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The Raccoons

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The Raccoons

The Raccoons is a Canadian animated television series, first broadcast from 1985 to 1992. The series was created by Kevin Gillis, and produced first at Atkinson Film-Arts (from 1985-1986), then at newly established Hinton Animation Studios (from 1987 on).

The series features the adventures in the Evergreen Forest of Bert Raccoon and his friends Ralph and Melissa, particularly in their attempts to thwart the anti-environmentalist actions of pink aardvark Cyril Sneer and his trio of pig henchmen (all of whom were referred to as Lloyd, and only by each other). One unique element of the series is that Cyril evolves from an unrepentantly destructive capitalist to a likeable and environmentally responsible, if still highly aggressive, businessman and occasional ally of the Raccoons. Another nasty character was the capitalist Mr. Knox—a crocodile with a New Orleans accent. Cyril's son Cedric is Bert's best friend.

First airing in 1980 with The Christmas Raccoons, The Raccoons slowly began its journey to becoming a regular animated series, using assorted specials over the next few years as early stepping stones (The Christmas Raccoons, The Raccoons On Ice, and The Raccoons and the Lost Star), before finally becoming a regular series in 1985. Five series of episodes were produced, airing from 1985 to 1992.

Usually, the series would feature the main characters learning major life lessons in teamwork, friendship, cooperation, and sometimes just helping out their fellow friends that live near the forest, human and animal alike, tangling with the tyrannical tycoon Cyril Sneer, who does not let anything as trivial as nature's defining highlights (trees, lakes, etc) prevent him attempting to attain a profit.

In 1989, a new character by the name of Lisa Raccoon was introduced into series. Lisa is the older statuesque sister of Bentley Raccoon, and the daughter of George and Nicole Raccoon. She is the love interest/best friend of Bert Raccoon. Lisa made her debut in Spring Fever, she was voiced by Lisa Lougheed, the singer of the series' most enduring attribute, it's ending theme. [1]

The series had a New Wave soundtrack including the theme song "Run with Us" by cast member Lisa Lougheed a minor chart success in some countries, and covered more recently by Spray. Unlike many cartoon series from the 1980s, The Raccoons was not heavily merchandised. Today it has a small cult following.

In 2003, As Long As Forever: A Raccoons Movie was listed as being in development on the Canadian Television Fund's website [2], however since then no information has been posted to the Canadian Television Fund's website about it.

Cast

Character Voice Actor
Bentley Raccoon Noam Zylberman (1987-1990)
Stuart Stone (1990-1992)
Bert Raccoon Len Carlson (1980-1992)
Broo the puppy Sharon Lewis (1983-1992)
Cedric Sneer Fred Little (1980-1983)
Marvin Goldhar (1985-1992)
Cyril Sneer Michael Magee (1980-1992)
Dan the Forest Ranger Rupert Holmes (1980)
Leo Sayer (1981)
John Schneider (1983)
Murray Cruchley (1985-1992)
Ferlin Danny Gallivan (1981)
George Raccoon Dan Hennessey (1990-1992)
Julie Tammy Bourne (1980-1983)
Vanessa Lindores (1985-1986)
Lady Baden-Baden Bob Dermer (1987-1992)
Lisa Raccoon Lisa Lougheed (1989-1992)
Melissa Raccoon Rita Coolidge (1980-1981)
Dottie West (1983)
Linda Feige (1985-86)
Susan Roman (1987-1992)
Mr. Knox Len Carlson (1985-1992)
Mr. Mammoth Carl Banas (1985-1992)
Mr. Willow Carl Banas (1988-1992)
Narrator Rich Little (1980-1983)
Geoffrey Winter (1985-1992)
Nicole Raccoon Liz Hanna (1990-1992)
Pig One Nick Nichols (1983-1990)
Keith Hampshire (1990-1992)
Pig Two Len Carlson (1983-1992)
Pig Three Fred Little (1983)
Len Carlson (1985-1992)
Ralph Raccoon Bob Dermer (1980-1992)
Schaeffer Carl Banas (1980-1992)
Snag Michael Magee (1981-1992)
Sophia Tutu Sharon Lewis (1981-1988)
Tommy Hadley Kay (1980-1983)
Noam Zylberman (1985-1986)

Episodes

The series began as four television specials:

  • The Christmas Raccoons (1980)
    • Introduces the three principle Raccoons (Bert, Ralph, Melissa), Cyril Sneer, Ranger Dan, Tommy, Julie, and Schaeffer.
  • The Raccoons on Ice (1981)
    • Introduces Cedric and Cyrils' bear henchmen.
  • The Raccoons and the Lost Star (1983)
    • Toyed with the series concepts and format, setting the Raccoons on an alien planet that the children and Ranger Dan are sent towards. Also introduces Sneer's pig flunkies.
  • The Raccoons: Let's Dance (1984)
    • A made-for-video "music video" consisting of clips from the previous specials set to songs also from the previous specials, all joined with newly animated footage.

Sixty episodes were then broadcast between 1985 and 1992.

(Note: Years given here correspond to onscreen copyright dates; known information suggests that the final series had finished production in 1989, and that internal issues may have kept them from being completed and/or aired for several years.)

Series 1 (1985-1986)

  1. Surprise Attack (1985)
  2. Going It Alone (1985)
  3. A Night to Remember (1985)
  4. The Evergreen Grand Prix (1985)
  5. The Runaways (1985)
  6. Buried Treasure (1985)
  7. The Intruders (1985)
  8. Opportunity Knocks (1986)
  9. Cry Wolf (1986)
  10. Rumors (1986)
  11. Gold Rush (1986)

Series 2 (1987)

  1. Double Play (1987)
  2. The Sweet Smell of Success (1987)
  3. Blast from the Past (1987)
  4. Power Trip (1987)
  5. Stop the Clock (1987)
  6. The Artful Dodger (1987)
  7. Last Legs (1987)
  8. Read No Evil (1987)
  9. Courting Disaster (1987)
  10. Time Trap (1987)

Series 3 (1988)

  1. The Prism of Zenda (1988)
  2. Paperback Hero (1988)
  3. The Chips Are Down (1988)
  4. Life in the Fast Lane (1988)
  5. Monster Mania (1988)
  6. Mom's the Word (1988)
  7. Picture Perfect (1988)
  8. Strictly by the Book (1988)
  9. The Evergreen Express (1988)
  10. Trouble Shooter (1988)
  11. Paper Chase (1988)
  12. Simon Says (1988)
  13. Games People Play (1988)

Series 4 (1989)

  1. Second Chance (1989)
  2. The Sky's the Limit (1989)
  3. Bully for You (1989)
  4. A Catered Affair (1989)
  5. Search and Rescue (1989)
  6. Spring Fever (1989)
  7. The Family Secret (1989)
  8. The Great Escape (1989)
  9. Making the Grade (1989)
  10. Science Friction (1989)
  11. Stealing the Show (1989)
  12. The Phantom of Sneer Mansion (1989)
  13. The Headline Hunter (1989)

Series 5 (1990-1991)

  1. Cold Feet (1990)
  2. Stress Test (1990)
  3. Moving In (1990)
  4. End of the Line (1990)
  5. Easy Money (1990)
  6. Endless Summer (1990)
  7. Promises Promises (1990)
  8. Black Belt Bentley (1990)
  9. The Wrong Stuff (1990)
  10. Join the Club (1991)
  11. The Evergreen Election (1991)
  12. The One That Got Away (1991)
  13. Go for Gold (1991)

Broadcast details

The series was broadcast by the following channels:

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