Debuting on 25 November 1950, this fortnightly Saturday afternoon variety show (it alternated every other week with Telescope) was the first such show designed especially for the short-trousered crowd.
It was initially presented by puppeteer Humphrey Lestocq (“Goody goody gumdrops”) and his obnoxious wooden companion, Mr Turnip (the invention of Joy Laurey) who addressed Lestocq as “HL”.
Over the seasons, the bill included the animated Hank Rides Again (a kind and carefree cowboy and his buck-toothed hoss, Silver King, who faced off against Big Chief Dirty Face and bandit Mexican Pete); Box of Tricks with magician Geoffrey Robinson; Room For Music with Steve Race on the piano; The Sooty Showwith Harry Corbett; and – in his TV debut – Rolf Harris (with Willoughby, an easel that sprang to life and was later featured on Studio E).
Also featured on the show was the pioneering British Sci-Fi serial Stranger From Space – featuring human teenager Ian Spencer (Brian Smith) and his Martian friend Bilaphodorus (Michael Newell) – known as “Bill” – who had crashed his spaceship on Earth.
Seeking help from Professor Bernard Watkins (Richard Pearson), who is working on an atomic rocket project, they succeed in helping Bill to return to Mars, where he discovers that the Martian leader, Gorgol (Valentine Dyall), is planning an invasion of Earth.
In the second series, pilot John Armitage (John Gabriel) and radio specialist Pamela Vernon (Isabel George) help overthrow the evil Gorgol.
Puppet cowboy Hank with his horse, Silver King, and Francis Coudrill.
Other segments at various times included Can We Help You?;Mr Lumber’s Shop (a four-part story starring John Le Mesurier); Full Fathom Five; In Search of The Shadow; Magic and Mischief; Big Top; Lost Property; Colonel Crock (who went on to have his own ITV series); Write It Yourself (a play-writing competition); Out Of The Blue; Secrets of the Centuries and The Highwayman’s Bargain.
The show was devised and produced by Michael Westmore. Among the writers were Peter Ling and Hazel Adair, who later created Crossroads.
Presenter
Humphrey Lestocq (HL) Mr Turnip (Puppeteer)
Joy Laurey Mr Turnip (voice)
Peter Hawkins Hank the Cowboy (voice)
Francis Coudrill Geoffrey Robinson
Himself (magician) Steve Race
Himself (piano) Rolf Harris
Himself (artist) Patricia Driscoll
Herself Brian Burton
John Benson Anne Osborne
Marise Hepworth Bobby Osborne
Michael Nicholls Mrs Inskip
Kathleen St. John Bilaphodorus
Michael Newell Ian Spencer
Brian Smith Professor Bernard Watkins
Richard Pearson John Armitage
John Gabriel Pamela Vernon
Isabel George Gorgol
Valentine Dyall Clibber
James Ottaway Sly
Raymond Rollett Captain Kennedy
Geoffrey Hibbert Bobbin
Philip Coral Sammy Smith
Clive Dunn Charlie Carter
Reginald Dyson Mister Maggs
Edward Andrewes Mr Deering
James Drake Mrs Deering
Louise Gainsborough Jeremy
Colin Gibson Mr Pumfrey
Victor Platt Malanga
Errol John Dick Turpin
John Franklyn Nobby Noble
Edwin Ellis Captain Lacey
Kenneth Brown Ada Gomm
Hilda Fenemore Mary Girling
Valerie Forrest Ben Girling
Thomas Conniffe John Girling
Frederic Steger Commander Farrell
Philip Dale General Standish
James Raglan Peter Pride
Peter Scott Emmy Spinks
Carole Lorimer
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