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Post by Christopher on Jan 5, 2010 13:38:42 GMT
As I had mentioned a while ago, a new Ivor book was published in honour of Ivor's 50th birthday and pays faithful tribute to Oliver Postgate, written by his son Daniel. After ordering it online, it arrived just today - a small but neat cardboard book 6 pages long (with a brief history on Ivor's TV debut at the back cover) and some lovely new illustrations to go with, all by Peter Firmin, founder of Smallfilms For those who want to find out for themselves, I have added the following review in a spoiler tag - so : In this story, " Bluebell's Christmas Mission", heavy snow has blocked the line, leaving Ivor and Jones unable to deliver a Christmas feast to Mr Pugh up at Pugh's farm. And as the snowplough itself is buried in snow, Jones (with a little help from Ivor) sends Bluebell the donkey to deliver the Christmas Goodies over the snowdrifts herself. Later on, once they had retrieved the plough and cleared the line, Jones and Dai head off to Pugh's Farm to join in their Christmas Feast whilst Bluebell and Ivor enjoy their own quiet feast outside. The text is definitely faithful to Oliver's original text; apart from the lack of "descriptive sound effects" (POOOP, CHUFF CHUFF CHUFF PSSTKLONK, etc), I reckon Daniel has done his old man proud with this lovely return to the top left-hand corner of Wales. Once I have time, I'll get round to scanning some of the illustrations that came with it - not many to share, really, no more than 5, but each of them are a treasure to gander at. In short, I hope Daniel Postgate decides to write a few more Ivor tales in the future - again as the descendants of Awdry and Hargreaves had done so before All purchases for this book go to the SPANA society (Society or the Protection of Animals Abroad). A leaflet about the cause and links to their website are also available - worth your time and money if you can for a belated Christmas Gift
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Tayhan
Passenger Engine
Nothing but blue skies and clear tracks, and a good head of steam.
Posts: 554
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Post by Tayhan on Jan 5, 2010 16:04:23 GMT
Well the plot definately sounds interesting. I really must buy a copy of this, it would be amazing to see Ivor's return, even if, accoring to the description: ...we miss the traditional 'psssshtecuff-psssshteuff-psssshteuff 'Poop-poop!' I'd especially like to see the illustrations, which I'm sure live up to Firmin's usual standards and style. Not to mention the fact that part of the income goes to chairty is just another of the many incentives to buy this book. Now, where's my wallet? All the Best, Tayhan
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Tayhan
Passenger Engine
Nothing but blue skies and clear tracks, and a good head of steam.
Posts: 554
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Post by Tayhan on Mar 2, 2010 15:23:16 GMT
Another lot from me. I've been considering Ivor's protoype. now, I have found photos of 0-4-0T engines with inside cylinders, but I was never able to find anythng that really resembled him. However, I was astonished to discover today an engine built by Neilson of Glasgow, currently for sale (for an obscene amount of money I can imagine) on the Preston Services website. She represents the very epitome of Victorian industrial locomotives, with large box-tanks and no cab. Now, an interesting piece of history here. She was used at the Beckton Gasworks in London, much like Ivor is contracted to haul coal wagons for the Grumbly Gasworks. There is also some similarities in their design, aside from the 4 wheels and large tanks, Beckton's upper-body fictures cover her frams and running boards in a similar fashion to Ivor's splashers. A photo can be found here (http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/locomotives.htm). I have also found another locomotive that is currently being housed in Ivor's stomping grounds of North Wales, which des[pite being a 'well-tank' engine is nevertheless similar to our little green friend: My point for displaying these pictures is to raise thoughts for the inspiration behind Ivor's protoype. It seems that he, like Lady, is based on something more generic than factual. But there's nothing to say Messer' Postgate and Firmin weren't inspired by such industrial engines as these. All the Best, Tayhan.
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Post by MRHloco on Mar 2, 2010 18:24:39 GMT
Another lot from me. I've been considering Ivor's protoype. now, I have found photos of 0-4-0T engines with inside cylinders, but I was never able to find anythng that really resembled him. However, I was astonished to discover today an engine built by Neilson of Glasgow, currently for sale (for an obscene amount of money I can imagine) on the Preston Services website. She represents the very epitome of Victorian industrial locomotives, with large box-tanks and no cab. Now, an interesting piece of history here. She was used at the Beckton Gasworks in London, much like Ivor is contracted to haul coal wagons for the Grumbly Gasworks. There is also some similarities in their design, aside from the 4 wheels and large tanks, Beckton's upper-body fictures cover her frams and running boards in a similar fashion to Ivor's splashers. A photo can be found here (http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/locomotives.htm). I have also found another locomotive that is currently being housed in Ivor's stomping grounds of North Wales, which des[pite being a 'well-tank' engine is nevertheless similar to our little green friend: My point for displaying these pictures is to raise thoughts for the inspiration behind Ivor's protoype. It seems that he, like Lady, is based on something more generic than factual. But there's nothing to say Messer' Postgate and Firmin weren't inspired by such industrial engines as these. All the Best, Tayhan. By Jove! That's an incredible find, Tayhan! Looking at that locomotive, it does resemble Ivor in lots of ways. In fact, I think that smokebox front looks strangely familiar and the green paint, although too bright, really fits the picture. Altogether, that's a brilliant discovery and one that, I reckon, points a little to part of a prototype that he could have been based on when inspired. Still I will agree that Ivor is more generic that something solidly realistic. Incidentally, that green well tank appears to be based at Penrhyn Castle, near Bangor, and dates from 1870. I'd better have a closer look at the website and see if there's any info about it there. You mention that there's an ex-Beckton engine for sale? Well, it's based at Bressingham for anyone who's interested. And I think I'd better see if there's a thread for Bressingham somewhere in the Real Railways section: after the business with Royal Scot, I feel this could be quite significant... Warm Regards As Always, Matthew (MRHloco)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2010 8:13:14 GMT
I've just read in yesterday's edition of The Sun that 20 lost episodes of Ivor had been found in a garden shed. Blimey, I guess this not only brings good news to Ivor fans but also hope to fans of other older shows like "Dixon Of Dock Green" that lost episodes of their shows still might be out there.
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Post by Christopher on Oct 27, 2010 8:24:37 GMT
Hmm, with the Sun you can't really be too careful what you read these days....
Still, I wonder if those were the remaining B&W episodes that never made it to VHS/DVD. I do know the original stories of how Ivor got his Pipe Whistles were shown...
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Post by Simon A.C. Martin on Oct 27, 2010 8:38:03 GMT
I didn't know there were any episodes remaining beyond the ones where he got his pipes, Christopher. As far as I know, that was the entire story in black and white, until a while later when they restyled the show into colour.
Nice if it's true, but I'm dubious at this point.
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Post by Chris The Xelent on Oct 27, 2010 10:25:24 GMT
...actually, I can clarify this story.
I went to the 2010 Canterbury Animation Festival on October 3rd. During which, there was a talk with the sons and daughters of Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin; The Children Of Smallfilms. Not only did we hear the news of the lost B&W episodes straight from Daniel Postgates' mouth, but we were able to see one for the first time since 1967!
Word has it that there's over 3 hours worth of footage that's been recovered and is now being converted to a modern format. There might be a bit of trouble getting them onto DVD (Universal have a thing about old-age B&W stuff), but nobody's ruled it out. So, here' hoping! ;D
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Post by Simon A.C. Martin on Oct 27, 2010 10:34:46 GMT
...actually, I can clarify this story. I went to the 2010 Canterbury Animation Festival on October 3rd. During which, there was a talk with the sons and daughters of Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin; The Children Of Smallfilms. Not only did we hear the news of the lost B&W episodes straight from Daniel Postgates' mouth, but we were able to see one for the first time since 1967! Word has it that there's over 3 hours worth of footage that's been recovered and is now being converted to a modern format. There might be a bit of trouble getting them onto DVD (Universal have a thing about old-age B&W stuff), but nobody's ruled it out. So, here' hoping! ;D GOOD GRIEF!!! Thanks for the clarification Chris. What a to do! 3 hours more footage? Sensational! A run on the BBC please... ;D
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Post by Chris on Oct 27, 2010 11:38:36 GMT
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Post by Chris The Xelent on Oct 27, 2010 12:50:35 GMT
Not only did we hear the news of the lost B&W episodes straight from Daniel Postgates' mouth, but we were able to see one for the first time since 1967! Lucky you! Out of curiosity, did Oliver narrate it on his own or were Anthony Jackson and Olwen Griffiths (from the colour episodes) involved? The episode in question was voiced by the same cast that did the colour episodes. Mind you, it was weird seeing Idris & Mr Dinwiddy in B&W. Especially since the episode was longer than the re-made version!
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kevin
Shunting Engine
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Post by kevin on Mar 24, 2011 13:12:25 GMT
It's a underrated TV show for sure, simply because the dialogue is very witty and rich to listen to. The drawings were reasonably correct and colourful (on the 1970s version) and the voices were convincing.
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Post by Galloping Sausage on Oct 10, 2014 20:09:29 GMT
(''blows dust off'')
I quite like this show a few years ago when I discovered it on YouTube. The engine Ivor is quite awesome, seeing a steam locomotive that uses a whistle from a old roundabout.
The final episode they had (Was it Retirement?) felt very heartwarming to end the series.
I also watched the original six black and white episodes that popped-up on YT a while ago.
One thing I don't get with this show compared to Thomas is this. How come fans complained that engines can move by themselves, and yet they don't about Ivor?
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Post by Chris on Oct 10, 2014 23:42:52 GMT
One thing I don't get with this show compared to Thomas is this. How come fans complained that engines can move by themselves, and yet they don't about Ivor? Can't speak for the whole fanbase, but personally, my issue is not with the engines moving by themselves (after all, it was established they had some sort of self-control in Awdry stories like Down the Mine), it's more that none of the human characters react to it in recent episodes. I think if you had occasional comments from the Engine Crews telling them to behave etc, fans would be a lot more accepting. I feel Oliver Postgate always handled the anthropomorphism thing quite well by comparison. Ivor's being able to drive himself was openly discussed between Jones, Dai and other characters in several episodes, and was not shied away from.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 20:09:01 GMT
* dusts off thread * Ci told me that this didn't warrant a thread to itself, so he directed me here. I wasn't aware that there already was a special Ivor thread, so I posted it as an Off-Topic discussion by mistake. Anyway, I'll repost it here. I was on oldtv.co.il one day, and when I came to a post about Sefi Rivlin (R.I.P.), I found something SHOCKING.... Apparently, Ivor the Engine was dubbed into Hebrew as "קוטי הקטר" (lit: "Kuti the Engine". Yeah, stupid name change), sometime around 1980, and Sefi participated in it. It aired on the Israeli Educational TV, first on "Ma Pit'om", and then on "Rakevet Ha'aftaot". Some of the voices were shockingly accurate, especially Dai and Idris. It's almost as if their original actors reprised them in Hebrew. In the same thread, I found "The Proper Container". It's currently the only Hebrew episode available: Wow.. And here I thought it was either never shown here, or would've been called "אייבור הקטר".. Not sure why on earth he was renamed "Kuti", for Postgate's sake. What's wrong with "Ivor"?!? Not to mention, "The Proper Container" is almost entirely re-written, with all those Mistranslated / Omitted sentences. Here is a "Proper Container" comparison. EN (start at 0:28): HE: Just hear the contrast!
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Post by Chris on Mar 30, 2015 13:21:39 GMT
For anyone curious to see the long forgotten black and white episodes that were later remade in colour, local TV channel "Big Centre TV" is showing them irregularly as part of it's kids programming strand. Being a bit longer at 10 minutes, there are one or two differences to the more familiar versions. Mrs. Porty's Foxes can be seen in full here on the catch-up service, starting @ about 9 mins in. You do need to enter a name and email address to view, but after that it's fairly straightforward: www.bigcentre.tv/watch-again/kids/800-the-bostin-bear-club
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Post by Culdee Fell on Mar 30, 2015 22:00:33 GMT
Thank you so much for posting that Chris; I was virtually salivating before clicking on that link. Ever since the '60s Ivor episodes were found four years ago I've been wanting to see what they looked like and now I've finally seen one of them. Since they didn't look likely to get a DVD release I'd been hoping they might crawl out of the woodwork in some other fashion; I'd never have expected to see them on a local TV channel though. Much slower pace than the re-made five minute version, and time for a more extended opening and closing with Oliver talking directly to the audience, and lots of other interesting bits and pieces of extra dialogue to catch. I'm absolutely charmed to have been finally able to watch it.
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Post by Jim522 on Mar 31, 2015 14:58:20 GMT
Hey, thanks a lot for the link Chris. I was admittedly concerned for a minute there, half expecting to be "booted out" with some message like: "Sorry but this service is not available in your country" Thankfully, there was no such problem! It was greatly interesting seeing this extended version, and I will be sure to keep up with following episodes (or at least try to remember!). This reminds me I must still purchase the episodes available on DVD at some point. IN-EDIT: Wait, only 5 pounds on Amazon? Bargain! And on another thought, this channel and programming block seems like it could be rather suitable for broadcasting something like... oh, I don't know... TUGS maybe?
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Post by Culdee Fell on Mar 31, 2015 20:49:06 GMT
I suspect that the reason Big Central TV are showing the old B&W Ivor episodes and the reason their catch-up website appears to be relatively unsophisticated is because they're a very newly established local channel (they only began broadcasting in February) and it seems they don't have much money or support behind them. Still, an unexpected bonus for old Postgate fans like us though.
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Post by Galloping Sausage on Mar 31, 2015 21:11:18 GMT
Oh, I finally get a chance to watch one of the original episodes the BBC founded. I can't compare it with the remade version since I haven't seen it yet (I'm American, that's why), but one of the differences I can see with the colored versions is that some of the characters looked slightly different (Ivor, Dai, and Mrs. Porty).
The voices and sound effects are slightly different as well, including Ivor's whistle and Dai sounded more Indian than Welsh. The females voiced sounded different. I'm not sure if it's Olwen Griffiths or if one of the two male narrators did the female voices as well, 'cause I don't really see her credited.
Glad to watch it, hopefully there will be more.
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