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_Marble

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• big
• blue
• marble
• pbs
• 70's
• 70s
• 1970's
• 1970s
• 80's
• 80s
• 1980s
• 1980's
• tv
• show

[stephbdance]

This made me smile from ear to ear. Oh... when life was easy and seemingly sensible.

THANK YOU for taking me back to a great time in my life.

[rcasha]

Now THAT is what I call kids' TV! Beats any of the forgettable stuff they're dishing out today.

[RenHoek20886]

Pretty nice and idealistic about people being harmonius and everyone caring for one another. But its wishful thinking. Here is a challenge for you liberal hippies - watch the video foe the song "Born" by the band Nevermore and see if you can see the contrast.

[lsdmadman]

ahhh the hopeful simple 70s...no me-friends upods, themspace,,,,uhh gotta go...somethang in mhy eye or something..........

[65kowalski]

I remember as a kid when shows like this came out, pushing aside the awesome superhero cartoons I loved. I hated this namby-pamby BS!!!

[Hontzer916]

I remember this program. Didnt they have a creepy show about a girl who was a ghost i think..

[keelscanada]

I am one of those people who kept in contact with my Big Blue Marble pen pal for years. We are now Facebook friends. It's been more than 30 years since our 1st letter as girls. Great memories.

[hakimamir]

thank u for posting this! this certainly brings back memories of the early 80s when i watched this and sent out pen pal letters because of this programme..am one of those who still keeps in touch with my pen pal until this very day!

[MrHelmyabdullah]

My favourite tv programme back in the late 1978 when I was still seven . Why don't they make such a programme ever again ? We learn about the culture of every kid throughout the world . To understand and to respect and not to ignore and trample and forcing others to accept our values . Wish I can go back to the late '70s again and start all over again !

[Smartboy8877]

@strident212

I liked it too!

[disboygotdabeat]

When I was a preteen in the early 1970's this was my favorite show in the whole world. The theme song combined with the world culture photo montage really pulled at my heartstrings- I would choke-up everytime it came on- wishing the world were really a united human family.

[RAINBOWLIZY333]

I used to watch these television programs. Wish they were brougth back today.