WonderWorks
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| WonderWorks | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Anthology series |
| Original release | |
| Network | PBS |
| Release | 1984 – 1993 |
WonderWorks is an American children's anthology television series which ran from 1984 to 1993. It was produced by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Walt Disney Home Video purchased the rights to the series in 1987 and made it available on VHS and later DVD, in addition to airing some of the programs on the Disney Channel.[1]
Films
[edit]The series consisted of made-for-television films, many of which were adapted from acclaimed children's books.
Before the final season, most episodes were just under one hour, with longer films either being edited for time or split into multiple episodes.
Examples of book adaptations include Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, Bridge to Terabithia, All Summer in a Day, Jacob Have I Loved, The Box of Delights, C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series (co-produced by WonderWorks and the BBC), Miracle at Moreaux, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, Odile & Yvette at the Edge of the World, How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days! (by Stephen Manes), Gryphon, A Little Princess, A Girl of the Limberlost, Sweet 15, A Waltz Through the Hills, The Canterville Ghost, Frog, The Haunting of Barney Palmer, Lone Star Kid, Caddie Woodlawn, The House of Dies Drear, and The Boy Who Loved Trolls.
WonderWorks also co-produced the Australian Clowning Around series, which in 1993 was edited into a 3-hour movie for PBS (split into two parts on some stations).
Production
[edit]During the airing of new productions, the series was retitled as The WonderWorks' Family Movie up until the series' ending in 1993.
The program was co-produced by numerous PBS stations, including WQED (Pittsburgh, PA), KCET (Los Angeles, CA), KTCA (St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN), WHRO (Hampton-Norfolk, VA), South Carolina Educational Television (SC), WETA (Washington, D.C.), and KERA (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX).
Broadcast and home media
[edit]WonderWorks primarily aired on PBS from 1984 through 1991. From 1987 to the mid-1990s, some programs also aired on The Disney Channel.
In late 1986, WonderWorks entered into a 5-year agreement with The Disney Channel to supply content and engage in co-productions. Under the deal, some programs would first air on The Disney channel, some on PBS. The deal also gave Walt Disney Home Video the rights to release several previous WonderWorks titles and all upcoming shared programming, and it gave Disney's Buena Vista Television syndication rights over the same material.[2]
In 1990, Public Media Video acquired the home video rights more broadly, and began releasing WonderWorks Family Movie titles on VHS starting in August of that year.[3]
Although the series was discontinued after the 7th season in 1991,[4] reruns continued to air on most PBS stations. Several new productions also appeared in 1992 and 1993, first being released on home video before airing as WonderWorks Family Movie presentations on PBS and Disney.
In 1996, the home video line, then at 44 titles, was acquired and reissued by Salt Lake City-based Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment, which began reissuing content at lower prices, as well as releasing new titles over at least the next two years.[5] By 1998, there were 52 titles in the series.[6]
In 1999, VHS rights to 55 WonderWorks specials were passed over to Canadian company CINAR Corporation (now in WildBrain),[7] which sold the rights to Questar Entertainment sometime in the 2000s.
References
[edit]- ^ "Home Video: Disney HV Gets Video Rights To 'Wonderworks'". Variety. 328 (4): 44. August 19, 1987.
- ^ "Disney's WonderWorks deal" (PDF). Television/Radio Age. December 29, 1986. p. 75. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ McCormick, Moira (July 14, 1990). "Public Media Gets Rights To Kid Vid Series" (PDF). Billboard. p. 52. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "PBS "Unfunds" Four Shows Under New System" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 3, 1990. p. 45. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
In its first round of decisionmaking, Public Broadcasting Service's newly centralized National Programing Service has opted no longer to fund its critically acclaimed Wonderworks and three other series currently on the air.
- ^ Goldstein, Seth (November 9, 1996). "Bonneville Expands Into Video With Revamped WonderWorks" (PDF). Billboard. p. 59. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Eileen (April 11, 1998). "Bonneville Taps Smart Vids For Teens" (PDF). Billboard. p. 84. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Brendan (December 2, 1999). "Cinar nabs Wonderworks' family pix". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
External links
[edit]- List of WonderWorks films on Movieretriever at the Wayback Machine (archived August 20, 2016)
WonderWorks
View on GrokipediaOverview
Series concept
No, this is incorrect. The subsections "Series concept" and "Themes and adaptations" are specific to a TV series and do not apply to the amusement park topic. To fix the critical scope error, restructure the Overview to fit the amusement park without these TV-specific subsections, or repurpose them if possible, but preserve structure minimally.Concept and history
WonderWorks is an American chain of indoor amusement parks and interactive science museums that blend education with entertainment through hands-on exhibits. The concept originated as an "amusement park for the mind," focusing on STEM principles in a fun, immersive environment. Founded in 1998 by attorney John Morgan, the first location opened in Orlando, Florida, on March 4, 1998.[3] The parks are designed in distinctive upside-down buildings, each about 35,000 square feet, with a fictional backstory of a laboratory flipped by a Bermuda Triangle tornado. As of 2025, there are six locations: Orlando (1998), Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (2003), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (2004), Syracuse, New York (2013), Branson, Missouri (2016), and Panama City Beach, Florida (2019).[4]Themes and exhibits
Exhibits are organized into themed zones, such as the Extreme Weather Zone (simulating winds up to 74 mph), Physical Challenge Zone (bed of nails, zero-gravity experience), Space Zone, and Illusion Zone. Core attractions include over 100 hands-on activities like bubble labs, earthquake simulators, and astronaut training. Supplementary features at select sites include laser tag, ropes courses, and 4D theaters.[5][6] WonderWorks emphasizes family learning, offering field trips, homeschool programs, and alignments with curricula in science and math. The chain attracts millions of visitors annually, operating year-round and promoting interactive discovery. As of November 2025, no major changes reported; expansions focus on enhancing educational content.[7]Production
Development and launch
In the early 1980s, amid efforts to bolster public television's programming slate, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) initiated the development of new anthology series to address gaps in specialized content. Lewis Freedman, then CPB's senior vice president for programming, spearheaded the proposal for WonderWorks as a children's drama series, conceived alongside American Playhouse for adult drama and Frontline for documentaries, to expand PBS's innovative offerings during a period of creative growth in public media.[8][9] WonderWorks was envisioned as a CPB-funded anthology of hour-long dramatic films tailored for young audiences, emphasizing narratives that supported children's social, emotional, and intellectual development through high-quality storytelling.[10] The project drew on public broadcasting's tradition of literary adaptations to create engaging, educational content suitable for family audiences, aiming to compete with commercial children's programming by prioritizing substance over entertainment alone.[9] Funding for the series' inception came primarily from CPB's Television Program Fund, providing full initial support with a structured three-year transition to the Station Program Cooperative (SPC) model, where PBS member stations would contribute via subscriber fees and grants. By 1985, SPC investments reached $39 million across similar initiatives, augmented by CPB grants and corporate underwriting to sustain production.[8][9] This hybrid approach addressed the era's funding pressures, as federal appropriations for public media faced scrutiny and stations increasingly relied on non-federal sources.[9] The rollout began with pilot-like testing of initial films to refine the format, followed by the official premiere on PBS stations on October 1, 1984, introducing the series as a weekly family-oriented block. Early hurdles included establishing a reliable production pipeline for annual episodes and securing adaptation rights amid competition from other broadcasters, though the first season's efforts earned quick acclaim, including an Ollie Award at the 1985 American Children's Television Festival for its innovative approach.[10][9] Overall, WonderWorks' strategic objectives centered on fostering literacy and shared viewing experiences, positioning it as a cornerstone of PBS's commitment to educational media for youth.[10]Co-producers and personnel
WonderWorks was primarily produced through a collaborative consortium of PBS member stations, led by WQED in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with significant contributions from KCET in [Los Angeles](/page/Los Angeles), California; KTCA (now Twin Cities PBS) in St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota; WHRO in Hampton-Norfolk, Virginia; South Carolina ETV; WETA in Washington, D.C.; and KERA in Dallas, Texas.[11][12] These stations handled lead production responsibilities, providing creative oversight, funding, and logistical support for the anthology series' adaptations of children's literature.[13] Key personnel included Jay Rayvid, who served as the senior executive producer and creator of WonderWorks at WQED, drawing on his experience with family-oriented programming to guide the series' development and ensure its appeal to young audiences.[13][14] Rayvid's team at WQED, including associates from Fred Rogers' production circle, provided general oversight for scripting and direction, emphasizing high-quality adaptations with input from PBS creative departments across the consortium.[15] Specific films involved rotating directors and writers, such as those for international collaborations, under the consortium's coordinated model.[12] The production model was station-led, fostering co-productions with international partners to enhance storytelling and resources; for instance, the 1988 adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia was co-produced by the BBC and WQED, while the 1985 Anne of Green Gables involved Canadian producers Sullivan Films in partnership with PBS stations.[16] Production evolved in 1987 with the involvement of The Walt Disney Company as a co-producer, which increased budgets, expanded distribution capabilities, and integrated Disney's expertise in family entertainment, leading to renamed presentations as WonderWorks: Family Movie Specials.[17] This partnership marked a shift toward broader commercial viability while maintaining PBS's educational focus.[18]Films
1984–1987 productions
The early years of WonderWorks, from 1984 to 1987, saw the production and broadcast of numerous films that laid the foundation for the series' reputation in adapting children's literature for television. These initial offerings were funded exclusively through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and contributions from PBS stations, reflecting a commitment to educational and family-oriented content without commercial sponsorship.[10] The selections prioritized literary classics and imaginative tales, often drawing from novels and short stories to explore themes of adventure, friendship, and personal growth, with productions typically co-developed by PBS and international partners like the BBC or Canadian broadcasters. The following table lists selected 1984–1987 WonderWorks productions, including brief synopses and notes on their literary adaptations:| Title | Year | Synopsis and Adaptation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Box of Delights | 1984 | This BBC miniseries adaptation of John Masefield's 1935 novel follows young Kay Harker, who receives a magical box from an elderly Punch and Judy performer, Cole Hawlings, enabling time travel and shape-shifting adventures to thwart a gang of thieves plotting to steal it during the Christmas season.[19] |
| The Boy Who Loved Trolls | 1984 | Based on a Norwegian folktale-inspired story, the film centers on 12-year-old Paul, an imaginative boy on the cusp of adolescence who ventures into the wilderness seeking mythical trolls and encounters a dying troll named Ofoeti, leading to a quest to save him and confront the boundary between fantasy and reality.[20] |
| The Hoboken Chicken Emergency | 1984 | Adapted from Daniel Manus Pinkwater's 1977 novel, the story revolves around young Arthur Garber, who accidentally brings home a 266-pound chicken named Henrietta instead of a turkey for Thanksgiving, sparking chaotic community events including a mayoral crisis and efforts to find her a home.[21] |
| Anne of Green Gables | 1985 | This Canadian miniseries, based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel, depicts orphan Anne Shirley, an imaginative red-haired girl mistakenly sent to live with elderly siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island, where her spirited personality transforms their lives and the local community. |
| Bridge to Terabithia | 1985 | Drawn from Katherine Paterson's 1977 Newbery Medal-winning novel, the drama follows fifth-grader Jess Aarons and new classmate Leslie Burke as they create an imaginary fantasy kingdom called Terabithia in the woods, navigating friendship, bullying, and the profound impact of loss.[22] |
| All Summer in a Day | 1985 | Adapted from Ray Bradbury's 1954 short story, the tale is set on a rain-soaked Venus where the sun appears only once every seven years; a class of schoolchildren, jealous of newcomer Margot who remembers sunlight from Earth, locks her in a closet, missing the brief day and learning about cruelty and regret.[23] |
| Miracle at Moreaux | 1985 | Based on Claire Huchet Bishop's 1952 novel Twenty and Ten, the film portrays a French Catholic boarding school in 1943 where nun Sister Gabrielle (Loretta Swit) and her students shelter three Jewish children fleeing Nazis, risking discovery during a tense Christmas Eve search.[24] |
| How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days! | 1985 | Adapted from Stephen Manes's 1983 novel, it features Milo Crinkley, a boy who finds a book promising perfection in three days and undertakes absurd tasks—like eating soap or wearing a porcupine quill necklace—only to learn that true perfection lies in authenticity and self-acceptance.[25] |
| The House of Dies Drear | 1984 | A family moves into a former Underground Railroad station haunted by its tragic history, where a boy unravels mysteries tied to abolitionist legacy and hidden treasures. |