Benjamin the Elephant

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Benjamin the Elephant is a radio play and cartoon character from the pen of Elfie Donnelly. The radio drama series is one of the most successful German radio plays, originated mainly directed by Ulli Herzog Label Kiddinx (formerly Kiosk ).

Action

Benjamin ( Bartholomew ) Floral is an anthropomorphic, in this case speaking, elephant from the zoo in the fictional protagonist of the New Town and radio play of the same name. A central component of the stories are usually adventures experienced Benjamin with his ten -year-old human best friend Otto in and around Neustadt ( the central place of action ); He often takes on a relevant professional and masters him, as for children plays and movies usual, with flying colors.

Benjamin Blümchen knows no language barriers. In many episodes, Benjamin can not maintain people from different backgrounds and with other elephants or other animals, so he organized with Otto resulted in 9 ( his birthday ) his birthday or talking to an Indian elephant resulted in 70 (Benjamin and Bibi in India ). Apart from a few episodes, such as episode 37 ( The gorilla is gone) and 38 (The Zoo moves ) in which Bibi helps some animals for human language, Benjamin the Elephant is the only animal that dominates the human language. A special case is the result of 48 (gets a gift ) that in the Benjamin Blümchen the little elephant pacifier who speaks the human language gets as a gift. Furthermore, his wife Leila ( resulted in 11, on the moon, not, however, resulted in 7 to Love ) speak the human language. Benjamin's relatives in Africa dominate the human language, but only Swahili ( Episode 4, in Africa ). And in this episode (as opposed to later ), however, has not mastered Benjamin Blümchen the elephants or even animal language.

From 2003 to 2010 Benjamin the Elephant was the hallmark of the Centro Park in Oberhausen.

Figures

Zoo Director Animal lover is a gifted piano player. Above all, Beethoven's Opus 129 ( Rage over a Lost Penny ) heard often play him from his house.

For the names of her characters Elfie Donnelly often selects alliteration. The surnames are mostly related to the specific property or the profession of the person, like Karla Kolumna ( reporter ), Bibi ( on the block mountain ( chunks ) wait according to the legend in the Walpurgisnacht Witches on the arrival of the devil ), Theodor Tierlieb ( Zookeeper ) or Waldemar Waldmann ( Förster in a row 76). Erwin narrator breaks the fourth wall in episodes 13, 16, 38, 44, 51, 65 and 70 and is. Due to the interaction with the characters themselves part of the story

Development of the series

The series has been subject to some changes in the 30 years of its existence. For one thing, the team spokesman has changed for good. Until 1993, were up to the role of the gasoline (which has been amended twice since the respective male speaker came to the breaking voice and thereby grow sounded ) and finally a girl / woman's voice was elected as Otto with Katja " Kay " Primrose, all speakers largely remained the same (except for some changes in the first episodes). 1994, but Edgar Ott died when Benjamin Blümchen, 1998 Joachim Nottke ( narrator), and 2010 Heinz Giese (mayor). " Mr. Animal lover ", Hermann Wagner got out for reasons of age, so that by the "stem formation" of the 80s only Till Hagen ( keeper Karl) and Katja Primrose ( Otto ). (Died 2013) When Gisela Fritsch was observed that their role was created due to their aging voice less psyched than in the early episodes.

Another factor that has changed over the years, is the characterization, particularly of Benjamin and Otto. In the first episodes, they are still significantly more mature and less childish, they also seem to know more than in the later episodes and also the choice of topics in the later episodes is another. In the first episodes clearly dominate " professional consequences " that are hard to find from about episode 80 yet.

When the content changes has mainly played the change of authorship is relevant, as the inventor Elfie Donnelly episode only to 65 cooperated in the series.

Recurring motifs

Especially in the early episodes there are a lot of constantly recurring elements, some rather humorous nature. These include:

Benjamin's passion for sugar cubes (but also other foods such as bananas, cotton candy ).
Benjamin tilt doors (sometimes telephone boxes or escalators) to smash.
The " under-shooting " the narrator, who, not profit is the only account of the fourth wall of something that does Benjamin. Similarly, a recurring motif is that he is not privy to secrets.
Karla's curiosity, omniscience, and their talkativeness, and insensitivity (especially in the earlier episodes).
The scarcity of money the zoo animal and Mr. Lieb's despair.
Karla's acquaintances in Neustadt.

Trivia

In episode 6 (and the school) one of the students " Momme ", mainly due notice, otherwise all children in the series carry relatively traditional name is called. This is an allusion Donnellys on her son, who is, Momme.
In episode 9 ( his birthday ) is to advise the City Council about the possible use of the 285 elephants that have signed up to Benjamin's birthday. Councillor 1: In this case, the following dialogue develops " It is best to emigrate ," Alderman 2: "Yes, emigrating," City Council 3: " That should do anyway, now that this gentleman emu, or whatever his name is, to power comes ". Since the sequence of dates 1980, hardly a particularly strong innuendo herein can be seen on the CSU candidate for chancellor of the federal election Franz Josef Strauss.

Theme music

In the first 57 episodes, the melody by singer Michael Thilo was used the the title song, starting with the line " On 'its beautiful green meadow is a large gray mountain", sings and accompanies with the guitar. The song consists of three verses, was usually hear only one stanza. In episode 51, a special Christmas music was used. In episode 52, there is no theme song.

1989 by Heiko Rüsse composed a new theme song and recorded with a children's choir. Since episode 58 is this piece, the chorus begins with " Benjamin, dear elephant ...", used in the radio plays. Even for the animated series, this composition was used. In addition, the old theme song was replaced with this in the first 57 episodes. For episode 95, the song was re- sung, the text was preserved and is currently still in use.

Animation Series

The animated series of the same name running successfully in many countries. In addition to the half-hour series episodes several feature films of 45 minutes in length exist. There are three seasons, the first with 13 episodes (as well as four long episodes and a special episode) was directed by Gerhard Hahn. The second and third season with 26 episodes each were produced by A-Film in Denmark. The animated series has its own structure. In addition to the ravens Gulliver, as a substitute for the narrator in the radio plays that follow the radio plays often have in common only the name and rough storylines. While the storyteller was a group of people as a train driver was transported yet, in the animated series, the locomotive will be repaired in a remote workshop.

Order index

Radioplay

01 - Benjamin Blümchen als Weather Elephant (1977 )
02 - Benjamin the Elephant Saves the Zoo ( 1977)
03 - Fight the Noise (1979 )
04 - Benjamin the Elephant in Africa ( 1979)
05 - Benjamin Blümchen on the High Seas (1979 )
06 - Benjamin Blümchen and the school (1980 )
07 - Benjamin Blümchen (1980 ) falls in love
08 - Benjamin Blümchen on the Tree (1980 )
09 - Benjamin Blümchen 's birthday (1980 )
10 - Benjamin the Elephant and Castle (1980 )
11 - Benjamin the Elephant on the Moon (1980 )
12 - Benjamin Blümchen als Postman (1980 )
13 - Benjamin Blümchen in the hospital ( 1981)
14 - Benjamin Blümchen als Movie Star (1981 )
15 - Benjamin Blümchen During the Holidays ( 1981)
16 - Benjamin Blümchen dreams (1981 )
17 - The Ski Holidays (1981 )
18 - Benjamin Blümchen as a chimney sweep (1982 )
19 - Benjamin Blümchen als Soccer Star (1982 )
20 - Benjamin Blümchen and Bibi (1982 )
21 - Benjamin Blümchen as Santa Claus (1982 )
22 - Benjamin Blümchen als Pediatrician ( 1982)
23 - Benjamin Blümchen als Koch ( 1982)
24 - Benjamin Blümchen als Detective (1983 )
25 - Benjamin Blümchen on Cruising (1983 )
26 - Benjamin Blümchen als lifeguard (1983 )
27 - Benjamin the Elephant on the Farm (1983 )
28 - Benjamin Blümchen saves the Kindergarten ( 1983)
29 - Benjamin Blümchen at the amusement park (1983 )
30 - Benjamin Blümchen als Pilot ( 1983)
31 - Benjamin Blümchen als Firefighter ( 1983)
32 - The Traffic School (1983 )
33 - The festival of Easter (1983 )
34 - Benjamin Blümchen as an engine driver (1984 )
35 - Benjamin Blümchen has toothache (1984 )
36 - Benjamin Blümchen is bewitched (1984 )
37 - The gorilla is gone (1984 )
38 - The Zoo moves (1984 )
39 - Benjamin Blümchen buys a (1984 )
40 - Benjamin Blümchen Strips ( 1985)
41 - Benjamin Blümchen als Pirate ( 1985)
42 - Benjamin Blümchen als Ritter ( 1985)
43 - Benjamin Blümchen and the rally car (1985 )
44 - Benjamin Blümchen als Baker (1985 )
45 - Benjamin Blümchen als Circus Clown (1985 )
46 - Benjamin Blümchen helps the animals (1985 )
47 - Benjamin Blümchen als Gardener ( 1985)
48 - Benjamin Blümchen gets a gift ( 1986)
49 - Benjamin Blümchen as a garbage man (1986 )
50 - Benjamin Blümchen as Sheriff (1986 )

51 - Christmas Eve ( 1986)
52 - The Christmas Dream (1986 )
53 - Benjamin Blümchen is rich (1986 )
54 - Benjamin Blümchen is sick (1987 )
55 - Benjamin Blümchen and Astrofanten (1987 )
56 - Benjamin Blümchen als Reporter ( 1987)
57 - Benjamin Blümchen as mayor (1987 )
58 - The Divining (1989 )
59 - Benjamin the Elephant finds a treasure (1989 )
60 - The Double (1989 )
61 - Otto is ill (1990 )
62 - Benjamin Blümchen in the Stone Age (1990 )
63 - The Computer (1990 )
64 - Benjamin Blümchen as Butler ( 1990)
65 - Where is Otto? (1991)
66 - Benjamin Blümchen als balloonist (1991 )
67 - My most beautiful songs (1991 )
68 - Benjamin Blümchen as Taxi Driver ( 1991)
69 - Benjamin Blümchen als Zookeeper (1992 )
70 - Benjamin Blümchen and Bibi in India ( 1992)
71 - All My Friends (1992 )
72 - Benjamin Blümchen and Bino (1992 )
73 - Benjamin Blümchen and Father Christmas (1992 )
74 - Benjamin Blümchen sings Christmas carols (1992 )
75 - The Mysterious Letter (1993 )
76 - Benjamin Blümchen als Förster ( 1993)
77 - Benjamin Blümchen and the Ice Princess (1993 )
78 - Benjamin Blümchen and the small dog (1994 )
79 - The Circus Lion (1995 )
80 - The new Zooheizung (1995 )
81 - The Secret of the Temple Cat ( 1995)
82 - The White Elephant (1996 )
83 - Benjamin Blümchen as a ghost (1996 )
84 - The Little Runaway (1997)
85 - Benjamin Blümchen as a veterinarian (1997)
86 - The hippo baby (1997)
87 - The Lantern Festival (1998)
88 - Benjamin Blümchen als Cowboy ( 1999)
89 - The Red Balloon (1999)
90 - The Zoo Jubilee (2000)
91 - Benjamin Blümchen as a lighthouse keeper (2000)
92 - Benjamin Blümchen with the Eskimos (2001)
93 - The baby whale (2001)
94 - The Petting Zoo (2002)
95 - The Wonders of Flower ( 2002)
96 - The Banana Thief (2003)
97 - The Ghost Children ( 2003)
98 - Benjamin Blümchen and marmots (2004)
99 - The Secret Passage (2004)
100 - Otto's new girlfriend Part 1 (2005)

Benjamin the Elephant as a pharmacist (2005)

01 - Where is Winnie raccoon? (2001)
02 - The Rauschemuschel (2001)
03 - Desert Foxes do not fly (2001)
04 - Benjamin and the fireflies (2001)
05 - cuddling with the Easter Bunny (2004)
06-24 Christmas Stories (2004)
07 - A, B, C and 1,2,3- Stories (2005)
08 - The cheeky little Shooting Star (2005)
09 - football fun at the zoo (2006)
10 - The Chocolate Festival at Pie King (2007)

Cartoon

01: The Zookonzert
02: Benjamin Blümchen on the high seas
03: Benjamin Blümchen als Detective
04: Benjamin Blümchen as a firefighter
05: Benjamin Blümchen and Bibi
06: Benjamin Blümchen als Ritter
07: Benjamin Blümchen in the Stone Age

08: Benjamin Blümchen as a cook
09: Benjamin Blümchen als Butler
10: Where is Otto?
11: Benjamin Blümchen als balloonist
12: Benjamin Blümchen as a taxi driver
13: Benjamin the Elephant on the Farm

My most beautiful songs (1991 )
Benjamin the Elephant and Santa Claus (1992 )
Benjamin the Elephant and the Ice Princess (1993 )

The Circus Lion (1994 )
The secret of the Temple Cat ( 1995)

01: The Zoofest
02: Benjamin Blümchen as a veterinarian
03: Benjamin Blümchen als Weather Elephant
04: Benjamin Blümchen as a forester
06: Benjamin Blümchen as a ghost
07: The hippo baby
08: Benjamin Blümchen as a lighthouse keeper
10: The ghost children
11: The Banana Thief
12: The pink car
13: Benjamin Blümchen Saves the Beavers

01: Benjamin the Elephant 's birthday
02: Benjamin Blümchen as a night watchman
03: Benjamin Blümchen als Babysitter
04: Benjamin Blümchen and Billi Ballo
05: The Little Genie
06: The Black Cat
07: Benjamin Blümchen and the Magic Circus
08: Benjamin the Elephant finds a treasure
09: The gorilla is gone
10: The Treasure at the Mill
11: Benjamin Blümchen and bouncy castle
12: Benjamin Blümchen and the pediatrician
13: The little turtles

Awards

The entire radio drama series received so far 60x 75x gold and platinum. The most commercially successful episodes were Episode 6 ( and the school ) and Episode 21 ( as Santa Claus ): Both were each given 5 times gold became so each sold 1,250,000 times.

Scientific research

The political scientist Gerd Meier straw goes in an article for From Politics and History ( Federal Agency for Civic Education ) to the question of how the serial plays Benjamin Blümchen and Bibi influence the socialization process of children.

In his view, they probably want to explicitly convey political content. She does not carry the development politically mature citizens, but rather hinder it. The mayor is incompetent, selfish and overall a ridiculous figure, the policemen come on as military also incompetent and ridiculous henchmen of the mayor. The radio play figures and the reporter Karla Kolumna always available, however, for the good. The basic patterns according to the mayor decides that favors him personally or his friends at the expense of the general public. The radio play figures and the reporter to clarify to the public, so that the mayor ( again bypassing the City Council ) the "right " presents and recognized as their own idea.

Straw Meier's conclusion: " The 'right' political positions and practices are ecologically, post- materialistic, grassroots democracy, critical, zivilcouragiert, pacifist, social, anti-capitalist, egalitarian, tend to be anarchic and anti-state, anti-hierarchical, anti-authoritarian and anti- conservative; in other words, the left ' of the political center (left liberal to left alternative) " It should be welcomed that, according to the radio dramas media and the public can influence political decision-making processes.. " Extremely, however, is problematic presentation that the media along with the New Town citizens (and of course the radio play heroes ) as opposed to policy, police and economic principle on the 'right side are ', this side can prevail always and political decisions in the usually are not taken democratically. "

Genre Children's television series Bibi Blocksberg Wolfgang Ziffer Blockula Brocken

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