Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse is a Canadian/Chinese animated television show produced by Nelvana. It tells the stories of a young horse named Marvin who is part of a carnival. Among the executive producers are Michael Paraskevas and Betty Paraskevas, creators of Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, who also created the book that the show is based on. The show first aired on PBS Kids in the United States as part of the PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch from 2000 to 2004. In Canada, it aired on Treehouse, and in the United Kingdom, the series also aired on Tiny Pop. In 2007, reruns of the show began airing on Qubo in the US. Some episodes include original songs to help illustrate the theme or accompany montages that carry the story forward.
Characters
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse: a dancing brown horse with a black mane and a tail who performs in Fast-Talking Jack's carnival. He used to be in movies and on Broadway, his first big break, although he's not proud of his performance in it. His hooves are tuxedo-themed and they make the tapping sounds. He also wears a red bowtie around his neck. In the beginning of one of the episodes, it is taken off.
Eddy Largo: A 9-year-old boy. In the first episode, he looks for a job and is hired on as a gofer and all-around assistant to owner Fast-Talking Jack. He changes his name to Eddy Largo because his real name was apparently too bland. He is very good at holding his breath underwater.
Diamonds the Elephant: A fancy pink elephant, she is the main attraction of the circus. She has a big cloth on her back with a yellow star as a decoration. Her act involves balancing on an inflated beach ball.
Elizabeth the Emotional Pig: Elizabeth the Emotional Pig is easily upset, she has a tendency to moan and cry. When things go right, she feels ecstatically happy. She wears a turquoise dress with two yellow lines on her skirt with buttons, collar flaps and cuffs. Her specialty is juggling, usually pineapples. She also compulsively eats corn on the cob.
Stripes the Tiger: Stripes is rather grumpy, and has a soft spot for "Mr. Grizzly", his torn-and-tattered stuffed bear. It's mentioned in the episode "Stripes Takes Off" that he weighs 400 pounds. His favorite meals are 32 chickens for dinner and a giant bowl of Crunchy Creatures cereal soaked for 10 minutes to have the right degree of sogginess for breakfast. He also enjoys reading the newspaper. He is often seen inside a cage.
Fast-Talking Jack: The owner of the carnival and a ringmaster of the big show in which he also plays a lion tamer for Stripes' act.
Edna: The smart fortune teller who also makes the lemonade and lemon ice sold at the carnival. She is a stickler for using juice she hand squeezes herself. Her screechy singing voice can break glass.
Lyman Slime: The sleazy owner of a clown circus, who sees Jack's carnival as unwelcomed competition. He sometimes sends his three clowns to spy on the carnival or to sabotage it.
The Penguin's Five: A band that accompanies the acts at the performance tent, made up of five penguins.
Eddy's Grandmother: Can be somewhat formidable, has a habit of firmly tapping the floor with her cane when wanting to emphasize a point. Eddy spends the summer at her house while he works at the carnival. She still calls Eddy his real name, Edward.
Squinty Pete: Proprietor of the Whomp-A-Weasel game in the carnival's midway.
Mr. P. Nutty: Sells peanuts during the big show and around the carnival. Wears a Peanut costume featuring a huge grin. His real name is Philbert, has a high-pitched voice and professes to be shy.
Lula Belle Rose: A tan mare with a light brown mane and tail with red lips and a daisy on her ear and Marvin's girlfriend. She is great at tap dancing just like him. Her only appearance is "The Importance of Being Eddy".
Lucy: Jack's niece who appeared in the episode "Eddy's Charm". Eddy has a crush on her.
Boris: A Russian circus bear looking for work at the circus. He specializes in peeling peanuts and telling stories about Russia. He appeared in "Truth or Bear".
Clyde: A racehorse who is Marvin's younger brother. He appeared in "Marvin Keeps Track". He and Marvin used to do great things together when they were young and Marvin was always the winner, but now Clyde always beats Marvin. Marvin was not pleased to see him because he had forgotten that about their past, but then Clyde reminded him. So if not for Marvin, Clyde never would've been a racehorse.
Voice cast
Ron Pardo as Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse/Stripes the Tiger
