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Timeless Tales from Hallmark

Timeless Tales from Hallmark is an American live-action/animated direct-to-video series of fairy tale adaptations hosted by Olivia Newton-John, produced by Hanna-Barbera and Hallmark Cards. Eight videocassettes were released between 1990 and 1991, and the series aired on USA Network in December 1991.[1]

Timeless Tales from Hallmark
GenreAnimation
Adventure
Fantasy
Musical
Fairy tale
Directed byDon Lusk
Carl Urbano
Presented byOlivia Newton-John
StarringElisabeth Harnois
Jeremy Yablan
Voices ofKath Soucie
Michael Bell
Susan Blu
Rob Paulsen
B.J. Ward
Tim Curry
Frank Welker
Theme music composerChase/Rucker Productions
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producersWilliam Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Bruce David Johnson
Paul Sabella
ProducersDavis Doi
Cos Anzilotti
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesH-B Production Co.
Hallmark Cards
Original release
ReleaseMarch 15, 1990 (March 15, 1990) –
September 6, 1991 (September 6, 1991)

Overview

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Olivia Newton-John introduced a series of eight fairy tales for children followed by an environmental message in 1990. Each of the eight videocassettes contained an eight-page booklet with recycling tips; for example, you could recycle the video box printed on eco-friendly paper. The purpose of the franchise was to teach children how to handle Earth's resources responsibly.

The series ran for six episodes in 1990 and two episodes in 1991, released by Hanna-Barbera Home Video.

Cast

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Main

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Voice cast

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Episodes

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Nº Episode Title / Synopsis Original release date
1"Rapunzel"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
Locked in a high tower by the jealous witch Scarlotta, Rapunzel uses her flowing long hair as a "golden stair" for a handsome prince. When the furious Scarlotta discovers the romance, she turns him into a tiny bird and banishes poor Rapunzel to a gloomy forest. Now, only love and Rapunzel's tears can break the spell and save the prince.
2"The Emperor's New Clothes"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
The Kingdom of Oaf is about to be attacked, but the Emperor is much too concerned with his spiffy new "invisible wardrobe" to notice. When the royal subjects finally admit that His Highness is wearing no clothes, the Emperor is embarrassed, but the kingdom is surprisingly saved.
3"Thumbelina"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
Thumbelina grows up to be just as tall as a thumb. Then, the evil toad Gargalong kidnaps her from her happy home. She escapes and moves in with Mrs. Widget the mouse, who tries to marry her to the boring mole, Mr. Budgenot. At the last moment, a kindly swallow carries her off to the land of the Flower Elves, where she marries and lives happily ever after.
4"The Ugly Duckling"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
Scorned for looking different, a poor little Ugly Duckling is abandoned when his family flies south for the winter. The duckling is befriended by the warmhearted Runabout Rabbit, but he soon finds that he doesn't fit in with bunnies. But after a miraculous change, the Ugly Duckling learns that sometimes being different can be beautiful.
5"The Elves and the Shoemaker"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
With fewer and fewer customers needing shoes, village shoemakers Bertram and Bettina and their faithful dog Woof are in quite a fix. Then, a trio of tiny wood elves arrives and cobbles the finest footwear ever seen; but a nasty cat named Squint has an appetite for elves, and only Woof can save the industrious pixies from a cat-astrophic fate!
6"Rumpelstiltzkin"September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)
When a boastful miller claims his daughter Gisela can spin straw into gold, the greedy king demands proof. With the help of a strange little man, the straw is turned into gold after Gisela promises her first-born royal heir in return. A year later, the little man demands payment unless she can guess his extraordinary name.
7"Puss in Boots"September 26, 1991 (1991-09-26)
Young Carlisle is a poor miller's son with a most unusual inheritance: a cat named Puss who reveals he can talk and think. Puss helps Carlisle win the favor of the King and the attention of the beautiful Princess. To complete his plan, Puss journeys to the land of a sinister sorcerer, where he must use all his cat-wits to outsmart both the malicious magician and the King's scheming jesters.
8"The Steadfast Tin Soldier"September 26, 1991 (1991-09-26)
Ten-year-old Michael realizes that his bravest toy soldier was made with only one leg. Soon, the Steadfast Tin Soldier falls in love with a toy ballerina and is pushed from the playroom window by a jealous jack-in-the-box. In the perilous outside world, the Tin Soldier faces mischievous lads, a hungry hound, sewer rats and a soldier-swallowing fish in a quest to return to his beloved ballerina.

References

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  1. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 850. ISBN 978-1476665993.
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