SuperTed and the Elephant's Graveyard was the third SuperTed episode on the Biggest Ever SuperTed Video and the fifth episode of the first season of SuperTed which was broadcast in 18th October 1983 on BBC1. It originally aired on 10th January 1983.
Synopsis[]
For the first time in history an elephant flies in a space rocket, as Superted and Spotty travel to East Africa to find out who is stealing ivory from the traditional resting place of the African elephant.
Plot[]
In the grasslands of East Africa, an elephant is slowly making it's way to the Elephant's Graveyard, the place where all the old elephants go to die. Hiding in the grass nearby, Texas Pete, Bulk and Skeleton watch the elephant. Bulk has hayfever and nearly sneezes but Tex stops him. The cunning cowboy plans to find elephant bones and make a fortune in ivory. Skeleton's excitement over this attracts the attention of an angry and fierce leopard, but Tex silences him.
Meanwhile, beneath SuperTed's tree house in the woods, the ordinary teddy bear and his extra ordinary friend Spotty Man are sleeping peacefully. The elephant from the beginning of the episode taps Spotty on the shoulder with his trunk twice. Finally, he trumpets loudly, waking up our two heroes. SuperTed explains to his friend that someone is after the elephant bones in East Africa, and also about the kind of things they are made into. He says his secret magic word and after a struggle to get the elephant into the Spotty Rocket, the two friends fly off to the rescue.
In East Africa, Bulk is trying his best not to sneeze, but ends up doing just the exact opposite, causing Tex to fly into the air and land in his arms, much to the annoyance of the latter. He sneezes a second time, but successfully prevents the leopard from attacking them. They soon reach a waterfall and although Tex and Bulk go under it, Skeleton refuses, but is pulled in by the lasso.
SuperTed and Spotty have arrived in East Africa. SuperTed becomes shocked upon seeing the leopard, but Spotty mistakes him for a lovely pussy cat called "Spottles," and makes a fuss of him, despite SuperTed warning his friend to be careful as the animal is very dangerous. Luckily, the leopard does not harm Spotty and leads the two friends and the elephant in the direction of the waterfall.
Tex and his cronies have reached a cave where the elephant bones are located. Another elephant inside trumpets loudly, causing SuperTed and Spotty to become frightened, but they still head under the waterfall. They soon find the villains are escaping, but when Spotty plans to get Bulk, he loses his grip and falls, causes a pile of bones to land on top of SuperTed. Luckily, a frantic Spotty finds his friend, who is not badly hurt. SuperTed leaves Spotty to deal with Bulk while he finds Tex and Skeleton. Skeleton frees himself from the pile of bones and his legs dance in a comical way.
Tex has escaped from the cave and laughs, stating he was too quick for SuperTed. But the teddy bear lands behind him and states "That's what you think, Texas Pete." Furious, the cowboy pins him to the ground with an elephant tusk, threatening to cut him to the bone. But SuperTed states he has got the point and seizing his chance, grabs the pointed end of the tusk, and throws Tex, crying out in fear, into the river. He jokes on Tex's misfortune, as the cowboy spits and chokes on water and then flys off to find Skeleton.
Skeleton is trapped by the leopard. He begs the animal not to eat him. SuperTed arrives and jokes he has a bone to pick with him, but a emotional and frightened Skeleton begs him to get away from the grasslands as he can't cope anymore.
Later, the elephant leads Tex, Bulk and Skeleton away, who have all been tied to a rope. Spotty has caught hayfever from Bulk and sneezes, causing the elephants to trumpet loudly. SuperTed just winks and smiles at the camera, ending the episode.
Starring:[]
- Derek Griffiths as SuperTed
- Peter Hawkins as The Narrator and The African Elephant
- Jon Pertwee as Spottyman
- Victor Spinetti as Texas Pete
- Roy Kinnear as Bulk
- Melvyn Hayes as Skeleton
Home Media Releases[]
The Biggest Ever SuperTed Video
Gallery[]
