About this season
Long Ago and Far Away is a TV series that aired on PBS Television from 1989 to 1993. It was created by WGBH, a public television broadcast service located in Boston, Massachusetts. WGBH is a member of PBS, which allowed for this TV series to be viewed on various other PBS stations. Each episode began with host James Earl Jones sitting in a chair in a room with a table, lamp and window. The walls were blue with white dots in order to make it appear as if these living room items were sitting out in space. James Earl Jones talks during the short opening section, then acts as narrator for the balance of an episode. This series, aimed at children aged six to nine years old, presents stories based on traditional fairy tales. A number of presentation methods were used to tell these stories, with stop motion animation, live-action or cel animation being used depending on the episode. Long Ago and Far Away also featured a number of guest narrators including: Tammy Grimes, Kim Loughran, David Suchet, and Mia Farrow.
Episodes (15)
1. The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Aired 11 February 1989 • 30 min
A piper rids a town of rats.
2. The Reluctant Dragon
Aired 1 January 1990 • 30 min
A boy befriends a peaceable dragon.
3. Abel's Island
Aired 8 September 1990 • 30 min
A mouse is stranded on an isolated island.
4. Happy Circus
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
3 Tales in clay animation
5. Hungarian Folk Tales
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
Three animated stories. Janko Raven; Plinko; The Hedgehog
6. The Talking Parcel - Pt.1
Aired 1 January 1981 • 30 min
Penelope finds a parrot.
7. The Talking Parcel - Pt.2
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
Penelope and Parrot travel.
8. Svatohor
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
A hunter tries to save the czar and wed his daughter.
9. The Sleeping Princess
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
An evil fairy bewitches a princess.
10. As Long as He Can Count the Cows
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
A schoolboy needs eyeglasses.
11. The Man Who Planted Trees
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
A shepherd sows a forest.
12. The Silver Cornet
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
A boy yearns to play the cornet.
13. Bill & Bunny
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
A boy learns his sister is autistic.
14. Frog and Toad Are Friends
Aired 1 January 1989 • 30 min
Frog and Toad find adventure.
15. Frog and Toad Together
Aired 1 January 1981 • 30 min
A leggy green frog and a squat green toad share adventures together.