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Pat & Mat

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Pat & Mat
Pat and Mat logo (in VAG Rounded)
GenreAnimation
Comedy
Slapstick
Created byLubomír Beneš
Vladimír Jiránek
Written byLubomír Beneš
Vladimír Jiránek
Jiří Kubíček
Vendulka Čvančarová
Marek Beneš
others
Directed byLubomír Beneš
Marek Beneš
others
Theme music composerPetr Skoumal
ComposersPetr Skoumal (ep. 2–91)
Zdeněk Zdeněk (ep. 92–130)
Luboš Fišer (ep. 1)
Country of originCzechoslovakia (episodes 1–35)
Czech Republic
Slovakia (only episodes 2–29)
West Germany (only episodes 30–35)
Netherlands (episodes 92–130)
China (episodes 92–130)
Original languageNone
No. of episodes129 (+1 unreleased)
Production
Running time6–9 min.
Production companiesKrátký film Praha
aiF Studio
Patmat film
Ateliéry Bonton Zlín
others
Original release
NetworkČST (1979–1992)
ČT (1992–2020)
STV (1993–2011)
ČT :D (2013–2020)
TV JOJ (2016)
ReleaseAugust 12, 1976 (1976-08-12)[1] –
July 2020 (2020-07)

Pat & Mat (Czech and Slovak: Pat a Mat) is a Czechoslovak slapstick stop-motion animated series created by Lubomír Beneš and Vladimír Jiránek. The characters first appeared in the theatrically released short Kuťáci (Tinkers) in 1976, while the first made-for-TV episode "Tapety" ("Wallpaper") was produced for ČST Bratislava three years later.

The main characters of the series are two handymen, Pat and Mat, who are inventive and extremely clumsy. As of 2021, 129 episodes of the show have been released, and it has been syndicated in a large number of countries due to its lack of dialogue (except in the Dutch version, which is dubbed).

Names

[edit]
Pat (left) and Mat (right).

The original name of the series was Kuťáci (The Tinkers), but when production of episodes started for ČST Bratislava, a Slovak name was required, and the crew eventually settled for ... a je to! (... and it's done!).[2] The characters themselves were nameless until 1989, when they were given the names Pat and Mat. Pat and Mat are shortened forms of Czech expressions "patlal" and "matlal", which can roughly be translated as "clumsy" and "awkward".[3] The authors intentionally gave the characters short and universal names suitable for a worldwide audience.[2]

Premise

[edit]

According to the authors, it is manual ineptitude that inspires the stories. Alongside the humour, another motif of the show is the importance of an optimistic approach towards life. The two characters always get into problematic situations, but they never give up until they solve the problem in imaginative ways.[4] Pat and Mat typically find a solution in the end, usually via a surprising or innovative method, after which they shake hands, before making their trademark hand gesture with a bent hand and closed fist.

History

[edit]

The characters were revived in 2009 by Beneš for a new series, Pat a Mat na venkově (Pat & Mat in the Country). The pilot, "Postele" ("Beds"), premiered at the 50th Zlín Film Festival in 2010.[5] 12 more episodes followed between 2011 and 2015, produced by Patmat Film and filmed in 16:9. Beneš directed and wrote all 13 episodes. Eight of the episodes were released on DVD in 2013 and received their TV premiere on the Dutch channel VPRO on 9 June of the same year, with the rest following soon.

To celebrate the show's 40th anniversary, Gusto Entertainment produced full-length feature film released in cinemas in 2016. The film, Pat a Mat ve filmu (Pat & Mat in a Movie), featured ten of the 2009-2015 episodes with linking segments and was shown in cinemas in several countries, including the Netherlands.[6]

From 2018 until 2020, 39 new episodes divided into three 13-part series were made in Patmat film, co-produced by Czech Television and Netherlands-based JUST Productions, again directed by Beneš. The animation for more than half of these episodes was produced in a Chinese studio to speed up work.[7]

On November 11, 2021, Czech Television announced that production of Pat a Mat na venkově series continues.[8] New episodes are expected to be released at the end of 2024.

Unreleased 50th episode

[edit]

The studio initially planned to make further episodes of the new series, with the possibility of half-hour episodes and a feature film in the future.[9] Due to these circumstances, Playing Cards has never been released or distributed in the Czech Republic and most of the world, even though it entered competition at Annecy in 1999.[10]

Although the episode was pulled from distribution, a screenshot from it was posted on aiF Studio's website. The former Prague management later set up a new studio at the same location, Animation People, and posted more screenshots on their website, which were eventually replaced with a short, silent clip of the episode.[11]

Censorship

[edit]
Episodes made from 1979 to 1985 have Mat (left) wearing a grey shirt.

Czechoslovakia

[edit]

Although the authors wanted to continue shooting after the initial short, their studio Krátký film did not allow them to do so. The reason given was that Kuťáci were just ordinary entertainment not appropriate for the cultural policy of the time. However, as the Slovak Television in Bratislava showed interest in further episodes, twenty-eight episodes were produced for them instead, with great success.[2]

Fox Kids airings

[edit]

In 2003 Fox Kids Europe bought the rights from Ateliéry Bonton Zlín to air episodes 2–26[12] on the Fox Kids network in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Latin America and Brazil. The show had its intro and outro changed, and almost all scenes in which the characters use knives or which contain slapstick violence deemed too "intense" were cut. Later airings put the original intro back in, but replaced the outro with a narration warning against imitating the behavior of the series' characters.

Production years

[edit]
Nr. Episode(s) Production year
1 1 (1) 1976
2 2–29 (28) 1979, 1981–1985
3 30–35 (6) 1989–1990
4 36–49 (14) 1992, 1994
5 50 (1, unreleased) 1998
6 51–78 (28) 2002–2004
7 79–91 (13) 2009, 2011–2015
8 92–104 (13) 2018
9 105–117 (13) 2018–2019
10 118–130 (13) 2019–2020

List of episodes

[edit]
N° Year of production English title Czech title
(Slovak in 1979–1985) 		Episode director
Kuťáci (Tinkers)
produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague
1 1976 Tinkers Kuťáci Lubomír Beneš
... a je to!
produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague for Czechoslovak Television, Bratislava
2 1979 Tapestry (Wallpaper) Tapety Lubomír Beneš
3 1979 Workshop Dielňa Lubomír Beneš
4 1979 Carpet Koberec Lubomír Beneš
5 1979 Rocking Chair Hojdacie kreslo Lubomír Beneš
6 1979 Picture Obraz Lubomír Beneš
7 1979 Garage Garáž Lubomír Beneš
8 1979 Light (The Light) Svetlo Lubomír Beneš
9 1981 Record Player (Gramophone) Gramofón Lubomír Beneš
10 1981 Grill Grill Lubomír Beneš
11 1982 Removal (Moving Day) Sťahovanie Lubomír Beneš
12 1982 Water Voda Lubomír Beneš
13 1982 Garden Záhradka Lubomír Beneš
14 1982 Painting Job Maľovanie Lubomír Beneš
15 1982 Jumpers Skokani Lubomír Beneš
16 1982 Crossword (Crossword Puzzle) Krížovka Lubomír Beneš
17 1983 Bird Feeder (Birdhouse) Búdka Lubomír Beneš
18 1983 Big Laundry (Laundry Day) Veľké pranie Lubomír Beneš
19 1983 Gym Telocvičňa Lubomír Beneš
20 1983 Breakfast (Breakfast in Grass) Raňajky v tráve Lubomír Beneš
21 1983 Washing Machine Práčka Lubomír Beneš
22 1983 Rain Dážď Lubomír Beneš
23 1984 Excursion (Trip) Výlet Lubomír Beneš
24 1984 Winegrowers (Winemakers) Vinári Lubomír Beneš
25 1984 Skates Korčule Lubomír Beneš
26 1984 Piano Klavír Lubomír Beneš
27 1985 Potters Hrnčiari Lubomír Beneš
28 1985 Defect (Malfunction) Porucha Lubomír Beneš
29 1985 Apple Jablko Lubomír Beneš
Pat & Mat
produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague
30 1989 Key (The Key) Klíč Lubomír Beneš
31 1989 Furniture Nábytek Lubomír Beneš
32 1990 Mowing Machine (Lawnmower) Sekačka Lubomír Beneš
33 1990 Big Cleanup Generální úklid Lubomír Beneš
34 1990 Roof Střecha Lubomír Beneš
35 1990 Door Dveře Lubomír Beneš
Pat & Mat
produced in the authors' aiF Studio, Prague
36 1992 Biscuits Sušenky Marek Beneš
37 1992 Garage Door Vrata Lubomír Beneš
38 1992 Cyclists Cyklisti Lubomír Beneš
39 1992 Paving Bricks (Tiles) Dlaždice Lubomír Beneš
40 1992 Parquetry (Parquet) Parkety Lubomír Beneš
41 1992 Gutter Pipe Okap Marek Beneš
42 1992 Convertible Kabriolet Lubomír Beneš
43 1994 Flat Tire (Accident) Nehoda Lubomír Beneš
44 1994 Billiards Kulečník Lubomír Beneš
45 1994 Quickset Hedge (Hedgerow) Živý plot Lubomír Beneš
46 1994 Safe (The Safe) Trezor Lubomír Beneš
47 1994 Mudguard (Fender) Blatník Lubomír Beneš
48 1994 Model Builders Modeláři Lubomír Beneš
49 1994 Windsurfing Windsurfing Lubomír Beneš
episode not released for distribution
(produced by part of Lubomír Beneš's former team without his heirs' consent)
50 1998 Playing Cards Karty František Váša
Pat a Mat, Pat a Mat se vracejí (Pat & Mat Return)
(followers, with Marek Beneš or his consent)
produced by Ateliery Bonton Zlín
51 2002 Puzzle Puzzle Marek Beneš
52 2003 Roasted Sausages Opékají špekáčky Ladislav Pálka
53 2003 Roof Repair Opravují střechu Ladislav Pálka
54 2003 Black Box Černá bedýnka Vlasta Pospíšilová
55 2003 Furniture on Wheels Kolečka Vlasta Pospíšilová
56 2003 Dog House Psí bouda Milan Šebesta
57 2003 Lacquering the Floor Natírají podlahu Ladislav Pálka
58 2003 The Greenhouse Skleník Marek Beneš
59 2003 The Swing Houpačka Marek Beneš
60 2003 Unwanted Guest Nezvaný návštěvník Marek Beneš
61 2003 Bodyguards Bodygárdi Marek Beneš
62 2003 Painting the Windows Natírají okna Marek Beneš
63 2003 Easter Egg Velikonoční vajíčko Vlasta Pospíšilová
64 2003 Slim Figure Štíhlá linie Vlasta Pospíšilová
65 2003 Vending Machine Automat Marek Beneš
66 2003 Autodrome Autodráha Marek Beneš
67 2003 Aquarium Akvárium Marek Beneš
68 2003 Canning Zavařují Ladislav Pálka
69 2003 Hang Glider Rogalo Ladislav Pálka
70 2003 Christmas Cake Vánočka Milan Šebesta
71 2003 Flu Stůňou Ladislav Pálka
72 2003 Fax Machine Fax Josef Lamka
73 2003 Strawberries Jahody Vlasta Pospíšilová
74 2004 Playing Golf Hrají golf Ladislav Pálka
75 2004 Bottle Cap Někam to zapadlo Vlasta Pospíšilová
76 2004 Swimming Pool Kopají bazén Marek Beneš
77 2004 Hanging a Painting Věší krajinu Marek Beneš
78 2004 Christmas Tree Vánoční stromeček Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat na venkově (Pat & Mat in the Countryside)
produced by Patmat film, Prague
79 2009 Beds Postele Marek Beneš
80 2011 Water Supply Vodovod Marek Beneš
81 2011 Paper Plates Papírový servis Marek Beneš
82 2011 Projector Promítačka Marek Beneš
83 2012 Vacuum Cleaner Vysavač Marek Beneš
84 2012 The Pool Bazén Marek Beneš
85 2012 The Floor Podlaha Marek Beneš
86 2013 Deadwood Suchý strom Marek Beneš
87 2014 Orange Juice Pomerančová šťáva Marek Beneš
88 2014 Bicycle Rotoped Marek Beneš
89 2015 Cactus Kaktus Marek Beneš
90 2015 Bathroom Tiles Obkladačky Marek Beneš
91 2015 Sun Cover Sluneční clona Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat nás baví (Pat & Mat Entertain Us)
produced by Patmat film, Prague
92 2018 Bees Včely Marek Beneš
93 2018 (Solar) Lawnmower Sekačka Marek Beneš
94 2018 Mole Krtek Marek Beneš
95 2018 Fence Plot Marek Beneš
96 2018 Clogged Chimney Ucpaný komín Marek Beneš
97 2018 Power Station Elektrárna Marek Beneš
98 2018 Rock Garden Skalka Marek Beneš
99 2018 Rodeo Rodeo Marek Beneš
100 2018 Carousel Kolotoč Marek Beneš
101 2018 Dishwasher Myčka Marek Beneš
102 2018 Waste Odpad Marek Beneš
103 2018 Stairs Schody Marek Beneš
104 2018 Camera Kamera Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat – Zimní radovánky/Pat a Mat v zimě (Pat & Mat – Winter Fun/Pat & Mat in Winter)
produced by Patmat film, Prague
105 2018 Calamity Kalamita Marek Beneš
106 2018 Christmas Lights Vánoční světýlka Marek Beneš
107 2018 Sauna Sauna Marek Beneš
108 2018 Nativity Scene Betlém Marek Beneš
109 2018 Tree Stromeček Marek Beneš
110 2018 Gifts Dárky Marek Beneš
111 2018 New Year Silvestr Marek Beneš
112 2019 Christmas Card Novoroční přání Marek Beneš
113 2019 Potato Salad Bramborový salát Marek Beneš
114 2019 Carp Kapr Marek Beneš
115 2019 Gingerbread House Perníková chaloupka Marek Beneš
116 2019 Glazed Frost Ledovka Marek Beneš
117 2019 Igloo Iglú Marek Beneš
Pat a Mat kutí (Pat & Mat Pat Handymen's Adventures/DIY Troubles)[13]
produced by Patmat film, Prague
118 2019 Pancakes Palačinky Marek Beneš
119 2019 Flying Machine Létající stroj Marek Beneš
120 2019 Popcorn Popcorn Marek Beneš
121 2019 New Kitchen / Furniture Nová kuchyně[14] / Nábytek Marek Beneš
122 2019 Car Wash Automyčka Marek Beneš
123 2019 Harvest Sklizeň Marek Beneš
124 2019 Phototrap Fotopast Marek Beneš
125 2020 Ice Making Výroba ledu Marek Beneš
126 2020 Tube Post Potrubní pošta Marek Beneš
127 2020 Barbecue Barbecue Marek Beneš
128 2020 Pizza Pizza Marek Beneš
129 2020 Bread Pečou chleba Marek Beneš
130 2020 Garage Door Garážová vrata Marek Beneš

Feature films

[edit]
Year Czech title English title
2016 Pat a Mat ve filmu Pat & Mat in a Movie
2018 Pat a Mat znovu v akci Pat & Mat in Action Again
2018 Pat a Mat: Zimní radovánky Pat & Mat: Winter Fun
2019 Pat a Mat: Kutilské trampoty Pat & Mat: Handymen’s Adventures

Broadcast

[edit]
Country TV channel(s) Year(s)
Czech Republic ČST, ČT, ČT :D, Fox Kids 1979–1992[citation needed], 1992–present, 2013–present
Slovakia ČST, Jednotka, Dvojka, TV JOJ 1979–1992, 1993–2010, 2016
Netherlands NCRV, VPRO 1982, 1984-present

Home media

[edit]

Shorts from the AIF era were initially unavailable due to copyright issues, but appeared on DVD for the first time in 2007.[15]

[edit]

At least two books with the series' characters have been published:

  • Michl, Jiří (1994). Pat & Mat: ...and that's it!. Czech Republic: Egmont.
  • Sýkora, Pavel; Jiránek, Vladimír; Beneš, Lubomír (2010). Pat a Mat dokážou všechno [Pat and Mat can do anything] (3rd ed.). Albatros. ISBN 9788000025933.

A Czech computer development company, Centauri Production released the Pat & Mat mini video game.[16] It was released in Czech language in the Czech Republic on 1 October 2009, and in other EU countries in English in 2010. The English version from Steam was taken down in July 2020.[17]

There is a wide range of Pat & Mat merchandise available, including games, dolls, key rings, office material, posters and T-shirts.[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pat a Mat spolu kutí už 40 let a stále se nevzdávají. Za socialismu je chtěli zakázat, za kapitalismu málem zkrachovali". extrastory.cz. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Blanka Kubíčková (18 February 2020). "Lubomír Beneš interview (1994)". ajetology.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  3. ^ Paula Bobanović (28 January 2020). "Marek Beneš interview (2017)". ajetology.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Pat & Mat/...and that's it! series | More About". Pat and Mat official website. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Detail filmu | Pat a Mat na venkově: Postele" (in Czech). Zlín Film Festival. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Buurman & Buurman met kerst al in de bioscoop". NU.nl (in Dutch). 22 December 2015.
  7. ^ "Mráz kutily nespálí. Pat a Mat si v kinech užívají Zimní radovánky" (in Czech). Czech Television. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  8. ^ "11. listopadu 2021 | Zprávičky". Czech Television (in Czech). 11 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Pat & Mat/...and that's it! series | About". Pat and Mat official website. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  10. ^ Citia (15 June 2013). "1999 Archives | Official Selection | Film Index". Annecy. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Animation technologies". Archived from the original on 23 December 2013.
  12. ^ Borovan, Aleš (18 April 2003). "Známý večerníček provází spor o peníze". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech).
  13. ^ "Pat a Mat kutí (2020)/PAT a MAT".
  14. ^ In Czech TV airings.
  15. ^ "Pat a Mat speciál ... A je to! (2007) [TV seriál] - režie: Lubomír Beneš, Marek Beneš". Film Database. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Centauri Production - Pat & Mat". Centauri.cz.
  17. ^ "Save 50% on Pat & Mat on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Buurman & Buurman Buurtkoekjes". BuurmanenBuurman.eu. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
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