Sara and Hoppity

1 9 6 2 (UK)
52 x 15 minute episodes

Sara Brown lives with her parents, above their Toy Hospital. In the first episode, an old man brings in a broken toy to sell. The toy – called “Hoppity” – can sing and dance but has only one leg. Hoppity was found in a goblin ring, and he is very naughty (and will and often lead Sara into trouble).

Sara’s parents want nothing to do with the toy, but Miss Julie – who lives up in the attic and makes clothes for all the toys – gives Sara the sixpence to buy Hoppity.

Sara washes the dirty toy and her father finds it a new leg (a little bit shorter than the other). Miss Julie donates clothes for him and Sara’s mother gives Hoppity two shiny glass beads for eyes and cuts off a little of Sara’s hair and puts it on the bald doll’s head.

Miss Julie also gives Sara an apron with a pocket to carry Hoppity around in.

Sara and Hoppity was created and produced by Roberta Leigh (a pseudonym of romance novelist Rita Lewin). The puppets were made by Jack Whitehead and operated by Jane Tyson, Jane Phillips, Joan Garrick and Michael Whitehead.

The series was broadcast by Associated-Rediffusion.

Episodes

Sara And Hoppity | Hoppity is Stolen | Sara And Hoppity Bake A Cake | Sara And Hoppity And Shaggy Dog | Sara’s Friend Has An Accident  | Shaggy Is Taught Some Tricks | Sara And Hoppity Go Skating | Washing Day | Sara And The Broken Toys | Shaggy in Trouble | A Present For Miss Julie | Gorgey Georgie Comes To Stay | Aunt Mathilda’s New Dress | Gorgey Georgie Is Naughty Again | Sara And Hoppity Get Lost | Sara’s Birthday | Sara Does The Spring Cleaning | Gorgey Georgie Comes To Tea | Sara And The Junk Man | Sara And Hoppity Help Mummy | Hoppity Does Something Wrong | A New Hat For Mummy | A New Kite | Fun On The Sands | A Present For Jimmy | Shaggy And The Flowers | Sara And Hoppity Clean The Shop | Sara And Hoppity Do The Wallpapering | Pancake Day | Aunt Mathilda’s Hat | Jimmy Comes To Tea | The Goldfish Pond | The Coalman Comes To Call | Mummy Loses Her Ring | A Visit To The Seaside | Sara Goes To School | A Day At The Beach | The Lonely Junk Man | The Brass Band | The Painting Competition | A Day In Bed | Sara And Father Christmas | Father Christmas And The Presents | A Birthday Cake For Daddy | The Snowman | Sara And Hoppity Quarrel | Gorgey Georgie Goes Visiting | The Fancy Dress Party | Sara Is Naughty | Hoppity And The Jelly | The Grandfather Clock | The Windy Day