Brum (TV series)

Brum
Format Children's television series
Created by Rex Garrod
Developed by Ragdoll Productions for BBC Television
Starring Brum
Narrated by Toyah Willcox
Tom Wright
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 78
Production
Executive producer(s) Tom Poole
Vic Finch
Running time 10 minutes
Production company(s) Ragdoll Productions
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Two
CBBC
CBeebies
Original run 26 September 1991 (1991-09-26) – 4 November 2002 (2002-11-04)

Brum (pronounced /ˈbrʌm/) was a children's TV programme about the adventures of a car of the same name. It was produced by Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment and first broadcast in 1991. It was initially directed and written by Tom Poole and produced by Anne Wood, latterly directed and written by Vic Finch, Paul Leather, Emma Lindley, Brian Simmons, Nigel P Harris and others. It was initially narrated by Toyah Willcox and later by Tom Wright.

Contents

The series

Brum has been written by a range of writers over the years. Anne Wood primarily wrote all the first series, whilst the second series was written by Tom Poole and Dirk Campbell. The last two series were written by the existing Ragdoll team which included Alan Dapre, Vic finch, Dylan leslie birch and Holly Elson. There were also episodes by writers and originators on Boohbah, Steve Dorrance and Will Miller.

The title character is a half-scale replica of a late-1920s Austin 7 "Chummy" convertible. He drives by himself (in reality by radio control) and can express himself in a number of ways including opening and closing his doors and bonnet, "bobbing" his suspension, flashing and swivelling his headlamps, rotating his starting crank, extending his turn signals, and using his horn.

The actors in Brum do not speak; mime and off-screen narration help propel the story. For this reason, it has been easy to prepare episodes for airing in other countries and Brum has been broadcast in many parts of the world and in many languages, including Italian, Dutch, Hebrew, Croatian, Arabic, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Swedish.

Each episode of Brum begins with the car starting its day in a museum, then sneaking out to visit "Big Town", where it finds adventures. The opening sequence and closing sequence was filmed at the Cotswold Motoring Museum in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England. The model car used in filming is kept on display there when not in use.

Originally the programme was set in the city of Birmingham in England, hence the name: in addition to its onomatopoeic nature of a car engine revving, Brum is a common colloquial name for Birmingham and its inhabitants are known as Brummies. Later series make no mention of Birmingham, calling it the "Big Town", but Brum still continued to be filmed there and many Birmingham streets and landmarks can be seen in each episode, including Aston University.

The show's original title theme and music were composed by Kjartan Poskitt up until the second series in 1994. The incidental music for the most recent series was composed by Daniel Jones (but not that of the end credits) and is consistently scored for piano, bass guitar, drums and saxophone ensemble, although it varies stylistically from big-band swing to disco, classical, reggae, and music-hall styles. This consistency of sound gives a very convincing and appropriate sense of a small pit orchestra or circus band, and is very much part of the series.

"Brum" is no longer produced by Ragdoll Productions. Production ceased around 2002/03.

Brum was designed and built by Rex Garrod, and a very early prototype of Brum can be found in Rex's own series, Secret Life of Machines, dated about 1989.

Characters

Opening sequence

As the show begins, Brum is shown in a museum. The door flies open and the owner walks in to turn on the lights. As he turns his back, Brum quickly sneaks out to the Big Town, where he finds many adventures. Brum is shown going through a field, around a statue, and up some stairs. Also in the foreground of the museum with Brum is a large Meccano model of a British Double Decker bus in red and green.

Episodes

Series 1: 1991-1992

Rescue - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 26 September 1991
Brum comes to the aid of a girl whose balloons and ragdoll have flown away and got stuck on top of a very high building.
Kite - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 3 October 1991
A flyaway kite causes some trouble for Brum and a small boy on a windy day.
Scrapyard - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 10 October 1991
Brum has trouble after his battery goes flat and is taken to a car breaker's yard - but who will save him from being scrapped?
Opera - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 17 October 1991
Brum finds himself center stage at an opera and chased by a fierce viking.
Mower - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 24 October 1991
Brum tries to stop a mower from wreaking havoc in the park.
Seaside - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 31 October 1991
Brum goes to the seaside for the day with a family.
Little Girl Lost - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 7 November 1991
Brum helps a lost little girl to find her way home again.
Wheels - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 14 November 1991
Brum helps a boy in a wheelchair when he competes in a go-karting race.
Stilts - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 28 November 1991
Brum meets a girl doing gymnastics and a stilt walker, and helps them to put on their show.
Removal Van - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 5 December 1991
Brum is accidentally taken to a new house, before some people came to take him home to the big town.
Robbers - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 12 December 1991
Brum needs help from his two magician friends to foil a pair of bank robbers.
Runaway Pram - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 19 December 1991
Brum tries to stop a pram that is getting away while it lost its brakes.
Safari Park - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 2 January 1992
Brum helps a nature photographer take pictures of different kinds of wild animals.

Series 2: 1994

Brum and the Helicopter - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 6 October 1994
Brum flys in a helicopter and takes a trip.
Brum and the Crane - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 13 October 1994
Brum learns how a crane works.
Brum Goes Skating - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 20 October 1994
Brum indulges in a spot of skating
Brum Dances in the Street - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 27 October 1994

Brum "dances" on the streets of the city.

Brum at a Wedding - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 3 November 1994

Brum goes to a wedding.

Brum and the Rascally Robber - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 10 November 1994
Brum tries to stop some rascally robbers.
Brum Goes Shopping, AKA and The Supermarket - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 17 November 1994
Brum goes to a supermarket with the Doolallys and gets more than he bargained for.
Brum and the Very Windy Day - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 24 November 1994
A strong wind blows Mrs Doolally's washing away and Brum tries to catch it.
Brum and the Street Party - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 1 December 1994
Brum goes to a street party.
Brum and the Naughty Kitten - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 8 December 1994
Brum has to try to chase after a kitten that has escaped from its owner.
Brum and the Little Drummer Boy, AKA the Marching Band - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 15 December 1994
Brum helps the drummer in a marching band when he is late for a concert.
Brum and the Flood - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 22 December 1994
Brum saves the day when he goes underground to unblock the drain flooding the roads.
Brum Goes House Painting - [C] Ragdoll Production For BBC TV. Airdate 29 December 1994
Brum learns how to paint a house. He uses some painting stuff to try.

Series 3: 2001

Brum and the Airport Adventure, AKA The Airport Attacker (with Johnnie Fiori as The Celebrity)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 3 September 2001
Thieves steal a celebrity's valuable jewellery at the airport and Brum tries to stop the cargo plane before they take off.
Brum and the Naughty Dog (with Geraldine McNulty as Scruffy's Owner)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 10 September 2001
Scruffy the dog causes mayhem in the town by chasing after a flying hot dog and Brum tries to get him out of trouble.
Brum and the Pizzeria (with Brian Morbury as Giovanni) - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 17 September 2001
Brum comes to the rescue when the thieves were dressed as chefs steal a waiter's money belt.
Brum and the Gymnast (with Hannah Chaplin as The Gymnast) - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 26 November 2001
Brum strives to stop a gymnast's hoop, which causes chaos as it bounces through the town
Brum and the King of Thieves (with Dawn Morris as The Teacher) - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 1 October 2001
The Shadow sneaks into the museum and steals the Big Town crown. Brum tries to return it back in time.
Brum and the Skateboarding Bride (with Squirrel as The Bride)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 8 October 2001
A beautiful bride looks set to miss her wedding when she steps on a runaway skateboard. Brum tries to stop it before it is too late.
Brum and the Balloons (with Paul Filipiak as The Baddie)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 15 October 2001
The Big Town balloon seller has her goods stolen. Brum tries to catch the baddies before they float up into the sky.
Brum and the Necklace, AKA The Stolen Necklace (with Heather Tyrrell as The Baddie)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 22 October 2001
Brum sets off in hot pursuit of a thief who has stolen Miss Lover's new necklace.
Brum and the Theatrical Thieves, AKA, The Pantomime Cow (with Brian Ferryman as Mr Posh)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 29 October 2001
Brum chases a pair of villains who are cleverly disguised as a pantomime cow.
Brum and the Runaway Train (with Gary Barber as The Theme Park Manager)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 5 November 2001
Brum speeds to the rescue of the Big Town mayor when he gets trapped on a funfair train ride. He stops the train before it runs off the rails by letting it crash into the bags full of trash.
Brum and the Cake Gang AKA The Birthday Cake (with Andrew Cullum as The Baker)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 12 November 2001
Brum goes in hot pursuit of the naughty Cake Gang when they steal Sally's birthday treat.
Brum and the Mobile Phone (with Andy Dawson as The Businessman)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 19 November 2001
Scruffy the Dog gets himself in hot water by mistaking a mobile phone for a bone.
Brum and the Bushes AKA Bushes on the Run (with Juliet McGill as The Flower Seller)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 26 November 2001
When two thieves cleverly disguised as bushes rob the flower-seller, Brum sets off in hot pursuit
Brum and the Posh Dog, AKA The Diamond Dog (with Sherry Marshall as Important Lady)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 3 December 2001
Brum helps Mrs Celebrity retrieve her puppy's stolen diamond collar.
Brum and Statue Rescue, AKA The Runaway Statue (with Kevin McGreevy as Bob and Adam Schumacher as Job, Rrenford Junior Fagan as The Delivery Man)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 10 December 2001
Brum comes to the rescue when the new statue of the Mayoress rolls away just before its unveiling.
Brum and the Music Box (with Julia West as The Baddie)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 17 December 2001
Brum speeds to the rescue when a music box is stolen from a class of ballet dancers.
Brum and the Snow Thieves - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 27 December 2001
Brum sets off in hot pursuit of two thieves who have stolen the takings from the Big Town ski slope.

Series 4: 2002

Brum and the Kitten - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 1 April 2002
Brum
Brum the River Race, AKA The Splash And Grab (with Leslie Stainer as The Mayoress)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 8 April 2002
Brum witnesses two thieves stealing the trophy for the swimming gala and promptly gives chase.
Brum and the Golden Loo (with Norma Cohen as Mrs Bank Manager)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 15 April 2002
Two of the Big Town baddies steal a golden toilet from Mr and Mrs Bank Manager and Brum tries to stop them.
Brum and The Golf Buggy (with David Evans as The Green Keeper)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 22 April 2002
Two Big Town baddies steal all the trophies from the local golf club and Brum tries to stop them again.
Brum and the Football Hero, AKA The Soccer Hero (with Gordon Lea as The Mayor)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 29 April 2002
It's cup final day but the Big Town team are losing to cheating opposition, until Brum comes on as a substitute.
Brum and the Rampant Robot (with Tom Harman as Mr Slick)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 13 May 2002
When a home-made robot malfunctions and runs riot through Big Town, Brum must stop it from causing mayhem
Brum and the Mannequin, AKA The Shop Window Dummy (with Helene Patrot as Window Dresser)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 14 May 2002
A woman tries to steal a dress from a Big Town shop window and ends up taking the mannequin as well. Brum tries to stop her.
Brum and the Bowling Alley (with Catherine Marimer as Pickpocket Polly)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 20 May 2002
Pickpocket Polly helps herself to a man's wallet at the bowling alley.
Brum and the Basketball, AKA The Basketball Star (with Adam Crinage as Jim)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 27 May 2002
The Big Town wheelchair basketball team almost lose their final game, until Brum saves the day.
Brum and The Gorilla Caper (with Miles Anthony as The Baddie, Rrenford Junior Fagan as Gorilla 3)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 10 June 2002
Brum races to the rescue when three dancers dressed as gorillas have their money stolen by the secretive Shadow.
Brum and The Runaway Sofa (with Mark Powlett as Traffic Policeman)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 16 June 2002
As usual, Brum speeds to the rescue when an abandoned sofa causes mayhem as it rolls through Big Town.
Brum and the Garden Gnome, AKA The Kidnapped Garden Gnome (with Rob Thirtle as Mr Brillo, Lisa Allen as the Policewoman)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 24 June 2002
Nick and Rob steal Mr Brillo's prize gnome to sell on their market stall. Brum tries to stop them and return it.
Brum and the Runaway Ball (with Kevin McGreevy as Bob and Adam Schumacher as Job)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 1 July 2002
An ornamental stone ball falls from a van and thunders through Big Town, but Brum saves the day.

Series 5: 2002

Brum and the Stunt Bike, AKA The Stunt Bike Rescue (with Linda Kerr Scott as Granny Slippers)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 2 September 2002
Brum saves the day when Granny Slippers hurtles out of control through Big Town on a runaway stunt bike.
Brum and The Stopwatch Botch (with Kevin McGreevy as Bob and Adam Schumacher as Job)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 9 September 2002
A stopwatch is stolen, but fortunately Brum is on hand to retrieve it by sending the thief into a spin.
Brum and the Cream Balloon (with Fiona Kennedy as Mrs Posh)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT. Airdate 16 September 2002
A cream-filled balloon bounces through the streets, causing havoc wherever it goes - but Brum is on hand to save the day.
Brum and the Pickpocket - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 23 September 2002
Pickpocket Polly and Magic Paul arrive in town and escape with a bag full of loot. Brum tries to stop them.
Brum and the New Gnome, AKA The Daring Gnome Rescue (with Rob Thirtle as Mr Brillo)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 30 September 2002
Brum zooms to the rescue when Mr Brillo's new garden gnome gets stuck up a flagpole.
Brum and Mouse, AKA The Mischievous Mouse (with Iesha Green as The Girl)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 7 October 2002
As usual, Brum races to the rescue when a girl's pet mouse escapes and runs riot around town.
Brum and the Heavy Safe, AKA The Bank Robbers (with John Woodford as Bank Manager)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 14 October 2002
Brum retrieves a stolen safe from a river.
Brum and The Runaway Rickshaw (with Enoch White as Gorgeous Gordon, Rrenford Junior Fagan as Rick)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 21 October 2002
Mr Brillo is happily riding in a rickshaw as part of the Big Town parade. Brum speeds to the rescue when Mr Brillo's rickshaw loses its brakes, rolls away and crashes into the handrail on the edge of a high building and teeters perilously on it. Brum saves the day by pulling the rickshaw and Mr Brillo to safety.
Brum and the Artist, AKA Paint Pandemonium (with Yemi Adnele as The Street Artist)- Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 28 October 2002
An artist's money is stolen and Brum races to the scene of the crime, where he makes a big impression.
Brum and the Crazy Chair Chase (with Enoch White as Gorgeous Gordon) - Ragdoll Productions for HIT Entertainment. Airdate 4 November 2002
Gorgeous Gordon's new barber's chair malfunctions, sending him whizzing through the town, but Brum saves the day by arranging a soft landing.

VHS and DVD releases

External links