Skippy (Norfolk 1968-1970, Garry Pankhurst, Ed Devereaux)

Adventure series about Skippy, the Bush Kangaroo, uses his brains to alert his best friend, the human Sonny, whenever anyone hits trouble in the outback area of Warratah National Park. The show was incredibly popular with kids and in an early example of merchandising spawned books, money boxes and the like, “skippy” even made personal appearances.

There was a film version made in 1968 utilising the TV crew and called The Intruders. The episode turnaround on the show was Two Weeks Ed Devereaux however was unhappy with his role and was quoted in TV Week as saying “There’s no challenge in it for me, if I can’t play a villain then I want a role that has social comment”. Skippy was the first production made by Fauna Studios (the creation of actor John McCallum). A typical publicity shot for Liza Goddard who played Clancy on the series.

In 1969 the show won both a Logie and a Penguin and was also given an award by the Cobb and Co Company for helping to promote the Australian Entertainment Industry. There was a revival of the show in the early 90’s in the form of The New Adventures of Skippy.

production details
Australia / Syndicated – Norfolk International / 91×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 1968-1970

Executive Producers: John McCallum, Bud Austin / Music: Eric Jupp / Producers: Lee Robinson, Dennis Hill

cast
GARRY PANKHURST as Sonny Hammond
ED DEVEREAUX as Matt Hammond
LIZA GODDARD as Clarissa ‘Clancy’ Merrick
KEN JAMES as Mark Hammond
FRANK THRING as Dr Alexander Stark
TONY BONNER as Ranger