Hi there Whirligigers! You registered to be informed of updates to the WHIRLIGIG 1950's BRITISH TV AND RADIO NOSTALGIA site. April 2003 Newsletter. We lead with the news that Muffin the Mule is to return to BBC TV in 2005 in animated form: Muffin Trots back after 60 years out to grass. Muffin the Mule was the first children's TV character, making his BBC premiere on 20 October 1946. Hugely successful in the 50s and 60s and now very much part of English heritage, he is due to return to the screens in late 2005 or early 2006, just in time for his 60th birthday. Maverick Entertainment, who bought the rights to Muffin in January, will initially produce twenty-six, 10 minute episodes, in partnership with the BBC and production will commence later this year. The revival is likely to see him reunited with some of his old friends including the bossy penguin Mr. Peregrine Esquire, a shy Louise the Lamb, Oswald the Ostrich and Willie the Worm. For more information use this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2952533.stm If you want more information about Maverick Entertainment here is the link: http://www.maverickentertainment.co.uk/Site/Company/News.htm I have added some information about the 1955 series on ITV about 'The Adventures of Noddy': http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/other/other.htm#Noddy Also the usual round of new video clips (of which I am now running out very quickly). Here are this month's selections: Firstly, a clip from the 'Billy Bunter' series which starred the late Gerald Campion. At one time this series was so popular that it was transmitted at 5.25pm for children and again two hours later for the parents! You will find the clip on this page: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/bunter/bunter.htm Next, the title sequence from 'The Lone Ranger'. A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi Ho Silver!" The Lone Ranger. "Hi Ho Silver, away!" With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. The Lone Ranger rides again! http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/westerns/loneranger.htm Then, a short title clip from the programme Lunchbox. Lunchbox circa 1956, was a light-hearted sing-along show presented by Noele Gordon with Jerry Allen and his Trio providing the music. http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/lunchbox.htm Finally, a clip with a bit of lighthearted banter between Billy Cotton and Russ Conway who was a regular on Billy's shows along with Alan Breeze, Kathie Kay and Doreen Stephens. The Billy Cotton Bandshow was a highly popular variety show featuring what seemed like an inexhaustible 50 minutes of non-stop song, dance and comedy. You'll find the clip on this page. When you arrive, click on the right hand picture of Mr. Cotton: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/cotton.htm I have also added a short bit about 'The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickock' which starred Guy Madison as U.S. Marshal James Butler 'Wild Bill' Hickock and Andy Devine as Jingles. Jingles described Hickock as "the bravest, strongest, fightingest U.S. Marshal in the whole West." And that's about it: he beat up all the bad guys and somehow kept his good looks. You'll find an audio clip here: http://www.whirligig- tv.co.uk/tv/children/westerns/westerns.htm#wildbill On the Radio site, I have added a new page about the programme 'Ignorance is Bliss' which was: The crazy answer to the Quiz Game craze: "Where Ignorance is Bliss, Tis folly to be wise, It's better to be ignorant like me . . ." The series began in 1946 with Stewart MacPherson the fast-talking Canadian sports commentator as question-master. Harold Berens was the cockney ignoramus ('What a geezer!'), Michael Moore the monocled upper-class twit ('I have a poem, Mr MacPherson!'), and Gladys Hay the fat lady ('Oh, he's nice, isn't he! What's your first name, ducks?') who provided the regular routine: 'Now we're back to Miss Hay again!'. Sid Millward and his Nitwits 'provide the tumult when the shouting dies'. The series continued into the '50s and you can find out more here: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/ignorance.htm There is a new audio clip taken from a 50's 'Any Questions' here: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/other.htm#anyquestions and the signature tune from 'What do you Know?' the precursor to 'Brain of Britain' here: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/other.htm#whatdoyouknow Finally, the 'My Word!' page has been updated with new pictures and information: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/myword.htm That's all for April. I'll see you with more news and clips next month. =================================================================== As usual, if you think of anything that is missing or incorrect, have any more information about the programmes featured or just want to share your memories, do drop me a line to terry@whirligig-tv.co.uk Alternatively place them on the Message Board which I monitor daily at: http://go.ezboard.com/bwhirligigtv Cheerio! Terry Guntrip (aka Mr. Turnip) http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk http://www.TurnipNet.com -------------------------------------------------------- See the "What's New" Pages at: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/whatsnew.htm http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/whatsnew.htm with links to all new major updates or use the A TO Z SITE INDEX at: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/siteindex.htm http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/siteindex.htm --------------------------------------------------------