The Wind in the Willows (1984)
The Wind in the Willows is a TV series that was originally broadcast between 1984 and 1987, based on characters from Kenneth Grahame's classic story The Wind in the Willows and following the 1983 film The Wind in the Willows. It was made by animation company Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and shown on the ITV network. An hour-long feature, A Tale Of Two Toads, was broadcast in 1988, and a fifth season of 13 episodes was shown in 1989 under the title Oh! Mr Toad in some countries, whilst retaining the title The Wind in the Willows in others.
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Episode 1 - Paperchase
Release Date:When the field mice, voles and shrews accidently break a stained glass window in Toad Hall, Rat attempts to find something else for them to do,so “The Riverbanker’s Paperchase Championship” is made.
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Episode 2 - Mercury of the Motorbicycle
Release Date:Toad invests in a motorbicycle. The blame is immediately put on Toad when the calm of the countryside is disrupted, and Toad cant convince his motorbicycle has been stolen.
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Episode 3 - Mr. Toad's Telephone
Release Date:The Weasels have sold Toad an electric telephone. With Mole’s help, Toad installs the telephone but learns from Mole that he cannot call Mole, Rat, or badger as they do not have telephones.
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Episode 4 - Toad, Astronomer
Release Date:Toad’s latest craze is Astronomy. So he buys a large, expensive telescope. With great reluctance, his friends help get it up to the roof, and abandon him up there.
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Episode 5 - Caught in a Maze
Release Date:Inspired by a recent visit to Hampton Court, Toad has the maze his father had built many years ago restored to its former glory, and opens it to his friends.
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Episode 6 - School Days
Release Date:Badger discovers that the local school has been temporarily closed. While Badger, Rat and Mole make plans for alternative lessons, Toad decides that he can turn Toad Hall into Toad Hall Academy for the Children of gentlepersons.
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Episode 7 - Badger's Remedy
Release Date:Mole has been stricken with food poisoning! In the basket of remaining mushrooms, Badger is shocked to see a deadly poisonous toadstool. There is an antidote, a fungus, but even though Badger sends out all Mole’s friends, the fungus cannot be found.
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Episode 8 - Masterchef
Release Date:Tea at Ratty’s finds Toad reminiscing about his last visit to London - Toad had called on Mole’s cousin, where Toad discovered ‘Cooking’. Badger, Rat and Mole are invited to Toad Hall for the gastronomical experience of the decade.
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Episode 9 - Fire at Toad Hall
Release Date:When Toad accidently sets fire to the Hall, Mole offers Toad a place to stay. Mole soon regrets this offer as car upon car load of furniture begins to arrive at Mole’s modest home.
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Episode 10 - Unlikely Allies
Release Date:One grey November morning a Stranger Weasel appears with a persuasive power and turns the Henchmen and Weasels against the Chief. The Stranger takes command and the Weasels go on a rampage, as the Stranger plans to take over Toad Hall.
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Episode 11 - A Producer's Lot
Release Date:The Riverbankers Annual Production is The Pirates of Penzance! This is Badger’s silver jubilee, but Toad is worried he does not have the biggest part. Half way through the performance, there is a scene that Badger does not remember rehearsing…
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Episode 12 - Champion of the Green Baize
Release Date:“The Game No Gentlemen’s Residence Should Be Without” - a billiard table is installed in Toad Hall and Toad is challenged to a game with his beloved Rolls Royce at stake!
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Episode 13 - Winter Haunts
Release Date:Unable to reach their homes in the snow, Mole, Rat and Badger spend a night with Toad, and soon they’re telling ghost stories. The appearance of the ghost of Toad Hall, however does not exactly terrify them. Moreover it looks strangely familiar.