Last updated 5th June 2007

For many years I have been trying to convince people that a long time ago there was a children's TV series about a little gnome with a fluffy white beard, who lived in a tree.

On suggesting such things I have been met with weird looks and comments that can only suggest that these people must have been on a different planet to me during the late 60s / early 70s.

I have known all my adult life that I was not going mad and that this little Woodgnome did indeed exist on British TV screens 35+ years ago. Even though the evidence of this wonderful tv series is very thin on the ground, I am now able to offer a small piece of proof that I certainly did sit down in front of the telly as a little boy and watched in wonderment as the program title sequence slowly focused in on Paulus standing at his front door, in his tree, in the middle of the wood.

 

Paulus was created by Jean Dulieu in the Netherlands and first appeared on Dutch television in October 1967. Forty episodes were made, each being 10 minutes long. They were made in colour and were also dubbed into English for distribution to the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Jean Dulieu with Paulus
Jean Dulieu made all the puppets for the series, the smallest of these puppets being a 3cm mouse. He also made all the scenery and dwellings. All the dwellings could be disassembled to allow camera access for interior shots.

Characters

Paulus
Paulus is a Woodgnome. He lives in a tall tree in the middle of the woods. He is friends with all the woodland animals and is always helpful and full of advice.

Eucalypta
The wicked witch of the woods. Always ready to do dastardly deeds to Paulus with her potions and poisons.

Oehoeboeroe
"Without a shadow of a doubt" the wise old owl of the woods.

Salomo
A crow. Unsure where this character fitted in.

Gregorius
Unknown who or what this character is. All I can figure is that it could be a badger or something similar.

There are a myriad of other characters but I can find very little information on these.
A scene from the series with Eucalypta the witch looking on as Paulus goes on his merry way.
 
 

The original Dutch theme mp3 can be downloaded and played by clicking here.

A lot has happened since the last update to this page, and exciting news everybody. First off I was contacted by Paul S whom had come across and English version of the theme tune (click to listen). Then, if that was not a massive breakthrough in our search for Paulus evidence, "The Uk Archivist" (aka Chris) emails the tower with an even more massive breakthrough... A full (read FULL) english episode has surfaced. Chris says:

"About 20 years ago I bought a English Language episode of Paulus the Woodgnome on 16mm - Not the most brilliant of quality, but I digitised it at DV quality and cleaned up the poor quality sound....I loved it (Paulus) as a kid too, and yes it is weird. I hope this will bring back some fond memories for all who loved it."

Chris has uploaded to YouTube for everyone to enjoy (thanks for the link Steve). So sit back, put your feet up, pour a beer and enjoy the most surreal childhood memory you are most likely to experience.

I give you Paulus the Woodgnome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aFsAs8KuuU

Don't forget to say thanks to Chris.

Contact: paulus@mctowers.f9.co.uk

We may use some of your comments on the site. However, we will not publish your full name or any contact info.

The following thoughts have already been conveyed to us at the towers. Keep them coming:

"I recall Eucalyptus the Witch - and to this day, memories of her in the woods - with the sinister (and my god - it WAS sinister!) incidental music simply scared me rigid (!) - but it was enchanting - and encapsulating viewing..."

"Wow, I thought I had dreamed about Paulus, until now. People look at me in a funny way when I tried to discribe the show, but now I can show them I'm not mad!!!"

"It really did happen!"

"I loved him and seeing the photo on your website of him reminded me so much of my childhood!"

"I, too, felt as if I was the only person who had watched this programme during the late 60's and early 70's."

"In the early seventies Paulus the woodgnome was my favourite tv programme."

"Not very used to sending E mails but I'd like to say that the theme tune is right (obviously ours was in english). Ours started with the words Paulus the little gnome but I'm afraid thats all I remember. I, too, have trouble convincing people it ever existed."

Production information on this page was translated from Dutch and, therefore, I cannot guarantee that the information is 100% correct or even translated properly. This information also refers to the Original television adaptation of Jean Dulieu's comic book characters. A second adaptation was commissioned but as far as I can gather Mr Dulieu had nothing to do with it and a different puppet/animation style was adopted. It is only the original adaptation and TV series that we are interested in here at the towers.

If you can help with more screen shots of this program or with more information regarding the characters, storylines etc.. please get in touch. It would also be good to here your memories of Paulus.