Wombling Free

Wombling Free
Directed by	Lionel Jeffries
Produced by	Ian Shand
Written by	Lionel Jeffries
Narrated by	Lionel Jeffries
Starring	David Tomlinson Frances de la Tour Bonnie Langford
Music by	Mike Batt
Cinematography	Alan Hume
Editing by	Peter Tanner
Distributed by	Cinar, Granada Ventures, Network Company
Release dates	1977
Running time	96 min, 17 Seconds
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Wombling Free was a 1977 film adaption of the children's television series The Wombles.

Plot

Based on the popular BBC children’s series, this film charts the adventures of the Wombles, those furry and lovable litter-pickers of Wimbledon Common. Only seen by those who believe in them, their work goes largely unnoticed until a young girl, Kim, spots them and their worthwhile purpose. As she invites them to her birthday party, her mother is forced to believe as she comes face to face with Orinoco, Tobermory and the rest. A public meeting is set to prove to the local population that the Wombles do exist and should be aided in their anti-rubbish campaign. But on the day in question, a storm breaks out over the Common. Will the inhabitants of Wimbledon actually be able to see their cuddly crusaders? With David Tomlinson, Frances de la Tour and Bonnie Langford and featuring the voices of Jon Pertwee, David Jason and Lionel Jeffries.

Cast

Humans

• David Tomlinson: Roland Frogmorton
• Frances de la Tour: Julia Frogmorton
• Bonnie Langford: Felicity 'Kim' Frogmorton
• Bernard Spear: Arnold Takahashi
• Yasuko Nagazumi: Doris Takahashi
• John Junkin: County Surveyor

Wombles

The Womble characters were portrayed by dwarf actors Kenny Baker, Eileen Baker, Sadie Corre, Tony Friel, John Lummiss, Jack Purvis, Albert Wilkinson and Marcus Powell. Womble voices were provided by David Jason, Janet Brown, Jon Pertwee, John Graham and Lionel Jeffries.

Songs

The songs and incidental music were composed by Mike Batt. Some of the songs had previously been released by Batt's novelty band The Wombles, several becoming Top 10 hits.

1. "The Creation Of The World "
2. "The Womble Burrow "
3. "Magic Cricket (Part 1) "
4. "Mr Roland Frogmorton's Music "
5. "Miss Felicity Kim Frogmorton's Music "
6. "Exercise Is Good For You "
7. "Magic Cricket (Part 2) "
8. "Minuetto Allegretto "
9. "Magic Cricket (Part 3) "
10. "Miss Felicity Kim Frogmorton's Music "
11. "Great Uncle Bulgaria's March "
12. "Edinburgh Rock "
13. "The Underground Garden (Part 1) "
14. "Miss Felicity Kim Frogmorton's Music "
15. "The Queen "
16. "The March Of The Machines "
17. "Madame Cholet "
18. "The Underground Garden (Part 2) "
19. "Magic Cricket (Part 4) "
20. "Under The Hills And Not Far Away "
21. "Great Uncle Bulgaria's March (Reprise)
22. "Wombling White Tie And Tails "
23. "Under The Hills And Not Far Away (Reprise 1) "
24. "Edinburgh Rock (Reprise) "
25. "Under The Hills And Not Far Away (Reprise 2) "
26. "Count Down And Lift-Off"
27. "Womble Of The Universe"
28. "Frogmorton's Theme (schmaltzy high fidelity background) "
29. "Exercise Is Good For You Laziness Is Not (reprise)"
30. "The Wombling Song "

A soundtrack album was released in 1978.

Scenes

1. "The Wombles Of Wimbledon" - 5:43
2. "Off To Work" - 6:10
3. "Talking To A Human Being" - 5:22
4. "You And Your Imaginary Friend" - 10:41
5. "The Wrong Common" - 6:17
6. "Blooming And Growing" - 7:49
7. "Thanks For Tea" - 8:36
8. "What A Splendid Car" - 11:47
9. "Wombling Overland Airways" - 9:49 (13:30 in full film)
10. "A Meeting And A Party" - 10:45
11. "Keep Britain Tidy" - 5:03
12. "Wombling Free" - 4:24

All Scenes Were Released On A CD In 1995

Production

Locations

Most exterior shots were filmed in Black Park in Wexham and Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

External links

• Wombling Free at the Internet Movie Database