Connect with us


Features

Classic TV Revisited: Animal Magic

Published

on


Animal Magic, hosted by Johnny Morris ran on BBC One from 1962 to 1983. Also involved were Terry Nutkins, Tony Soper and Gerald Durrell.

Appearance?
Quintessential kids’ animal show featuring the unique talents of Johnny Morris.

Why was it golden?
Johnny was a marvellous kind of Dr Dolittle who not only talked to the animals but for them with his distinctive burr. There was always a humorous flavour but he got a serious educational message across too. And who can forget the cha cha theme?

How did it begin?
BBC Bristol’s fledgling natural history unit decided to make a new kids’ show.

Advertisement

Why was Johnny Morris hired?
The ex-farm manager was already well known for presenting The Hot Chestnut Man in the ’50s and Tales Of The River Bank. In River Bank Johnny voiced the floating adventures of Hammy Hamster, Roderick Rat and their rodent pals.

What was it all about?
Each week Johnny Morris featured various animals, many of which were resident at Bristol Zoo.

How did it work?
Johnny gave the creatures human characteristics with a selection of voices.

Such as?
With a squirrel scampering around he would come over all breathy and say something like: “What’s this? Ooh, I’ll just have this nut.” Voices included timid spinsters, belligerent colonels and a tongue-tied suitor.

Advertisement

Who else was in it?
Apart from the animals, early shows featured naturalists Gerald Durrell and Tony Soper.

Anyone else?
Terry Nutkins who went on to make The Really Wild Show and Brilliant Creatures.

Was Terry all gold?
Yes, he was its wildlife expert. He once showed how to record insect noises with the immortal line: “I’m using a parabolic reflector, and that’s not a dirty word.”

Who were the animal stars?
Johnny Morris usually in zoo keeper’s uniform often had Dotty the ringtailed lemur crawling all over him?

Advertisement

Were there any whoopsies?
Not as far as I know. Johnny led an unblemished life with no stains on his character. Or uniform.

Was Dotty toilet trained?
No, Johnny kept him in check with the help of a pocketful of sweets with which she was rewarded for good behaviour.

What other creatures featured?
Do you remember Salty the seal, Wendy the elephant and Gemini the sea lion? No? Well, you must have been born too late.

Was it popular?
It ran for 21 years and 400 programmes.

Advertisement

Did something beastly happen?
Yes, BBC bosses decided it was too unscientific and axed it in 1983. Johnny Morris was devastated and condemned other animal shows such as Pets Win Prizes and Animal Hospital.

What happened to Johnny Morris?
Johnny died aged 82 in 1999, ironically just before ITV was due to revive his career in a new show Wild Things.

Distinguishing features?
Camp voiced animals; an educational show with laughs; that theme tune.

Do say:
“Johnny Morris was a TV legend loved by generations of children they don’t make them like that anymore.”

Advertisement

Do not say:
“Wasn’t Dale Winton great as the host of Pets Win Prizes?”

Not to be confused with:
Dr Dolittle, Animal Hospital, Black Magic, Brass Eye’s Chris Morris.


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News26 mins ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News26 mins ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News31 mins ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News32 mins ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News33 mins ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News34 mins ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News35 mins ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News37 mins ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News5 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News6 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular