Superscope Storyteller and Tele-Story series (partially found series of audio cassettes and VHS video storybooks; 1973-1989): Difference between revisions

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(Added links for the VHS storybook versions of "Moses in Egypt" and "Daniel in the Lions' Den")
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|title=<center>SuperScope Storyteller and Tele-Story Series</center>
|title=<center>SuperScope Storyteller and Tele-Story Series</center>
|image=Tele-Story_Growing_Up_Smarter.jpg
|image=Tele-Story_Growing_Up_Smarter.jpg
|imagecaption=Three tapes from the "Growing Up Smarter" Series in original packaging with their books.
|imagecaption=Three tapes from the ''Growing Up Smarter'' Series in original packaging with their books.
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
}}
}}
The Superscope company was incorporated in 1957 and originally distributed Sony reel-to-reel and cassette tape recorders throughout the 1960s. The name was based on a trademarked technique for producing widescreen movie prints that was developed by the company's founders in 1954. During the 1970s, they began developing '''storybook and audio cassette bundles''' aimed at young children under their Tele-Story and Storyteller lines. <ref>[http://www.superscopetechnologies.com/t-about.aspx The Official Superscope Inc. website briefly mentioning the Tele-Story audio cassette line.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The books were primarily illustrated by Rex Irvine and Judie Clarke. The books and tapes were primarily focused on classic fairytales and bible stories. Most of the tapes were produced in English, but the fairy tale tapes were also translated into Portuguese and Italian language. It is unknown if any of their other series received similar translations.
The Superscope company was incorporated in 1957 and originally distributed Sony reel-to-reel and cassette tape recorders throughout the 1960s. The name was based on a trademarked technique for producing widescreen movie prints that was developed by the company's founders in 1954. During the 1970s, they began developing '''storybook and audio cassette bundles''' aimed at young children under their Tele-Story and Storyteller lines.<ref>[http://www.superscopetechnologies.com/t-about.aspx The Official Superscope Inc. website briefly mentioning the Tele-Story audio cassette line.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The books were primarily illustrated by Rex Irvine and Judie Clarke. The books and tapes were primarily focused on classic fairytales and bible stories. Most of the tapes were produced in English, but the fairy tale tapes were also translated into Portuguese and Italian language. It is unknown if any of their other series received similar translations.


As they moved into the early 1980s, they began producing their "Growing Up Smarter" series of audio cassettes and books, which contained educational material aimed at children ages 3 to 8. By the middle of the 1980s, they had also aquired licenses for various children's properties, such as "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" and "The Adventures of Gumby". These properties were also used to produce packs of audio cassettes and educational storybooks.
As they moved into the early 1980s, they began producing their ''Growing Up Smarter'' series of audio cassettes and books, which contained educational material aimed at children ages 3 to 8. By the middle of the 1980s, they had also aquired licenses for various children's properties, such as ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'' and ''The Adventures of Gumby''. These properties were also used to produce packs of audio cassettes and educational storybooks.


By the late 1980s, Superscope had also begun producing '''VHS video storybooks'''. These tapes consisted of still images taken from their earlier storybooks and appear to contain the same audio narrations from the audo cassettes that they produced in the 1970s and early 1980s. Some of their "Growing Up Smarter", "Favorite Bible Stories", and "Classic Fairy Tales" series were known to have been reproduced in this form. It is unknown if any of their licensed properties received the same treatment. Also, during the late 1980s, the Tele-Story portion of Superscope Inc was apparently bought out by Fun Discovery Inc, who continued to sell the audio cassettes and VHS storybooks.
By the late 1980s, Superscope had also begun producing '''VHS video storybooks'''. These tapes consisted of still images taken from their earlier storybooks and appear to contain the same audio narrations from the audo cassettes that they produced in the 1970s and early 1980s. Some of their ''Growing Up Smarter'', "
''Favorite Bible Stories'', and ''Classic Fairy Tales'' series were known to have been reproduced in this form. It is unknown if any of their licensed properties received the same treatment. Also, during the late 1980s, the Tele-Story portion of Superscope Inc was apparently bought out by Fun Discovery Inc, who continued to sell the audio cassettes and VHS storybooks.


==The Classic Fairy Tales Series==
==The Classic Fairy Tales Series==
The "Classic Fairy Tales" series consisted of 24 known English-language audio cassettes produced between 1973 and 1989. These were marketed under the "Tele-Story Presents" series. There are also two known alternate-language series. In 1973, Superscope released a series of at least twelve tapes that contained Italian-language recordings on both sides of the tape. These were marketed under the "Superscope Presenta" series. Also in 1973, Superscope released at least twelve tapes that contained an English-language recording on one side and a Portuguese-language recording on the opposite side. These were marketed under the "O Storyteller" This series is known to have changed some character's names for the Portuguese audience, such as "Hansel and Gretel" becoming "Joao and Maria".
The ''Classic Fairy Tales'' series consisted of 24 known English-language audio cassettes produced between 1973 and 1989. These were marketed under the ''Tele-Story Presents'' series. There are also two known alternate-language series. In 1973, Superscope released a series of at least twelve tapes that contained Italian-language recordings on both sides of the tape. These were marketed under the ''Superscope Presenta'' series. Also in 1973, Superscope released at least twelve tapes that contained an English-language recording on one side and a Portuguese-language recording on the opposite side. These were marketed under the title ''O Storyteller''. This series is known to have changed some character's names for the Portuguese audience, such as "Hansel and Gretel" becoming "Joao and Maria".


Some of the English-language fairy tales audio cassette tapes were later adapted into VHS video storybooks. The early tapes were marked as being products of "Marantz", which is a famous hi-fi audio company that was owned by Superscope Inc. The later tapes were marked by "Fun Discovery Inc", who apparently bought the Tele-Story divsion from SuperScope Inc in the late 1980s. It is not known if all of the old cassette tapes were adapted, as only a few examples have resurfaced. As an aside, while many of the original VHS storybook tapes have not been digitized, a YouTube channel called Derek DeHaas has been using the storybooks and cassette tape narration to make reconstructions.
Some of the English-language fairy tales audio cassette tapes were later adapted into VHS video storybooks. The early tapes were marked as being products of "Marantz", which is a famous hi-fi audio company that was owned by Superscope Inc. The later tapes were marked by "Fun Discovery Inc", who apparently bought the Tele-Story divsion from SuperScope Inc in the late 1980s. It is not known if all of the old cassette tapes were adapted, as only a few examples have resurfaced. As an aside, while many of the original VHS storybook tapes have not been digitized, a YouTube channel called Derek DeHaas has been using the storybooks and cassette tape narration to make reconstructions.
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! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
|-
|-
|''The Tortoise and the Hare''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Tortoise and the Hare||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Emperor's New Clothes''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Emperor's New Clothes||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Little Red Riding Hood''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Little Red Riding Hood||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Snow White''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/pinocchio-snow-white-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Snow White||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/pinocchio-snow-white-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Cinderella''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/cinderella-jack-and-beanstalk-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Cinderella||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/cinderella-jack-and-beanstalk-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Hansel & Gretel''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/sleeping-beauty-hansel-and-gretel-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Hansel & Gretel||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/sleeping-beauty-hansel-and-gretel-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Beauty & the Beast''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Beauty & the Beast||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Tom Thumb''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Tom Thumb||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Aladdin''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Aladdin||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Jack and the Beanstalk''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/cinderella-jack-and-beanstalk-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Jack and the Beanstalk||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/cinderella-jack-and-beanstalk-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Gulliver's Travel''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Gulliver's Travel||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Rumpelstiltskin''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Rumpelstiltskin||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Sleeping Beauty''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/sleeping-beauty-hansel-and-gretel-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Sleeping Beauty||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/sleeping-beauty-hansel-and-gretel-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Pinocchio''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/pinocchio-snow-white-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Pinocchio||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/pinocchio-snow-white-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''The Little Mermaid''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Little Mermaid||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Puss in Boots''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Puss in Boots||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Thumbelina''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Thumbelina||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Gingerbread Man''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Gingerbread Man||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Bremen Town Musicians''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Bremen Town Musicians||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Ugly Duckling''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Ugly Duckling||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Wizard of Oz''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Wizard of Oz||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Elves and the Shoemaker''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Elves and the Shoemaker||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Selfish Giant''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|The Selfish Giant||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Sinbad the Sailor''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>
|Sinbad the Sailor||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|}
|}
===The Italian Translation===
===The Italian Translation===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Cenerentola''||Cinderella||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Cenerentola||Cinderella||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''La Bella Addormentata'' ||Sleeping Beauty||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|La Bella Addormentata||Sleeping Beauty||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Giacomo E La Planta Di Fagioli''||Giacomo and the Bean Plant||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Giacomo E La Planta Di Fagioli||Giacomo and the Bean Plant||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Hansel E Gretel''||Hansel and Gretel||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Hansel E Gretel||Hansel and Gretel||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''La Lampada Di Aladino''||The Lamp of Aladino||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|La Lampada Di Aladino||The Lamp of Aladino||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Biancaneve''||Snow-White||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Biancaneve||Snow-White||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Il Brutto Anatroccolo''||The Ugly Duckling||[https://archive.org/details/il-brutto-anatroccolo-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Il Brutto Anatroccolo||The Ugly Duckling||[https://archive.org/details/il-brutto-anatroccolo-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Saltapecchio''||Skip the Mirror(?)||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Saltapecchio||Skip the Mirror(?)||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Capuccetto Rosso''||Little Red Riding Hood||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Capuccetto Rosso||Little Red Riding Hood||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Pinocchio''||Pinocchio||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Pinocchio||Pinocchio||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''I Folletti Ed Il Calzolaio''||The Goblins and the Shoemaker||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|I Folletti Ed Il Calzolaio||The Goblins and the Shoemaker||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Pollicino''||Tom Thumb(?)||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Pollicino||Tom Thumb(?)||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
===The Portuguese Translation===
===The Portuguese Translation===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Cinderela''||Cinderella||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Cinderela||Cinderella||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''A Bela Adormecida''||Sleeping Beauty||[https://archive.org/details/a-bela-adormecida-side-b<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|A Bela Adormecida||Sleeping Beauty||[https://archive.org/details/a-bela-adormecida-side-b<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Joao E Maria''||Joao E Maria/Hansel and Gretel||[https://archive.org/details/joao-e-maria-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Joao E Maria||Joao E Maria/Hansel and Gretel||[https://archive.org/details/joao-e-maria-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Branca De Neve''||Snow White||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Branca De Neve||Snow White||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''O Pequeno Polegar''||The Little Thumb/Tom Thumb||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|O Pequeno Polegar||The Little Thumb/Tom Thumb||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''O Chapeuzinho Vermelho''||Little Red Riding Hood||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|O Chapeuzinho Vermelho||Little Red Riding Hood||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''A Galinha Dos Ovos De Ouro''||The Golden Eggs Chicken(?)/The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|A Galinha Dos Ovos De Ouro||The Golden Eggs Chicken(?)/The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Pinóquio''||Pinocchio||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Pinóquio||Pinocchio||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Aladin E A Lampada Misteriosa''||Aladdin and the Mysterious Lamp||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Aladin E A Lampada Misteriosa||Aladdin and the Mysterious Lamp||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''O Patinho Feio''||The Ugly Duck/The Ugly Duckling||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|O Patinho Feio||The Ugly Duck/The Ugly Duckling||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Rumpelstiltskin''||Rumpelstiltskin||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Rumpelstiltskin||Rumpelstiltskin||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Os Anões E O Sapateiro''||The Dwarves and the Shoemaker/The Elves and the Shoemaker||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Os Anões E O Sapateiro||The Dwarves and the Shoemaker/The Elves and the Shoemaker||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
 
==The Alice in Wonderland Mini-Series==
===The Alice in Wonderland mini-series===
In addition to the one-shot fairy tales, the backs of some of the fairy tale books indicated that Superscope was producing a series of six English-Language tapes for ''Alice in Wonderland''. However, the back of the book does not provide names for the six episodes. The book titles have since resurfaced via eBay, and they appear to combine the original ''Alice in Wonderland'' with the sequel ''Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass''.
In addition to the one-shot fairy tales, the backs of some of the fairy tale books indicated that Superscope was producing a series of six English-Language tapes for Alice in Wonderland. However, the back of the book does not provide names for the six episodes. The book titles have since resurfaced via eBay, and they appear to combine the original "Alice in Wonderland" with the sequel "Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass".


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Alice in Wonderland: The Mad Hatter's Tea Party''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice in Wonderland: The Mad Hatter's Tea Party||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Alice in Wonderland: The Court of Cards''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice in Wonderland: The Court of Cards||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Tweedledum and Tweedledee''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Tweedledum and Tweedledee||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: The Land of the Red Queen''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: The Land of the Red Queen||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Queen Alice''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Queen Alice||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
==The Favorite Bible Stories Series==
==The Favorite Bible Stories Series==
The "Favorite Bible Stories" series consisted of at least six English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1975. There is currently no evidence that these stories were re-done by Superscope in any other languages. At least four of the audio cassettes were adapted into VHS video storybooks.
The ''Favorite Bible Stories'' series consisted of at least six English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1975. There is currently no evidence that these stories were re-done by Superscope in any other languages. At least four of the audio cassettes were adapted into VHS video storybooks.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 166: Line 163:
! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
|-
|-
|''Noah And The Ark''||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-and-joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Noah And The Ark||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-and-joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''David & Goliath''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/david-goliath-samson-delilah-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|David & Goliath||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/david-goliath-samson-delilah-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Joshua and the Battle of Jericho''||[https://archive.org/details/joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-and-joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Joshua and the Battle of Jericho||[https://archive.org/details/joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/noah-and-the-ark-and-joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Daniel in the Lions Den''||[https://archive.org/details/daniel-in-the-lions-den-side-a-1975<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/moses-in-egypt-and-daniel-in-the-lions-den<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Daniel in the Lions Den||[https://archive.org/details/daniel-in-the-lions-den-side-a-1975<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://archive.org/details/moses-in-egypt-and-daniel-in-the-lions-den<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Samson and Delilah''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/david-goliath-samson-delilah-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Samson and Delilah||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/david-goliath-samson-delilah-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Moses in Egypt''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/moses-in-egypt-and-daniel-in-the-lions-den<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Moses in Egypt||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/moses-in-egypt-and-daniel-in-the-lions-den<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|}
|}
==The Growing Up Smarter Series==
==The Growing Up Smarter Series==
The "Growing Up Smarter" series consisted of at least twelve English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1982. The tapes were at children between the ages of 3 and 8, and were light-hearted educational tapes that used stories as framing devices. In addition to the audio cassette and book, these tapes often came with additional items, such as cardboard puzzles and stickers. At least four VHS storybooks were made, though two VHS titles, "Learning Addition" and "Learning Spelling", do not have an audio cassette version listed.  
The ''Growing Up Smarter'' series consisted of at least twelve English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1982. The tapes were at children between the ages of 3 and 8, and were light-hearted educational tapes that used stories as framing devices. In addition to the audio cassette and book, these tapes often came with additional items, such as cardboard puzzles and stickers. At least four VHS storybooks were made, though two VHS titles, ''Learning Addition'' and ''Learning Spelling'', do not have an audio cassette version listed.  


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 188: Line 184:
! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
! style="background-color:green" | Video Storybook Status
|-
|-
|''Singing-a-long with my Puppet Pals''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Singing-a-long with my Puppet Pals||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Fun on a Rainy Day''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Fun on a Rainy Day||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning to Tell Time''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning to Tell Time||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning My ABC's''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-abcs-shapes-and-color-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Learning My ABC's||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-abcs-shapes-and-color-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Learning About Manners''||[https://archive.org/details/learning-about-manners-what-do-you-say-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning About Manners||[https://archive.org/details/learning-about-manners-what-do-you-say-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning the Calendar''||[https://archive.org/details/learning-the-calendar-parade-of-the-months-side-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning the Calendar||[https://archive.org/details/learning-the-calendar-parade-of-the-months-side-1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning About Planets''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning About Planets||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning My 1, 2, 3's''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning My 1, 2, 3's||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning About the Zoo''||[https://archive.org/details/learning-about-the-zoo-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Learning About the Zoo||[https://archive.org/details/learning-about-the-zoo-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning About Shapes & Colors''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-abcs-shapes-and-color-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Learning About Shapes & Colors||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-abcs-shapes-and-color-1080p<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Wacky Words''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Wacky Words||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Nimble Numbers''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||<span style="color:grey;">Existence Unconfirmed</span>
|Nimble Numbers||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Learning Addition''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-growing-up-smarter-learning-addition-and-spelling<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Learning Addition||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-growing-up-smarter-learning-addition-and-spelling<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Learning Spelling''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-growing-up-smarter-learning-addition-and-spelling<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Learning Spelling||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>||[https://archive.org/details/tele-story-growing-up-smarter-learning-addition-and-spelling<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|}
|}
==Confirmed Productions of Licensed Properties==
==Confirmed Productions of Licensed Properties==
===Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids===
===Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids===
The storybooks in this series were abridged retellings of episodes from the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids television show from the 1970s and 1980s. The books featured still images from the actual animated epsiodes. While the books proudly claim to star Bill Cosby, it is not clear if the audio was ripped directly from the show, or if any of the other actors reprised their roles for these adaptations. It is believed that only two books were produced for this original series, as each book only showed the other book in the title list on the back. These books were "Four Eyes" and "Rebop for Bebop".
The storybooks in this series were abridged retellings of episodes from the ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'' television show from the 1970s and 1980s. The books featured still images from the actual animated epsiodes. While the books proudly claim to star Bill Cosby, it is not clear if the audio was ripped directly from the show, or if any of the other actors reprised their roles for these adaptations. It is believed that only two books were produced for this original series, as each book only showed the other book in the title list on the back. These books were "Four Eyes" and "Rebop for Bebop".


A third book has since resurfaced on eBay, titled "The Sinister Stranger". However, it was actually part of Tele-Story's later "Straight Talk for Kids" series, as opposed to this earlier Fat Albert series. The book does not name any additional Fat Albert titles. However, it does provide the only evidence that "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs" were planned to receive titles. There has been no evidence to suggest that these Fat Albert books were ever re-released on VHS in the video storybook format. Given that the fully-animated original show itself was released on VHS, it is unlikely that a version with still frames and a voiceover would have been allowed.
A third book has since resurfaced on eBay, titled "The Sinister Stranger". However, it was actually part of Tele-Story's later ''Straight Talk for Kids'' series, as opposed to this earlier Fat Albert series. The book does not name any additional ''Fat Albert'' titles. However, it does provide the only evidence that "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs" were planned to receive titles. There has been no evidence to suggest that these ''Fat Albert'' books were ever re-released on VHS in the video storybook format. Given that the fully-animated original show itself was released on VHS, it is unlikely that a version with still frames and a voiceover would have been allowed.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Four Eyes''||[https://archive.org/details/fat-albert-and-the-cosby-kids-four-eyes-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Four Eyes||[https://archive.org/details/fat-albert-and-the-cosby-kids-four-eyes-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|-
|-
|''Rebop for Bebop''||[https://archive.org/details/fat-albert-and-the-cosby-kids-rebop-for-bebop-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|Rebop for Bebop||[https://archive.org/details/fat-albert-and-the-cosby-kids-rebop-for-bebop-side-a<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]
|}
|}
===Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones===
===Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones===
The storybooks for this series were presumably based on the 1980s Galoob toyline of the same name. The U.K. toy collector site "ghost of the doll" contains small low-resolution images of the cover art.<ref>[https://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/goldengirl-books.php 80s and 90s toy collector website showing the Golden Girl book titles and covers.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The series is believed to have only contained two tapes: "Still Waters Run Dangerous" and "Beware the Spider's Bite". There is currently no evidence that this series was intended for VHS storybook adaptation.
The storybooks for this series were presumably based on the 1980s Galoob toyline of the same name. The U.K. toy collector site "ghost of the doll" contains small low-resolution images of the cover art.<ref>[https://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/goldengirl-books.php 80s and 90s toy collector website showing the Golden Girl book titles and covers.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The series is believed to have only contained two tapes: "Still Waters Run Dangerous" and "Beware the Spider's Bite". There is currently no evidence that this series was intended for VHS storybook adaptation.
Line 241: Line 235:
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Still Waters Run Dangerous''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Still Waters Run Dangerous||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Beware the Spider's Bite''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Beware the Spider's Bite||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
===The Adventures of Gumby===
===The Adventures of Gumby===
The storybooks for this series appear to be based on the 1960s Gumby television series due to the episode titles matching the book titles.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Gumby-1960s/dp/B01LPACG6E Amazon Video link showing the 1960s Gumby series episode list.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The confirmed adaptations were "The Witty Witch", "Gumby Crosses the Delaware", "Son of Liberty", and "The Golden Gosling". Unlike Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, these books did not directly use still frames of the original series. Instead, original illustrations were created based on scenes from the show. It is unclear if audio from the 1960s show was repurposed for these tapes, or if it was produced by Tele-Story themselves. There is currently no evidence that this series was ever adapted in the VHS storybook format.
The storybooks for this series appear to be based on the 1960s ''Gumby'' television series due to the episode titles matching the book titles.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Gumby-1960s/dp/B01LPACG6E Amazon Video link showing the 1960s ''Gumby'' series episode list.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20</ref> The confirmed adaptations were "The Witty Witch", "Gumby Crosses the Delaware", "Son of Liberty", and "The Golden Gosling". Unlike ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'', these books did not directly use still frames of the original series. Instead, original illustrations were created based on scenes from the show. It is unclear if audio from the 1960s show was repurposed for these tapes, or if it was produced by Tele-Story themselves. There is currently no evidence that this series was ever adapted in the VHS storybook format.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 254: Line 247:
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''The Witty Witch''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|The Witty Witch||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Gumby Crosses the Delaware''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Gumby Crosses the Delaware||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Son of Liberty''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Son of Liberty||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''The Golden Gosling''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|The Golden Gosling||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
===Space Ace and Dragon's Lair===
===Space Ace and Dragon's Lair===
A single storybook and audio cassette each was made for Don Bluth's "Space Ace" and "Dragon's Lair". The content of tapes are unclear, as the games were in the choose-your-own-adventure style. There is no evidence to suggest that these tapes ever got VHS storybook adaptations.
A single storybook and audio cassette each was made for Don Bluth's ''Space Ace'' and ''Dragon's Lair''. The content of tapes are unclear, as the games were in the choose-your-own-adventure style. There is no evidence to suggest that these tapes ever got VHS storybook adaptations.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 271: Line 263:
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Dragon's Lair''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Dragon's Lair||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Space Ace''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Space Ace||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
===The Straight Talk for Kids series===
===The Straight Talk for Kids series===
The "Straight Talk for Kids" series appears to have been made to talk with children about difficult issues. Images of only one tape from this series have surfaced. This example, "Not All Rainbows are Golden", is an anti-drug and anti-alcohol PSA presented by Punky Brewster. This is also the only known usage of the Punky Brewster property by Tele-Story. Another book has surfaced without its tape, in which Tele-Story re-used the Fat Albert license. This book was called "The Sinister Stranger", and it was advertised as the Fat Albert gang learning how to prevent child abduction. No evidence has surfaced of VHS storybook adaptations of this series, and it remains one of the most obscure Tele-Story releases.
The ''Straight Talk for Kids'' series appears to have been made to talk with children about difficult issues. Images of only one tape from this series have surfaced. This example, "Not All Rainbows are Golden", is an anti-drug and anti-alcohol PSA presented by Punky Brewster. This is also the only known usage of the ''Punky Brewster'' property by Tele-Story. Another book has surfaced without its tape, in which Tele-Story re-used the ''Fat Albert'' license. This book was called "The Sinister Stranger", and it was advertised as the Fat Albert gang learning how to prevent child abduction. No evidence has surfaced of VHS storybook adaptations of this series, and it remains one of the most obscure Tele-Story releases.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 284: Line 275:
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
! style="background-color:green" | Audio Status
|-
|-
|''Punky Brewster: Not All Rainbows are Golden''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Punky Brewster: Not All Rainbows are Golden||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|-
|-
|''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Sinister Stranger''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>
|Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Sinister Stranger||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|}
|}
==Unconfirmed Productions==
==Unconfirmed Productions==
In addition to the confirmed produced properties, there are a few that were licensed by Tele-Story, but it is unclear if they were ever produced. The back of Tele-Story books for "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" contained mentions of "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs". However, no book titles are mentioned. A single "Punky Brewster" book did surface under the "Straight Talk for Kids" series, but it is unclear whether this character had a separate Tele-Story series. If this character was only pulled in for that series, it is possible that the other licensed properties were also used exclusively for "Straight Talk for Kids" instead of having their own series. No Tele-Story paper books, Tele-Story audio cassettes, or Tele-Story VHS storybooks for Tinosaurs have resurfaced.
In addition to the confirmed produced properties, there are a few that were licensed by Tele-Story, but it is unclear if they were ever produced. The back of Tele-Story books for ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'' contained mentions of "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs". However, no book titles are mentioned. A single "Punky Brewster" book did surface under the ''Straight Talk for Kids'' series, but it is unclear whether this character had a separate Tele-Story series. If this character was only pulled in for that series, it is possible that the other licensed properties were also used exclusively for ''Straight Talk for Kids'' instead of having their own series. No Tele-Story paper books, Tele-Story audio cassettes, or Tele-Story VHS storybooks for Tinosaurs have resurfaced.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
File:Dragons_Lair.png| The rare Dragon's Lair cassette (courtesy of dragons-lair-project.com)
File:Dragons_Lair.png|The rare ''Dragon's Lair'' cassette (courtesy of dragons-lair-project.com).
File:Space_Ace_tape.jpg| The rare Space Ace cassette (courtesy of dragonslairfans.com)
File:Space_Ace_tape.jpg|The rare ''Space Ace'' cassette (courtesy of dragonslairfans.com).
File:Italian_tape_list.jpg| The list of Italian-language fairy tale cassette tapes that Superscope released in the 1970s
File:Italian_tape_list.jpg|The list of Italian-language fairy tale cassette tapes that Superscope released in the 1970s.
File:Portuguese_tape_list.jpg| The list of Portuguese-language fairy tale cassette tapes that Superscope released in the 1970s
File:Portuguese_tape_list.jpg|The list of Portuguese-language fairy tale cassette tapes that Superscope released in the 1970s.
File:Four_Eyes_tape_list.jpg| The tape listing from the back of the booklet for "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: Four Eyes"
File:Four_Eyes_tape_list.jpg|The tape listing from the back of the booklet for ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: Four Eyes''.
File:Rebop_for_Bebop_tape_list.jpg| The tape listing from the back of the booklet for "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: Rebop for Bebop"
File:Rebop_for_Bebop_tape_list.jpg|The tape listing from the back of the booklet for ''Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: Rebop for Bebop''.
File:Fat_Albert_Third_Book_Front.jpg| The front of the third Fat Albert book, which was not mentioned on either of the other two books
File:Fat_Albert_Third_Book_Front.jpg|The front of the third ''Fat Albert'' book, which was not mentioned on either of the other two books.
File:Fat_Albert_Third_Book_Back.jpg| The back of the Fat Albert book, which mentions licensed books from "Space Ace", "Dragon's Lair", "Punky Brewster", and "Tinosaurs"
File:Fat_Albert_Third_Book_Back.jpg|The back of the ''Fat Albert'' book, which mentions licensed books from ''Space Ace'', ''Dragon's Lair'', ''Punky Brewster'', and ''Tinosaurs''.
File:Alice_tape_list.jpg| Rare book back from Rumplestiltskin, which clarifies the total number of bible stories, the total number of fairy tales, and the total number of books in the Alice in Wonderland mini-series.
File:Alice_tape_list.jpg|Rare book back from ''Rumplestiltskin'', which clarifies the total number of bible stories, the total number of fairy tales, and the total number of books in the ''Alice in Wonderland'' mini-series.
File:Growing_Up_Smarter_tape_list.jpg| The tape listing from the back of the booklet for "Growing Up Smarter: Learning the Calendar"
File:Growing_Up_Smarter_tape_list.jpg|The tape listing from the back of the booklet for ''Growing Up Smarter: Learning the Calendar''.
File:Golden_Girl_Beware_the_Spiders_Bite.jpg| The cover art for "Golden Girl: Beware the Spider's Bite" (courtesy of ghostofthedoll.co.uk)
File:Golden_Girl_Beware_the_Spiders_Bite.jpg|The cover art for ''Golden Girl: Beware the Spider's Bite'' (courtesy of ghostofthedoll.co.uk).
File:Golden_Girl_Still_Waters_Run_Dangerous.jpg| The cover art for "Golden Girl: Still Waters Run Dangerous" (courtesy of ghostofthedoll.co.uk)
File:Golden_Girl_Still_Waters_Run_Dangerous.jpg|The cover art for ''Golden Girl: Still Waters Run Dangerous'' (courtesy of ghostofthedoll.co.uk).
File:Punky_Brewster_Straight_Talk_For_Kids.jpg| The "Straight Talk for Kids Tape" titled "Not All Rainbows are Golden" featuring Punky Brewster
File:Punky_Brewster_Straight_Talk_For_Kids.jpg|The ''Straight Talk for Kids'' tape titled ''Not All Rainbows are Golden'' featuring Punky Brewster.
File:Cinderella_Jack_back.jpg|
File:Cinderella_Jack_back.jpg|
File:Cinderella_Jack_edge.jpg|
File:Cinderella_Jack_edge.jpg|
Line 320: Line 310:
File:Bible_stories_moses_daniel_front.jpg|
File:Bible_stories_moses_daniel_front.jpg|
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
==External Link==
==External Links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVk5tKRCXWY&list=PL1Z7ikLbaXsDEBqamZytjly_sWxHUhLGr Derek DeHass audio reconstructions of the series.] Retrieved 12 Sep '20
Derek DeHass Reconstructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVk5tKRCXWY&list=PL1Z7ikLbaXsDEBqamZytjly_sWxHUhLGr


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Lost audio]]
[[Category:Lost audio]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]

Revision as of 17:43, 19 September 2020

Tele-Story Growing Up Smarter.jpg

Three tapes from the Growing Up Smarter Series in original packaging with their books.

Status: Partially Found

The Superscope company was incorporated in 1957 and originally distributed Sony reel-to-reel and cassette tape recorders throughout the 1960s. The name was based on a trademarked technique for producing widescreen movie prints that was developed by the company's founders in 1954. During the 1970s, they began developing storybook and audio cassette bundles aimed at young children under their Tele-Story and Storyteller lines.[1] The books were primarily illustrated by Rex Irvine and Judie Clarke. The books and tapes were primarily focused on classic fairytales and bible stories. Most of the tapes were produced in English, but the fairy tale tapes were also translated into Portuguese and Italian language. It is unknown if any of their other series received similar translations.

As they moved into the early 1980s, they began producing their Growing Up Smarter series of audio cassettes and books, which contained educational material aimed at children ages 3 to 8. By the middle of the 1980s, they had also aquired licenses for various children's properties, such as Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and The Adventures of Gumby. These properties were also used to produce packs of audio cassettes and educational storybooks.

By the late 1980s, Superscope had also begun producing VHS video storybooks. These tapes consisted of still images taken from their earlier storybooks and appear to contain the same audio narrations from the audo cassettes that they produced in the 1970s and early 1980s. Some of their Growing Up Smarter, " Favorite Bible Stories, and Classic Fairy Tales series were known to have been reproduced in this form. It is unknown if any of their licensed properties received the same treatment. Also, during the late 1980s, the Tele-Story portion of Superscope Inc was apparently bought out by Fun Discovery Inc, who continued to sell the audio cassettes and VHS storybooks.

The Classic Fairy Tales Series

The Classic Fairy Tales series consisted of 24 known English-language audio cassettes produced between 1973 and 1989. These were marketed under the Tele-Story Presents series. There are also two known alternate-language series. In 1973, Superscope released a series of at least twelve tapes that contained Italian-language recordings on both sides of the tape. These were marketed under the Superscope Presenta series. Also in 1973, Superscope released at least twelve tapes that contained an English-language recording on one side and a Portuguese-language recording on the opposite side. These were marketed under the title O Storyteller. This series is known to have changed some character's names for the Portuguese audience, such as "Hansel and Gretel" becoming "Joao and Maria".

Some of the English-language fairy tales audio cassette tapes were later adapted into VHS video storybooks. The early tapes were marked as being products of "Marantz", which is a famous hi-fi audio company that was owned by Superscope Inc. The later tapes were marked by "Fun Discovery Inc", who apparently bought the Tele-Story divsion from SuperScope Inc in the late 1980s. It is not known if all of the old cassette tapes were adapted, as only a few examples have resurfaced. As an aside, while many of the original VHS storybook tapes have not been digitized, a YouTube channel called Derek DeHaas has been using the storybooks and cassette tape narration to make reconstructions.

The English Translation

Title Audio Status Video Storybook Status
The Tortoise and the Hare Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Emperor's New Clothes Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Little Red Riding Hood Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Snow White Lost Found
Cinderella Lost Found
Hansel & Gretel Lost Found
Beauty & the Beast Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Tom Thumb Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Aladdin Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Jack and the Beanstalk Lost Found
Gulliver's Travel Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Rumpelstiltskin Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Sleeping Beauty Lost Found
Pinocchio Lost Found
The Little Mermaid Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Puss in Boots Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Thumbelina Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Gingerbread Man Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Bremen Town Musicians Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Ugly Duckling Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Wizard of Oz Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Elves and the Shoemaker Lost Existence Unconfirmed
The Selfish Giant Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Sinbad the Sailor Lost Existence Unconfirmed

The Italian Translation

Title English Translation Audio Status
Cenerentola Cinderella Lost
La Bella Addormentata Sleeping Beauty Lost
Giacomo E La Planta Di Fagioli Giacomo and the Bean Plant Lost
Hansel E Gretel Hansel and Gretel Lost
La Lampada Di Aladino The Lamp of Aladino Lost
Biancaneve Snow-White Lost
Il Brutto Anatroccolo The Ugly Duckling Found
Saltapecchio Skip the Mirror(?) Lost
Capuccetto Rosso Little Red Riding Hood Lost
Pinocchio Pinocchio Lost
I Folletti Ed Il Calzolaio The Goblins and the Shoemaker Lost
Pollicino Tom Thumb(?) Lost

The Portuguese Translation

Title English Translation Audio Status
Cinderela Cinderella Lost
A Bela Adormecida Sleeping Beauty Found
Joao E Maria Joao E Maria/Hansel and Gretel Found
Branca De Neve Snow White Lost
O Pequeno Polegar The Little Thumb/Tom Thumb Lost
O Chapeuzinho Vermelho Little Red Riding Hood Lost
A Galinha Dos Ovos De Ouro The Golden Eggs Chicken(?)/The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg Lost
Pinóquio Pinocchio Lost
Aladin E A Lampada Misteriosa Aladdin and the Mysterious Lamp Lost
O Patinho Feio The Ugly Duck/The Ugly Duckling Lost
Rumpelstiltskin Rumpelstiltskin Lost
Os Anões E O Sapateiro The Dwarves and the Shoemaker/The Elves and the Shoemaker Lost

The Alice in Wonderland Mini-Series

In addition to the one-shot fairy tales, the backs of some of the fairy tale books indicated that Superscope was producing a series of six English-Language tapes for Alice in Wonderland. However, the back of the book does not provide names for the six episodes. The book titles have since resurfaced via eBay, and they appear to combine the original Alice in Wonderland with the sequel Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass.

Title Audio Status
Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole Lost
Alice in Wonderland: The Mad Hatter's Tea Party Lost
Alice in Wonderland: The Court of Cards Lost
Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Tweedledum and Tweedledee Lost
Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: The Land of the Red Queen Lost
Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass: Queen Alice Lost

The Favorite Bible Stories Series

The Favorite Bible Stories series consisted of at least six English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1975. There is currently no evidence that these stories were re-done by Superscope in any other languages. At least four of the audio cassettes were adapted into VHS video storybooks.

Title Audio Status Video Storybook Status
Noah And The Ark Found Found
David & Goliath Lost Found
Joshua and the Battle of Jericho Found Found
Daniel in the Lions Den Found Found
Samson and Delilah Lost Found
Moses in Egypt Lost Found

The Growing Up Smarter Series

The Growing Up Smarter series consisted of at least twelve English-language tapes produced by Tele-Story around 1982. The tapes were at children between the ages of 3 and 8, and were light-hearted educational tapes that used stories as framing devices. In addition to the audio cassette and book, these tapes often came with additional items, such as cardboard puzzles and stickers. At least four VHS storybooks were made, though two VHS titles, Learning Addition and Learning Spelling, do not have an audio cassette version listed.

Title Audio Status Video Storybook Status
Singing-a-long with my Puppet Pals Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Fun on a Rainy Day Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Learning to Tell Time Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Learning My ABC's Lost Found
Learning About Manners Found Existence Unconfirmed
Learning the Calendar Found Existence Unconfirmed
Learning About Planets Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Learning My 1, 2, 3's Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Learning About the Zoo Found Existence Unconfirmed
Learning About Shapes & Colors Lost Found
Wacky Words Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Nimble Numbers Lost Existence Unconfirmed
Learning Addition Existence Unconfirmed Found
Learning Spelling Existence Unconfirmed Found

Confirmed Productions of Licensed Properties

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

The storybooks in this series were abridged retellings of episodes from the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids television show from the 1970s and 1980s. The books featured still images from the actual animated epsiodes. While the books proudly claim to star Bill Cosby, it is not clear if the audio was ripped directly from the show, or if any of the other actors reprised their roles for these adaptations. It is believed that only two books were produced for this original series, as each book only showed the other book in the title list on the back. These books were "Four Eyes" and "Rebop for Bebop".

A third book has since resurfaced on eBay, titled "The Sinister Stranger". However, it was actually part of Tele-Story's later Straight Talk for Kids series, as opposed to this earlier Fat Albert series. The book does not name any additional Fat Albert titles. However, it does provide the only evidence that "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs" were planned to receive titles. There has been no evidence to suggest that these Fat Albert books were ever re-released on VHS in the video storybook format. Given that the fully-animated original show itself was released on VHS, it is unlikely that a version with still frames and a voiceover would have been allowed.

Title Audio Status
Four Eyes Found
Rebop for Bebop Found

Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones

The storybooks for this series were presumably based on the 1980s Galoob toyline of the same name. The U.K. toy collector site "ghost of the doll" contains small low-resolution images of the cover art.[2] The series is believed to have only contained two tapes: "Still Waters Run Dangerous" and "Beware the Spider's Bite". There is currently no evidence that this series was intended for VHS storybook adaptation.

Title Audio Status
Still Waters Run Dangerous Lost
Beware the Spider's Bite Lost

The Adventures of Gumby

The storybooks for this series appear to be based on the 1960s Gumby television series due to the episode titles matching the book titles.[3] The confirmed adaptations were "The Witty Witch", "Gumby Crosses the Delaware", "Son of Liberty", and "The Golden Gosling". Unlike Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, these books did not directly use still frames of the original series. Instead, original illustrations were created based on scenes from the show. It is unclear if audio from the 1960s show was repurposed for these tapes, or if it was produced by Tele-Story themselves. There is currently no evidence that this series was ever adapted in the VHS storybook format.

Title Audio Status
The Witty Witch Lost
Gumby Crosses the Delaware Lost
Son of Liberty Lost
The Golden Gosling Lost

Space Ace and Dragon's Lair

A single storybook and audio cassette each was made for Don Bluth's Space Ace and Dragon's Lair. The content of tapes are unclear, as the games were in the choose-your-own-adventure style. There is no evidence to suggest that these tapes ever got VHS storybook adaptations.

Title Audio Status
Dragon's Lair Lost
Space Ace Lost

The Straight Talk for Kids series

The Straight Talk for Kids series appears to have been made to talk with children about difficult issues. Images of only one tape from this series have surfaced. This example, "Not All Rainbows are Golden", is an anti-drug and anti-alcohol PSA presented by Punky Brewster. This is also the only known usage of the Punky Brewster property by Tele-Story. Another book has surfaced without its tape, in which Tele-Story re-used the Fat Albert license. This book was called "The Sinister Stranger", and it was advertised as the Fat Albert gang learning how to prevent child abduction. No evidence has surfaced of VHS storybook adaptations of this series, and it remains one of the most obscure Tele-Story releases.

Title Audio Status
Punky Brewster: Not All Rainbows are Golden Lost
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Sinister Stranger Lost

Unconfirmed Productions

In addition to the confirmed produced properties, there are a few that were licensed by Tele-Story, but it is unclear if they were ever produced. The back of Tele-Story books for Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids contained mentions of "Punky Brewster" and "Tinosaurs". However, no book titles are mentioned. A single "Punky Brewster" book did surface under the Straight Talk for Kids series, but it is unclear whether this character had a separate Tele-Story series. If this character was only pulled in for that series, it is possible that the other licensed properties were also used exclusively for Straight Talk for Kids instead of having their own series. No Tele-Story paper books, Tele-Story audio cassettes, or Tele-Story VHS storybooks for Tinosaurs have resurfaced.

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References