Bolek and Lolek

*Bolek and Lolek*
Bolek and Lolek
Genre	Buddy comedy; Slapstick
Written by	Władysław Nehrebecki
Starring	Ewa Złotowska; Danuta Mancewicz; Ilona Kuśmierska; Danuta Przesmycka
Theme music composer	Waldemar Kazanecki; Tadeusz Kocyba [pl]
Country of origin	Poland
Original language	Polish
No. of seasons	11
No. of episodes	174+9 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer	Studio Filmów Rysunkowych in Bielsko-Biała
Running time	9–10 minutes
Original release
Network	Telewizja Polska; Minimax
Release	12 August 1962 –; 1986

Bolek and Lolek (also known in English as Benny and Lenny, Jym and Jam and Tim and Tom), are two Polish cartoon characters from the children's animated comedy television series by the same name.^[1] The series was created, written and directed by Władysław Nehrebecki and designed by Nehrebecki, Alfred Ledwig [pl] and Leszek Lorek [pl]. The series is about two brothers and their fun (and sometimes silly) adventures which often involve spending a lot of time outdoors.

History and background

The characters were first introduced in 1962. Their names are diminutives of Bolesław and Karol. In English, the cartoon was distributed as Benny & Lenny, Jym and Jam and Tim & Tom. In 1973, at the requests from female viewers, a girl character by the name of Tola was added; she lives in the forest and meets the brothers there. Her first appearance was in the episode "Tola". In total, Tola appeared in 30 episodes.

In a similar vein to The Pink Panther theatrical cartoons, most episodes do not have dialogue. Exceptions are feature-length films and the series from the 1980s, where the main characters' voices were done by: Bolek – Ewa Złotowska, Ilona Kuśmierska; Lolek – Danuta Mancewicz, Danuta Przesmycka.

During the period of the Polish People's Republic, Bolek and Lolek were reproduced in a large quantity of toys: action figures, movies, postcards, online arcades, puzzles, etc., which can be seen in the Museum of Dobranocki (bed-time stories) of the PRL. They are also currently made in computer programmes, colouring books, general picture books and games.

The series was popular in many countries, and was one of the few animated films allowed to be broadcast by Iranian television, along with other popular Polish animated cartoon Reksio, just after the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

In 2011, the Bolek and Lolek Monument was erected in Bielsko-Biała.

Characters

Bolek (voiced by Ewa Złotowska and Ilona Kuśmierska) - Lolek's big brother.
Lolek (voiced by Danuta Mancewicz and Danuta Przesmycka) - Bolek's little brother.
Tola - An ordinary girl who lives deep in the forest and has red hair in pigtails. She wears a white shirt, a blue jumper, white socks and black shoes. In her first appearance in the episode "Tola", Tola is leaving the forest and moved to Bolek and Lolek's house and met them for the first time. According to the episode "Zgubiony Ślad", Tola lives in a wooden cottage in the forest. She is a supporting character in the series.

Telecast and home release

In the U.S., some episodes were seen as part of Nickelodeon's Pinwheel from 1977 to 1990, In Canada, the show reran on the French-speaking TVJQ (now Vrak) in the 1980s. For several years, it released videotapes and DVDs. In Catalonia, it was aired on TV3 in Catalan in 1990.^[2] It was broadcast in Czechia in 1963 to 2000s as part of Vecernicek cycle.^{[citation needed]}

Television series

1. Bolek i Lolek

Bolek and Lolek - 13 Episodes, 1962–1964.

list of episodes

01. Kusza – The Crossbow (August 12, 1962)
02. Yeti – The Yeti (July 1, 1963)
03. Dzielni Kowboje – The Brave Cowboys (July 1, 1963)
04. Skrzyżowane Szpady – Crossed Swords (July 1, 1963)
05. Pogromca Zwierząt – The Animal Tamer (July 1, 1963)
06. Corrida – The Bull Fight (July 1, 1963)
07. Indiańskie Trofeum – The Indian Trophy (July 1, 1964)
08. Kosmonauci – The Cosmonauts (July 1, 1964)
09. Król Puszczy – King of the Forest (July 1, 1964)
10. Robinson – Robinson (July 1, 1964)
11. Poławiacze Skarbów – The Treasure Seekers (July 1, 1964)
12. Sportowcy – The Athletes (July 1, 1964)
13. Dwaj Rycerze – The Two Knights (July 1, 1964)

2. Bolek i Lolek na wakacjach

Benny and Lenny on Vacation - 13 episodes, 1965–1966.

list of episodes

01. Lunapark – The Luna Park (January 1, 1965)
02. Grzybobranie – Mushroom Picking (January 8, 1965)
03. Strzelba i Wędka – The Gun and the Fishing Rod (January 15, 1965)
04. Fałszywy Dziadek – False Grandfather (January 22, 1965)
05. Zabawa w Rycerza – Polish polands Playing Knight (January 29, 1965)
06. Na Biwaku – Camping (February 5, 1965)
07. Pierwszy Dzień Wakacji – First Day of the Summer Vacation (February 12, 1965)
08. Kłusownik – The Poacher (February 19, 1965)
09. Żyrafa – The Giraffe (February 26, 1965)
10. Przygoda w Pustyni – Adventure in the Desert (March 5, 1965)
11. Skarb – Treasure (March 12, 1965)
12. Autostopowicze – The Hitch-Hikers (March 19, 1965)
13. Morska Przygoda – The Sea Adventure (March 26, 1965)

3. Bolek i Lolek wyruszają w świat

Benny and Lenny travel the world - 18 episodes, 1968–1970.

list of episodes

01. W Stepach Australii – The Steppes of Australia (July 1, 1968)
02. Na Tropach Bengalskiego Tygrysa – On the Trail of the Bengal Tiger (July 1, 1968)
03. Na Wyspach Polinezji – On the Islands of Polynesia (July 1, 1968)
04. Złote Miasto Inków – The Golden City of the Incas (July 1, 1968)
05. Wyścig Do Bieguna – The Race to the Pole (July 1, 1968)
06. W Puszczach Kanady – In the Forests of Canada (July 1, 1968)
07. Polowanie Na Goryla – Hunting the Gorilla (July 1, 1969)
08. Na Stokach Kilimandżaro – On the Slopes of the Kilimanjaro (July 1, 1969)
09. Olimpiada w Mexico – The Olympic Games in Mexico (July 1, 1969)
10. W Krainie 1001 Nocy – In the Land of the 1001 Nights (July 1, 1969)
11. W Piaskach Gobi – In the Sands of the Gobi (July 1, 1969)
12. Gran Premio Argentyny – The Grand Prize of Argentina (July 1, 1969)
13. Na Dzikim Zachodzie – In the Wild West (July 1, 1970)
14. Grobowiec Faraona – The Tomb of the Pharaoh (July 1, 1970)
15. Łowcy Bizonów – The Buffalo Hunters (July 1, 1970)
16. Nad Orinoko – On the Orinoco (July 1, 1970)
17. Na Tropach Yeti – On the Yeti's Trail (July 1, 1970)
18. Przemytnik – The Smuggler (July 1, 1970)

4. Bajki Bolka i Lolka

The Tales of Bolek and Lolek - 13 episodes, 1970–1971.

list of episodes

01. Złota Rybka – The Golden Fish (November 1, 1970)
02. Czerwony Kapturek – The Little Red Riding Hood
03. Czarodziejskie Lustro – The Magic Mirror
04. Tomcio Paluch – Tom Thumb
05. Pantofelek Kopciuszka – Cinderella's Slipper
06. Latający Kufer – The Flying Trunk
07. Brzydkie Kaczątko – The Ugly Duckling (July 1, 1971)
08. Lampa Aladyna – Aladdin's Lamp
09. Uwięziona Królewna – The Imprisoned Princess
10. Smok – The Dragon
11. Baba Jaga – The Witch
12. Królowa Śniegu – The Snow Queen
13. Zaklęty Zamek – The Enchanted Castle (July 1, 1971)

5. Bolek i Lolek na Dzikim Zachodzie

Benny and Lenny in the Wild West - 7 episodes, 1972.

list of episodes

01. Obrońcy Prawa – Defenders of the Law (December 1, 1971)
02. Postrach Teksasu – The Texas Terror (January 1, 1972)
03. Pościg – In Hot Pursuit
04. Porwany Ekspress – The Hijacked Express Train
05. Koniokrad – The Horse Thief
06. Indiański Bożek – The Indian Idol
07. Tropiciele – The Trackers (March 1, 1972)

6. Przygody Bolka i Lolka

The Adventures of Bolek and Lolek - 63 episodes, 1972–1980.

list of episodes

01. Chory Ząb – A Sick Tooth (July 1, 1972)
02. Deszczowe Wakacje – A Rainy Holiday
03. Psiaczek – The Puppy
04. Tola – Tola
05. Biwak – Camp
06. Wycieczka w Góry – A Trip to the Mountains
07. Nad Jeziorem – On the Lake
08. Kruk – The Raven (July 1, 1973)
09. W Puszczy – In the Wilderness
10. Wycieczka Samochodem – A Trip By Car
11. Sierpniowa Wędrówka – An August Journey
12. Zimowe Igraszki – Winter Fun
13. Zdobywcy Przestworzy – The Conquerors of Space
14. Małpka – The Monkey
15. Zimowe Zawody – Winter Games (July 1, 1974)
16. Śniadanie Na Biwaku – Camping Breakfast
17. Imieniny Toli – Tola's Birthday
18. Pali Się – Fire
19. Tajemnica Toli – Tola's Secret
20. Zielone Ścieżki – Green Paths
21. Kanarek – The Canary
22. Podwodna Wycieczka – An Underwater Tour (July 1, 1975)
23. Bieg Na Przełaj – The Race Across the Country
24. Wakacje Na Wsi – Vacation in the Countryside
25. Tresowany Piesek – The Trained Dog
26. Przygoda Na Dwóch Kółkach – Adventure on Two Wheels
27. Na Żaglówce – On the Sailing Boat
28. Zgubiony Ślad – The Lost Footprint
29. Źrebak – The Colt (July 1, 1976)
30. Wielki Mecz – The Great Match
31. Bocian – The Stork
32. Przyjaciele Bobrów – Beavers' Friends
33. Wycieczka Kajakiem – The Canoe Trip
34. Tajemniczy Plan – Mysterious Plan
35. Fotoreporter – Photoreporter
36. Zawody Latawców – The Kite Race (July 1, 1977)
37. Wagary – Playing Hooky
38. Sarenka – The Deer
39. Harcerska Warta – A Scout's Watch
40. Muzykanci – The Musicians
41. Wakacje Nad Morzem – The Seaside Vacation
42. Mali Ogrodnicy – The Little Gardeners
43. Zmylony Trop – The Misleading Track (July 1, 1978)
44. Kowboj i Indianie – Cowboy and Indians
45. Zabawa w Chowanego – Hide and Seek
46. Wakacyjne Szlaki – The Holiday Trails
47. Wędrowny Cyrk – The Traveling Circus
48. Wiosenne Porządki – Spring Cleaning
49. Pocztowy Gołąb – The Homing Pigeon
50. Lotnia – The Hang-Glider (July 1, 1979)
51. Morska Wyprawa – The Sea Expedition
52. Prima Aprilis – April Fool's Day
53. Wiosenna Burza – The Spring Storm
54. Byczek – The Bull
55. Cygański Wóz – The Gypsie Wagon
56. Imieniny Mamy – Mom's Namesday
57. Czarna Bandera – The Black Flag (July 1, 1980)
58. Poduszkowiec – The Hovercraft
59. Wycieczka z Robotem – Trip with a Robot
60. Lolek Lunatyk – Lolek the Sleepwalker
61. Lotnicza Przygoda – A Flying Adventure
62. Zaginął Piesek – The Lost Dog
63. Chrzest Na Równiku – Baptism on the Equator (January 1, 1980)

7. Zabawy Bolka i Lolka

Fun with Bolek and Lolek - 7 episodes, 1975–1976.

list of episodes

01. Gokarty – Go-Carts (December 1, 1975)
02. Niezwykłe Odkrycie – The Incredible Discovery
03. Maszeruje Wojsko – The Army Marches On
04. Mali Filmowcy – The Little Filmmakers
05. Niefortunne Niańki – The Unfortunate Babysitters (January 1, 1976)
06. Opiekunowie Zwierząt – The Animal Caregivers (January 1, 1976)
07. Czarna Dama – The Black Lady (January 1, 1976)

8. Wielka podróż Bolka i Lolka

Bolek and Lolek's Great Journey - 15 episodes, 1978.

list of episodes

01. Testament Fileasa Foga – The Last Will of Phileas Fogg (October 14, 1978)
02. W Londynie – In London
03. Pechowy Statek – The Jinxed Ship
04. Wioska 40 Rozbójników – The Village of Forty Bandits
05. Małpi Król – The Monkey King
06. Syn Wodza Mbu-Bu – The Son of the Chief Mbu-Bu
07. Podróż Na Słoniu – Journey on an Elephant
08. Tajemnicza Świątynia – The Mysterious Temple
09. W Służbie Buddy – In the Service of the Buddha
10. Ptak Śmierci – The Bird of Death
11. W Głębinach Oceanu – In the Depths of the Ocean
12. Rajska Wyspa – Paradise Island
13. Dziki Zachód – The Wild West
14. Powrót – The Return
15. Wyspa Bolka i Lolka – The Bolek and Lolek Island (October 14, 1978)

9. Bolek i Lolek wśród górników

Benny and Lenny Among the Miners - 7 episodes, 1980.

list of episodes

01. Wuj Karlik – Uncle Carl (January 1, 1980)
02. Zielona Hałda – The Green Heap
03. Skarbnik – The Treasurer
04. Barbórka – The Baborka Celebration
05. Pasowanie Na Górnika – Fit For Mining
06. W Starej Kopalni – In the Old Mine
07. Czarne Złoto – Black Gold (January 1, 1980)

10. Olimpiada Bolka i Lolka

Olympics with Bolek and Lolek - 13 episodes, 1983–1984.

list of episodes

01. Tor Przeszkód – The Obstacle Course (December 1, 1983)
02. Żółty Czepek – The Yellow Bonnet (December 1, 1983)
03. Zawody Łucznicze – Archery Games (December 1, 1983)
04. Judo – Judo (December 1, 1983)
05. Gol – Goal! (December 1, 1983)
06. Żeglarstwo – Sailing (December 1, 1983)
07. Slalom – The Slalom (December 1, 1983)
08. Skok w Dal – The Long Jump (January 1, 1984)
09. Pojedynek – The Duel (January 1, 1984)
10. Kolarstwo – Cycling (January 1, 1984)
11. Siatkówka – Volleyball (January 1, 1984)
12. Igrzyska – The Olympic Games (January 1, 1984)
13. Nim Zapłonie Znicz – Before the Torch Is Lit (January 1, 1984)

11. Bolek i Lolek w Europie

Benny and Lenny in Europe - 5 episodes, 1983–1986.

list of episodes

01. Duch Zamku Lorda MacIntosha – The Ghost of the Lord MacIntosh's Castle (January 1, 1983)
02. W Królestwie Posejdona – In Poseidon's Kingdom (January 1, 1984)
03. W Hiszpanii – In Spain (January 1, 1985)
04. Wyścig Renów – The Reindeer Race (January 1, 1986)
05. Pod Kraterem – Under the Crater (January 1, 1986)

Films

Feature films

Wielka podróż Bolka i Lolka – Bolek and Lolek's Great Journey (adapted into the 15-episode series of the same name) – 16 September 1977
Kawaler Orderu Uśmiechu – The Knight of the Order of the Smile (sequel to "Great Journey") – 1979
Kosmiczna podróż Bolka i Lolka – The Cosmic Journey of Bolek and Lolek (Returns in 3D) – 2011

Episodes edited into films

Bolek i Lolek na Dzikim Zachodzie (Bolek and Lolek in the Wild West) – 5 December 1986
Sposób na wakacje Bolka i Lolka (How Bolek and Lolek Do Vacations) – 1986
Bajki Bolka i Lolka (Tales of Bolek and Lolek) – 1986

Educational films

List of films

Szerokiej drogi – Godspeed – 1976
Gdy zapłonie choinka – When the Christmas tree lights up – 1977
Wystarczy iskierka – Just a Spark – 1977
Zabawa z zapałkami – Playing With Matches – 1977
Feralny dzień – Unfortunate Day – 1978
Jutro będzie lepiej – Tomorrow Will Be Better – 1978
Na strażackim poligonie – The Fireman Training Grounds – 1978
Z ogniem nie ma żartów – Fire Is No Laughing Matter– 1978
Na drodze – On the Road – 1980

References

^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 336. ISBN 9781476672939.
^ "Bolek i Lolek". Viasona (in Catalan). Retrieved 2022-11-24.

External links

Media related to Bolek and Lolek at Wikimedia Commons
Bolek i Lolek at IMDb

[1] Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 336. ISBN 9781476672939.

[2] "Bolek i Lolek". Viasona (in Catalan). Retrieved 2022-11-24.

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