THE ANIMATES

The Animates was written and produced by Sylvia Anderson in 1978 and based on an idea by Roger Gawn

The series was for under 5 year olds. 

Thirteen 5 minute episodes were made using gloved & rod puppets.

A carefree band of happy little animals called The Animates find a new home.
Led by Leo the Lion, these fun-loving critters use their friendly and unselfish natures to help The Personates, a group of gumpy townfolk.

Music was by Vic Elms, who had composed music with Barry Gray on Space 1999 and also wrote the theme to The Investigator pilot.

Sylvia Anderson & long time friend Roy Dotrice provided the voices for the characters.

The series was shown on various ITV regions up until 1983, and was released on video in the UK and overseas.

There was also a range of story books and an annual available.

The estate has all thirteen episodes along with considerable paperwork inc transmission agreements, video sales agreements, promotion material and even letterheads featuring ‘The Animates’

The series premiered on Tuesday 4th December 1979 in the following regions, Grampian, HTV, Southern, Ulster, Westward, Anglia, Border, Scottish. Replacing ‘Oscar the Rabbit and the Great Wooferoo’.
We believe Tyne Tees started two days later on the 6th December.

Here is the Episode list and known transmission dates for Thames TV
Thames TV showed the episodes on Mon,Tues,Thurs,Fri over three weeks and maybe why the pilot episode was not shown as did not fit in with their schedules.
(Episodes are listed in production order not transmitted order)

This was transmitted over the Summer holidays.

               The Arrival                                                       (Pilot Episode – Not transmitted by Thames)

               Finders Not Keepers                                     24^th July 1980

               The Silver Jubilee                                           25^th July 1980

               The Missing Crown Jewels                          28^th July 1980   

               Holiday Time                                                   29^th July 1980

               The Animates’ First Christmas                   31^st July 1980

               Mopey Goes to School                                 1^st August 1980

               Mopey Learns about Money                      4^th August 1980

               Valentine’s Day                                              5^th August 1980

               Snow Time                                                      7^th August 1980

               The Animates Start a Newspaper               11^th August 1980            

               Mopey Gets the Measles                            21^st July 1980

               Royal Birthday                                                22^nd July 1980