Gabrielle and the Doodleman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gabrielle and the Doodleman is a children's film, that was released in 1984 and directed and written by Francis Essex.[1][2][3] It was produced by the Elstree (Production) Company Ltd for the Children's Film Foundation (at that time renamed the Children's Film and Television Foundation) and was one of their last productions.[4][5]
The story is about Gabrielle, a girl who becomes paraplegic after a car accident at age three and uses a wheelchair. Gabrielle spends much of her time using her computer and gets involved in a life and death battle with characters from her computer game (she can be seen playing "Space Invaders" at the beginning of the film[6]), and in particular "Doodleman", that help her through a difficult time. Matthew Kelly played a James Bond like character "Doodleman", with Eric Sykes as the Genie, Windsor Davies as the characters Ringmaster, Black Knight and an Ugly Sister. Prudence Oliver played the main character Gabrielle and Anna Dawson played the Wicked Witch.[7] Singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul, played the characters Miss Moneypocket (a Miss Moneypenny type character) and Dandini.[7] Gareth Hunt played Mike as well as the King and Baron Hardup. Comedienne Josephine Tewson played Mrs. Briggs and the Fairy Godmother. Bob Todd (real name Brian Todd) was Merlin as well as an Ugly Sister and Pierre Picton, the last surviving clown from Bertram Mills Circus, played the Clown.[7]
Production
De Paul wrote and performed the fitting, electronic-tinged, theme tune "You're Alright as You Are" which was performed by Matthew Kelly and she composed, arranged and played all the incidental music that is featured in the film.[8]
The producer was Greg Smith and the associate producer was Roy Goddard.[9] The budget was £202,097.[10] It was shot on video and premiered on television rather than in cinemas.[11]
It was written and directed by Francis Essex.[12]
