Involvements in newer series'

Two key players in upcoming series of Thomas & Friends have confirmed their involvement.

Teresa Gallagher who provides voices for the female character's in the show has confirmed via LinkedIn that she will voice Belle, a new character to be introduced in the next feature-length special Day of the Diesels.

Gallagher's comments however might seem puzzling; I am voicing all the female characters in this new look series for Chorion. I am now also voicing Belle, a female character in the US version.

Gallagher has mentioned that Chorion are involved with the new series, however the company is one of the top company's to take over Hit over their debts and thus is not yet confirmed for the new series.

Belle is to be voiced by Gallagher in the US version of the show, so it is not known if she will voice her in the UK version, unless Jules De Jongh is the UK voice.

British writer Jessica Sandys-Clarke has confirmed her involvement in Season Sixteen although it is not known if she will be part of the Fifteenth Season.

Commissioned for scripts by CBBC (ZingZillas), Thomas and Friends (Series 1600), which aired 2009-2010. 

The comment above might also seem confusing, as Season Sixteen is perhaps a year away and that she might be describing Thomas' first CGI foray for 2009 and 2010.

Sandys-Clarke is responsible for writing the recent Fourteenth Series' Diesel's Special Delivery and Thomas and the Snowman Party.

Thomas & Friends' next special Day of the Diesels and Season Fifteen will premiere later this year.

TERESA GALLAGHER AND JESSICA SANDYS-CLARKE ON LINKEDIN

High-res 'Misty Island Rescue' promos

Here are some promotional images publicising the release of the Misty Island Rescue special.

Exclusive: High-res 'The Lion of Sodor' images

Here are some exclusive promotional images publicising the release of the US The Lion of Sodor DVD. (Which I actually found over a month ago.)

Exclusive: High-res 'Pop Goes Thomas' promos

Here are some exclusive promotional images publicising the release of the US Pop Goes Thomas DVD. (Which I actually found over a month ago.)

New 'Season Twelve' DVD for Aussies

Thomas fans Down Under will be pleased to know that a second and exclusive Season Twelve DVD will be on it's way.

The Party Suprise is the second DVD featuring episodes from the Twelfth Season individually since Heave Ho!, which was also a UK DVD.

UK fans will not be getting a second compilation of episodes from the 2008 Series, however the Complete Twelth Series DVD featuring all 20 will be released on February 21st 2011.

GETPRICE have confirmed the episodes that will feature on the DVD, as the description reads;
Join Thomas and his friends in these 7 great adventures in all new CGI animation.

- The Party Surprise

- Excellent Emily

- Saved You!

- Duncan and the Hot Air Balloon

- James Works it Out

- Tram Trouble

- Dont Go Back

The Party Suprise hits Australian DVD shelves on Thursday March 3rd 2011.

Special thanks to eddfan345 for the alert.

Three US DVD's to be re-released

Three US DVD's are due to be re-released as part of a new boxset for American Thomas fans.

The Play Date Pack features three previously released DVD's comprising of episodes from the Sixth, Seventh and the Jack and the Pack spinoff series.

No image of the pack has been revealed yet, although the pack will contain the DVD's; Thomas and the Jet Engine, On Site With Thomas and Thomas and the Really Brave Engines.

Play Date Pack hits US DVD shelves on April 5th 2011.

Special thanks to StanleySpencerSilverZ for the alert.

Thomas continues pre-school record

Thomas & Friends are staying strong as it's has been named the No. 1 Pre-School Property for the Eleventh year running.

The NPD released the results this week based on data for toy sales from major retailers in the UK.

Senior Vice President for Global Brand Management of the Thomas Division, Rick Glankler commented on the continuing record; 

2010 was an exceptional year for Thomas at retail and today's results cement the brand's position as the continued number one choice for pre-schoolers.
 
Thomas is also on the winning rank in other countries such as the US, Germany, Australia, Korea and Japan.

The newer CGI produced series have witnessed a 20% increase in viewers on FIVE's milkshake and on DVD sales.

bbfc confirms Season Twelve release

The bbfc have published the content to be featured on the Complete Twelfth Series release on DVD in the UK.

The 20 episode series from 2008 will run in the broadcasted order from FIVE's milkshake run.

No extras are included, although each episode runs at 10 minutes while the whole DVD will run at 201 minutes.

Subtitles have been confirmed to be included.

The Complete Twelfth Series hits UK DVD shelves on February 21st 2011.

Three more series added on Demand Five

Demand Five have made three more series of Thomas & Friends available to watch On Demand in the UK.

The Complete Eighth and Tenth Seasons can now be viewed on the website along with the most recent Season Fourteen.

However, Seasons Nine and Eleven are yet to be enabled for viewing, although Seasons Twelve and Thirteen are still available.

All Series mentioned feature optional subtitles.

VIEW THE THOMAS & FRIENDS DEMAND FIVE PAGE HERE

'The Flying Kipper' named best episode ever

The 1984 episode The Flying Kipper has been named the best episode of Thomas & Friends ever.

The First Season episode has remained a fan favourite and was recently award the best episode title by SiF's Best of Thomas Poll which started in the winter of 2010, last year.

Fans were asked to vote in the poll for the top 25 episodes of the show.

Season Three's Escape!, another fan favourite reached the runner-up spot while Edward centred episode Edward's Exploit's managed third place.

However, the 2009 feature-length special Hero of the Rails managed a respectful fourth place, becoming the top episode from the CGI Series, followed by 2000's Thomas and the Magic Railroad movie at fifth place.

VIEW THE TOP 25 EPISODES OF THOMAS & FRIENDS HERE

I would just like to clear that the poll has no relation to my video poll, as this was a year ago and was for an episode only from each season to balance out.

Last 'Misty Island Rescue' themed video available

Well, it is finally here. My last Misty Island Rescue themed video is finally on YouTube.

The video is a remix of the opening theme tune from the 2010 special with some scenes and music that may suprise you while dedications have been made to some worthy people!

Also, in some of the parts of the video, you should notice that the suprises involve me having to brush up more on my editing skills, which was a challenge.

Robert Hartshorne's score in the special was a definite improvement and some parts did sound cinematic or dramatic! So now you can hear more of his score that was heard at some points in the special.

The remixed version is available to download as an mp3 on the description of the video, or alternatively, download at the bottom of this post.

I am pleased with the reception for all three videos so far prior to this one and I had a tight time making the videos as I was busy with my Christmas job at NEXT, college and homework.

Now, you are all probably thinking, What next?, well I have two ambitious ideas up my mind and they are big projects, but I am taking a break, as, in the words of The Fat Controller from Misty Island Rescue, There's a lot to do!

Well I hoped you have all enjoyed the new videos along with this one.

So in the words of Ronnie Corbett and the late Ronnie Barker, It's good night from me, and it's good night from him. Till next time.....

VIEW THE LAST MISTY ISLAND RESCUE THEMED VIDEO HERE
DOWNLOAD THE THEME REMIX IN mp3 HERE

Some teasers for last MIR YouTube video

Well, Friday is the day that the last Misty Island Rescue themed video will come to YouTube.

I will be uploading it sometime in the afternoon after I have come home from college, then it should hopefully be on YouTube before 4pm.

Any of you who can't wait that long to see what will be in the last video, well, now for the last set of hints!

The video will be a remix of the theme tune to the 2010 special

There will be some cut-in scenes accompaining the music

The remix version of the theme apart from the end credits runs at 4 minutes exact.

The video will be dedicated to a number of YouTubers and SiFers who I think deserved a credit

Robert Hartshorne's music is dramatic, but it did happen sometimes in the special

The editing should hopefully be suitable

Hartshorne's music at one point will sound emotional, the editing will accompain the emotion.

Finally, the editing in some parts will be spruced up. What I mean by that is is that you might think Wow! His editing has improved!

You shall soon see what I mean by the hints including last one.....

Misty Island Rescue - The Theme Music Video Remix premiere's on YouTube on Friday 14th January 2011 before 4pm.