Continuing the boat theme like a lazy Monday sail, I did something special on Saturday.
I watched two TV programmes with my nearly-two-year old Grandson that I watched as a kid in the 1960's! Now that's the power on the interweb and in particular You Tube [watching old programmes on VHS with kids was a similar experience back in the 80's and 90's].
The two programmes [or parts - he got bored!] were Tales of the Riverbank and Trumpton.
I adored Tales from the Riverbank as I was and still am a nature nut. All those mice, hamsters and rats was a no-brainer. Throw in Johnny Morris's elastic voice and I wuz hooked! Hammy Hamster ruled!
Here's the short episode I chose for Moonbase Junior, GP's Medicine, which we watched full-screen on my phone no less!
They sail round in it in a beautiful little motor boat. Anyone any idea what it was? A toy? A prop? Its a lovely looking thing and the whole show was a complete delight. I think Moonbase Junior liked it.
For some reason I recall Tales from the Riverbank being in black and white rather than colour. I will never forget the gorgeous theme tune though. Anyone know who wrote and played it?
Did you like Tales of the Riverbank readers? Black and White or colour series?
The show WAS originally in b&w and first aired in 1960 on the BBC (before there even was a BBC2!). A second series was made in the early 1970s in colour. Both used the voice talents of Johnny 'Animal Magic' Morris.
ReplyDeleteI thought so Charlie. Black and white it was. It added to the charm of the show. I also watched Animal Magic with Johnny Morris's voice talents. He was like a Doctor Dolittle back then. He talked for the animals!
DeleteI remember Johnny Morris in The Hot Chestnut Man, as well as in Animal Magic and Tales of the Riverbank. Back in the late '80s or early '90s I bought a BBC audio cassette tape of Riverbank just so I could listen to his voice again.
ReplyDeleteDon't recall the Hot Chestnut Man Kid but it sounds like Johnny. That tape sounds wonderful. When I was trying to find out who wrote the theme tune to Tales I found loads of cover versions by guitarists on You Tube. It must be nostalgia driving them on to learn it. Even the great Steve Hackett has a go! Needless to say, I didn't find out who wrote the music but I bet its nice to hear Johnny on your tape. Is the theme tune on it?
DeleteAs far as I remember (haven't listened to it in years), yes, it does have the theme tune. I must see if the show is available on DVD.
DeleteI have lots of cassette tapes from the past Kid. Who knows what's on them. The charts, mine and other's voices. I'd like to listen to them but always find something else to do. I've videos I recorded off the TV too. All languishing in the loft. Its strange.
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