Mission Impossible

Mission Impossible

February 6, 1995 TV Episode Robinson Sucroë

Studio
France Animation, CINAR, Ravensburger, Videal, France
Distributor
France Animation, CINAR, Ravensburger, Taffy Entertainment

Synopsis

Robinson Crusoe or Robinson Sucroe? The time has come to reveal to the world who the REAL hero is...

It all begins in New York in 1787, when the publisher of the N.Y. Herald sends janitor Robinson Sucroe to a deserted island to have him write a series of true stories about his adventures. Robinson lands on Crab Island, which seems suitable uninhabited. But just after the ship turns the next corner, Robinson is greeted by a horde of cheerful people who call themselves the "Everyday Folks." Former castaways themselves, they don't want to go back to civilization- life on Crab Island is much more fun.

Life as castaways may not be exactly what you bargained for...

There are two rival bands. Their little paradise would be idyllic if it weren't for Robinson's fellow reporter Grumleston, who's so jealous that he'll concoct any outlandish scheme to burst their bubble.

Characters

Robinson Sucroë, Mercredi, Julius Uglyston, Courtecuisse, Petitevacance, Capitaine Brisk, Dimanche Midi, M. Floyd.
Characters (English Version): Robinson Sucroe, Saturday Night, Monday Morning Glory, Grumleston

Credits

Directing

Director
Alain Sion

Voices

Voice
Frank Lapersonne (Robinson Sucroë), Gérard Rinaldi (Mercredi), Gérard Surugue (Julius Uglyston), Jean-François Kopf (Courtecuisse), Annabelle Roux (Petitevacance), Jean-Claude Montalban (Capitaine Brisk, Dimanche Midi), Michel Modo (M. Floyd)
Vocal Talent (English Version)
A.J. Henderson (Robinson Sucroe), Arthur Holden (Saturday Night), Kathleen Fee (Monday Morning Glory), Rick Jones

Production notes

A parody of Daniel Defoe's famous novel "Robinson Crusoé."

In 1996, Montreal writer and graphic designer Claude Robinson sued Cinar Films, France Animation, BBC Worldwide Television, their principals and others for $2.53 million for copyright infringement in connection with this series.

In a suit filed in Quebec Superior Court, Robinson claimed that he created a children's story character called Robinson Curiosite in 1982, later offering a series proposal to Cinar in 1986.

However, in 1995, Robinson said, he saw "Robinson Sucroe" on Canada's Canal Famille network, and the program was similar to his proposal.

Robinson's claim covered all the profits from the series, moral and exemplary damages, and copyright infringement.

"It's Cinar's belief that there are no grounds for this claim whatsoever," communications director Carolyn Archambault said at the time. "Robinson Sucroe is based on a literary property called Robinson Crusoe written by Daniel Defoe. We also have other TV series based on these well-known, wide-scale properties like Wizard of Oz and White Fang."

Robinson alleged that Cinar stonewalled, refused to even discuss the matter with him. Besides the lawsuit, he complained to the RCMP and began a private investigation.

According to Anderson, one "Erika Alexandre," a writer credited with this series and other Cinar shows, was a pseudonym for Helene Charest, the sister of studio co-founder Micheline Charest, and derived from the names of Micheline Charest and partner Ronald Weinberg's sons, Eric and Alex.

Pictures