Long Ago and Far Away

Long Ago and Far Away is a TV series that aired on PBS Television from 1989 to 1993. It was created by WGBH, a public television broadcast service located in Boston, Massachusetts. WGBH is a member of PBS, which allowed for this TV series to be viewed on various other PBS stations. Each episode began with host James Earl Jones sitting in a chair in a room with a table, lamp and window. The walls were blue with white dots in order to make it appear as if these living room items were sitting out in space. James Earl Jones talks during the short opening section, then acts as narrator for the balance of an episode. This series, aimed at children aged six to nine years old, presents stories based on traditional fairy tales. A number of presentation methods were used to tell these stories, with stop motion animation, live-action or cel animation being used depending on the episode. Long Ago and Far Away also featured a number of guest narrators including: Tammy Grimes, Kim Loughran, David Suchet, and Mia Farrow.

Directed by —, Long Ago and Far Away leans on a strong ensemble — James Earl Jones, Tammy Grimes, Kim Loughran — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 1989.