Brum (TV series)

Brum
Created by	Rex Garrod
Developed by	Ragdoll Productions for BBC Television
Starring	Brum
Narrated by	Toyah Willcox Tom Wright Sarah Wichall
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	65
Production
Executive producers	Tom Poole Vic Finch
Running time	10-15 minutes
Production companies	Ragdoll Productions Hit Entertainment
Original release
Network	CBBC CBeebies Discovery Kids
Release	26 September 1991 (1991-09-26) – 4 November 2002 (2002-11-04)

Brum (/ˈbrʌm/) is a British children's television series about the adventures of a small, self-driven car.

Set in Birmingham and produced by Ragdoll Productions, Brum was first broadcast in 1991. It was initially directed, written and produced by Anne Wood and initially narrated by Toyah Willcox. The show was first aired on BBC One and also aired in the United States on Discovery Kids.

The series

Brum is the story of a small replica car who ventures out into the 'Big Town' when his owner isn't looking. Brum gets up to all manner of adventures around the English city of Birmingham. Each episode begins and ends in the same way - with Brum leaving the other cars in the motor museum when the owner's back is turned and heading out to explore the "Big Town" before always return back to his place.

The car can express himself in various mechanical ways including opening and closing his doors and bonnet, "bobbing" his suspension, and flashing and swivelling. The actors in Brum do not speak - mime and off-screen narration help propel the story. Therefore it was easy to prepare episodes for airing in other countries and Brum has been broadcast in many parts of the world and in many languages.

The programme was set in the city of Birmingham in England, since in addition to its onomatopoeic nature of a car engine revving, Brum is a common colloquial name for Birmingham. Although later series make no direct mention of Birmingham, calling it the "Big Town", many of Birmingham's streets and landmarks can be seen in each episode.

The show was written by a range of writers. Anne Wood primarily wrote all the first series, whilst the second was written by Tom Poole, Dirk Campbell, Andrew Davenport and Morgan Hall. The last two series were written by the existing Ragdoll team.

"Brum" ceased production in 2002, and the car - a half-scale replica of a late-1920s Austin 7 "Chummy" convertible - is now housed at the Cotswold Motoring Museum.

The car was designed and built by Rex Garrod.

Characters

• Museum Owner (Mike Cavanagh) - The owner of the car museum where Brum lives. He is the only human character who appears in every episode, and the only character who appears apparently oblivious to Brum's sentience - despite finding items in the seats at the end of each episode. Mike Cavanagh was the real owner of the museum at the time.
• The Lollipop Lady (Shirley-Anne Bohm) - A lady who helps people, and Brum, cross the road safely.
• The Big Town Robber (Andrew Davenport) - Always up to mischief, this robber's antics include stealing the trophy for the big race. Brum is usually the one that foils his plans.
• Mr and Mrs La-Di-Dah - A posh married couple who regularly featured in season 2.
• Mr and Mrs Doolally (Mark Barnsley + ) - A friendly if slightly absent minded couple who were regularly featured in season 2.
• Vicky Spoon - A regular cast member of the second series, Vicky is Brum's special friend.
• Micky Mender - a handyman, a regular cast member of the second series.
• Granny Slippers (Linda Kerr Scott) — She wears slippers wherever she goes.
• Mr Brillo (Rob Thirtle) — Lives next door to Granny Slippers. His favourite picture is the Gnoma Lisa. He has loads of gnomes in his garden.
• Scruffy - Brum's friend, a dog who loves burying things.
• Big Town Manager (John Woodford) — the town manager.
• Mrs Posh (Iona Kennedy / Carole Davies) - A posh lady who lives in the town.
• Traffic Policeman (Mark Powlett) - A 'knock-about' policeman. He owns a horse called Arrow.
• Gorgeous Gordon (Enoch White) - A self-centered, full-of-himself hairdresser.
• Bob & Job (Kevin McGreevy & Adam Schumacher) — These two comically clumsy men wear green dungarees and yellow T-shirts and help the town in a Laurel and Hardy style slapstick way.
• Rob & Nick - A bumbling pair of thieves also known as the big town baddies.
• Policewoman (Lisa Allen)
• Sally A girl in Big town who got her cake stolen by teenagers.

VHS and DVD Releases

Brum's VHS and DVD Releases

Brum to the Rescue and Other Stories (7 October 1991)

• Rescue
• Kite
• Scrapyard
• Opera
• Mower

Children's Choice (10 February 1992)

• Rosie and Jim: Clipping
• Playbox: Pink Piggy
• Brum: Brum and the Runaway Pram

Wheels and Other Stories (2 March 1992)

• Seaside
• Little Girl Lost
• Wheels
• Stilts
• Removal Van

Learn With Brum Safari Park and other Stories (2 March 1992)

• Kite
• Robbers
• Safari Park

Seaside and 9 Stories (12 July 1993)

• Rescue
• Kite
• Scrapyard
• Opera
• Mower
• Seaside
• Little Girl Lost
• Wheels
• Stilts
• Removal Van

Helicopter Rescue and Other Stories (3 October 1994)

• Helicopter Rescue
• Dancing In The Street
• Skating
• The Big Crane

Brum and the Lost Kitten and Other Stories (2 October 1995)

• Brum and the Lost Kitten
• Brum and the Trophy
• Brum and the Street Party
• Brum and the Flood

Brum's Biggest Party Video (23 March 1998)

• Brum and the Surprise Party
• Brum and the Wedding
• Brum and the Big Town Race
• Brum and the Little Drummer Boy
• Brum Goes Shopping
• Brum and the Big Chase
• Brum and the Helicopter

Airport and Other Stories (8 October 2001)

• Brum and the Airport Adventure
• Brum and the Naughty Dog
• Brum and the Pizzeria
• Brum and the Gymnast
• Brum and the King of Thieves

Runaway Statue and Other Stories (4 March 2002)

• Brum and the Runaway Statue
• Brum and the Bushes
• Brum and the Chasing Balloons
• Brum and the Skateboarding Bride
• Brum and the Posh Dog

Soccer Hero and Other Stories (27 May 2002)

• Brum and the Soccer Hero
• Brum and the Rampant Robot
• Brum and the Mobile Phone
• Brum and the Birthday Cake
• Brum and the Splash and Grab

Snow Thieves and Other Stories (7 October 2002)

• Brum and the Snow Thieves
• Brum and the Golden Loo
• Brum and the Music Box
• Brum and the Pickpocket
• Brum and the Runaway Ball
• Brum and the Bowling Alley
• Brum and the Pantomime Cow

Kitten Rescue and Other Stories (31 March 2003)

• Brum and the Kitten Rescue
• Brum and the Golf Buggy
• Brum and the Kidnapped Garden Gnome
• Brum and the Stolen Necklace
• Brum and the Runaway Rickshaw

Stunt Bike Rescue and Other Stories (14 July 2003)

• Brum and the Stunt Bike Rescue
• Brum and the Chasing Balloons
• Brum and the Runaway Train
• Brum and the Gorilla Caper
• Brum and the Splash and Grab

Crazy Chair Chase and Other Stories (6 October 2003))

• Brum and the Crazy Chair Chase
• Brum and the Bank Robbers
• Brum and the Mischievous Mouse
• Brum and the Cream Balloon
• Brum and the Paint Pandemonium

Stopwatch Botch and Other Stories (16 February 2004)

• Brum and the Stopwatch Botch
• Brum and the Daring Gnome Rescue
• Brum and the Shop Window Dummy
• Brum and the Basketball Star
• Brum and the Runaway Sofa

The Very Best Of Brum - 30 Episodes

• Brum and the Airport Adventure
• Brum and the Kitten Rescue
• Brum and the Runaway Train
• Brum and the Crazy Chair Chase
• Brum and the Naughty Dog
• Brum and the Stunt Bike Rescue
• Brum and the Soccer Hero
• Brum and the Cream Balloon
• Brum and the Birthday Cake
• Brum and the Snow Thieves
• Brum and the Pickpocket
• Brum and the Kidnapped Garden Gnome
• Brum and the Chasing Balloons
• Brum and the Rampant Robot
• Brum and the Runaway Rickshaw
• Brum and the Daring Gnome Rescue
• Brum and the Golden Loo
• Brum and the Splash and Grab
• Brum and the Stolen Necklace
• Brum and the Gymnast
• Brum and the Music Box
• Brum and the Golf Buggy
• Brum and the Gorilla Caper
• Brum and the Bowling Alley
• Brum and the Skateboarding Bride
• Brum and the Pizzeria
• Brum and the Bank Robbers
• Brum and the Runaway Ball
• Brum and the Shop Window Dummy
• Brum and the Mobile Phone
• Brum and the King of Thieves
• Brum and the Pantomime Cow
• Brum and the Bushes
• Brum and the Posh Dog
• Brum and the Runaway Statue
• Brum and the Basketball Star
• Brum and the Runaway Sofa
• Brum and the Stopwatch Botch
• Brum and the Mischievous Mouse
• Brum and the Paint Pandemonium

Episodes

Series 1 (1991)

• Rescue 26 September 1991
• Kite 3 October 1991
• Scrapyard 10 October 1991
• Opera 17 October 1991
• Mower 24 October 1991
• Seaside 31 October 1991
• Little Girl Lost 7 November 1991
• Wheels 14 November 1991
• Stilts 21 November 1991
• Removal Van 28 November 1991
• Robbers 5 December 1991
• Runaway Pram 12 December 1991
• Safari Park 19 December 1991

Series 2 (1994)

• Brum and the Helicopter 6 October 1994
• Brum and the Crane 13 October 1994
• Brum is an Ice Skating Star 20 October 1994
• Brum and the Big Chase 27 October 1994
• Brum and the Wedding 3 November 1994
• Brum and the Big Town Race 10 November 1994
• Brum Goes Shopping 17 November 1994
• Brum and the Very Windy Day 24 November 1994
• Brum and the Street Party 1 December 1994
• Brum and the Lost Kitten 8 December 1994
• Brum and the Marching Band 15 December 1994
• Brum and the Flood 22 December 1994
• Brum Goes House Painting 29 December 1994

Series 3 (2001)

• Brum and the Airport Adventure - 3 September 2001
• Brum and the Naughty Dog - 10 September 2001
• Brum and the Pizzaria - 17 September 2001
• Brum and the Gymnast - 24 September 2001
• Brum and the King of Thieves - 1 October 2001
• Brum and the Skateboarding Bride - 8 October 2001
• Brum and the Chasing Balloons - 15 October 2001
• Brum and the Stolen Necklace - 22 October 2001
• Brum and The Pantomime Cow - 29 October 2001
• Brum and the Runaway Train - 5 November 2001
• Brum and The Birthday Cake - 12 November 2001
• Brum and the Mobile Phone - 19 November 2001
• Brum and the Bushes - 26 November 2001
• Brum and the Posh Dog - 3 December 2001
• Brum and The Runaway Statue - 10 December 2001
• Brum and the Music Box - 17 December 2001
• Brum and the Snow Thieves - 18 December 2001

Series 4 (2002)

• Brum and the Snow Thieves - 7 April 2002
• Brum and the Kitten Rescue - 8 April 2002
• Brum and The Splash And Grab - 15 April 2002
• Brum and the Golden Loo - 22 April 2002
• Brum and The Golf Buggy - 29 April 2002
• Brum and The Soccer Hero - 6 May 2002
• Brum and the Rampant Robot - 13 May 2002
• Brum and the Shop Window Dummy - 20 May 2002
• Brum and the Bowling Alley - 27 May 2002
• Brum and The Basketball Star 3 June 2002
• Brum and The Gorilla Caper 10 June 2002
• Brum and The Runaway Sofa 17 June 2002
• Brum and The Kidnapped Garden Gnome 24 June 2002
• Brum and the Runaway Ball 1 July 2002

Series 5 (2002)

• Brum and The Stunt Bike Rescue - 2 September 2002
• Brum and The Stopwatch Botch - 9 September 2002
• Brum and the Cream Balloon - 16 September 2002
• Brum and the Pickpocket - 23 September 2002
• Brum and The Daring Gnome Rescue - 30 September 2002
• Brum and The Mischievous Mouse - 7 October 2002
• Brum and the Bank Robbers - 14 October 2002
• Brum and The Runaway Rickshaw - 21 October 2002
• Brum and the Paint Pandemonium - 28 October 2002
• Brum and the Crazy Chair Chase - 4 November 2002

External links

• Brum at IMDb