The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon is a Canadian children's television series which aired on YTV in Canada and on public television stations (through Tampa, Florida PBS member station WEDU) in the United States. It aired from 1993 to 1997 and later reran until 1999. Made in live-action, it incorporated actors, full body costume characters (notably the titular dragon) and puppets.
Graham Greene won a Gemini Award in 1994 for his role. He was nominated in 1998 for the episode The Tiny Little Raincloud. Jackie Burroughs was also nominated in 1994 for the same award, this time for performing in the episode High Flying Dragon.
Premise The series follows Dudley, a dragon who recently woke up from centuries of hibernation and his new 10-year-old friends Matt and Sally, both of whom guide Dudley around the modern world and the trio would learn about environmentalism, friendship and pro-social values. Besides Matt and Sally, Dudley was later joined by other kids, Terry, Julia, Mickey and Laura. Other recurring characters included a laid back frog named Sammy, the Robins, a grouchy apple tree named Mr. Crabby Tree and a lovable caveman.
Cast Puppets Dudley the Dragon – Alex Galatis (Seasons 1–2, costumed performer and voice; Seasons 3–5, voice only) and Kirk Dunn (Seasons 3–5, costumed performer). A lovable, innocent, happy-go-lucky green dragon. In the series premiere, Dudley wakes up from centuries of hibernation. He quickly befriends Sally and Matt, among others, and just as quickly adjusts to his new surroundings. However, Dudley still has childlike qualities, notably having to learn valuable lessons from his friends. Nevertheless, Dudley proves to be a great friend to everyone. Dudley lives in a colourful cave, with his favourite teddy bear, Freddy Bear. His favourite food is dragonberries. Dudley has a love for adventure, but sometimes, when the adventures get just a little out of hand, Dudley would prefer to be back at home with his friends. In the series' final episode, The Last Dudley, Dudley realized that he was the only dragon still around. Dudley decides to take on one more adventure, looking for another dragon. Dudley doesn't have much luck, but in the end learns that his friends are his "true dragon friends". At the very end of the episode, a dragon that looks and sounds similar to Dudley (but wears a bowtie and glasses) shows up and asks Dudley if he's seen any dragons around. He is the main protagonist in the series. Dudley's first introduction actually predates the creation of the series "Dudley the Dragon" by several years. In 1983, the Ontario Ministry of Energy wanted to teach children the importance of energy conservation. Karen Waterman wrote a play (The Conserving Kingdom), that did just that. The play featured a bumbling dragon named Dudley. The Conserving Kingdom was performed in grade schools from 1984 to 1987, and also led to a TV special in 1986. Dudley was a full-bodied puppet performed by Alex Galatis. In 1992, when Dudley got his own TV show, Galatis continued to perform Dudley. Galatis performed Dudley by using his right arm to operate Dudley's head and mouth, and his left arm to operate Dudley's left arm. During the first seasons of Dudley the Dragon, Dudley's right arm rested on his chest, with no form of movement. In between the first and second season, the Dudley costume was modified, with the right arm moving thanks to the help of a fishing line attached to Dudley's arm. The same process is used to perform various full-bodied Muppets, most notably Big Bird (from another PBS show). The new puppet also had an eyelid mechanism, but it wasn't until the third season that Dudley's eyelids could move at will. Also, beginning with the third season, actor Kirk Dunn took Galatis' duties as Dudley's costume performer. Nevertheless, Galatis continued to provide Dudley's voice for the remainder of the series. Dudley is the only character in the series to appear in every episode. In the short-lived French version of the series, Dudley was renamed "Arthur". The remaining puppets were all hand puppets, performed by James Rankin, Sue Morrison, and (in early episodes) Wende Welch. Sammy the Frog – James Rankin (Seasons 1–5). Sammy is a laid-back frog who has a love for playing the saxophone. Sammy is typically on the sidelines, commenting on the adventures of Dudley's and the others. However, Sammy also frequently acts as a mentor to Dudley and the kids. Sammy is typically the first one to feel that something bad is going to happen, and often warns Dudley (whom he often refers to as "Big Green") about getting into trouble. In "Have Yourself a Crabby Little Christmas", it is revealed that Sammy is Jewish (his faith). Sammy has a Spanish-language cousin named Yammi, who appeared occasionally, though never in any scenes with his cousin (most likely due to the fact that James Rankin performed both characters). Sammy's first appearance was in the series premiere, and his last appearance was in the second-to-last episode Lullaby Dragon. In the short-lived French version of the series, he was named "Ti-Louis". Mr. Robin – James Rankin (Seasons 1–5). A chipper, though often forgettable robin. Mr. Robin is happily married to his wife, Mrs. Robin, and the two are almost always seen together. Like Sammy, Mr. Robin will also sometimes be the one to warn Dudley (whom he refers to as "Mr. Dudley") about getting into mischief. Mr. Robin's first name is Charles. His first appearance was in the series premiere, and his last appearance was in the series' final episode. In the French version of the series he was named "M. Rouge-Gorge". Mrs. Robin – Wende Welch (Season 1), Sue Morrison (Seasons 1–5). Like her husband, Mrs. Robin is very chipper, even when things go wrong. She's happily married to her husband, and also sometimes tries to talk Dudley out of getting into trouble. Mrs. Robin's first name is Tiffany. Her first appearance was in the series premiere, and her last appearance was in the series' final episode. Mrs. Robin was played by Wende Welch for the first few episodes (the last being "Dudley Meets Mr. Can"), but was quickly replaced by Sue Morrison. In the French version of the series, Mrs. Robin was named "Mme. Rouge-Gorge". Grandpa Robin – James Rankin (Seasons 2–5). A wise elderly robin who has "been around the world seven times plus two". He is the grandfather of either Mr. or Mrs. Robin. Grandpa Robin has a good knowledge of the magic that goes on in the forest, including the origins of "Giggle Soup" and "Bubble Pie". Like Mr. and Mrs. Robin, Grandpa Robin is kind and cheerful, but can also be forgettable. He too often acts as a guide to Dudley and the kids. Grandpa Robin also apparently asks as a school teacher for some of the kids, as evidenced in the episode "Alphabet Dragon". His first appearance was in the second-season episode "Dudley Through the Looking Glass". His last appearance was in the fifth-season episode "The Wishing Well". In the French version of the series, he was named "Gran-Pere Rouge Gorge". Junior Robin – James Rankin (Seasons 4–5). The Robin's infant son who appeared in the episode "Junior Robin's Big Day Out". At first, Junior was reluctant to fly and eat worms like other robins. He also initially had a fear of Dudley (although he liked Mickey). Eventually, with some help from Dudley and Mickey, Junior learned how to fly. Junior returned in the second-to-last episode "Lullaby Dragon". In the episode, Dudley was upset because he lost Freddy Bear. Dudley eventually found out that Junior Robin found Freddy Bear, and wanted to keep him. Dudley was reluctant to give up Freddy Bear, but eventually decided that Junior could take good care of Freddy. Yammi the Frog – James Rankin (Seasons 1, 3 and 5). Sammy's Spanish-language cousin who only appeared in three episodes ("Dudley in the Rainforest", "Dudley and the Lost City", and the series final episode, "The Last Dudley"). Like his cousin, Yammi likes music, and plays an instrument (the guitar). Yammi looks and sounds similar to Sammy, but has a slight Latin accent, a black moustache and eyebrows, and a purple serape. In the French version of the series, Yammi was named "Ti-Gus". The Dodo – James Rankin (Seasons 1, 3 and 4). A happy, fun-loving dodo bird, who loves saying, "dodo!". Like Yammi, The Dodo only appeared in three episodes. In his first appearance, the season 1 finale "Dudley and the Dodo", The Dodo thinks that Dudley is his mother. However, The Dodo quickly learned otherwise, and became good friends with Dudley and Sally. In his next appearance, "Dudley's Amazing Journey", we learn that the Dodo lives in a cave, and has a love for worms and jelly beans. The Dodo finds himself in danger in his last appearance, "The Royal Crown", where the Prince tries to pluck the Dodo's feathers as decorations for his crown. However, the Prince quickly learned that the Dodo's feather mean a lot to the Dodo, and ultimately decides not to pull the Dodo's feathers. Didi the Woodpecker – Wende Welch (Season 1), Sue Morrison (Seasons 1–2). A colourful female woodpecker who appeared occasionally during the first two seasons. Her first appearance was in the episode "Mr. Crabby Tree" (where she was portrayed by Wende Welch), and her last appearance was in the season 2 finale, "Imagine That!". In the French version of the series, Didi was renamed "Madame Lepic". Katrina the Whale – Wende Welch (Season 1), Sue Morrison (Seasons 1–3). A whale that lived in the ocean and only appeared in a few episodes. She first appeared in the second episode, "Dudley's Tea Party" (where she was portrayed by Wende Welch), and made her last appearance, a short non-speaking cameo, in the episode "Mr. Crabby Tree's Really Great Adventure". In the French version of the series, Katrina was named "Irène". Rosie the Skunk – Sue Morrison (Seasons 1 and 5). A sassy skunk who only appeared in two episodes, "Dudley Goes Camping" and "Doggone Dragon". In the French version of the series, her name was spelled "Rosi". Bernardo – James Rankin (Season 2). Sammy's Italian cousin. Appeared in the episode "Dudley and the Great Race". Kostus – James Rankin (Season 2). Sammy's Greek cousin. Appeared in the episode "Dudley and the Great Race". Radar the Dog – James Rankin (Season 2). A computer character created by Terry who appeared in the episode "Dudley and Flammo the Magician". Rita the Frog – James Rankin (Season 4). A First Nations frog who bears a strong resemblance to Sammy. However, when Dudley brings up Sammy, Rita claims that she's never heard of him. Like Sammy, Rita is musically gifted (she plays the drum). She only appeared in one episode, "Mama Crabby Tree".
The kids