The Abduction of Balthazar Sponge

7min

Animation

Family

Kids

The Abduction of Balthazar Sponge (Polish: Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki) is a Polish-language fantasy animated series produced by Studio Filmów Rysunkowych from 1969 to 1970, that was based on 1965 children's book Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki by Stanisław Pagaczewski. The series had 1 season consisting of 13 episodes, each lasting from 6 to 7 minutes. The episodes were directed by Władysław Nehrebecki, Alfred Ledwig, Edward Wątor, Józef Byrdy, Bronisław Zeman, Wacław Wajser, and Stanisław Dülz, while the scrips were written by Zofia Olak and Leszek Mech. The series had a sequel ,Wyprawa profesora Gąbki, that was produced from 1978 to 1980.

Episodes

Cast

Episode 1

1. Episode 1

7min

1st May 1969

In the Robbers' Camp

2. In the Robbers' Camp

7min

1st Jun 1969

The anti-robbers met on their way, invite the Dragon and Bartolini to their cave for a feast. Don Pedro, in disguise, entertains them as a dancing bear. The ringleader opens the vault and gives them a heap of gold.

The Merry Cockroach Inn

3. The Merry Cockroach Inn

7min

1st Jul 1969

The Wawel Dragon and Bartolini the cook stop at the ‘Jolly Monster’ Inn. Spy Don Pedro follows them. He also gives them red toadstool jam and deflates the tires of their car.

The Encounter with the Milk Drinking Dragon

4. The Encounter with the Milk Drinking Dragon

7min

1st Aug 1969

The Wawel Dragon and Bartolini the cook reach the Wawel Dragon’s cousin – the Milk Drinking Dragon. Thanks to a wiretap, spy Don Pedro finds out that professor Gabka has been arrested.

In the Land of King Sunny

5. In the Land of King Sunny

7min

1st Sep 1969

Don Pedro reaches King Sunshine with a telegram notifying that two not tanned people have arrived at the kingdom. The king wants to see the people and force them to sunbathe. He also invites them to visit the deckchair factory.

The Escape

6. The Escape

7min

1st Oct 1969

King Sunshine wants to imprison the Wawel Dragon and Bartolini the cook for two weeks until they get tanned. The friends plan to escape under cover of night.

In the Land of Bo-Bo

7. In the Land of Bo-Bo

7min

1st Jan 1970

The Dragon and Bartolini, despite the obstacles, reach the land of the Grumpy Hippopotamus. The hippopotamus kindly advises them to use a raft, the monkeys help to build it.

Across the Three Seas

8. Across the Three Seas

7min

1st Feb 1970

On their raft, the Dragon and Bartolini travel across three seas in order to reach the Land of the Raincoats. The saw fish cuts off their gas tank, and Don Pedro destroys the raft. The dragon saves them and fishes up the car.

Across the Land of the Raincoats

9. Across the Land of the Raincoats

6min

1st Mar 1970

Don Pedro, disguised as a guard, offers the dragon and Bartolini a pass to the Land of the Raincoats. Firstly, he prepares dinner for them – poisoned lamb. The dragon reminds himself the legend of Szewczyk Dratewka. The unmasked spy escapes in the dragon’s car.

Conquest of the Palace

10. Conquest of the Palace

6min

1st Apr 1970

Don Pedro reaches the king of the Land of the Raincoats. The king orders his army to sink his enemy. The dragon and the cook successfully resist the attack, and the army put down their weapons. They learn that professor Gabka has been sent to the wet pits.

The Night Battle

11. The Night Battle

7min

1st May 1970

The Wawel Dragon and Bartolini the cook fight a night battle against Wir-Siapawica’s gang. They manage to defeat the enemy and also free professor Gabka, previously kidnapped by the gang.

Episode 12

12. Episode 12

7min

1st Jun 1970

Don Pedro hangs over the precipice and calls for help. The Wawel Dragon and Bartolini come to the rescue of him. Don Pedro introduces himself as ‘a very important official.’ He eats a meal together with his saviours.

Direction Krakow

13. Direction Krakow

7min

1st Jul 1970

In order to get back to Cracow faster, the Wawel Dragon and Bartolini the cook transform their car into an airplane. The king and the townspeople cheer for them in St. Mary's Square.

First air date

1st May 1969

Last air date

1st Jul 1970

Status

Ended

Type

Miniseries

Original language

pl

Networks