Roobarb (1974) User Reviews

Enjoyable

[DeonhasMoved · 7/10 · 25 September 2019]

Roobarb is a pretty enjoyable cartoon and a hidden gem. I wish this show had at least a few more seasons because it's sad how this show only got one with 30 episodes (though it did get a really good reboot).

The art style is very unique, rather than having the generic way shows are animated, Roobarb is completely animated with marker pens with plain white backgrounds, which is impressive to say the least.

The plots and characters also have their own charm, especially our protagonist, Roobarb, who invents stuff that goes wrong in many hilarious ways. Grange's writing is great, with many interesting storylines that are short and simple, but entertaining as well.

Richard Briers is a great voice actor and narrator, seeing a lot of old UK cartoons only have one actor for all of the roles is very fresh and talented, and Briers is no exception. Shame he died in 2013 though.

The music itself (especially the theme song) is really catchy and upbeat, much better than the bland and generic music from the disaster known as Peppa Pig.

The only thing about this show that does not hold up is the animation. Even if the show does have a unique look, the animation (even for the time) is awful. It can look passable at times, but most of the time, it's very rough and sloppy. The character designs, while good on their own, can look inconsistent between episodes or even separate scenes and the lack of lip-synching for most episodes makes the cheap animation more obvious (it's made even worse by the fact that there are scenes/episodes that do have the mouths move when characters talk).

Now, I have nothing against the late Bob Godfrey or anyone working on the show, nor do I blame or intend to disrespect them for this. Godfrey had done other animations, and they actually do look decent with the limited style (Noah and Nelly another Godfrey show made two years later, and from the clips I've seen (not seen the full show, this is just for research) the animation, whilst still being limited and having some of the traits Roobarb had in it's animation such as the lack of mouth movements, looks alright for a 70's TV show. I think Roobarb's animation moreso suffered from a bunch of different animators alongside Godfrey working on the same episode, and some of the same or completely different ones working on others. Not blaming them either, but I feel that there was (and this is just a theory, don't take this as factual) a lack of communication to keep everything consistent-looking. I think that if there was a more consistent look, less sloppy movement, mouth movement, and overall more communication (presumably, I'm just making my own conclusions), then the animation would have turned out better. Funnily enough, despite being flash-animated, the reboot's animation is what I'd imagine the original being like if that were the case (barring the lack of mouth movements).

But despite the really rough animation, this show is still great, and I hope another reboot gets made soon since the older reboot (Roobarb & Custard Too) also only ran for one season (such a shame as both series had potential to become a full series with more seasons). Roobarb is a classic and I highly recommend it.

Rough and ready but inventive and funny in terms of story, animation and delivery

[bob the moo · 3 May 2005]

Roobarb is a yellowy dog that lives in a garden with trees, flowers and lots of things that bounced. For most of his life Roobarb has been eating chairs and shoes and holes in carpets but he just couldn't eat rubber bands and the birds he sees eat them won't tell him how they do it. Custard is a pink cat and really has little time for Roobarb and his silliness.

When you ask someone like Bob Godfrey to make you a children's programme, it should not be expected that he will deliver up a run of the mill cartoon that will be lost in a sea of dross like so many modern computer animated cartoons are nowadays. No, from one of the pioneering figures in British animation it should come as no surprise that he produces something different that works but yet is still uniquely him and thus sticks in the memory. Naturally his animation is colourful, big, bold and touched with his usual inventive style; it looks rough and ready of course but that is just part of its appeal. The stories are strangely silly – best summed up by the first episode where Roobarb tries to eat worms (rubber bands he thinks) by discovering the secrets of how the birds do it; each episode is consistently amusing and shows real invention and wit. As with many of these things, the narration is key and Richard Briers' distinctive voice really helps.

With one of those theme tunes that sticks in your head and matches the material, this is a rough and ready but inventive and funny children's cartoon that I can still watch and enjoy about three decades (and many adult worries) later.

When The World Was Wobbly!

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 18 October 2008]

For donkey's years, the 5.35 weekday slot on B.B.C.-1 was occupied by a five-minute cartoon that acted as a bridge from children's television to the early evening news. Off the top my head there was 'The Magic Roundabout', 'Willo The Wisp' ( lovely narration by Kenneth Williams ), 'Captain Pugwash', 'Ludwig' ( possibly the most weird show of all time! ), 'Noah & Nelly In Skylark', and, of course, 'The Wombles'.

But my personal favourite was 'Roobarb' which began in 1974. It was the work of the brilliant animator Bob Godfrey, and as you would expect was completely off the wall.

'Roobarb' was the name of the show's star, a vomit-coloured dog who lived in a garden along with 'Custard' ( a shocking pink cat who spoke alarmingly like John Major ), and some hyperactive birds. The plots usually followed a pattern - Roobarb would have a great idea, such as trying to fly with the aid of homemade wings, manufacturing fizzy lemonade, or becoming a great musician, retire to his shed to put his idea into practice, emerge triumphantly and the whole thing would then fall apart in seconds, much to the amusement of Custard and co.

It was created and written by Grange Calveley, and often approached genius levels in its humour. Lines like 'sound travels at night...because its cheaper!' could have come out of 'The Goon Show'.

Richard Briers' narration was perfectly delivered. When I watch repeats of 'The Good Life', I see something of Roobarb in the character of 'Tom Good'. Both are doers, creatures of invention, determined to do things in a different way, who carry on regardless even if things do not always work out as planned.

As this was made well before computers became commonplace in animation, it betrays its humble origins most delightfully. The whole thing looks like a child's drawings come to life. Because magic marker pens were used to create the illustrations, it resulted in an endearing 'wobble' effect, giving the show much of its charm.

Only one series was made, but its popularity kept it being repeated for years. In 2005, a sequel - 'Roobarb & Custard Too' - appeared. Though lacking Godfrey's involvement, it still proved enjoyable ( what a good year for reviving old shows that was, with 'Dr.Who' and 'Captain Scarlet' also being given new leases of life ).

I still enjoy repeats, if only for the sheer daftness of it all. And I must quickly mention Johnny Hawksworth's catchy theme tune, a masterpiece by itself!

"And all the birds laughed!".

Great fun

[Dodger-9 · 29 June 2000]

A surreal cut price series from Bob Godfrey which may not be as sophisticated as Animaniacs or other high gloss toons these days, but it remains great fun.

Good narration by Richard Briers and a cracking opening theme make this well worth a look for newcomers and nostalgia buffs alike.

Roobarb invents things. Custard the cat annoys him.

[Repoman-3 · 15 June 1999]

The greatest animated TV show ever. Bob Godfrey's wigglevision animation, manic theme music and Richard Briers' narration made this the best reason to sit in front of the telly on a weekday afternoon. Roobarb is a placid green dog who invents things in his shed while Custard is the annoying pink cat that hangs around. Leeds Utd, bottles of Tizer and Roobarb and Custard are what made wearing brown corduroy flares tolerable in the 70's.

Wobbly animation, wobbly theme tune ...

[didi-5 · 23 February 2005]

I loved 'Roobarb and Custard' when I was a little kid - that fantastic wobbly tune (like a drowning snorkeler in a bath tub only funnier), and the shaky animation and wild colours. The cat was Custard and the dog was Roobarb. Custard was pink (very 1970s!) and Roobarb was greeny-brown and a bit dim.

Bob Godfrey's animation was absolutely charming and set off perfectly by the narration of Richard Briers - not many voices were better for this sort of thing, and for kiddies' cartoons he was right on the mark.

Much of the amusement in this cartoon was watching naughty Custard get one over Roobarb. There were some birds with amusing faces and bright plumage as well, and Roobarb had a shed which he hid in. It is always good to see this cartoon on TV re-runs - simple it may be but big on heart it definitely is.