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Calliope (TV series)

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Calliope
GenreAnimation / Children's
Developed byKay Koplovitz[1]
Written byEugene Francis
Peter Pileski
Directed byPeter Pileski
Presented byEugene Francis[2]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons15
Production
Executive producerGordon Beck
EditorRon Harris
Running time60 minutes (including commercials)
Production companiesUSA Network
Buzzco Associates
Original release
NetworkMadison Square Garden Network (1978-80)
USA Network (1980-93)
ReleaseSeptember 1978 (September 1978)[3] –
1993 (1993)
Related
USA Cartoon Express

Calliope (/kəˈlaɪ.əpi/ kə-LY-ə-pee) is a children's program that showed various live-action and animated short films.[4][5] These often included European features and shorts such as Cosgrove Hall's "Cinderella" and "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", and FilmFair's Paddington.

Overview

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The series consisted of various short films, framed around an old man named Gene (voiced by Eugene Francis) and his dog Eliza viewing them. Twice an episode, pictures of kids from across the United States were shown in "Gene's Pix of the Week". Gene would also pose two questions to viewers; those who submitted their answers to an address would receive a Calliope balloon.

Short films

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In its early years, Calliope obtained many of its short films from Learning Corporation of America and Phoenix Films.[3][6] Other shorts featured on Calliope included:

  • A Visit to Apple Cider Country (1977, Canada)
  • The Boyhood of Thomas Edison (1977, USA)
  • Britannica's Tales Around the World (1991, USA)
  • Clever Hiko-Ichi (1974, USA/Japan)
  • Come See the Dolphins (1974, USA)
  • Dinosaur (1980, USA)
  • Emily and the Three Little Old Ladies (1980)
  • The Happy Tuesday Recycling Jug Band Truck (Revisited) (1976, USA)
  • Henry's Cat (1983–87, UK)
  • Kids on Smoking (1979, USA)
  • King Rollo (1980, UK)
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1972, USA)
  • Lilliput Put
  • Little Train, Little Train (1972, USA)
  • Mr. Hiccup
  • Sacajawea (1990, USA)
  • The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin (1981, Canada)
  • The Universe and I (1976–77, USA)
  • Victor & Maria (1982, UK)
  • The Wizard's Son (1981, USA)
  • The World According to Nicholas (1980)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mullen, Megan (2009-06-23). The Rise of Cable Programming in the United States: Revolution or Evolution?. University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292778696.
  2. ^ His long-time association with the television show Calliope is of special importance to him. Francis would prefer to talk about his involvement with this educational and learning program for children rather than discuss what it was like hanging out with Muggs, Danny, Scruno and the rest of the gang.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Les. "Children's Programming Without Commercials". Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  4. ^ Parsons, Patrick (5 April 2008). Blue Skies: A History of Cable Television. Temple University Press. p. 387. ISBN 9781592137060.
  5. ^ "Calliope: Classic USA Network Show and First National Kids Channel". Cartoon Info. November 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "WHAT CABLE OFFERS CHILDREN". Retrieved 2018-11-02.
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