Might it be safe now for dragons?
Once upon a time, there was a little Canadian animation studio known as Lacewood Productions. They are probably best known, if they are known at all, for some work they did on Ren and Stimpy. They began, however, with a half-hour long animated film called The Railway Dragon. As claims to fame go, it may not be much, but sometime when I was younger, my mom taped it when it came on TV, and it has become one of those little pieces of visual comfort food that I can still turn to when I need a break from adult stress.
This sweet little film keeps popping into my consciousness, as Scotland is positively lousy with magpies, and as local superstition dictates, they are pointed out and greeted with a salute or a wave to help ward off the bad luck they indicate when they appear alone. I didn’t grow up with this superstition, or with magpies for that matter, but I did grow up with The Railway Dragon. In it, the eponymous wyrm is old and cranky, with the voice of a salty old sailor. Every time I see a magpie, all I can think of are his words as he chases away the one who always tries to steal bits of treasure from his horde. “Thieving mag-pirate!” he shouts, shaking a fist after the retreating bird.
My search to obtain a new copy of the cartoon has been virtually fruitless, and even more futile is the search for its sequel – The Birthday Dragon. However, some kind soul has put The Railway Dragon in its entirety in a series of three YouTube videos. Since Lacewood Productions was acquired or shut down or otherwise driven into obscurity sometime in the 1990′s, I doubt anyone will shut these videos down, unless hell freezes over and Leslie Nielsen, who narrates the cartoon, wants to make a fuss about his residuals.
For now, anyway, thanks to the Internet, you too can join Emily, the little red-haired girl on her first adventure with the dragon, though none of the grown-ups will believe either of you. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
![share save 256 24 [Retro Bunker] The Railway Dragon (1989)](http://www.popbunker.net/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png "[Retro Bunker] The Railway Dragon (1989)"){kind=small}
New by @BaronessHeather: Retro Crush: The Railway Dragon (1989) | PopBunker.net http://www.popbunker.net/2010/09/retro-c…
Wow. That’s a blast from the past.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of this. Looks like I’m spending some quality time with YouTube later.
Let me know how you like it!
It’s a sweet little cartoon
Wow…never even came across this one. Was it on cable? Like Elwood, looks like my non-existent ass will be sitting in front of YouTube, catching up on whatever episodes are available.
It couldn’t have been on cable, unless it was on a free preview weekend, since we didn’t have cable until the mid/late 90′s. The videos I posted above add up to the whole thing. It wasn’t a series, but just the one special. There is a sequel, The Birthday Dragon, but I’ve never been able to find it.
This special was originally my Christmas present. The writer and some very talented friends in the production business, recorded it as a radio show, and it played, on Christmas eve, on CHEZ radio, in Ottawa, where we lived at the time.
It’s wonderful that it’s part of your childhood. Would share more, if asked.
Please tell us more–like the others, this is a treasure from my youth, & I would love to learn more about its creation!
Also, The Birthday Dragon is now on youtube as well!
Love this. Bin trying to remember this film for a long time and finally found it!!!!! Xxxxx
@canadiancreed Still having probs? Don’t see any in mod. Usually once you are approved once you r comments should always post auto.