The Yuletide Entertainment is an Episode of The Wind in the Willows. It is the season 1 finale and the show's 13th episode overall. It first aired on December 24, 1984 and repeated on June 25, 1987.
The Riverbank residents are organising a fun gathering where they show off their singing, dancing and instrument-playing talents: Otter on the piano; Rat playing accordion and singing Ducks Ditty; Badger's slideshow journey across the world. The piece de resistance of Toad singing excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan suffers a setback when he swallows his fake moustache just before coming on. Mole, who had not intended to appear in the show, is drafted in at the last minute to sing. The episode finishes with a lovely choir song: “Dulce Domum”. Sadly, Toad finally manages to recover just as the guests are leaving and saying their goodnights.
Songs[]
- You’ve Got To Have A Little Bit Of Style
Trivia[]
Two Scenes that are included on the original V.H.S. Releases; For reasons unknown, are omitted from all known Region Two DVD releases. The Region One Dvd, however; has the episode Uncut!
- Otter's piano rendition of 'We'll go boating', to which, afterwards, Chief weasel insults it sarcastically disguised as a compliment. Henchman almost carelessly speaks out what the two were really thinking but the Chief quickly stomps his foot, shutting him up. Once otter had left the stage, Chief quietly states: "Still, he got more laughs than we did!" The scene ends Cutting to Badger telling Rat that they're ready for curtain up again, to which Rat picks up his Accordion & Badger wishes him good luck.
- Badgers speech of gratitude to the performers and stage crew, Followed by the Choir & their rendition of 'Dulcie Domum'.
Credits[]
- Based on the Characters Created by Kenneth Grahame.
- Story written by Brian Trueman.
- Voices by Richard Pearson, Peter Sallis, Sir Michael Hordern and David Jason.
- Narrated by Ian Carmichael.
- Other Voices: Brian Trueman, Brian Southwood, Delia Corrie, Kate Lee and Allan Bardsley.
- Animators: Andrea Lord and Paul Berry.
- Model Characters Designed and Sculpted by Brain Cosgrove, Bridget Appleby and David Hayes.
- Model Characters Constructed by Peter Saunders, Neil Scanlan, Rebecca Hunt and Bridget Smith.
- Models, Sets and Props by Terry Brown, Chris Walker, Yvonne Fox, John Squire, Francis Vose, Jo Pierpoint-White and Steve Woodcock.
- Costume Design by Nigel Cornford.
- Illustration by Beverley Bush.
- Stills Photography by Richard Smiles.
- Music Composed by Keith Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe.
- Music Arranged by Brian Ibbleston.
- Wind in the Willows sung by Ralph McTell.
- Model Camera by Joe Dembinski and Jerry Andrews.
- Rostrum Camera by Frank Hardie.
- Dubbing Mixer: Ted Spooner.
- Based on a story by Rosemary Anne Sisson.
- Film Editors: John McManus and Eilis Ward.
- Assistant Editors: Nibs Senior, Zygmunt Markiewicz and Jane Hicks.
- Executive Producer: John Hambley.
- Produced by Mark Hall and Brian Cosgrove.
- Directed by Chris Taylor.
- © Cosgrove Hall Productions Ltd 1984.