King Rollo
Encyclopedia
King Rollo was a children's character created by David McKee
in 1979, starring in a series of books, animations (narrated by Ray Brooks), and a comic strip
in the magazine Buttons. In all, thirteen episodes of the animation were produced in 1980 (shown in two halves), by McKee's own King Rollo Films
, and originally shown as part of the pre-school 'See-Saw' strand.
The central character of the stories was Rollo himself, a child-like King who was always in need of advice and assistance from his friends. Among these were The Magician (a father figure) Cook (the king's cook, a mother figure, who was arguably the real ruler of the kingdom); his neighbour, Queen Gwen; King Frank; and perhaps most importantly, Rollo's cat, Hamlet
, who was generally portrayed as wiser than Rollo himself.
The animations used the same distinctive colourful cut-out paper look as McKee's other works, such as Mr Benn
, and one memorable aspect was that the characters' legs would rotate outwards when walking until they were at right-angles at the sides of their body.
David McKee
David McKee is a British author and illustrator, chiefly of children's books and animations. He has used the pseudonym Violet Easton. He is frequently referenced as David McKee.-Biography:...
in 1979, starring in a series of books, animations (narrated by Ray Brooks), and a comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
in the magazine Buttons. In all, thirteen episodes of the animation were produced in 1980 (shown in two halves), by McKee's own King Rollo Films
King Rollo Films Ltd
King Rollo Films is a production company set up in 1978 by David McKee. It was based on the show of the same name.-Programs & Shorts:King Rollo Films has done the following shows;*Mr Benn *King Rollo *Victor & Maria...
, and originally shown as part of the pre-school 'See-Saw' strand.
The central character of the stories was Rollo himself, a child-like King who was always in need of advice and assistance from his friends. Among these were The Magician (a father figure) Cook (the king's cook, a mother figure, who was arguably the real ruler of the kingdom); his neighbour, Queen Gwen; King Frank; and perhaps most importantly, Rollo's cat, Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, who was generally portrayed as wiser than Rollo himself.
The animations used the same distinctive colourful cut-out paper look as McKee's other works, such as Mr Benn
Mr Benn
Mr Benn is a character created by David McKee who appears in several children's books, and an animated television series of the same name transmitted by the BBC in 1971 and 1972. Whether in a book, or on television, Mr Benn's adventures take on a similar pattern...
, and one memorable aspect was that the characters' legs would rotate outwards when walking until they were at right-angles at the sides of their body.
Episode Listing
- The Bread
- The Playroom
- The Bath
- The Dishes
- The New Shoes
- The Breakfast
- The Tree
- The Comic
- King Frank
- The Birthday
- The Balloons
- The Search
- The Dog