Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller

Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller (also known as Les aventuriers du timbre perdu in Quebec) is a 1988 Canadian urban fantasy adventure film written and directed by Michael Rubbo. It is the seventh film in the Tales for All series of children's movies created by Les Productions la Fête, and also the film debut of musician Rufus Wainwright.

Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller
US VHS cover art
Directed by	Michael Rubbo
Written by	Michael Rubbo
Produced by	Rock Demers
Starring	Lucas Evans Anthony Rogers Jill Stanley Andrew Whitehead Paul Popowich Rufus Wainwright
Cinematography	Andreas Poulsson
Edited by	André Corriveau
Music by	Anna McGarrigle Jane McGarrigle Kate McGarrigle
Production companies	Les Productions La Fête Inc. Telefilm Canada China Film Group Corporation
Distributed by	Cinéma Plus Distribution
Release date	December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16)
Running time	105 minutes
Country	Canada
Language	English
Budget	C$3 million[1]

A sequel, The Return of Tommy Tricker, was released in 1994.

Plot

A Bluenose stamp similar to the one featured in the film.

A young boy, Ralph, and his sister discover a magical ability to travel the world, riding within postage stamps. Complicated by a series of rules, they are soon lost in such far-flung places as Australia and China. Ralph has a stutter, and the film is essentially a coming-of-age story wherein Ralph can speak fluently by the film's end.

Cast

• Anthony Rogers as Tommy
• Lucas Evans as Ralph
• Jill Stanley as Nancy
• Andrew Whitehead as Albert
• Paul Popowich as Cass
• Ron Lea as Brin James
• Han Yun as Mai Ling
• Chen Yuen Tao as Chen Tow
• Catherine Wright as Cheryl
• Rufus Wainwright as Singer
• Ernie Dingo as Dave
• Tony Barry as Mad Mike

Soundtrack

The film features one of the first appearances of Rufus Wainwright. Wainwright also provides the song "I'm a Runnin" and his sister, Martha Wainwright, provides the song "Tommy, Come Back" for the soundtrack.

Release

Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller released in Canadian theatres on December 16, 1988.^[2] Its initial Canadian theatrical run was sponsored by Vachon Bakery and Canada Post Corporation.

Home media

The film was released on Blu-ray in 2019, as a double feature with its sequel The Return of Tommy Tricker, through Unidisc and Attraction Distribution.^[3]

In the United States, the film was released on VHS through Family Home Entertainment. Hen's Tooth Video released the film on DVD on October 24, 2006.^[4]

Planned remake

In 2009, a planned remake of Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller was announced, with La Fête and Anonymous Content co-producing. According to original producer Rock Demers, Anonymous Content signed a one-year deal to co-produce the film, and was searching for a director.^[5]