Tales of The RiverBank
 This children's series featured real animals and related the
adventures of two friends; Hammy (a hamster) and Roderick (a white
mouse).
Both animals lived along a riverbank and shared adventures
with their neighbours - a guinea pig, a raccoon, a squirrel, a
chipmunk, a frog, a toad, a vampire bat (ok, we just made that one
up) and various weasels and skunks.
The stars of the show were real animals, who were shown moving
around in miniature boats, cars, balloons and airplanes and their
homes were fully furnished with animal size furniture.
The fifteen
minute episodes were filmed at double the normal speed to allow
the camera to slow down the movements of the animals (who were
probably in a state of constant fear and anxiety during filming!).
Narration for each story was provided by Johnny Morris (who
also appeared in his own show, Animal Magic) and the series
was one of my big favourites as a wee young 'un.
 Tales of the Riverbank was produced in Canada (in black
and white) and screened on television in England, in Canada, in
Australia, and in 34 other countries around the world.
An
additional 26 half-hour episodes were produced in the 1970's.
The concept (highly derivative from Wind in the Willows)
was to create a program that was non-violent and highly
entertaining, that kids would love, and that their parents could
watch with them.
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