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, a monument to Bolek and Lolek [pl] was erected outside the Sfera shopping centre 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]
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. ISBN9781476672939.