stef]

Or am I taking an un reasonable view of it all? Pippa-Stef

As regards the proposed new animated series, I see no great cause for concern. It will apparently feature the offspring of the original Famous Five. They should really of course be portrayed as the grandchildren of the Five if correct timelines are to be followed.

I thought i was taking too much of an unresonable view. It's just the timing's off I suppose. And I'm a stickler for sticking to the text!

Sorry

P-S

[Moonraker]

I thought i was taking too much of an unresonable view. It's just the timing's off I suppose. And I'm a stickler for sticking to the text!

So am I, Steph! My wife constantly nags me for screaming at the television, "That's not in the book!"

My all time HATE production is ITV's Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. If you want a good illustration of how to ruin a book, Christie's masterpiece at that, then this is it.

[Pippa-Stef]

I thought i was taking too much of an unresonable view. It's just the timing's off I suppose. And I'm a stickler for sticking to the text!

So am I, Steph! My wife constantly nags me for screaming at the television, "That's not in the book!"

Yes I often find myself saying that too. A Pet peeve if you will.

Like the Other Boylen Girl- by Philippa Gregory- which has now come out in Cinema's. I have not yet seen it, and I suspect that when I do, I will spend most of the time saying under my breathe (If I see it in the cinema) "That's Not Right" Either historically or from the book.

Making History into a book is fair enough I suppose- or how would people learn- but making a film out of the book, which is born from Fiction and the authors imagination, is sometimes taking things a little too far- especailly considering that this particular film is American- No Offence to the American's out there- but from what I've seen, the film is historically un accurate.

Sorry for going off topic a bit

P-S

[Anita Bensoussane]

An article about the Famous Five cartoon from today's Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... ive119.xml" target="_blank

Viv's comment made me laugh, about the boy who thought Robin Hood was a fox because that's how he was portrayed in the Disney cartoon!

Anita