Billy Bean

Billy Bean and His Funny Machine

1953 - United Kingdom

"Billy Bean built a machine to see what it could do. He made it out of sticks and stones, and nuts and bolts and glue. The motor sang Chuffaty Bang, Rattata Rattatarator, And all of a sudden a picture appeared on the funny old cartoonerator Billy Bean built a machine to see what it would do, It did the funniest things he'd seen, So he called it his fun machine, machine, Billy Bean and his fun machine."

Like the title song suggests the puppets Billy Bean and his friend Yoo-Hoo the cuckoo operated a machine, which featured such devices as a windmill, a Dorset-Faucet and a cartoonerator which drew magic pictures. The voice of Yoo-Hoo was supplied by Ivan Owen, who later went on to voice one of the Britain's best loved puppets of all time, Basil Brush

Published on November 29th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School

Comedic stories of a gluttonous, lazy, deceitful, self-important and conceited schoolboy that was all the rage in the 1950s.

Also tagged Childrens Television

Arabian Knights

Animated series of stories set round the ancient city of Baghdad which is under the rule of the evil Sultan Bakaar, who has usurped the throne from the rightful inheritance of the young Prince Turham

Also tagged Childrens Television

Basil Brush Show

Basil Brush, the mischievous puppet raconteur, best known for his catchphrase “Boom Boom!!!”, was a British television success whose fame reached the other side of the world where he was equally loved in Australia and New Zealand

Also starring Ivan Owen

Quatermass

Scientist, head of the British Rocket Research Group, investigates strange incidents.

Also released in 1953

Action in the Afternoon

Action in the Afternoon was television's first live outdoor Western, originating in the wide-open spaces of suburban Philadelphia and telecast five afternoons a week.

Also released in 1953

Biggles

Crack pilot James "Biggles" Bigglesworth leads a team of investigators who solve crime around the world.

Also tagged Childrens Television

Crackerjack

"It's Friday, it's five o'clock, yes it's Crackerjack!" From 1955 and for almost 40 years the BBC bought us children's entertainment in front of a live theatre audience. For many, Crackerjack is remembered with great nostalgia and even greater affection and is very firmly placed in the annals of television history.

Also tagged Childrens Television

Variety Parade

Variety show that attempted to bring back the music-hall spirit of the Victorian era.

Also released in 1953