Big Blue Marble - intro

Big Blue Marble was a children's television program that aired from 1974-1983. Each episode contained 2 or 3 different segments, each one focusing on a child from a different country (what their life was like, interests, etc...). The apparent goal of the program was to promote cultural awareness/understanding. I believe themes like ecology were also discussed.
The show encouraged viewers to become "pen pals" with other viewers from different parts of the world, and facilitated this with a segment during each show.
As far as I know, the show hasn't been shown (at least in the US) since it originally aired. I've heard that some of the children that became pen pals kept in touch for years (even to present day).
This version of the show's intro was from a later season and is a different song than was originally used*. I don't know when the change was made but both seem to be remembered fondly depending on when you watched. You can hear the melody of the original song sung faintly at the start of this clip.

Cultural understanding: that's the 70's for ya. Should kids today be exposed to stuff like that?

*here's a link to LP version of original theme:
http://katyana.tripod.com/marble.wav

wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blue...

• Category

  Film & Animation

[NubianP6]

I had a Big Blue Marble Pen Pal who lived in Israel. We eventually lost contact, and I have often wondered what ever became of him. So Shafrir Lev, if you are out there and remember having a pen pal in Pensacola, Florida, I would love to hear from you! :)

[Shelly Cathey]

I had a big blue marble pen pal. We wrote for years, then she go married and we lost touch. Hiedi Storjohann from Minnesota.

[Ana Ferrar]

My brothers and sister had pen pals from the US but lost contact just after a few exchange letters. We love The Big Blue Marble. Still remember the address where kids would send their letters to...ahh memories..

[hunnybunch16]

My Big Blue Marble pen pal was from Norway. We lost touch but recently I found her on the web. We're back to writing again. Good to find she's happy and healthy and I love hearing from her again!

[Rhoda Ramdeo]

i had a big blue marble pen pal whos name was Kimberly Lynn Sing from San bernadino California...lost contact wit her but wish i can find her ....i name my daughter after her..my daughter Kimberly is 25yrs old now...wish i could tell my pen pal that..i am from Trinidad but live in New Jersey now...i hope i meet her...*fingers crossed :)

[afaguila]

in mexico the name was "la cánica azul" and i made 5 pen pals, but with past of time i lost contact with them. carolyn maddock from new zealand, franziska mots from germany, robin lar netterfield from canada, salawati mond yusoff from malaysia and a boy from usa......

[afaguila]

in mexico the name was "la cánica azul" and i made 3 pen pals, but with past of time i lost contact with them......

[DPTKids]

I used to watch this all the time as a kid, along with "Hodgepodge Lodge!" Thank you for this awesome blast from the past!

[ThandiPalane]

I lost track of my pen-pals from Big Blue Marble. That makes me sad. If anyone out there remembers writing to Kristine in Brookfield, WI, give me a shout. :)

[2seetheglobe]

Yeah because who in their right mind wants to teach kids to respect other cultures. U-S-A #1!

[Exosius Woolley]

You are aware that there is more than one culture on the planet, right?

[steveb1164]

Oh, man--the memories this brings back!