Bolek and Lolek (Polish: Bolek i Lolek), also known in English as Benny and Lenny, Jym and Jam and Tim and Tom, are two Polish cartoon characters from the children's animated comedy television series by the same name. The series was created, written and directed by Władysław Nehrebecki and designed by Nehrebecki, Alfred Ledwig and Leszek Lorek. The series is about two brothers and their fun (and sometimes silly) adventures which often involve spending a lot of time outdoors.

History and background

The characters were first introduced in 1962. Their names are diminutives of Bolesław and Karol. In English, the cartoon was distributed as Benny & Lenny, Jym and Jam and Tim & Tom. In 1973, at the requests from female viewers, a girl character by the name of Tola was added; she lives in the forest and meets the brothers there. Her first appearance was in the episode "Tola". In total, Tola appeared in 30 episodes. In a similar vein to The Pink Panther theatrical cartoons, most episodes do not have dialogue. Exceptions are feature-length films and the series from the 1980s, where the main characters' voices were done by: Bolek – Ewa Złotowska, Ilona Kuśmierska; Lolek – Danuta Mancewicz, Danuta Przesmycka. During the period of the Polish People's Republic, Bolek and Lolek were reproduced in a large quantity of toys: action figures, movies, postcards, online arcades, puzzles, etc., which can be seen in the Museum of Dobranocki (bed-time stories) of the PRL. They are also currently made in computer programmes, colouring books, general picture books and games. The series was popular in many countries, and was one of the few animated films allowed to be broadcast by Iranian television, along with other popular Polish animated cartoon Reksio, just after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. In 2011, the Bolek and Lolek Monument was erected in Bielsko-Biała.

Characters

Telecast and home release

In the U.S., some episodes were seen as part of Nickelodeon's Pinwheel from 1977 to 1990, In Canada, the show reran on the French-speaking TVJQ (now Vrak) in the 1980s. For several years, it released videotapes and DVDs. In Catalonia, it was aired on TV3 in Catalan in 1990. It was broadcast in Czechia in 1963 to 2000s as part of Vecernicek cycle.

Television series

1. Bolek i Lolek

Bolek and Lolek - 13 Episodes, 1962–1964. list of episodes 01. Kusza – The Crossbow (August 12, 1962) 02. Yeti – The Yeti (July 1, 1963) 03. Dzielni Kowboje – The Brave Cowboys (July 1, 1963) 04. Skrzyżowane Szpady – Crossed Swords (July 1, 1963) 05. Pogromca Zwierząt – The Animal Tamer (July 1, 1963) 06. Corrida – The Bull Fight (July 1, 1963) 07. Indiańskie Trofeum – The Indian Trophy (July 1, 1964) 08. Kosmonauci – The Cosmonauts (July 1, 1964) 09. Król Puszczy – King of the Forest (July 1, 1964) 10. Robinson – Robinson (July 1, 1964) 11. Poławiacze Skarbów – The Treasure Seekers (July 1, 1964) 12. Sportowcy – The Athletes (July 1, 1964) 13. Dwaj Rycerze – The Two Knights (July 1, 1964)

2. Bolek i Lolek na wakacjach

Benny and Lenny on Vacation - 13 episodes, 1965–1966. list of episodes 01. Lunapark – The Luna Park (January 1, 1965) 02. Grzybobranie – Mushroom Picking (January 8, 1965) 03. Strzelba i Wędka – The Gun and the Fishing Rod (January 15, 1965) 04. Fałszywy Dziadek – False Grandfather (January 22, 1965) 05. Zabawa w Rycerza – Polish polands Playing Knight (January 29, 1965) 06. Na Biwaku – Camping (February 5, 1965) 07. Pierwszy Dzień Wakacji – First Day of the Summer Vacation (February 12, 1965) 08. Kłusownik – The Poacher (February 19, 1965) 09. Żyrafa – The Giraffe (February 26, 1965) 10. Przygoda w Pustyni – Adventure in the Desert (March 5, 1965) 11. Skarb – Treasure (March 12, 1965) 12. Autostopowicze – The Hitch-Hikers (March 19, 1965) 13. Morska Przygoda – The Sea Adventure (March 26, 1965)

3. Bolek i Lolek wyruszają w świat

Benny and Lenny travel the world - 18 episodes, 1968–1970. list of episodes 01. W Stepach Australii – The Steppes of Australia (July 1, 1968) 02. Na Tropach Bengalskiego Tygrysa – On the Trail of the Bengal Tiger (July 1, 1968) 03. Na Wyspach Polinezji – On the Islands of Polynesia (July 1, 1968) 04. Złote Miasto Inków – The Golden City of the Incas (July 1, 1968) 05. Wyścig Do Bieguna – The Race to the Pole (July 1, 1968) 06. W Puszczach Kanady – In the Forests of Canada (July 1, 1968) 07. Polowanie Na Goryla – Hunting the Gorilla (July 1, 1969) 08. Na Stokach Kilimandżaro – On the Slopes of the Kilimanjaro (July 1, 1969) 09. Olimpiada w Mexico – The Olympic Games in Mexico (July 1, 1969) 10. W Krainie 1001 Nocy – In the Land of the 1001 Nights (July 1, 1969) 11. W Piaskach Gobi – In the Sands of the Gobi (July 1, 1969) 12. Gran Premio Argentyny – The Grand Prize of Argentina (July 1, 1969) 13. Na Dzikim Zachodzie – In the Wild West (July 1, 1970) 14. Grobowiec Faraona – The Tomb of the Pharaoh (July 1, 1970) 15. Łowcy Bizonów – The Buffalo Hunters (July 1, 1970) 16. Nad Orinoko – On the Orinoco (July 1, 1970) 17. Na Tropach Yeti – On the Yeti's Trail (July 1, 1970) 18. Przemytnik – The Smuggler (July 1, 1970)

4. Bajki Bolka i Lolka

The Tales of Bolek and Lolek - 13 episodes, 1970–1971. list of episodes 01. Złota Rybka – The Golden Fish (November 1, 1970) 02. Czerwony Kapturek – The Little Red Riding Hood 03. Czarodziejskie Lustro – The Magic Mirror 04. Tomcio Paluch – Tom Thumb 05. Pantofelek Kopciuszka – Cinderella's Slipper 06. Latający Kufer – The Flying Trunk 07. Brzydkie Kaczątko – The Ugly Duckling (July 1, 1971) 08. Lampa Aladyna – Aladdin's Lamp 09. Uwięziona Królewna – The Imprisoned Princess 10. Smok – The Dragon 11. Baba Jaga – The Witch 12. Królowa Śniegu – The Snow Queen 13. Zaklęty Zamek – The Enchanted Castle (July 1, 1971)

5. Bolek i Lolek na Dzikim Zachodzie

Benny and Lenny in the Wild West - 7 episodes, 1972. list of episodes 01. Obrońcy Prawa – Defenders of the Law (December 1, 1971) 02. Postrach Teksasu – The Texas Terror (January 1, 1972) 03. Pościg – In Hot Pursuit 04. Porwany Ekspress – The Hijacked Express Train 05. Koniokrad – The Horse Thief 06. Indiański Bożek – The Indian Idol 07. Tropiciele – The Trackers (March 1, 1972)

6. Przygody Bolka i Lolka

The Adventures of Bolek and Lolek - 63 episodes, 1972–1980. list of episodes 01. Chory Ząb – A Sick Tooth (July 1, 1972) 02. Deszczowe Wakacje – A Rainy Holiday 03. Psiaczek – The Puppy 04. Tola – Tola 05. Biwak – Camp 06. Wycieczka w Góry – A Trip to the Mountains 07. Nad Jeziorem – On the Lake 08. Kruk – The Raven (July 1, 1973) 09. W Puszczy – In the Wilderness 10. Wycieczka Samochodem – A Trip By Car 11. Sierpniowa Wędrówka – An August Journey 12. Zimowe Igraszki – Winter Fun 13. Zdobywcy Przestworzy – The Conquerors of Space 14. Małpka – The Monkey 15. Zimowe Zawody – Winter Games (July 1, 1974) 16. Śniadanie Na Biwaku – Camping Breakfast 17. Imieniny Toli – Tola's Birthday 18. Pali Się – Fire 19. Tajemnica Toli – Tola's Secret 20. Zielone Ścieżki – Green Paths 21. Kanarek – The Canary 22. Podwodna Wycieczka – An Underwater Tour (July 1, 1975) 23. Bieg Na Przełaj – The Race Across the Country 24. Wakacje Na Wsi – Vacation in the Countryside 25. Tresowany Piesek – The Trained Dog 26. Przygoda Na Dwóch Kółkach – Adventure on Two Wheels 27. Na Żaglówce – On the Sailing Boat 28. Zgubiony Ślad – The Lost Footprint 29. Źrebak – The Colt (July 1, 1976) 30. Wielki Mecz – The Great Match 31. Bocian – The Stork 32. Przyjaciele Bobrów – Beavers' Friends 33. Wycieczka Kajakiem – The Canoe Trip 34. Tajemniczy Plan – Mysterious Plan 35. Fotoreporter – Photoreporter 36. Zawody Latawców – The Kite Race (July 1, 1977) 37. Wagary – Playing Hooky 38. Sarenka – The Deer 39. Harcerska Warta – A Scout's Watch 40. Muzykanci – The Musicians 41. Wakacje Nad Morzem – The Seaside Vacation 42. Mali Ogrodnicy – The Little Gardeners 43. Zmylony Trop – The Misleading Track (July 1, 1978) 44. Kowboj i Indianie – Cowboy and Indians 45. Zabawa w Chowanego – Hide and Seek 46. Wakacyjne Szlaki – The Holiday Trails 47. Wędrowny Cyrk – The Traveling Circus 48. Wiosenne Porządki – Spring Cleaning 49. Pocztowy Gołąb – The Homing Pigeon 50. Lotnia – The Hang-Glider (July 1, 1979) 51. Morska Wyprawa – The Sea Expedition 52. Prima Aprilis – April Fool's Day 53. Wiosenna Burza – The Spring Storm 54. Byczek – The Bull 55. Cygański Wóz – The Gypsie Wagon 56. Imieniny Mamy – Mom's Namesday 57. Czarna Bandera – The Black Flag (July 1, 1980) 58. Poduszkowiec – The Hovercraft 59. Wycieczka z Robotem – Trip with a Robot 60. Lolek Lunatyk – Lolek the Sleepwalker 61. Lotnicza Przygoda – A Flying Adventure 62. Zaginął Piesek – The Lost Dog 63. Chrzest Na Równiku – Baptism on the Equator (January 1, 1980)

7. Zabawy Bolka i Lolka

Fun with Bolek and Lolek - 7 episodes, 1975–1976. list of episodes 01. Gokarty – Go-Carts (December 1, 1975) 02. Niezwykłe Odkrycie – The Incredible Discovery 03. Maszeruje Wojsko – The Army Marches On 04. Mali Filmowcy – The Little Filmmakers 05. Niefortunne Niańki – The Unfortunate Babysitters (January 1, 1976) 06. Opiekunowie Zwierząt – The Animal Caregivers (January 1, 1976) 07. Czarna Dama – The Black Lady (January 1, 1976)

8. Wielka podróż Bolka i Lolka

Bolek and Lolek's Great Journey - 15 episodes, 1978. list of episodes 01. Testament Fileasa Foga – The Last Will of Phileas Fogg (October 14, 1978) 02. W Londynie – In London 03. Pechowy Statek – The Jinxed Ship 04. Wioska 40 Rozbójników – The Village of Forty Bandits 05. Małpi Król – The Monkey King 06. Syn Wodza Mbu-Bu – The Son of the Chief Mbu-Bu 07. Podróż Na Słoniu – Journey on an Elephant 08. Tajemnicza Świątynia – The Mysterious Temple 09. W Służbie Buddy – In the Service of the Buddha 10. Ptak Śmierci – The Bird of Death 11. W Głębinach Oceanu – In the Depths of the Ocean 12. Rajska Wyspa – Paradise Island 13. Dziki Zachód – The Wild West 14. Powrót – The Return 15. Wyspa Bolka i Lolka – The Bolek and Lolek Island (October 14, 1978)

9. Bolek i Lolek wśród górników

Benny and Lenny Among the Miners - 7 episodes, 1980. list of episodes 01. Wuj Karlik – Uncle Carl (January 1, 1980) 02. Zielona Hałda – The Green Heap 03. Skarbnik – The Treasurer 04. Barbórka – The Baborka Celebration 05. Pasowanie Na Górnika – Fit For Mining 06. W Starej Kopalni – In the Old Mine 07. Czarne Złoto – Black Gold (January 1, 1980)

10. Olimpiada Bolka i Lolka

Olympics with Bolek and Lolek - 13 episodes, 1983–1984. list of episodes 01. Tor Przeszkód – The Obstacle Course (December 1, 1983) 02. Żółty Czepek – The Yellow Bonnet (December 1, 1983) 03. Zawody Łucznicze – Archery Games (December 1, 1983) 04. Judo – Judo (December 1, 1983) 05. Gol – Goal! (December 1, 1983) 06. Żeglarstwo – Sailing (December 1, 1983) 07. Slalom – The Slalom (December 1, 1983) 08. Skok w Dal – The Long Jump (January 1, 1984) 09. Pojedynek – The Duel (January 1, 1984) 10. Kolarstwo – Cycling (January 1, 1984) 11. Siatkówka – Volleyball (January 1, 1984) 12. Igrzyska – The Olympic Games (January 1, 1984) 13. Nim Zapłonie Znicz – Before the Torch Is Lit (January 1, 1984)

11. Bolek i Lolek w Europie

Benny and Lenny in Europe - 5 episodes, 1983–1986. list of episodes 01. Duch Zamku Lorda MacIntosha – The Ghost of the Lord MacIntosh's Castle (January 1, 1983) 02. W Królestwie Posejdona – In Poseidon's Kingdom (January 1, 1984) 03. W Hiszpanii – In Spain (January 1, 1985) 04. Wyścig Renów – The Reindeer Race (January 1, 1986) 05. Pod Kraterem – Under the Crater (January 1, 1986)

Films

Feature films

Episodes edited into films

Educational films

List of films Szerokiej drogi – Godspeed – 1976 Gdy zapłonie choinka – When the Christmas tree lights up – 1977 Wystarczy iskierka – Just a Spark – 1977 Zabawa z zapałkami – Playing With Matches – 1977 Feralny dzień – Unfortunate Day – 1978 Jutro będzie lepiej – Tomorrow Will Be Better – 1978 Na strażackim poligonie – The Fireman Training Grounds – 1978 Z ogniem nie ma żartów – Fire Is No Laughing Matter– 1978 Na drodze – On the Road – 1980