Paul Tripp Movies
As the creator of such beloved children's programs as Mr. I. Magination, On the Carousel, and The Birthday House, Emmy and Peabody award-winning writer/performer Paul Tripp endeared himself to a generation of children with his creative and inspired method of education through music. Born in New York City in February 1911, Tripp entered City College of the City University of New York at the remarkable age of 14 before dropping out to pursue law studies at Brooklyn Law School. Though he would prematurely abandon his tenure at Brooklyn Law School as well, Tripp made his Broadway debut at the age of 25 in a performance of Cyrano de Bergerac. After performing in the George Kleinsinger opera Victory Against Heaven a few short years later, he would form a collaboration with that effort's composer to develop his concept of "Tubby the Tuba." Though that effort was momentarily halted due to Tripp's being drafted into World War II in 1942, he would continue to perform while serving in the Army and, upon his return stateside, revive Tubby to great success. Recorded in 1945, Tubby was nominated for a Grammy while a later animated adaptation was nominated for an Oscar. Beginning production of the children's program Mr. I. Magination for CBS in 1949, the program had a successful three-year run during which it took home a Peabody award. Frequently collaborating with wife Ruth Enders, Tripp's children's programming also served as a springboard for such burgeoning actors as Walter Matthau and Richard Boone. Tripp would gain additional exposure on such popular programs as Kraft Television Theater, Studio One, and The Twilight Zone in addition to producing and starring in On the Carousel and The Birthday House. Outside of the realm of television, Tripp's recording and publishing of around 600 songs on 30 albums, in addition to his writing of four children's books, found his love for music and education expanding to numerous other avenues. The film adaptation of Tripp's book The Christmas That Almost Wasn't would go on to become a holiday tradition among numerous fans. Three years after the death of his wife in 1999, Paul Tripp died of natural causes in his native Manhattan. He was 91. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
In this light comedy directed by British writer-comedian Ben Elton, Sam and Lucy Bell (Hugh Laurie and Joely Richardson) are an upwardly mobile London couple who are trying desperately to conceive a baby. Along for the ride, which is laden with sperm-count and hormone-injection jokes, is a cast that reads like a Who's Who in British comedy. Rowan Atkinson makes an appearance as an obstetrician, Dawn French and Joanna Lumley show up as an Australian nurse and Lucy's snooty boss, and Emma Thompson has a stint as a New Age health freak. Adrian Lester and Tom Hollander also co-star, the latter as a Brit-loathing Scottish director. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Dawn French, (more)
- 1977
A corpulent wind instrument finds excitement in this animated adaptation of a beloved children's story. The tale features the voices of Dick Van Dyke, Pearl Bailey, Jack Gilford and Hermoine Gingold. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
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In this tuneful Italian holiday film a scroogy old miser decides to evict Santa Clause and Company from the North Pole because the dead-beats are behind on their rent. Children from around the world rally 'round the Jolly One and send him their pennies and save the day. Songs include: "Christmas Is Coming," "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't," "Hustle Bustle," "I'm Bad," "Kids Get All the Breaks," "The Name of the Song Is Prune," "Nothing to Do But Wait," "Santa Claus (Round)," "Time for Christmas," "What Are Children Like When They're Fast Asleep?" and "Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas?" ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Paul Tripp, (more)
- 1965
The German Hansel and Gretel was originally produced in 1954, but was withheld from American release because of a competing animated version. In 1965, a limited-release concerns called Childhood Productions managed to find several "four waller" bookings for the 11-year-old film. The story is the same as ever: forest urchins Hansel and Gretel venture into the woods, get lost, come across a gingerbread house, and foil the plans of a voracious witch. Dubbed into English, Hansel and Gretel was fitted out with a new musical score by Milton and Anne DeLugg. Its narrator was Paul Tripp, whom baby-boomers will fondly remember as TV's "Mr. I. Magination." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Poised to receive a huge inheritance on her 21st birthday, mixed-up Merle Telford (Jana Taylor) plans to free herself from her domineering Aunt Olivia (Jorja Curtwright) and elope with boyfriend Danny Pierce (Jack Ging). Correctly sizing up Danny as a fortune hunter--indeed, he intends to swipe the inheritance and run off with his real sweetheart Gina Gilbert (Joan Staley)--Olivia hires detective Paul Drake (William Hopper) to prevent Merle from ruining her life. But it appears as if Drake will be too late when Merle is accused of murdering Olivia during a party. Lucky for Merle that Drake is a close friend of defense attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr). This is the final episode of Perry Mason's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
One of Charles Beaumont's most charming Twilight Zone scripts, this episode stars the ubiqitious J. Pat O'Malley as Old Ben, the only ray of sunshine in the life of crippled eight-year-old Jenny (Susan Gordon). Out of earshot of Jenny's harridan guardian Mrs. Gann (Nancy Kulp), Old Ben confesses that he is a fugitive from a distant planet, an assertion that seems to be verified when he miraculously heals Jenny's leg. The arrival of two mysterious strangers leads to an even more startling revelation -- albeit one with happy results. Keep an eye on that photograph in the final scene. "The Fugitive" first aired March 9, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- J. Pat O'Malley, Susan Gordon, (more)
- 1962
Paladin (Richard Boone) receives a summons for help from Abel Hix, a legendary gunfighter nearing the end of his life. By the time Paladin arrives in Hix's home town, he finds that the old man's life has already ended, and not in a pretty fashion. It now falls to Paladin to make certain that Abel gets a decent funeral and burial, despite protests from certain less savory representatives of the local populace. Actor-songwriter Paul Tripp, former host of the classic TV's children's show Mr. I. Magination, appears as Reverend Harper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Upset by the boy's club camaraderie of the "Alan Brady Show" writing staff, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) insists that Rob (Dick Van Dyke) start treating his co-writer Sally (Rose Marie) like a lady and not merely as "one of the guys." Though he thinks it's a crazy idea, Rob does what Laura asks, going overboard with his courtesies and compliments aimed at the nonplussed Sally. Alas, the plan backfires when Buddy and Mel become convinced that Rob and Sally are carrying on an affair! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Paul Tripp, (more)
- 1955
This West German film is from the Grimm Fairy tale about two beautiful sisters and a wicked dwarf with magical powers. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1955
This is a German version of the enduring fairy tale of a hapless beauty who finds herself harassed by a jealous queen. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1952
The story of the nativity is reinterpreted as a musical in this "Studio One" production starring Paul Tripp, Miriam Wolf, Robert Shaw Chorale, and Hurd Hatfield. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
