3000 Leagues in Search of Mother — Season 1
About this season
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
Episodes (52)
1. Mama, Don't Go
7.0Aired 4 January 1976 • 25 min
Nine-year-old Marco is thrilled to go on a family picnic, not knowing that it will be the last one before his mother Anna leaves Italy to work abroad.
2. Marco, a Boy from Genoa
8.0Aired 11 January 1976 • 25 min
A year has passed since Anna left. Marco thinks about becoming a postman after receiving a letter from her on the day his older brother visits home.
3. Sunday at the Harbor
7.0Aired 18 January 1976 • 25 min
Marco sets out on his first job to deliver an urgent letter for Gina. A fun day at the beach begins when he finally returns in the afternoon.
4. I Hate You, Papa
7.0Aired 25 January 1976 • 25 min
Marco wants to work to help his mother come home sooner, but his father won't listen.
5. My Good Friend, Emilio
8.0Aired 1 February 1976 • 25 min
Emilio helps Marco get a job washing bottles after school. Marco's father Pietro buys him a world map and the two bond for the first time in a while.
6. Marco's Payday
7.0Aired 8 February 1976 • 25 min
Marco has an ominous dream about his mother, and he worries when there is no new letter from her.
7. Watching the Ocean from the Roof
8.0Aired 15 February 1976 • 25 min
Poor Marco can barely see the ocean from his new place. He goes from roof to roof to find a better view and meets Fiorina the puppeteer along the way.
8. The Peppino Puppet Troupe
7.0Aired 22 February 1976 • 25 min
Marco's monkey delights onlookers by dancing in the puppet show. Peppino the puppet master invites Marco to dinner to show his gratitude.
9. I'm Sorry, Papa
9.0Aired 29 February 1976 • 25 min
When Marco shows Pietro's friend the way to the hospital, he is touched to discover his father testing a new treatment on himself to save a patient.
10. Mama Is in Buenos Aires
8.0Aired 7 March 1976 • 25 min
Concetta goes out on the streets despite having a cold. Her symptoms worsen, but the family can't afford a doctor. Marco goes to the clinic for help.
11. A Letter from Mama
8.0Aired 14 March 1976 • 25 min
Fiorina must put on a show alone because everyone else is ill. Just as she gets safely through it with Marco's help, bad news arrives about Anna.
12. The Airship
7.0Aired 21 March 1976 • 25 min
Marco once again considers going to Argentina. Emilio asks Renato to help Marco get to Argentina after having huge success with his ice cream sales.
13. Goodbye, Fiorina
7.0Aired 28 March 1976 • 25 min
Joy over the group trip to Argentina is cut short when Renato goes back on his word. Marco gives Amedeo a letter for Anna and entrusts him to Peppino.
14. Marco's Decision
7.0Aired 4 April 1976 • 25 min
When Marco reveals that he'd meant to be on the ship to Argentina, Pietro begins laying the groundwork to go himself.
15. The Forgole
8.0Aired 11 April 1976 • 25 min
Marco is discovered by Leonardo, but the ship's head cook is impressed by his persistence. Pietro learns the extent of his son's determination.
16. The Young Cook
8.0Aired 18 April 1976 • 25 min
The head cook is touched by Marco's love for his mother and takes him under his wing.
17. Neptune's Revel
7.0Aired 25 April 1976 • 25 min
Marco grows fond of his new life aboard the ship.
18. The Immigrant Ship to Rio
7.0Aired 2 May 1976 • 25 min
The ship arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Marco's friends help him look for another ship headed to Buenos Aires.
19. The Shining Stars of the Southern Cross
6.0Aired 9 May 1976 • 25 min
The ship Marco boards in Rio is full of sick people and the meals are dismal. Marco meets a lost little boy named Nino aboard the crowded ship.
20. The Stormy Night
7.0Aired 16 May 1976 • 25 min
Six days after leaving Rio, the ship sustains heavy damage due to violent weather.
21. Rio de La Plata
7.0Aired 23 May 1976 • 25 min
Marco begs for the ship to go faster after waking from a terrifying nightmare.
22. The Town Where Mother Is
8.0Aired 30 May 1976 • 25 min
The ship finally arrives in Buenos Aires. The person who knows Anna's whereabouts has run away, and Marco loses all his money to a pickpocket.
23. Another Mother
8.0Aired 6 June 1976 • 25 min
Marco is at his wit's after losing all his money. Then he hears about a woman named Anna who has been taken to the hospital, and rushes to see her.
24. Fiorina Is Waiting
8.0Aired 13 June 1976 • 25 min
After being left with absolutely no information on his mother's whereabouts, Marco hears a rumor about a familiar puppet show in the area.
25. The Peppino Troupe Makes a Big Hit
7.0Aired 20 June 1976 • 25 min
Peppino and his family decide to accompany Marco to Bahía Blanca.
26. To the Pampas
7.0Aired 27 June 1976 • 25 min
The day has come to leave for Bahía Blanca.
27. Fiorina's Tears
7.0Aired 4 July 1976 • 25 min
Peppino has an idea to start a show based on Marco's life. Fiorina breaks down and cries for the real Marco during practice for her role as Marco.
28. The Barbossa Ranch
Aired 11 July 1976 • 25 min
Fiorina's heart breaks further as Peppino decides to write the death of Marco's mother into the puppet play to elicit more emotion.
29. Snow Falls
Aired 18 July 1976 • 25 min
Marco and his friends finally find shelter after running out of water. Gaucho Carlos revitalizes the group with hot food and wonderful music.
30. Old Gaucho Carlos
Aired 25 July 1976 • 25 min
Marco and his friends are able to make their way to an inn after Carlos repairs their carriage.
31. A Long Night
Aired 1 August 1976 • 25 min
Peppino and his troop stay the night in an abandoned place with a caved-in roof. Marco and Peppino decide to keep quiet about a harrowing encounter.
32. Saying Goodbye
Aired 8 August 1976 • 25 min
An Italian immigrant family suggests paying Mr. Moretti a visit for possible information on Marco's mother.
33. Mama Is Not Here
Aired 15 August 1976 • 25 min
Marco visits Mr. Moretti soon after arriving in Bahía Blanca, but he provides no information on his mother or uncle's whereabouts.
34. I Want to Go Back to Genoa
Aired 22 August 1976 • 25 min
Peppino's words have no effect on Marco. When Fiorina expresses her concern, Marco breaks down crying that his mother is probably already dead.
35. Mama's Handwriting
Aired 29 August 1976 • 25 min
Marco meets a vagrant in town. After hearing his story, the man gives Marco a letter from his mother as well as new information on her whereabouts.
36. Farewell, Bahia Blanca
Aired 5 September 1976 • 25 min
The news of his mother brings Marco's time with Fiorina closer toward its end. Marco starts working at a coal mine to cover his travel expenses.
37. Endless Journey
Aired 12 September 1976 • 25 min
Marco arrives in Buenos Aires, only to discover that his mother had already moved on to Córdoba.
38. Mama's Hardship
Aired 19 September 1976 • 25 min
Marco learns the deep extent of his mother's patience when he meets her cruel former employer before setting out to sail once again.
39. Rosy Dawn in Rosario
Aired 26 September 1976 • 25 min
The captain becomes angry about Marco getting a free ride to Rosario, but changes his attitude upon discovering that Marco is a fellow Genoese.
40. The Star of Italy
Aired 3 October 1976 • 25 min
Marco gets turned away at the door at the mansion in Rosario. Federico scrounges up enough money to cover Marco's train fare to Córdoba.
41. If I Could Go Home with Mother...
Aired 10 October 1976 • 25 min
Marco strengthens his resolve to find his mother after his chance meeting with a woman and her children during the train ride to Córdoba.
42. A New Friend, Pablo
Aired 17 October 1976 • 25 min
Mequinez had moved long before Marco's arrival in Córdoba. In the town, Marco meets a boy named Pablo and develops a strange relationship with him.
43. Somewhere in This Town
Aired 24 October 1976 • 25 min
To raise some money, Pablo looks for work in the fields. Unfortunately, the period is the wrong one and so he tries his luck fishing.
44. Helping Fuana
Aired 31 October 1976 • 25 min
The house is not inhabited by the person Marco is looking for, but by an architect. The man, who appreciates the efforts of the little traveler, also offers him the money to travel to Tucuman.
45. Going North
Aired 7 November 1976 • 25 min
The train attendants find Marco during an inspection and the boy ends up going down thirty kilometers from the destination.
46. The Trip on the Oxcart
Aired 14 November 1976 • 25 min
During the journey, Marco falls ill for a few days and the herdsmen who take him with them must take care of his recovery.
47. Mama Lives at the Foot of the Mountain
Aired 21 November 1976 • 25 min
After traveling for days, Marco leaves the group of herdsmen to get to Tucuman.
48. Don't Die, My Burro
Aired 28 November 1976 • 25 min
The journey to the village of Tucuman proves to be more hard than expected.
49. Mama Is Calling Me
Aired 5 December 1976 • 25 min
Having lost his donkey, Marco has to walk on foot.
50. Run, Marco, Run!
Aired 12 December 1976 • 25 min
Exhausted and under the snow, Marco is collected by a young man on horseback. On the way, a local elder has his nephew take him to Tucuman.
51. Mama's Smile
Aired 19 December 1976 • 25 min
The long journey is over. The residence of the Mequinez is now visible and Marco reaches his mother.
52. Back to Genoa with Mama
Aired 26 December 1976 • 25 min
After the recovery, Marco's mother can resume normal life. The Mequinez family, out of gratitude, gives the ticket to Genoa to both of them, with the promise of returning to Argentina.