UK, 1983
1 series, 13 (also 26 – see note in introduction) episodes, average 10m (also 5m – see note in introduction)
35mm film, colour, 4:3
mono, English
A British puppet animated fantasy television series based on the stories by John Grace. In its original format, The Adventures of Portland Bill was shown in 13x10m episodes with two stories per episode separated by a song. Subsequently, the individual stories were shown as 26x5m episodes. There were no on-screen titles for the episodes and the ones given here are billing titles used in television listing magazines.
Plot Summary
The stop motion adventures of Portland Bill, a crusty old sea dog who looks after a lighthouse and is beloved by everyone.
Episodes
Changeable Weather/Portland Bill and the Tourists
The Big Fishing Match/Portland Bill and the Seaweed Clock
Portland Bill’s Busy Day/The Sea Monster
Bedtime for Cromarty/The Birthday Surprise
The Jam Session/An Inspector Calls
Important Message/Buried Treasure
Atmospheric Interference/Dogger’s Best Trick
A Knot for Everything/The Wind Powered Vacuum Cleaner
The Good News Storm/The Whistling Kettle
Baking Day/Bird-Watching
The Lost Key/Sick as a Parrot
Portland Bill and the Mermaid/The Big Shopping List
The Day the Sea Froze/The Fisherman’s Ball
Alternative Titles
Portland Bill
