1 9 7 4 – 1 9 7 5 (UK)
12 x 25 minute episodes
Mr Samuel Tweet (Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies) worked in a pet shop in Chumpton Green, an olde worlde town presided over by Lord Chumpton (Cardew Robinson).
A well-meaning but clumsy fellow, Tweet maintained a civil relationship with Lord Chumpton, but His Lordship’s highly-strung nephew, Russell Chumpton (Norman Turkington), could not tolerate poor old Samuel.
Fortunately, he could always call upon jovial policeman PC Wicketts (Colin Edwynn) and the kindly Miss Doogoodie (Damaris Hayman) for help.
A mysterious “thing” lurked in a hamper in the pet shop, communicating via a sequence of aggressive growls.
The Small World Of Samuel Tweet was produced by BBC Manchester and filmed at the Dickinson Road studios, a converted church which had been the first home of Top of the Pops. The opening sequence, featuring Tweet being followed Pied Piper-style by a string of children, was filmed just outside Blackpool in the picturesque village of Wrea Green.
Freddie Davies was born in Brixton, London in 1937. After serving his National Service in the Royal Army Pay Corps he became a stand-up comedian, beginning his career in 1958 as a Butlin’s holiday camp Redcoat.
He graduated to the cabaret circuit in 1964, eventually ‘turning professional’ and appearing on Opportunity Knocks, Sunday Night at the London Palladium, The Des O’Connor Show, The Tom Jones Show and Blackpool Night Out.
Wearing an oversize bowler hat and sporting an explosive lisp, his act featured jokes about budgies and he was given the nickname “Parrot Face”.
Samuel Tweet
Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies
