Big Blue Marble: Original Run Episode Order 1974-1977

by G. Jack Urso

 

As I dug into profiling the classic children’s educational series Big Blue Marble in my articles, Big Blue Marble: A Generation’s Introduction to the World, Big Blue Marble Episode Guide, and the Big Blue Marble TV Soundtrack Album, I began to notice some discrepancies. In the very few, handful of surviving episodes a completely different theme song was used than I recall and is featured on the soundtrack album. Furthermore, all episode copyrights were tagged “1978,” including episodes with songs from the 1974 soundtrack album and which were composed for a specific child’s profile.

As I discovered, in 1978, I.T.T. established The Big Blue Marble Company to take over production of the series. A new theme song was composed which, although using some elements of the original theme, was a big disappointment. C/F International, the former license holder of Big Blue Marble, posted an episode guide of the entire series, but it was impossible to tell which episodes were the first 78 episodes. [Note:  C/F International went out of business in 2008.]

Big Blue Marble production fact sheet, front and back.

Fortunately, an Aeolus 13 Umbra reader alerted me to a Big Blue Marble fact sheet they found deep within the Internet Archive. Released just prior to the third season, and before the formation of the Big Blue Marble Company, the fact sheet not only confirms details of series, such as that it was offered free to stations and long as no commercials were run, but primarily the original episode order for the first three seasons.

The fact sheet confirms previous reports that Big Blue Marble was offered free for broadcast as a public service as long as the TV station did not run commercials during the program itself. Additionally, stations running the program were “eligible to apply for special public service credit,” and the intended audience was children 3-15 years of age. The third season of 26 episodes was planned for broadcast between September 1976 and August 1977. With a total of 78 known episodes run during the first three this puts the number of episodes per season at 26, which was the typical American television season at the time.

I compared the list provided by C/F International to the list in the fact sheet and put together the following list of the first 78 episodes of Big Blue Marble. The bold-face text headers include the number of the first-run episode order and the number in syndication. The Big Blue Marble Company put the 73 episodes it produced first and then added the original three seasons of the series at the end for the syndication package for a total of 151 episodes.

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Big Blue Marble: Original Run Episode Order 1974-1977

 

Episode 1, First Run | Episode 74 in Syndication

Switzerland: In the mountains of the Ticino, the Italian and southernmost section of Switzerland, children spend the summer milking cows and rounding up goats. Their families, who remain down in the village, supply the children with food by sending it up on cable cars.

Yugoslavia: The folktale. A 16-year-old boy demonstrates how he makes hundreds of drawings, photographs them, and - with the help of friends - does the soundtrack for his animation of the tale, “The Secret of the Czar.” In the tale, a barber discovers the Czar’s secret. He reveals it to no one. Yet, the secret becomes known to everyone. The moral is, “Don’t kid yourself, truth will come out.”

Iceland: A young boy spends the summer working on a fishing trawler. He explains that in his country everyone who is over thirteen years old has a regular summer job. Parents show appreciation for their children by honoring them on Iceland Independence Day.

California: Excerpts from the Caleveras County International Frog Jumping Contest are enhanced by the original song, “No Place Like Earth.”

Connecticut: The original song, “Simple Life,” sets the atmosphere for an American girl as she exercises horses, leads pony rides and dreams of someday owning one herself.

Tunisia: A young boy, Muhammed, and his father and brother load their camel with sheep, rabbits and beans and begin their journey to the market more than five miles from their farmhouse. Muhammed sells his sheep which he raised since birth. Then he joins his friends who are playing soccer and dancing to the beat of drums.

Episode 2, First Run | Episode 75 in Syndication

Taiwan: The Gwang Ren Children’s Orchestra performs. As their music continues in the background, the scene shifts to children practicing their Chinese calligraphy.

Nevada: A ghost town is the setting for a gold mining expedition. Those involved are a young boy and an old-time gold miner. The intricate process of searching for gold, mining it, and refining it is explained and demonstrated.

France: The folktale. “The Bridge of St. Cloud” is a tale about how the bridge was completed after signing a contract with the Devil and how the Devil was finally hoisted with his own petard.

England: Kevin shows and tells what it is like to be a deckboy on a tugboat in the harbor of Southampton, England. They were one of five tugs to bring in a 200,000 ton oil tanker.

Guatemala: A traditional ceremony carried down over the centuries is performed in this feature. The ceremony is called Palo Valador, or Flying Pole. The Palo Valador was originally performed to please the gods so they would bring a good corn crop. Performers dress up as El Mico, the Monkey - the messenger between the people and the gods. The performers climb to the top of a 130’ pole and swing from the top of it. One of the performers is a fourteen year old who has been “flying” since he was seven. Accompanying the ceremony is a piece of original music entitled “Indian Scene.”

 

Episode 3, First Run | Episode 76 in Syndication

Ireland: Jack Nolan is a young apprentice jockey who attends a boarding school called the Racing Apprentice Center of Education (R.A.C.E.). The students learn all aspects of training and controlling a horse. They learn how to fall properly and they also study such subjects as botany. The feature concludes with an original song called “Riding.”

Belgium: Brussels has the world’s largest population of marionettes. The Toone Theatre is the most famous puppet theater. The Toone family founded the Theater 150 years ago. Toone, the puppetmaster, puts on a play for the audience. He does all the voices while seven assistants manipulate the marionettes.

Make Your Own Nature Picture: A girl describes and demonstrates how to make a nature picture using flowers, crayons, wax paper and glue.

California: A sport that started in Europe has caught on in California. That sport is hang-gliding - body kiting. The son of one of the first hang-gliders in the United States demonstrates the thrills and pitfalls of this sport.

China: The folktale. A rich and greedy pear seller acts as a perfect foil to a poor but generous priest in this tale entitled “The Priest and the Pear Tree.” The ending is a typically mysterious Oriental one.

Bermuda: The day after Christmas is Boxing Day here. Young Gombey dancers in colorful costumes parade in snake-like formation toward the town. They take a ferry boat across the bay and continue dancing for the tourists. The music in this feature is original and live using a whistle as an instrument.

Episode 4, First Run | Episode 77 in Syndication

Germany: The death of Winter is heralded at a farmer’s festival in the Bavarian Mountain town of Saldorf. Every year a whip-cracking festival called Aperschnaltzen is held to scare away the demons of ice and snow. Whip-cracking teams compete for prizes. The team that won was headed by the first girl ever to be captain of a team.

Taiwan: It is the Year of the Tiger and in Taiwan the first day of the Chinese New Year is being celebrated. This festive day is marked by a special dinner and the popular Dragon Dance. The dragon is the symbol of China and the dance in his honor will bring good luck.

Sweden: The folktale. A fairy princess grants seven wishes to a lazy boy who finally reforms after making five very foolish wishes in this humorous tale called “The Seven Wishes.”

Venice: Renowned for its beautiful glass, Venice is the appropriate locale for a feature about an apprentice to a maestro in a glass factory. The difficult process of creating glass objects is shown in great detail. Speed and timing are essential qualities in glass making. The apprentice demonstrates his increasing skill at this difficult art.

New York: Although the setting is New York, the feature opens with an aerial view of the Caribbean; for the Caribbean was where the steel drum was invented. The man who created steel drums from oil barrels is Ellie Minette, who now lives in New York. He expounds on the history of this instrument while he makes a drum for a young member of a steel drum band.

 

Episode 5, First Run | Episode 78 in Syndication

San Francisco: Children visit the Exploratorium, a science museum built especially for kids. Here machines are meant to be touched and played with. Your hand can create sounds, your feet can create electricity, your voice can create pictures.

Thailand: The Walking Buddha is a monastery where young boys learn to practice the teachings of Buddha - the middle way - without self-indulgence or self-denial. They learn that work should be done with pleasure, not ambition. They learn that wisdom is to be found in the languages of all men.

Mock Mosaics: Viewers are shown how to make a mosaic using egg shells, food coloring, cardboard and glue. They are informed that originally mosaics were made with bits of colored tiles.

London: A montage of Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and people sculpting wax figures is shown with an informative song as an accompaniment. The theme of the song, “Madame Tussaud’s” is that here, time stands still.

Ethiopia: The folktale. The main characters in “Fire on the Mountain” are a wealthy prankster and his servant who earns his freedom by most unusual means.

Quebec: Ice hockey, Canada’s national sport, is featured here. Youngsters play, while aspects of the history and rules of the game are explained. The kids are joined by a famous Canadian hockey player, Henri Richards. He reveals some helpful tips about the game.

 

Episode 6, First Run | Episode 79 in Syndication

Belgium: The 500 year old, three day, pre-Lent carnival of Binche features parades, dancing and prizes awarded by the mayor for best costumes. Rites of spring are performed to ward off evil weather and poverty; oranges are thrown to bring good luck; and finally, fireworks are exploded to usher in Lent.

Hong Kong: Within Hong Kong there is a floating city called Aberdeen. After school, many of which are housed on roof tops, a young boy named Lim Sien Fong earns money for his family by driving a water taxi. He ferries people all around one of the world’s largest harbors until after nightfall.

Germany: The folktale. This humorous tale, called “The Castles of the Two Brothers,” carries a subtle message to all overly-possessive people. The dialogue accompanying the animation rhymes.

New York: A fifteen year old girl from Virginia earned ballet scholarships that brought her to New York City. She lives with six other girls in a penthouse apartment. She practices ballet several hours a day. In an unusually articulate fashion, she describes the pains and pleasures of practicing to be a ballerina. The feature ends in a dream sequence.

Episode 7, First Run | Episode 80 in Syndication

Utah: A Navajo Indian girl describes what life is like for the Navajos today. Her grandmother relates an ancient Navajo fable, which has been animated by a Navajo teacher in an attempt to preserve their culture for future generations. The animated version of the fable about a toad and a coyote is shown.

England: A dog training school where children learn proper car and training for their pets is featured. The teacher’s theory is that there are no disobedient dogs, only inexperienced owners.

Colorful Collages: A girl explains that collage means “paste” in French. She then proceeds to create a collage of her own. Viewers are encouraged to create their own collages by pasting all sorts of different things on paper.

Russia: The folktale. “The Humpbacked Horse” turns out to be a magic talking horse, as well. The horse and his owner, who becomes stable master to the Tsar, succeed in doing the impossible. The tale ends with the traditional: the young owner marries the beautiful girl and they live happily ever after.

San Blas: Off the cost of Panama lie the approximately 365 San Blas Islands. An eleven year old Cuna Indian boy describes life on Nalunega, one of the islands. He lives in a straw hut, goes fishing every day, helps grow vegetables, and plays basketball with his friends. Cuna Indian women hold a very important position in the tribe. When Cunas marry, all the money is turned over to the bride.

 

Episode 8, First Run | Episode 81 in Syndication

Colorado: Mike Yeats has been mountain climbing for six years. He is twelve now. He and his parents have just climbed 14,000 feet high Mt. Evans. They are preparing to rappel, or descend, the face of the cliff. Mike explains the purpose of the equipment and proper techniques. The feature flashes back to the Yeats’ ascent of Mt. Evans earlier in the day.

Caracas: Venezuelan children help make their capital city beautiful. They paint murals on the walls of buildings. The subject matter is entirely up to the individual.

England: The folktale “King John and the Abbot of Canterbury” is a classic tale of impossible riddles and mistaken identity so popular in English literature. The King, an accurate portrayal of the 13th Century King John I, is a ruthless ruler. A court jester and his talking parrot play key roles in this amusing tale.

Scotland: The courtyard of Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye is the site for Highland Bagpipe playing. The best player in the Children’s Pipe Band is selected to play alone in the courtyard where Scotland’s greatest pipers have always played. A fourteen year old named Angus Monroe is chosen. As he proudly plays his grandfather’s pipes, he dreams of becoming the finest piper in the land.

 

Episode 9, First Run | Episode 82 in Syndication

France: Sand yachts race along Normandy Beach. These three-wheel sailboats can go as fast as 80 mph. Nine year old Natalie impatiently waits for next year when she can enter the race. Meanwhile, she contents herself by sailing in her father’s sand yacht.

Hong Kong: Carolyn Leung’s father owns a snake farm. She and the manager of the farm point out poisonous Malaysian mangrove snakes, pythons, Cambodian elephant - trunk snakes, cobras. Venom from the snakes is collected in jars and shipped to research laboratories to make anti-venom. Carolyn’s father wants her to run the farm someday, but she says she would prefer to do something more unusual.

Thailand: The folktale. This take, “The Parrot and the Lorikeet” proposes that the lorikeet was the only talking bird with a mind of its own. The lorikeet humorously explains the circumstances that ultimately convinced his successor, the parrot, to resign himself solely to mimicry.

Stamp out Potatoes!: Cut a potato in half, then cut out a pattern in one of the halves. Put some paint in a jar lid. Dip the potato in the paint, and you have a potato stamp. Decorate wrapping paper, stationery, or greeting cards with different designs and colors from your potato stamps.

Holland: Four year olds lift up trains with one hand, kids step over three-story buildings, planes fly under human legs. The place is Madurodam, a miniature duplication of parts of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. The Maduro family built Madurodam in the 1950’s for their son George.

Colorado: Featured in this segment is a rodeo for high school students. Calf roping, bronco riding and other rodeo events are included. The original song “A Rodeo Cowboy” is featured.

Episode 10, First Run | Episode 83 in Syndication

Colombia: Boys help earn money for their families by shining shoes in Bogota. Jaime reveals his secrets of how to get more generous tips. His ambition is to be a football star and own more shoes than anyone has ever seen.

Copenhagen: Copenhagen has many unusual playgrounds. There are playgrounds full of animals. There are “junk” playgrounds where kids can play and build with discarded materials. There are driving playgrounds complete with real traffic signals and little cars to ride in. There is even an Iron Age village.

Nigeria: The folktale. The moral of this tale, “A Test of Friendship,” is true friends examine both sides of a situation. An old man tests the friendship of two fellows by purchasing a hat which is black on one side and white on the other.

Macao: In this Asian province of Portugal is a fireworks factory. There is a tour of the factory. Lam Dai Sing helps make some fireworks. And, after a permit is obtained by the police, Lam Dai Sing purchases some firecrackers. He carefully sets them off that night and takes pride in knowing that he helped make them.

New York: It’s time for the clown auditions at Madison Square Garden. A girl named Lynn Tarrell is auditioning. She explains that if you are accepted you go to clown college in Florida, where you just “clown around.”

 

Episode 11, First Run | Episode 84 in Syndication

France: Spelunking in or rather under the countryside of southern France is featured here. A twelve year old girl is the youngest in the group. She explains how caves are made and the difference between stalactites and stalagmites. The group climbs to an underground river where they embark on rubber rafts for the conclusion of their journey.

U.S.A.: The folktale. Entitled “The Runaway Squash” this piece of fantasy is about a boy who plants a squash seed which immediately begins growing and carries the kid all over the countryside. At the end we find out he has been dreaming.

Singapore: A thirteen year old competes in the Men’s Table Tennis Championship of Singapore. He is the only child entry. His opponent is twenty-six.The opponent wins three out of three games, but the competition is tough.

Utah: The crew on the paddlewheel steamboat, the Canyon King, consists of Anna, the captain’s daughter. She explains how steamboats work as they sail up the Colorado River on their way to pick up sightseers. Anna gives the history of the steamboat and mentions how lucky she feels to be riding one of the few steamboats left in America. An original song “Somedays I Just Want To Go Somewhere,” concludes the program.

 

Episode 12, First Run | Episode 85 in Syndication

Canada: Bathtubs filled with water? No, water filled with bathtubs! It’s the International Bathtub Race from Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, across the strait to Vancouver. These bathtubs are equipped with motors and are decorated with great ingenuity.

Philippines: The Bajao tribe live practically their whole lives in boats or in houses on stilts in the water. Marita and Abdul are Bajaos. They do not go to school. Instead, they spend much of their time diving for shells. Then they sell their dried out shells to a factory which makes buttons out of them.

Italy: The folktale. The message in this little tale is that some people judge others superficially. The tale is called “Princess Clothes” because a little girl’s clothes make all the difference as to whether she is treated like a princess or a peasant.

New Jersey: “Games” is the name of this original song that introduces the National Marble Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey. The winner receives a $600.00 scholarship. Twenty-one girls and boys have entered. The rules are carefully explained. A fourteen year old boy and a thirteen year old girl are the finalists.

 

Episode 13, First Run | Episode 86 in Syndication

Puerto Rico: Meaning “fine step” the elegant Paso Fino horses are native to Puerto Rico. On this ranch, or finca, 11-year-old Neysa has been helping her father raise and train Paso Fino horses since she was five. A horse is put through its paces while the characteristics and history of this breed are described.

Puerto Rico: The folktale. The well-known calypso rhythm of the Caribbean sets the beat for this lyric folktale, “The Three-Cornered Hat of Bad Miguel.” Miguel tries to hoodwink a wealthy man into believing Miguel’s hat can produce an endless stream of pesos. But sunstroke punishes hatless Miguel for his evil schemes.

Isle of Guernsey: If this is low tide, it must be time for mudlarking. Junk cars race through the mud as they do their best to demolish one another. If this is not messy enough, try riding in sleds pulled by the cars. And the mudlarking will continue, until the tide rolls back in.

United States: A girl dons her helmet as she prepares to go ballooning. The giant balloons are controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot air in the bag. As the manned balloons float through the air, the original “Say Hello to the Sky” is sung.

 

Episode 14, First Run | Episode 87 in Syndication

Bali: Ancient Hindu legend has it that monkeys once saved a princess from an evil king. Balinese perform the Kachek Dance, which acts out this legend. They dance to music created by human voices with no instruments involved. Every gesture holds special significance. This is only one of the hundred of dances performed in Bali.

Spain: The folktale. “The Wonderful White Donkey” is the story of a gullible man who is tricked into believing that his donkey has turned into a man. Actually, his donkey has been stolen. The man gets his donkey back at the end, but he never realizes that his donkey is just a donkey.

England: You don’t need snow or water to go skiing in England. The sport is grass skiing, and fourteen year old Phil Jennings is the country’s youngest instructor. Grass skiing is a cross between ice skating and skiing. Phil demonstrates as he explains the technique.

Global Gourmet: You don’t have to be Italian to love pizza. A boy shows how to make pizza from scratch. The recipe is flashed on the screen. It seems that the pizza takes longer to make than to eat!

Los Angeles: The hoola hoop is back! Young champions of all ages demonstrate their proficiency as “Hoopin’”, an original song, is sung.

 

Episode 15, First Run | Episode 88 in Syndication

Texas: Boys and girls fourteen or younger came to Texas to compete in the first World Invitational Minicycle Championship. A fourteen year old from Australia who thinks he will win walks the track to familiarize himself. He talks about the racing he has done back in Australia. He does not win, but he still plans to enjoy his American holiday.

Bulgaria: The folktale. Trinka is a very very spoiled little girl in “Trinka.” Her parents spoil her so much that when she gets married, Trinka is helpless. Her husband reforms her and they produce several unspoiled children.

St John: Donna and her friends are asked to get some salt. Instead of going to the store, they do their own salt harvesting down at the salt pond. On their way to the pond they stop and pick some bay rum leaves, play a game with soldier crabs, and eat part of the top of a cactus.

Amsterdam: After school, Jess goes to school. But this school is circus school. He is learning to ride a unicycle. The children in circus school make money giving performances all over Holland.

 

Episode 16, First Run | Episode 89 in Syndication

Ghana: This segment features a glimpse into the daily life of members of a village in Ghana. A fourteen year old native visits the market while his brother goes fishing.

England: A magician with a rabbit puppet named Theodore entertains children in the audience.

India: The folktale. This tale is about a narcissistic princess who has her necklace stolen by an envious monkey. The hero, in this case the gardener, figures out a way of finding out which monkey took the necklace. The title is “The Princess’ Necklace.”

Cozumel: This is an island in Mexico off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Jose works with his father taking visitors on sea trips around Cozumel. One of the visitors is an American boy named Andy. Andy and Jose become close friends as they explore Cozumel together. “Come Be My Friend,” an original song, accompanies this feature.

New York: The Star Spangled Banner in sign language introduces this feature about Carol, a ten year old deaf girl. Carol reads lips and knows sign language. Now she is working with a speech therapist at a school for the deaf to learn how to speak. The therapist is helping her practice for her part in the school play. The feature ends with the children putting on their Christmas play, “Babes in Toyland.”

 

Episode 17, First Run | Episode 90 in Syndication

Colorado: Steam locomotives are extinct now but Old 483 is still huffing over the Rockies. Kelly, the daughter of the engineer, accompanies dad on a check run. She explains how the locomotive works and who invented it. An amusing original song called “Save the Dinosaur” is sung as 483 chugs along.

Ethiopia: Farmers and wandering herdsmen people the highlands of Ethiopia. fifteen year old Petro, a country boy, visits Addis Adaba, the capital, and shows the viewers the city’s highlights. He relates a bit of Ethiopia’s history. But Petro prefers the country, where he can play with his friends and visit the blacksmith forge. At school, which is outside, Petro learns the books of the bible from a blind teacher.

Australia: The Folktale. Aborigines preserve their beliefs through oral tradition. “Dream Time” is the time when the world began. This dream time story, “The Frog and the Sound of the Wind,” explains why frogs leap into ponds whenever the wind whistles through the grasses.

Singapore: Kung Fu is an art of speed not power. It is a spiritual exercise invented by Buddhist monks to protect themselves from bandits. Kung Fu develops a sense of peace and confidence within oneself. The art of Kung Fu is demonstrated throughout this feature.

 

Episode 18, First Run | Episode 91 in Syndication

Florida: Diving for buried treasure is more than a dream in the Florida Keys. Eight year old Thomas has been scuba diving since he was four. Thomas’ uncle is a treasure hunter. With the aid of a magnetometer, the boy and his uncle explore forty feet underwater in search of the remains of a 17th century Spanish treasure ship.

Bali: Young apprentice stone carvers first go to a quarry to obtain a block of stone for their village’s Master Carver. The apprentices add small details to a statue such as toenails or bracelets. The art of stone carving is demonstrated step by step beginning with a slab of stone and resulting in an elaborate statue for a Hindu temple.

Brazil: The folktale. A South American version of the Tortoise and the Hare is “The Parrot, The Paca, and the Dull Brown Beetle.” The parrot suggests a race between the paca and the beetle. The paca thinks he has it all sewn up but the beetle wins.

Holland: “Muggen Ronde” meaning “gnat’s tour” is the annual children’s bicycle race through Holland. The race takes five days and covers 700 kilometers. There are 110 entries this year. Each day there is a sprinting event. Kids camp out in tents each night. The winner receives a trophy. “Round and Round” is an original song in this feature.

 

Episode 19, First Run | Episode 92 in Syndication

Acapulco: Ever since Carlos was four years old he has been diving. Each year he dives from higher heights. Now he is sixteen and ready to become one of the great Acapulco cliff divers. He is about to make his first cliff dive from 135’ in the air. He carefully scales the cliff and stops to make a short prayer. When the wave is at its crest, Carlos dives. He has just become an official Acapulco diver.

England: Yorkshire is one of the best areas for pot holing, the English term for spelunking. Two youngsters join Mr. and Mrs. Potts (!) the heads of the local potholing club. After donning underwater gear the potholers enter the cave and explore underground streams and passages for an hour.

Greece: Once version of how the world began is animated in this myth of the same name. Animated contemporary Greek parents explain the myth to their children. Man was made from mud. Prometheus, the first man, was granted the gift of fire from the gods on Olympus. Pandora, the first woman who was overly curious, opened a box and released all the evil elements into the world. Only Hope still remained.

Utah: There is no turning back once Gooseneck Canyon is reached. And that is where Terry and her mom and brother along with a river guide are headed. They are on a rubber raft trip on the San Juan River. They camp overnight, dig fossils out of rocks, and brave the rapids. “A Time To Live” is the original song that accompanies this feature.

 

Episode 20, First Run | Episode 93 in Syndication

Jamaica: Reggae bands, now gaining popularity in the United States, originated in Jamaica. This feature is one day in the life of the son of a reggae band leader. The boy and his drumsticks are inseparable. The climax comes when he gets to play in his dad’s band that evening.

Philippines: A new, larger canoe is being built for Hambre, who has outgrown his old boat. The canoe is cut from a single, mahogany log floated over from a nearby island. While the canoe is being made, Hambre tends the seaweed crop on the sea farms. Then he climbs a coconut tree and drinks some coconut milk. By then, his new canoe is ready and he proudly sails off in it.

Ireland: The folktale. True good fortune comes from the honest labor and diligence . . .  with a little help from a magic, golden bottle. This humorous tale features an evil landlord named Nickels O’Nasty and an old peasant couple, the O’Flynns.

California: A three and a half mile stretch of beach is divided into one hundred sections in preparation for San Diego’s sandcastle contest. Not only sandcastles are built. There are models of Indians, dragons, dogs, hippos. All ages can enter. Prizes are awarded for originality, design, and overall effort.

 

Episode 21, First Run | Episode 94 in Syndication

New York (Upstate): A man jumps off the top of a castle onto a pile of cardboard boxes. He is a professional stunt man. His young son, Greg, is very proud of his dad and tries to emulate him. After his father rappels the face of a cliff, Greg gets his chance. It’s harder than it looks, but Greg makes it.

Holland: Canals in Holland are as common as highways in other countries. And living on a barge is not uncommon. For barge families there are barge supermarkets and barge schools. This particular barge transports petroleum products. Barges are almost always on the move, but this one ties up long enough for the children to enjoy a fireworks display. The original song in this feature is appropriately called “Floatin’.”

The Netherlands: The folktale. Written in rhymes, “The Widow and the Wheat” tells the story of why and how the opulent port of Staveren became destitute. This humorous ballad proves that greed and jealousy do not pay.

Spain: The Rodriguez family has been famous for generations for the excellent guitar making. Grandfather Rodriquez, now eighty-six, has been making guitars for seventy years. Their guitars are made 100% by hand. The step by step process is demonstrated. At the end of a hard day, the Rodriguez’ serenade one another on their home-made guitars.

 

Episode 22, First Run | Episode 95 in Syndication

Alaska: Near the North Pole at Point Hope, Alaska, some Eskimo children are preparing for winter. They are putting away their umiak, a boat with a frame of wood and whale bone covered with seal skins. After the winter arrives, the Eskimos travel by dog sled. They stop at their cache, an Eskimo refrigerator which stores whale and seal meat. When the snow comes, caribou hunting and ice fishing begin. Once again there will be enough to eat.

England: This time the magician shows the audience how to make its own puppets with a handkerchief and a little bowl for the head. Draw a face with a pen. Your fingers become the arms. And you have your own instant puppet.

Global Gourmet: The recipe for today is crepes. After you combine the ingredients, the trick seems to be in the flipping. The problem can be solved by skipping the flipping altogether. But not if you want to be a true French chef.

A Jewish Tale: Called “The Payment”, this droll folktale features Samuel, a regular schlemiel, a Jewish Stan Laurel; an extraordinarily patient woman; and the Rabbi. In short, the woman pays Samuel, a clock fixer, for repairing her clock. He loses this payment. She rewards him instead, with a plant. He abuses this payment and every subsequent one by following the woman’ directions for the previous payments.

Yugoslavia: A children’s folk dancing class is rehearsing for a public performance that evening. Most students begin their training at the Conservatory when they are only four years old. They practice several hours every day. An ensemble from the Conservatory goes on tour all over Europe and North America.

 

Episode 23, First Run | Episode 96 in Syndication

Kenya: A game refuge for all kinds of wild animals is where twelve year old Hassan lives. He lives here with his grandfather, a game warden. White rhinoceroses are the largest animals at Meru Park. Hassan exercises the rhinos and discusses their characteristics.

Batik a T-shirt: Children show how to make batik.

Israel: Two thirteen year old boys live by themselves in a little house. There are six hundred members in their family. They live on a kubbutz. Children learn responsibility and independence early here. Everything is shared. The school is right in the middle of the kibbutz, and classes are held six days a week. In Israel there are now 240 kibbutz settlements.

Japan: The folktale. In this parable “The Axe of Gold”, honesty is rewarded and dishonesty punished. The characters are an old, humble and honest woodcutter and a younger, greedy and dishonest woodcutter. A goddess of the forest pond passes judgment on these two by awarding an axe of gold to one and a rusty, pitted axe to the other.

Arizona/Nevada: The Colorado River flows along the Arizona-Nevada border. In 1935 the Hoover Dam was constructed across the Colorado. Old filmstrips of the celebration marking the completion of the dam are shown. The functions of the dam are explained. Three little girls explore the enormous construction and one of them temporarily gets lost. The original song in this feature is called “Dynamite day.”

 

Episode 24, First Run | Episode 97 in Syndication

Bali: Boys and girls perform another one of the hundreds of Balinese dances. Accompanying this dance is a percussion orchestra called gamelan. All the movements in the dance convey messages just as lyrics do. The name of this particular dance is the Trampong, an Eastern dance done in Western costume.

Florida: Fishing is one of Florida’s most popular sports. Tarpon and bone are two of the most popular sport fish. An eleven year old girl goes fishing with her uncle, a fishing guide. Live shrimp is used for bait. When fish are caught in sport fishing, they are thrown right back.

Canada: The folktale. This tale is an old Indian Tale from Manitoba called “The Moose’s Coat”. It tells about the days when all animals had thin, gray coats. One day the Great Spirit gave each type of animal a different coat. The moose missed out and ended up with his baggy coat and ugly horns.

India: In New Delhi, a fifteen year old boy is taking his final sitar lesson before his first public recital. He has been studying the sitar under his guru for three years. The characteristics and history of the instrument are described.

 

Episode 25, First Run | Episode 98 in Syndication

Canada: Five miles off the coast of British Columbia lies Lennard Island. The only people who lived on the Island are the chief light keeper and his family. An assistant light keeper and his family move in in this feature. The intricacies of running a light station are explained and illustrated.

Mexico: It is Mexican Independence Day and part of the fiesta includes the performance of the well-known Mexican Hat Dance. This is also the day that young Juan tries to become a charros. A Charros is the equivalent of our rodeo performer. Juan has practiced hard with his lariat. Finally it is time for the Charriada, or rodeo. The new Charro always goes last. Juan and his lariat give an impressive showing. He becomes one of the elite Charros of Mexico.

South Sea Islands: The folktale. A frivolous tale called “The Spots on the Moon” claims that the moon has spots because a jealous braggart threw mud at it after he failed to hook the moon with his fishing rod.

New York (Upstate): Billy hangs around the local airport and fantasizes about flying in one of the planes. One day he is asked to help roll out one of the Tiger Moths. Then to Billy’s great delight he is invited to go for a spin in the plane. He learns tall about the instruments on the panel. After his ride he is more determined than ever to be a pilot.

 

Episode 26, First Run | Episode 99 in Syndication

Egypt: Almost 4500 years ago the great Pyramid of Giza was built. It is still standing today. Tourists rent camels to visit this 500’ high monument to King Cheops. Eleven year old Ahmed rents out some camels. He saddles the camels and provides a kuffiyeh, Arab headdress, for each tourist. They visit the famous sphinxes and examine the intricate wall carvings of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Connecticut: “Say Hello to the Sky” is an original song which sets the tone for an eight year old walking alone in the country on a beautiful day. He feels like flying, so he does the next best thing - he makes a kite out of two sticks, some string, and wrapping paper. 

Iran: The folktale. A woman is preparing some shish kebob for supper. Her woman friends come over to gossip and end up eating all the shish kebob. When her husband returns he is furious to find only rice for dinner. His wife claims the cat ate the three kilos of mutton. But when the cat is weighed it weighs only three kilos. The distraught wife vows never to lie again, as she goes out to buy more mutton. The tale is called “Shish Kebob.”

Ceylon (Sri Lanka): An eleven year old boy is in love with a twenty-five year old, three ton, long nosed girl elephant. His brother is a professional Mahut, elephant trainer. The life of an elephant and its Mahut is featured.

 

Episode 27, First Run | Episode 100 in Syndication

New York City: Students at the Walden School here learn how to improvise. they are visited by the Children’s Theater Group of Actors. After demonstrations and pointers by the Theater Group, the students put on their own improvisational play about a giant who is unhappy because he never frightens anyone anymore.

If Children Ruled The World: The topic in this program is clothes. The child reprimands her father for dressing sloppily.

England: The original song “Games” introduces this feature on the International Marble Tournament. The fourteen year old boy who won the Wildwood (N.J.) Tournament is here competing again. The difference between American and British rules are explained. The tournament begins -- the U.S. team emerges victorious.

Classic Tale: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is animated, put to verse and given a dash of humor. The message is still salient.

Poland: The Palace of Youth in Warsaw is the setting for the water ballet of “Swan Lake”. The ballet is presented by teenage girls. The girl with the lead role discusses how she feels about being in the ballet and gives viewers a glimpse of her city.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 28, First Run | Episode 101 in Syndication

Maryland: A fifteen year old girl has the unusual job of being ball-and-broom girl for the Baltimore Orioles, a major league baseball team. She enjoys her work and her family is in the stands rooting for her just as if she were another Brooks Robinson, one of the great players.

If Children Ruled The World: The son patiently explains to his perturbed father that he should try to get along better with his boss--after all, he is not going to work just to have a good time.

Senegal: Senegal’s national sport is wrestling. Here, the wrestling is done on sand. Unlike the United States, in Senegal, the match is over as soon as one of the knees touches the ground.

Greek Myth: The well-known legend of Echo, the broken-hearted mountain nymph, and Narcissus, the beautiful but vain mortal, is animated in the style of the early Greek vase painters.

Mexico: A young girl is Acapulco enviously watches paraskiers soar through the air. If only she had enough pesos, she, too, could paraski over the Acapulco harbor. Being a resourceful child, she decides to sell cold drinks to thirsty laborers. Soon she has the required amount of money and gets to go paraskiing.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 29, First Run | Episode 102 in Syndication

Haiti: Voodoo, a religious cult, is still practiced in Haiti. A young Haitian girl learns of the sacred dances and trances used to evoke spirits in an outdoor church on the island. Voodooists believe in one god, the God of Wisdom.

“Dump Daisy”: This is a song about a child who is walking through a trash dump on her way home from school. Amid all the garbage she sees a little flower growing out of a discarded sneaker. When she returns the following day to see if the daisy is still there, she finds the bulldozers have turned over the original sneaker, and instead of one daisy she now finds two, proving beauty can survive even in an atmosphere of ugliness.

A Classic Tale: “Rumpelstiltskin”, a classic Grimm Fairy Tale, is adapted and endowed with humor and imagination in this animated version. USSR The Moscow Circus School is the topic of this feature. Classrooms surround the circus arena so the students can  see how acrobatic or aerialist feats are properly performed. Talented youngsters demonstrate their various abilities. After attending the Moscow Circus School for two years, a young person is regarded as qualified to perform.

Episode 30, First Run | Episode 103 in Syndication

Paris: A group of man-sized penguins nonchalantly walk in the Metro - the underground subway train system of Paris. They are actually being filmed for a movie. Children standing by are invited to don some penguin outfits. This feature focuses on special effects used in movies. A workshop where props (such as foam rubber horses) are made is visited during this segment. 

Greek Myth: “The Golden Touch’ is an operatic rendition of the famed King Midas myth. This rhyming version is lively and humorous. The ending has a particularly witty twist, but the storyline, on the whole, remains faithful.

India: Camel breeders from western India are featured in this segment. A young camel breeder describes the origin and characteristics of these animals. The method of plowing with camels is also demonstrated.

If Children Ruled The World: Trying to get Daddy to understand the importance of doing his homework is the child’s task in this feature.

New York City: A Double Dutch tournament is in progress in Manhattan. Double Dutch is jump rope using two ropes that swing in opposite directions. Music accompanies this visually exciting feature. The winners of the tournament treat the viewers to an encore.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 31, First Run | Episode 104 in Syndication

West Virginia: Jo Ann Lee demonstrates the excitement of learning to ride in a Kayak in the Lafayette Station Rapids. She describes the practice and training that are part of Kayaking while she whips through the waves. The segment ends with a breathtaking ride.

Classic Tale: “The Riddle of the Sphinx”, an ancient Egyptian legend is animated and set to a musical refrain. Children will enjoy the riddle and appreciate the antiquity of the riddle form.

England: In a particularly sensitive segment, we see the “Special Olympics” through the eyes of a young girl who has been disabled by cerebral palsy. The International Olympic Games for handicapped children poignantly demonstrate how much handicapped children can do and wish to do. Exercises, like wheelchair races and javelin throws give the children the opportunity to improve their physical condition at the same time help their self-esteem.

If Children Ruled The World: This segment pokes fun at the dress selection a mother makes. The daughter urges her to purchase “that sweet pink one” instead.

Brazil: In this segment we visit the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil to see young boys who are learning to be race car drivers. The teachers are all professional drivers. The boys have classes in mechanics as well as regular school subjects. The segment ends with a race. The child points out the value of accepting the disappointments which are part of competition.

 

Episode 32, First Run | Episode 105 in Syndication

South Carolina: Sixteen-year-old Jim Blackwell tells about his long wait to grow old enough for the adventurous sport featured in this segment - skydiving. preparatory steps, packing the chute, and getting suited up are shown and Jim goes for his first jump from 2800 feet!

Classic Tale: “Bad Habits” is an African folk tale about a rabbit and a monkey whose bad habits annoy one another. The resolution of the story is an accommodation of each others habits, “Live and Let Live.”

Hungary: In this segment we visit the Budapest Pioneer Railroad, an organization of young Hungarians similar to a scout group. The boys run a diesel locomotive, exchanging jobs each time they work the 38-minute trip. The featured boy’s parents came to meet him at the end of the trip and they celebrated his birthday in a nearby restaurant.

If Children Ruled The World: In this spoof, children have something to say about their parents’ bedtime.

Canada: In the Caribou Mountain area, British Columbia, we visit a 12-year old boy who demonstrates snowmobiling and iceboating. He puts a ski from a skimobile on an iceboat and he and a young girl sail off to the delightful song “Skim Along.”

 

Episode 33, First Run | Episode 106 in Syndication

Los Alamedos, California: Debbie Fyke, a 17-year old gymnast is training for the Olympics. She takes the viewers through some of the events as she talks about the hard work and will power required for her training. She has been in national competitions as well as events in Russia, South Africa and Germany.

If Children Ruled The World: The topic in this program is friends. The child reprimands her mother about her choice in friends.

Denmark: In this segment we visit a training ship for the Danish Merchant Marines that takes 80 boys on a voyage through the Carribbean. Kaspa, the featured child, is nervous because he has never been away from home. He talks about learning responsibilities for himself and others. We work the rigging and learn about the 6-month training course. The segment ends at sunset as Kaspa is thinking about home.

Classic Tale: “The Emperor’s New Clothes”

Africa: In this segment we make an intriguing visit to the Ivory Coast to see human jugglers. In this town one must be both an orphan and chosen to be a juggler. The juggler and his three children dance to entertain the townspeople. We see all the makeup and costume preparations as well as the actual performance.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 34, First Run | Episode 107 in Syndication

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: St Croix provides a beautiful backdrop for two young boys to go Spinnaker Flying. The children are instructed by an expert in this unusual sport in which the child sails in the air over the water via the sailboat’s Spinnaker.

Netherlands: In the Netherlands we visit a famous Carillon School where a master tells about casting of the bells and shows children how a Carillon is played. A young boy tries it out and plays Big Blue Marble.

If Children Ruled The World: A young boy does a humorous take-off on words parents often have about allowances.

Classic Tale: “Pegasus,” the Greek myth about the Winged Horse of the Gods is done in exciting animation.

England: Tracy Southerland, a 13-year old, is an expert figure skater. She goes to the rink six days per week and practices four hours each day. She first started figure skating at five years of age. Tracy speaks of her ambition to compete in figure skating championships.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 35, First Run | Episode 108 in Syndication

Louisiana: Scott Morin, 12, and his father ride a helicopter to a gas-well platform thirty-five miles off the coast in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Morin is an oil company engineer. He explains to his son how gas is processed and the difference between a production platform and an oil drilling platform.

Global Gourmet: The tasty dish prepared in front of your very eyes is chocolate fondue from Switzerland. Heat up the chocolate, cut up some fruit, dip the fruit into the chocolate and enjoy the treat!

A Fable: One of Aesop’s better known fables, “The Fox and the Grapes”, is told as a humorous rock opera. The fox never quite recovers from the frustration of trying to reach those “sour” grapes.

If Children Ruled The World: This week the son goes over his mother’s report card. Her “D-” in ironing reveals that she is simply not ironing up to her potential.

Argentina: One hundred miles north of Buenos Aires is a ranch or hacienda where all sorts of horses including polo ponies, are bred. The origin of this game of polo is explained while we observe the gauchos saddling up the ponies. The basics of how to play this exciting 4,000 year old game, are demonstrated by young horsemen.

Dahomey: It’s harvest-time holiday in Katagon, a village in one of Africa’s smallest countries. Beatrice and brother Benjamin prepare for the fete du janvier and the traditional dance called the aguela ye ye. Benjamin’s role in the dance involves donning a mask and high stilts; He dances around on the stilts as agilely as if they were part of his body.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 36, First Run | Episode 109 in Syndication

Spain: Gypsies originally brought the Flamenco dance to southern Spain. In Cordoba, twelve year old Maria Sole attends a music school to learn Flamenco dancing. Her goal is to dance in public. That very evening she gets the opportunity. She is nervous, but once she hears the castanets and guitar, she forgets about everything but dancing.

Wyoming: Twelve year old Joe Bressler is getting his sled dogs in shape for the big dog team race. The course is 3½ miles long, and three dogs pull a sled. Racers stand on the back of their sleds and urge their dogs on. Joe comes in second, but he is pleased with his timing.

If Children Ruled The World: The son asks his dad a typical “dumb question”: What did you learn at work today? The father mumbles, “Nothin’,” but this child won’t take “nothin’“ for an answer.

A Fable: “How the Camel Got his Hump” is presented as an amusing rock opera. The lazy camel said “Hump” to all suggestions of work. As a result, a genie came along and gave him just what he asked for -- a great big “hump” in the middle of his back.

Haiti: Did you know that Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti in 1492? The native Arawak Indians had already named it Haiti, meaning high ground. On one of these high pieces of ground is the famous Citadel, built during the rule of Henri Christophe at the end of the eighteenth century. Young Jocelyn and his friends make the 2½ hour journey to the Citadel on horseback. Jocelyn relates the interesting biography of General Christophe as he winds his way up the mountain.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 37, First Run | Episode 110 in Syndication

Russia: The school featured in this episode is no ordinary boarding school. It is a school for gymnastics in Rostov, Russia. Natasha, an eleven year old gymnast, is the subject. At the school, she attends regular classes. Six days a week she and her classmates go by bus to the gymnastics hall. For the past three years, Natasha has been training for the Olympics. We watcher her work out on the trampoline, the horse, and the balance beam.

Greek Myth: History’s most famous headache took place in Ancient Greece. The Birth of Athena is presented here as an exciting version of this myth.

Colorado: A former French Olympic skier gradually went blind. Rather than give up, he began a program called “Bold” for blind skiers. These young blind people learn to overcome their handicap. Going down a ski slope without being able to see teaches them that almost nothing is impossible.

If Children Ruled The World: The daughter demands that her father attend dancing school. He has a temper tantrum and refuses to wear sissy shoes. She assures him that daughter knows best and he’ll love it once he gets there.

Nigeria: Talking drums are the unique instrument of the Yoruba Tribe. A twelve year old Yoruba boy plays the talking drum at his Cultural Center. He has been playing them since he was three, and now he is getting the opportunity to play in the Nigerian version of a rock and roll band.

 

Episode 38, First Run | Episode 111 in Syndication

Belgium: Karin shares her parents’ ambition: she, too, wants to become an Olympic Swimmer. At the age of thirteen, she has already won many swim meets. Today her father, who is also her swim coach, drives her across the border to France, where she will compete in an important international meet. She wins the 800-meter crawl and sets a new record. This feat could assure her of a place on the Olympic Team. The 2½ hours a day of practicing certainly seems worth it.

“If Children Ruled the World”:  . . . they would write the commercials. Here two girls satirize the laundry detergent commercials. The punch line is that new River will not only clean your clothes, it will dissolve them completely, so you can buy new ones.

Greek Myth: The well-known myth of Arachne, the expert weaver, is retold in this animated sequence. Arachne, conceited about her weaving prowess, challenged her teacher, Athena, to a weaving contest. She lost. Athena turned Arachne into a spider, and until this very day she weaves webs that are appreciated by no one.

Georgia: The famous Okefenokee Swamp is the setting for catching baby alligators. Kelly and his dad are not hunters of this now endangered species; Kelly’s dad is a biologist. Every year he rows out into the Swamp, catches little alligators with his bare hands (Kelly helps too), weighs, measures, and marks them and throws them back.

England: The Formula One racing drivers are preparing for the big race. The narrator’s sister’s boyfriend is one of the racers. These racing cars are so low you have to lie down in them. All racers wear fireproof clothing and crash helmets. The race begins. Tom comes in first for the first time ever.

 

Episode 39, First Run | Episode 112 in Syndication

Greece: On the island of Thasos lives an eleven year old boy who is going to become a honey farmer. He has a good head start; his uncle owns a farm where nectar bees produce honey. The complex process of getting honey from the bees is illustrated in this feature. The role of the queen bee is described. The working of the machine that removes honey from the combs is demonstrated.

Sweden: The celebration of Santa Lucia marks the shortest day of the year. It is already dark by 2:30 PM. Ten year old Anna is excited because she gets to play the role of Lucia as she and her sisters go caroling around town. They dress up, place a crown of candles on their heads, and bring homemade bread and cookies to neighbors that live alone. As they go from house to house, they sing the well known son, “Santa Lucia.”

Aesop’s Fable: One of the better known Aesop’s fables is “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse”. Reggie, the stuck-up city mouse, persuades Hiram, the simple country hick, to return to the city with him. Hiram gives in, but regrets doing so. The noise, crowds, and fast pace are too much for Hiram. He gladly returns to the country and resumes his peaceful, simple life.

Massachusetts: Radio controlled aircraft measuring about three feet in length assemble with their pilots at a meet. Eleven year old Paul, his sixteen year old brother and his father have been flying remote controlled, home-made planes for five years. At the meet the planes go through various events of skill and luck. Paul does not get to enter this year, but with practice he hopes to participate at next year’s meets.

 

Episode 40, First Run | Episode 113 in Syndication

Iran: Hamzel, a seven year-old boy, who lives in Tehran, the capital city of Iran is trying to become an apprentice - member of “Zourkhane” (pronounced: “Zoor ckha na”) or House of Strength which is a semi-religious (Islamic) physical exercise or martial arts society. Actual training cannot begin until a boy reaches eighteen, but Hamzel’s father, himself a member of the most famous house of strength, the Djafari Zourkhane is training his son.

Greek Myth: “The First Winter” explains, in allegory, the first winter and why it happened.

How to-Pinata: Several children take balloons, paste, and crepe paper and make piñatas, the colorful and popular holiday toy from Mexico. 

“If Children Ruled the World”:  . . . they could borrow money from the bank. When the loan officer asks about collateral, the boy replies, “my mother wouldn’t trade me for a million dollars.”

 

Episode 41, First Run | Episode 114 in Syndication

California: Viewers go on a colorful trip to the “Cosmic Laser Light Show” in California. While they learn important information about lasers, they listen to such Christmas Carols as, “Whose Child is This,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Jingle Bells” and others.

Christmas Story: A delightful animated folk song; “The Whole North Pole is Jumpin’,” conveys the happy spirit of Christmas.

Turkey: A master puppeteer from Istanbul explains his craft to a thirteen year old girl who hopes to study with him. The different characters are explained before the girl goes to t he studio to learn how the puppets are made. The girl is delighted to partake in a show in the park. She feels that she made many errors, but the puppeteer asks her to continue to work the puppets.

Lapland: Reindeer herding, in this land above the Arctic Circle, lasts as long as the snow does - which is most of the year. A family of three children is featured in this segment which gives a full picture of life in Lapland.

 

Episode 42, First Run | Episode 115 in Syndication

Chicago: The boy featured in this segment is an aspiring magician. The master magician explains his idea that magic really comes from dreams. Several tricks are performed, among them levitation of a wand.

Russia: Eight year old Sergei Nesterov, a pianist, a violinist, and a composer, is rehearsing for the concert he will give at school tomorrow. He will play a piece he composed himself when he was only four. As Sergei says, “I hear music in my head and I must write it down.”

Aesop’s Fable: Henny Penny, the humorous fable about the alarmist hen. Henny Penny frightens the entire barnyard when an acorn falls on her head and she decides that the “sky is falling” and she must run and tell the king.

Spain: Jose Asole, a twelve year old boy from the mountains of the Basque Country is training in the popular Latin American sport of Jai Lai. The basics of the sport are explained while Jose effectively communicates the excitement of the sport.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 43, First Run | Episode 116 in Syndication

Ohio: A day at St. Helen’s School in Newberry, Ohio is an unusual experience. St. Helen’s is a typical parochial school in every way--except one. Every student has to learn to ride a unicycle. The head of the school, Father James Moran, started the program several years ago. Students can ride them anywhere they want in the school.

Classic Tale: The classic children’s tale, “the Gingerbread Man,” will be familiar to many viewers. For those who have never seen it, the story of the gingerbread cookie who runs out of the baker’s oven and then outruns everyone will be a delight.

Brazil: A twelve year old boy from Manaus is the son of a river boat captain. The ship “XIMENES” takes cargo and passengers up the Amazon to Mancapurna. The trip which takes a day and night goes through many miles of jungle on a river which is very difficult to navigate. The boy must learn the river like his own yard if he is to become an Amazon River Boat Captain.

“If Children Ruled the World”: The topic in this program is “curfews.” Parents have to be in by 11 o’clock.

France: Le Caraque in France is an area where Jean Paul Touzelier’s family raises bulls and horses. He is a cowboy. They are preparing for the festival of the two St. Marys which winds up with a bullfight where the bull never gets hurt.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 44, First Run | Episode 117 in Syndication

Maine: Lobster Fishing is an important industry in New Harbor, Maine. Tod Fawcett and his father Kendall have the traps. They do more work on the docks than they do on the water. Every other day they check the traps and do not take the lobsters that are too small. They plug the claws of the lobsters they keep, and crate and sell them.

England: What could be more hilarious than a pie-throwing contest. The Custard Pie Festival is an annual event in England and must be seen.

Greek Myth: “Eos and the Grasshopper” tells the story of Eos, the Goddess of Dawn, who fell in love with a mortal. She told Zeus of her love and Zeus granted the mortal eternal life, but not eternal youth.

Finland: The Tapiola School Choir in Helsinki are rehearsing for a concert to be held in honor of Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom. This innovative choir provides viewers with a unique musical experience.

 

Episode 45, First Run | Episode 118 in Syndication

Italy: In Sienna, a Cantata is a social club. Alexander is a member of the Caterpillar Cantata. His parents are coppersmiths. Everyone is getting ready for a big holiday horse race. Each Cantata has a jockey. The day begins with a parade through town and a colorful flag toss.

“If Children Ruled the World”: This segment is a spoof on music appreciation. A young boy explains rock to adults.

Aesop’s Fable: “The Fox and the Stork” tells the story of the sly fox who is the perennial practical joker. He is outfoxed by the more clever stork who turns the tables.

“How-To”: This craft segment shows a clever girl who turns an old television set into a puppet theater.

Missouri: A Bluegrass Musical Festival is the subject of this feature. The festival is a particularly casual affair. Everyone with any kind of instrument can just sit down and play it. “Butch” received a guitar for Christmas and learned to play it as well as a variety of stringed instruments.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

 

Episode 46, First Run | Episode 119 in Syndication

Youngstown, Ohio: The International Juggling Association combines juggling with other stunts. Rick Rheinholtz is one of the contestants and he describes the various events. Rick won second prize for juggling Indian Clubs for 18.85 seconds.

Panama Canal Zone: One of man’s greatest engineering achievements, the building of the Panama Canal, is described in this segment. The canal, which cut 8,800 miles off the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, consists of locks, which are shown as giant steps which lift ships from 85 feet sea level to Gatun Lake.

Classic Tale: The “Golden Goose Egg” is the title of the classic tale about a greedy farmer who had a goose that laid eggs of pure gold.

Sweden: The Drottingholm Palace is the beautiful palace built by the order of Gustav III. Viewers see how an 18th century stage functioned. They learn about scenery and sound effects in a fantasy sequence an unusual perspective of this magnificent palace is gained.

 

Episode 47, First Run | Episode 120 in Syndication

Iran: Though falcons are not used for hunting in Iran today, the tradition of training falcons is still popular. The falcon has to be taught to grab and lift his prey. The various aspects of falconry are described. The falcon, an interesting animal, is explained.

Liechtenstein: A young stamp collector is featured in this segment. The art of stamp designing is shown and the commemorative aspect of stamps is described.

Folktale: “The Father, the Son and the Donkey” teaches the valuable lesson that when you try to please everyone, you please no one, particularly yourself.

Pen Pal Sequence.

“If Children Ruled the World”: The subject of privileges being taken away is the feature of this humorous spoof on rules.

Aspen, Colorado: The young boy featured in this segment is anxious to try gliding. He persuades Tom, who is building a house, to drop his work and take him for a glider ride. A glider is a sail plane that has no motor. Another plane, called a tow plane has to pull the glider up.

 

Episode 48, First Run | Episode 121 in Syndication

Bulgaria: In this sequence, Slava, fourteen, daughter of a former Bulgarian Olympic team fencer, goes through a fencing lesson. Each class begins with calisthenics and special exercises designed to build muscles and reflexes. We also learn how points in fencing matches are scored. The segment ends with an exciting fencing match which Slava wins.

Classic Tale: An animated treatment of the classic tale of “Appleseed John” and his remarkable contribution to his native land. Good music.

USSR: Yuri, age nine, has built an electronic Robot which carries out assignments, responds to commands, walks, talks, does just about anything a human being can do. Yuri has fun with his Robot but when he grows up he wants to be a computer designer.

How-To: Everybody wants to know how to paint a T-Shirt. In this sequence, we learn the easy way.

Michigan: Tracy is the 14-year old daughter of a man whose occupation is training Leader Dogs for the blind. It’s an exciting episode in which we follow the training of Star, a Leader Dog, and how Pat, one of the blind children, learns to work with her dog.

 

Episode 49, First Run | Episode 122 in Syndication

Arkansas: Dotty is just seven and her Daddy, nicknamed “Strawberry” can talk to animals. Do you believe that? If you don’t, wait until you see this sequence, hear what Dotty has to say about her Daddy’s talent and then maybe you’ll believe, too.

Classic Tale: The tale of “The Ugly Duckling,” in animation, is told by the duckling himself. The message about different people with different looks, is important.

Venezuela: Two thirteen-year old Indian boys have one basic difference in their lives: one lives on water, one lives in the desert. This is the story of the way their lives are effected by the environments in which they live. Both boys are happy, enjoy their homes, their families, and are truly pleased by simple pleasures but the differences between life with lots of water and the life with little water are enormous.

“If Children Ruled the World”: Here’s how “little” people can solve the problem of being seated in the cinema behind “big” people.

Canada: Juliet Randall is a young actress who lives in Deep Cals, North Vancouver. We learn from Juliet that life for an aspiring actress is not all fun and games. Juliet is up at seven every morning, often works twelve hour days and at other times has no work to do at all. Juliet tells us about the director, how he plans the shoot, guides the players. She tells us about other people in the crew, too.

 

Episode 50, First Run | Episode 123 in Syndication

USSR: Misha, age fourteen, lives in Moscow and is a member of a Pioneer Palace. His hobby is photography. We tour around Moscow with Misha taking pictures. Misha tells us how to take pictures and how to develop them. His favorite subject--people. The climax is the awarding of a second place certificate to Misha for his outstanding photo in a USSR photographic competition.

Long Island, NY: One of the biggest events in the Olympics is target shooting. We learn all about qualifying for a place on the Olympic team from Rhonda, age ten. She says this is one Olympic competition where all participants are evenly matched: Boys, girls, adults, young people. In this sequence, Rhonda takes a second place in this shoot-off which is an important step toward earning a position on the US team.

Aesop’s Fable: The story of “The Grasshopper and the Ant”--one plays and sings all summer long, the other works in anticipation of the coming winter. In this animated version however, there is a twist ending with a revised moral which will please all viewers.

Pen Pal Sequence.

Denmark: Hans Christian Andersen wrote the original story, but today in Odent, Denmark the “Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep” really live and work at their respective trades. The sequence ends with excerpts from a performance by the children of Odent of a musical version of Andersen’s “the Swine Herd.”

 

Episode 51, First Run | Episode 124 in Syndication

Sweden: A young tourist, Tim, ten-years old, is visiting the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden with his mother. He is taking pictures. He gets separated from his mother in the crowds, so he tours the palace himself. In the Throne Room he meets a handsome young man who talks to him and at Tim’s request poses for a picture. Tim discovers later, while watching the changing of the guard, the young man is actually King Gustav of Sweden.

“If Children Ruled the World”: All kids love it when they’re asked by parents to perform at adult parties. Right? See what you think when the tables are turned.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: The most remarkable islands of the world are viewed by two eleven year old girls from Santa Cruz, Consuela and Lorena. They learn much from a visiting Ecuadorian professor about the unusual plants, birds, and animals on these isolated islands in the Pacific and what is being done to help preserve the life of such rare species, like 500 pound tortoises.

Classic Poem: “The Wreck of the Hesperus” is told in its entirety as animated film portrays the unhappy tale of the young girl and her father whose sailing ship was wrecked in a storm.

Nebraska: We meet Wendy a twelve year old, who travels with a carnival as it leaves a small town in Nebraska heading out for Kansas. Wendy tells about her “carnie” family and how much fun it is in summer to be with the carnival. In winter, when the carnival rests up, all the “carnie” children go to school in their home towns.

 

Episode 52, First Run | Episode 125 in Syndication

Australia: There’s a new game for kids in Australia. It is called “Planking” in which teams of three, with their feet secured to two ski-like boards race against other teams. The kids must move in coordination, or down they go. Lots of fun.

Portland, Oregon: The newest kind of zoo is in Portland, Oregon where animals are trained to work for their food. Steve Herwitz, twelve, introduces us to his older brother who runs the zoo and is importantly involved in this new way to keep animals happier and healthier.

How-To: There are three different kinds of Ukrainian Easter eggs. In this how-to segment we learn how to make them all.

“If Children Ruled the World”: Being a child in a crowded elevator often presents problems of discomfort. There is a solution however, which is revealed in this funny sequence.

Classic Tale: “Fire” the story of Epimetheus and Prometheus, assigned by Zeus to form animals on Earth from existing things like claws, fur, speed, strength, etc. Epimetheus uses most of the available materials, makes most of the animals. Prometheus left with little, makes the man, adds intelligence and gives him the gift of Fire enabling Man to survive even though not so strong or swift as many of the animals.

Pen Pals Sequence.

England: In a quaint little town in England, knighthood continues to flower. Once each year the days of jousting and chivalry are celebrated and the “Big Blue Marble” camera is there to see it all. Pages, squires, knights and beautiful damsels are featured in this colorful and informative sequence.

 

Episode 53, First Run | Episode 126 in Syndication

Hacienda Heights, California: The national craze of skateboarding is demonstrated by two young enthusiasts--eleven year old John Blood and his fifteen year old brother, Frank. They perform feats of twirling, jumping and bouncing on the skateboard that defy the imagination. The owner of a skateboard factory shows the boys a new board and explains its composition. They use a nearby parking lot as a testing ground for the new board.

Animation: “Tiny Me,” shows a child in perspective to the universe. Beginning with a young girl in her neighborhood and going to the earth, planets, and galaxies and back again, viewers will gain insight into the physical nature of the universe in which they live.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands: Ten year old Miguel Angel Hernandez from Madrid makes a visit to his grandparents near Fire Mountain, an extinct volcano in Lanzarote. The interesting topography of the island is explained, how crops grow without rain and how people live in this unusual place.

“If Children Ruled the World”: This segment is a spoof on “adult only” movies. Adults try to gain admission into a children’s film.

Barbados, West Indies: The Children’s Party Pageant of the Youth Radio Show is featured in this segment. The Worrell Children Timmy, Judy, and Valarie are gospel singers. Children of a minister, the Worrell’s began singing in the church choir.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this Segment.

 

Episode 54, First Run | Episode 127 in Syndication

Canada: Susie Morris is thirteen years old and the daughter of part owner of the DeWayne Brothers Circus. She has been traveling and performing as an acrobat in the circus for two years. In addition to entertaining in the circus, Susie enjoys tending to the animals and helping to maintain the small circus.

Bad Reichenhall, Germany: A thirteen year old German rock star is featured in this segment. Viewers get a clear picture of how songs are professionally recorded. Nicki sings some of his current hit songs and talks about the demands of a singing career for a young person. When considering his future, Nick understands that he may not always be able to sing.

Animation: “Mr. Meager” is an original fiction selection about a man who sees his world with dour pessimism. Gradually, he becomes aware of another way of viewing life--not all bad, and not all good, but as it is.

California, USA: Janet Johnson is a professional rider who exercises race horses as part of their conditioning for important races. “Thermal Energy” is the horse Janet works out with in this segment. The importance of working a thoroughbred is explained. Janet is allowed to bring “Thermal Energy” to the paddock for saddling and then to the ring. Part of the race is shown, and “Thermal Energy” wins.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

 

Episode 55, First Run | Episode 128 in Syndication

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Roger is thrilled to learn that his cousin Fridge is coming to his initiation into the circle of Capoeria. Capoeria is based on a series of movements in self-defense which has many of the elements of Karate, Ju Jitsu and Tai Chi. Over the years it has become a stylized ritual performed to music. Underlying Capoeria is the idea of a circle of friends who gather together with the common goal of physical conditioning.

“If Children Ruled the World”: “If Children Ruled the World” they would give their parents educational presents. In this spoof Mom gets The History of Housework.

Brongest, Wales: Janet Jones’ participates in a “talking book” program which brings tape cassettes of books and songs to blind persons all over the country. The children feel good about the program because it gives them and their blind friends much pleasure.

Animation: Eugene Fields’ famous poem, written in memory of a young neighbor, “Little Boy Blue” is animated with charm and sensitivity.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: Eleven year old Jerry Anderson is the youngest member of a jazz band. Officially known as the “The Fairview Baptist Church Boys Christian Marching Band”. Jerry explains his feelings about jazz as part of his black heritage. The feature ends with a performance of “Saints” a real New Orleans jamboree.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 56, First Run | Episode 129 in Syndication

Nepal: The ancient temple of Swayambhunath in the Valley of Kathmardu is the place where thirteen year old Cheggi lives as a novice monk. His guru is teaching him prayers and guiding him through study, meditation, and prayer. Cheggi is given permission to attend a festival that marks the beginning of planting season.

Animation: This original story “Generous Jen” is performed in folk verse. Jen has a hard time learning how to share and this verse points out with warmth and humor the effects of selfishness.

“If Children Ruled The World”: “If Children Ruled the World” parents would need permission to sleep outside. This spoof shows a father camping out in the back yard.

Huntsville, Alabama, USA: Kitty Burns is at the NASA Space and Rocket Center. She takes viewers inside the Skylab module and shows the Apollo/Saturn rocket. Kitty tries out the Zero-Gravity machine. Her guide through NASA is Carolyn Griner, one of the four candidates for a space mission aboard Skylab. Ms. Griner discusses a variety of science careers with Kitty and talks of the possibility of her being the first woman in space.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 57, First Run | Episode 130 in Syndication

Liberia: The Blamadan Dance Group is about to appear on Liberian National Television. The children are learning traditional dances of the Bantu Tribes which tell stories through movement and costumes. Each of the tribal groups has a different style of dancing and their dances tell different stories. The man who organized the group did so to preserve the custom of the story telling dances as more people moved from villages in the bush to the more modern cities.

Borneo: The Oran-Utan Rehabilitation Center is a special place where orangutans who have been in captivity are acclimated to their first and natural environment. These bright and rare apes are sometimes stolen and kept in captivity even though this is against the law. When found, they must be taught to survive in the jungle. Most of the things they must learn would have been taught by their mothers. The orangs show the ravages of being deprived of mother love.

Animation: “The Strength of the British Navy” is an original story based on Charles Darwin’s “Origin of the Species.”

Richmond, Virginia: Debbie Nelson shows Corgis, dogs that originated in Wales where they were used for herding cattle and sheep. Debbie shows the dogs on weekends when she is not in school. She cares for the dogs during the week and keeps them in fine physical condition. In some shows the dogs are evaluated, but in the Junior Championship, the trainer is judged.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

 

Episode 58, First Run | Episode 131 in Syndication

Oklahoma, USA: Roy Don Park tells us that he was four years old when he caught his first rattlesnake. In this segment he participates in a rattlesnake hunt for trophies and prizes. Rattlesnakes are a threat to livestock in Oklahoma and the round up helps the cattle ranchers. The venom from the snakes that are caught goes to the Houston Medical Center before the snakes are butchered for meat.

Animation: The well-known fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea” is presented in musical verse.

Switzerland: The National Crossbow Shooting Target Championships are featured in this segment. Beat (BAY-UT) Eggenberg, fifteen years old, hopes to become good enough to enter the competition. William Tell used a crossbow and his legend is told in a pageant. Beat says that he believes the crossbow to be particularly appropriate to Switzerland. “We do not need modern weapons, for we have not fought a war in 600 years.”

“If Children Ruled the World”: “If Children Ruled the World” they could try out new recipes on their parents. This spoof shows a young boy getting the ultimate retaliation on his parents--peanut-butter soup.

Java, Indonesia: Pencak Silat is a movement in self-defense. Thirteen year old Dewa Ayu is attending the Pencak Silat school. He explains the mystical martial arts system which blends the ideas from India and China to achieve harmony of mind and body. Designed to build inner strength and character, Pencak Silat is supervised by a guru.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

 

Episode 59, First Run | Episode 132 in Syndication

Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Wrestling, the national sport of Japan, is explained by fifteen year old Ichiko who is an apprentice to the sport. Many of the customs of the Sumotori are explained as the viewers see the ritualistic exercises performed to master the sport. Sumo wrestlers grow to an enormous size and they eat huge meals to attain their size. Their diet is designed to produce the proper shape which is as important as size.

Animation: “How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin” is one of Rudyard Kipling’s classic “Just So” stories This lyric adaptation tells how the Rhino went from having a smooth sleek coat to a crinkly one.

How-To: A six foot hero sandwich is made in anticipation of a party.

Trinidad, West Indies: Jack Clarke is the youngest member of the Huggins Pandemonium Steel Drum Band. It is Carnival time and one of the main events is the finals of the steel band competition. The composition of a steel drum is explained as the band rehearses. While Pandemonium did not win the competition they made a good showing.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

 

Episode 60, First Run | Episode 133 in Syndication

Edirne, Turkey: Ten year old Mustafa Basar is an aspiring wrestler, not in Olympic-style wrestling, but in “Oiled Wrestling.” This Turkish sport involves covering the participants’ body in oil so its difficult for an opponent to get a grip on each other. The wrestlers garb is also designed so that there’s nothing to grab. The sport is surrounded by ceremony which is important to the sport. 

Kentucky, USA: The coal industry is important in Kentucky. Eleven year old Valerie and thirteen year old Marshall are aspiring photographers. They receive permission to photograph a coal mine. They are introduced to the superintendent who takes them into the mine in a mine jeep. Their teacher is impressed with the photographs from their visit.

“If Children Ruled the World”: In this spoof on braces, a father gives his son all the reasons he doesn’t want to wear them.

Animation: “Little Red Riding Hood” is executed in an unusual visual play on basic shapes, triangle, square and circle.

Korea: The gayageum is a 12 stringed instrument invented 1600 years ago. Traditionally, the gayageum is played by girls and women and it is the national instrument of Korea. Twelve year old Tchai Hauna is a member of a musical group called, “The Little Angels.” Her teacher is preparing Tchai for her on camera performance. Later they visit a famous Gayageum maker.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.  

 

Episode 61, First Run | Episode 134 in Syndication

Manila, Philippines: The filming of Harabas Con Bulitit (which means the tough guy and the clever little kid) is featured in this segment. The film stars a four year old actor, Nino Mulack, who is seen rehearsing his part. Nino has a lot of fans who follow him around when he’s filming. Two action scenes are filmed, including one on top of a train car.

Animation: “The Frog Prince” is presented as a clever take off on the original fairy tale. The Princess must kiss three frogs to get a handsome prince.

Copenhagen, Denmark: The Tivoli Gardens is the most famous park in the world. The opening of the park is one of the most important days of the year to the Danes. More than 10,000 Spring flowers are planted every year in Tivoli. The rides are repaired and repainted in anticipation of the more than 30,000 people who will come on the first day alone--the day we visit.

Idaho, USA: Free Style Skiing is a popular sport in the West. Two young enthusiasts show some of the more dazzling feats. While on skis, they jump and do flips, twists and other “Ballet steps”. It’s a skiing romp which you can hardly believe.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 62, First Run | Episode 135 in Syndication

Hawaii, USA: Sea Life Park is a popular spot in Hawaii and people come from allover the world to watch the show there. Twelve year old Anita Kang’s family runs the park and Anita gets to help out in a variety of ways. In our sequence, one of the dolphins is sick and Anita prepares a blood test.

Vatican City, Rome: Carlo Santorini is one of the 40 altar boys at the Vatican in St. Peters in Rome. Every morning he and his friends come to the church. There are many altar boys because between 60 and 120 Masses are performed at St. Peter’s each day. A special school has been started at the Vatican so that the altar boys are accessible. This is the school we visit.

“If Children Ruled the World”: If children ruled the world they would be able to tell their parents how to have their hair cut.

Animation: “The Oddities of Human Behavior” is a spoof on mankind from an elephant’s point of view. The Elephant, who is lecturing to an audience of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, comments on eating canned food, driving in cars and other facets of human life which appear strange from an animals eye view.

Pakistan: Shakil Mubariz is celebrating his twelfth birthday and his cousins tent-pegging team is putting on a show just for him. Tent-pegging is a favorite sport of Pakistan horsemen. Wooden pegs 2 ½ inches wide are put in the ground. Galloping at full speed the horsemen try to spear the pegs with wooden lances. The team members are such experts, they make spearing the pegs look easy. Shakil’s celebration ends with an extra surprise--a performance by a dancing horse and camel. 

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

 

Episode 63, First Run | Episode 136 in Syndication

Dublin, Ireland: Fourteen year old Stephen Gleason loves to help his father with he greyhound dogs his father raises. The Irish export 7,000 greyhounds each year. Thorough training, good diet, and regular exercise are integral parts of the dogs’ program which is overseen by the Gleasons. The segment ends with the semifinals of the Grand National trials where the Gleasons have a dog entered.

Animation: “Giant Me” gives a perspective on a young girl from her body to cells, to atoms, to electrons and back again. A trip through “innerspace.”

Hong Kong: Young Kwong is fourteen and suffers from bad headaches. Belle Chan is the doctor’s assistant who is taking Kwong for acupuncture treatments. The theory and practice of acupuncture is explained.

New York City: The Fourth of July Bicentennial birthday celebration of the United States of America was the extravaganza of Operation Sail. Whereas in 1776, warships filled New York harbor, two hundred years later, ships from all over the world came to this country for the celebration.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 64, First Run | Episode 137 in Syndication

Rumania: Lunella Orajann is a member of the Rumanian junior tennis team. When she was fourteen, the government sent her to Bucharest to train and attend a special school. She is preparing to play the number one junior in the country. In a close match Lunella wins, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Animation: “The Wolf in Sheep’s clothing” is performed in musical verse.

“If Children Ruled the World”: They could change their name as the mood suited them.

Yazoo City, Mississippi: Fourteen year old Kelly Ables is a contestant in a Mud Derby car race through the sloppiest mud imaginable. This humorous event uses old beat up cars that become more beat up as the race progresses.

Nepal: White Rhinos are quite rare in the jungles of Nepal, so spotting one is important news. Nine year old Sita Ravi was hard a work sharpening knives when Shanti came to tell about the arrival of a new rhino. They go with their father by canoe. His father is tracking the animals to learn how they need to live in order to survive longer. They successfully mark the rhino for naturalists to study.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 65, First Run | Episode 138 in Syndication

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: In Rio, any holiday is an excuse for a parade. Thirteen year old Daisey is in her first parade competition and her school is dancing to a song her mother wrote for the Samba School. They are called “schools” but are really a group of people from the same neighborhood and the children have all been preparing for more than three months. They do not win the competition, but enjoy the competition very much.

Afghanistan: In the village of Istalif everyone makes pottery. Twelve year old Mullah is a skilled potter. They begin with a ray clay pot and bake it in a kiln. The entire process of potting is shown from the time the clay is collected until the article is finished. A band of troubadours come and Mullah decides to give a bowl as a gift.

Animation: The classic poem about the ancient warrior “Lochinvar” is animated in this show.

Williston, Vermont: Young Peter English started to play the piano when he was only four years old. He does not read any music, yet he writes his own compositions and has written more than 100 musical pieces. Peter’s life is not limited to music. He is a fine skier and a generally accomplished athlete.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 66, First Run | Episode 139 in Syndication

Ohio, USA: The National Stock Outboard Championship gives ten year old Debbie Laws the opportunity to race her boat. Nine hundred and fifty boats are entered in the race. The boats in Debbie’s class go about 35 miles per hour, but appear to race faster. Debbie lost her chance to win when she stopped to help her friend who fell out of his boat on a turn.

Animation: “The Lion and the Mouse” is a fractured version of the classic Aesop Fable. When the mouse helps save the king of beasts, he does not completely return the favor.

“If Children Ruled the World”: Children would be able to give reports on teacher’s moods.

New Zealand: Twelve year old Rowen’s family own a sheep station. They maintain 8,000 sheep. The importance of good sheep dogs is explained by Rowen’s father. They keep track of the sheep to be sure none are lost or hurt. They are also used to round the sheep for shearing time.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 67, First Run | Episode 140 in Syndication

New Delhi, India: Amarjeet Singh is fifteen years old and he is learning yoga from an expert Yogi, Ram Pal Sharma. The spiritual and physical are intertwined in yoga, so each lesson or exercise begins with a prayer. There are many separate branches of yoga. The goal of the particular branch explained here, called Hatha Yoga, seeks a perfect balance between the physical and mental.

Animation: The classic “Jack and the Beanstalk” is animated. Silly Jack, who traded his family’s last few coins for magic beans is surprised by the results.

“If Children Ruled the World”: Getting caught reading under the bedcovers is satirized here.

USA: Ten year old Cindy Schneider participates in the Zoo Action Program as a volunteer. Each volunteer gets a different assignment when they arrive at the zoo. Cindy sets up a stand to sell animal food to visitors. She also helps regulate the crowd so that the children feed the right animals. A pelican escapes and is found in the parking lot, and Cindy finds a lost child. All in all, a busy and helpful day.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 68, First Run | Episode 141 in Syndication

Wyoming, USA: At the National Outdoor Leadership School of Lander, Wyoming, high school students are learning how to survive the night in the Tetons at 35 below zero. The winter survival trips are usually one week up in the mountains at an altitude of 11,000 feet. They travel on skis, a kind of cross-country skiing. They carry packs that weigh 60 to 80 pounds. They dig caves to sleep and cook in.

“If Children Ruled the World”: “If Children Ruled the World” they’d give pedestrian traffic reports on heavy kid traffic areas.

Sicily: In the city of Acrireale, nine year old Gabriella Allepo practices her flute in preparation for a very important day. She is to play for a wedding reception for the very first time. The bride is a family friend which makes the event even more important to Gabriella.

Animation: “How the Elephant Got His Trunk.”

Brisbane, Australia: Surfer’s Paradise Beach is one of the most famous--and most dangerous--in all of Australia. Volunteers from a life-saving club patrol the beach. They are training to be junior life savers and hope to become members of the beach patrol one day. They wear special caps so that swimmers in trouble can identify them. The equipment necessary for life saving in dangerous surf is explained.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 69, First Run | Episode 142 in Syndication

London, England: Chris Harris runs a clown workshop for a group of children in London. He teaches them mime, makeup, falls and all the things that go into making a clown. The children enjoy what they are learning and perform throughout the day.

Animation: In the classic Aesop’s Fable, “The Fox and the Ugly Bird,” we learn a lesson about false flattery.

Papua, New Guinea: Asarh tribesmen who live high up in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea perform “the dance of the dead man’s skin.” The story tells of a battle in which Asarh Warriors are defeated by a powerful enemy. How the Asarh’s outwit their enemy is the subject of this exciting story.

Idaho, USA: Junior high school students are taught how to play the fiddle. They are all anxious to play at a dance to show off all their hard work. Their teacher is quite expert and shares his craft with warmth and humor.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 70, First Run | Episode 143 in Syndication

Frankfurt, Germany: The Frankfurt Ruder Gesellschaft is a rowing club which was started nearly 100 years ago. Fourteen year old Steurmann Heyne is coxswain of a boat with four oarsmen. The coxswain sits in the stern of the boat. He steers when necessary and sets the pace of the rowers by counting. The team looks forward to the Mulheim regatta which they win.

Animation: Liza Lippincott is the story of a girl who gets out of difficulty by telling tales. In a dream Liza meets up with two characters, Fib and White Lie, who show her the pitfalls of telling fibs.

Australia: Koala bears are marsupials (a mammal that has a pouch for carrying its young) from Australia. In this segment we see a Koala’s eye view of the world. The other animals, indigenous to Australia, the Kangaroo and the Platypus.

“If Children Ruled the World”: Children could assign household jobs to their parents if they ruled the world.

Washington, USA: Championship cowboys come from all over the U.S. to ride in the Omak Stampede. Seventeen year old Casey Nissen lives on the Colville Indian Reservation near Omak, Washington, and he will participate in the “Suicide Race.” In this event the rider and horse go over a steep bank, down the hill, across the Okanagen River, and up another hill to the finish line.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 71, First Run | Episode 144 in Syndication

Washington, DC: Lori Minor, twelve, is one of the key television reporters on “youth news”a weekly TV news report, telecast over Channel 4 in Washington, DC. We observe the interviewing techniques of Lori and a co-reporter named Bradley on assignment at the Kennedy Center and the Washington Monument. The excitement of TV journalism is quite apparent as we watch the interviews develop from the taping to broadcast. Only problem: some days start out at 7:00 am!

Animation: “The Fisherman and his Wife” is the story of what might happen if you catch a magic fish. The moral has to do with greed and why to avoid it.

Facatitiva, Columbia: Soccer is the national sport of most of the countries in South America, but when you live in a city that 9000 feet above sea level, it takes special kinds of training, exercise and practice. William Telero, 13 tells us about the game, as we watch his team practice high in the Andes Mountains. The sequence ends with the big game against players from another city and William’s team wins the championship of their area.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 72, First Run | Episode 145 in Syndication

La Serena, Chile: In this little town in the mountains of Chile watching the stars is the most popular pastime of the young people because of the telescope and the astronomers who live there. Roberto Olivares, thirteen, explains the way his 6’ telescope works and then takes us to Cerro Tololo where with astronomers from many lands, they explore the secrets of the universe on a 158’ telescope. We see a photo of the galaxy in Centaurus which Roberto helped to take.

“If Children Ruled the World”: At last! A telephone for the young people which cannot be tapped by the parents. The kids are pleased, naturally; the parents have their doubts.

Animation: “The Elves and the Shoemaker” is a pleasant tale of a shoemaker who just couldn’t make shoes that would sell. The elves, feeling sorry for the old fellow, decided to help, and made many pairs overnight. The shoemaker was so pleased with the result, and the sales, he just had to peek at what was really going on at his cobbler’s bench during the night. Elves don’t like to be observed doing favors, this the shoemaker finally learned the hard way.

Seattle, Washington: Douglas Both at thirteen is the youngest licensed private detective in the world. We meet Doug on a stake out, watch him trail a suspect, report the location to the police all in the first minute of this sequence. Doug tells us about his job and many of the things he’s learning about finger printing, lie detectors, shop lifters during the course of his work and studies. It’s an interesting story.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 73, First Run | Episode 146 in Syndication

Western Samoa: Mike, 10, along with his brother, Hani, pick up ripe coconuts that have fallen from the trees to the ground to make copra. Copra is the dried meat of the coconut, which is used to make margarine, soap, candles, etc. In the opening of this episode, we watch the children dance the soke - the stick dance - a real ankle-buster, unless you know how.

Animation: “The Turnip” is the tale of a poor but industrious farmer who grows a huge turnip which is described as “being fit for a King.” The farmer gives it to his King who rewards him richly. His fat, lazy neighbor witnesses this success story and tries to top it. The rest of the tale relates the consequences of the lazy man’s unbelievable efforts.

Gouwzee, near Volendam, the Netherlands: This is the experience of Hans Peter Verdeijen, fourteen, who enters the European wind-surfing championship race. In this segment we learn all about these new boards, how to mount them and how to control them. Then we witness the race, which Hans wins. Next stop: the Bahamas for the World Championship Race.

Arizona, USA: An interesting report on Tami McFadden, sixteen, who helps her father when school’s out with his veterinary medicine practice in Sedona, Arizona. What’s most appealing in this segment is that Tami helps with small, pet animals and flies with her father to tend larger farm animals. Tami’s aim: to be a nurse or a veterinary medical technician.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 74, First Run | Episode 147 in Syndication

New York, USA: Whoever heard of a twelve year old girl playing tackle football? That’s what Cindy Tucker does. She plays in the line for the New Rochelle Colts in the Youth Tackle League. At 125 lbs., Cindy is as big as most boys her age and since she has the desire and drive to want to play, she’s a second string regular. This sequence tells about Cindy’s training, the coach, the practice and the big game.

“If Children Ruled the World”: No reason why a child in a hospital can’t have his pet puppy share the bed is there? No according to the hero of this comic episode.

Animation: This story tells of the “The Straw, The Coal and The Bean” and how at first they missed the kettle, but eventually fell into the soup because of pride and conceit. A tale with a moral worth heeding.

Gold Coast, Australia: An animated and live-action report in which we learn about the boomerang’s history and manufacture. Then, we watch how boomerangs are tested and tossed. Even after you learn how to throw a boomerang, you won’t believe it.

Lake Titicaca, Venezuela: The little town of Chimo on Lake Titicaca, 12,000 feet above sea level depends almost completely on boats for its existence. Juan Aswara, fourteen, is learning to make boats. In this segment we watch his family build the special boat for the Festival of the Incas, which the mythological King and Queen use to celebrate the founding of the Inca Empire.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 75, First Run | Episode 148 in Syndication

West Virginia, USA: Can you imagine a model airplane that flies almost 200 miles non-stop? That’s what this unusual sequence is about. Rich Myerly, sixteen, of Charleston, West Virginia tells us about these radio-controlled models that can travel at 100 mph, perform acrobatics, and fly cross country. We fly in the control plane while an attempt is made to set a new world record for model planes. We end up in a cornfield less than a mile short. As Rich says, “better luck next time.”

Animation: Adapted from an Aesop fable, “The Bullfrog and the Cow” provides a good example of the dangers of boastfulness, pomposity and other ego trips. The message: don’t kid yourself.

Caracas, Venezuela: Pantomime is acting without words and that’s what Jose Salvador Marin, thirteen, is learning to do in a special study class in Caracas, Venezuela. His instructor is Guillermo Davila, a mime of considerable fame in that country. Jose and the other members of his group are invited to perform at a luxurious hotel in their city and in this episode we watch as they prepare their act. We learn that pantomimes create the illusions of doing things, handling things, even saying things by using face, hands, arms, legsall parts of their bodiesin their interpretations, because when you’re on stage the audience sees all of you, so every movement helps the audience to understand what is meant by the performer. Jose and his instructor provide some very real demonstrations, and the sequence ends with the performance at the hotel.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 76, First Run | Episode 149 in Syndication

Alabama, USA: Eleven year old David Fawcett gives us the inside on preparing and grooming a cow for showing at the Alabama State Fair. David is a 4-H member and his leader provides many helpful hints. David’s grandfather has a lot of faith in Etta, the cow entered in the competition. All hands work together, we go to the Fair, see the competition and Etta wins the blue ribbon.

Animation: “The Wolf and the Crane” is a risky tale about good deeds, greed and being thankful for what you have.

Prague, Czechoslovakia: Staying in good physical condition is a key to being a good figure skater, says Monika Sessinova, twelve. We follow her through several of her exercise routines, like jogging, school figures, etc. Monika is chosen to skate the lead role, Snow White in the Detska Review, a show performed completely by children. We share Monika’s nervousness before the show, and watch her master it as she performs.

“If Children Ruled the World”: The subject of hand-me-downs is comically portrayed when the father must use old socks to replace his worn-out golf club covers.

Nutae, Tahiti: In the beautiful South Sea Islands, outrigger canoe racing is one of the favorite sports. Tani, fourteen, a member of a boy’s racing club, tells us about this competition as well as how outriggers are made. These canoes are made from the wood of the breadfruit tree. Then, we see Tani’s club win their race and qualify for the all-Tahiti competition.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 77, First Run | Episode 150 in Syndication

Vancouver, BC, Canada: “Total Education” is what they call the school that Tina Fierro, fifteen, attends. She works full time in Theodor’s Restaurant in Vancouver and goes to classes at other times, earning full school credits for all her activities. Some of her school subjects are drama, astronomy, English. Her restaurant chores teach her to learn to be cooperative and to deal with people.

Pendleton, Oregon: There’s a lot of effort required by all the members of the family, when the assignment is a 2000-acre wheat farm. That’s what we learn in this episode from Janet (16) and Kathy (10) Bowman of Pendleton, Oregon. We see how two critical situations are handled: 1) a fire in the field; and 2) the rush to harvest the crop before a rain storm hits. There’s much information too, on the kinds of equipment used on today’s modern farm.

Animation: “Mother Holle,” a Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale, points out the rewards of ambition over laziness, as we follow the experiences of two sisters who are visited by Mother Holle. The moral: make sure you want what you deserve, because that’s probably what you’ll get.

Oruro, Bolivia: It’s called “Diablada” in Oruro, and it’s the “Devil Dance” which is the annual fiesta for all the residents of this mining town. Rosa Alavarez, ten, is a participant in the pageant. In this sequence we follow the event from preparation, costuming, mask-making, rehearsal through performance. Great music, great dancing, great show.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

 

Episode 78, First Run | Episode 151 in Syndication

Animation: A remarkable sequence, titled “The Hungry Man and the Hiding Horse” in which all the animation is in Chinese ideographs. The story is that of a Chinese farmer who is helped by a horse which was looked on by the man as a suitable dinner. A delightful tale, all told in moving calligraphy.

Gordonstoun, Scotland: Three students, Rob, Tim and Pamela, attend this unusual school. These mid-teenagers dedicate themselves to 1) the pride of achievement; 2) the pride of belonging, which is part of the school code. At Gordonstoun, each student joins in local community service of their own choice. Rob tells us about their considerations in making the selections. Pamela chose Mountain Rescue Team, Tim selected Surf Life Saving Service and Rob picked Coast Guard. Ambitious services, but much needed on the coast of northern Scotland.

New York, USA: In this segment we learn how animated feature films are drawn and recorded. “Raggedy Ann & Andy” is the full-length movie used as the example. Clare Williams, five, plays the voice part of Raggedy Ann and we follow her through the animation and recording studios, where people on the job tell us about how this magic comes about. Then we see part of the finished product in a song from the movie entitled “The Camel with Wrinkled Knees.”

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment. 

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