Catweazle

Catweazle

1970 - United Kingdom

Yet another creation from the imaginatively fertile mind of gifted actor/writer Richard Carpenter (The Ghosts of Motley Hall - Dick Turpin). Over the course of two seasons the adventures of the scruffy eccentric 11th century wizard Catweazle, and his efforts to escape the bewildering experiences of being trapped in the 20th century, amused and delighted both adults and children alike.

Played with skill and great charm by the ever-excellent Geoffrey Bayldon, Catweazle is an unhygienically manipulative, spoiled, egotistical creation made likeable by his almost child-like sense of wonder at the technological trappings of the modern age in which he initially finds himself trapped, whilst attempting to use magic to discover the means of flight. Seeing the world through Catweazle's eyes, everyday items became things of wonder and excitement. To Catweazle even the most basic of everyday objects are astounding, an electric light bulb, referred to as 'electrickery', is the sun itself captured and placed in a bottle by modern magic. Taken for granted by the modern audience a telephone becomes a 'telling bone' and therefore takes on a new sense of wonder. The young viewing audience embraced these everyday objects and bestowed upon them the ultimate accolade of becoming school yard catchphrases.

Catweazle

Carpenter's use of the time travel concept was merely an imaginative means by which he explored the true meaning of deeper issues such as friendship, trust and loneliness, within the framework of what was ostensibly a genuinely funny situation comedy/fantasy. In the relationship between Catweazle and the farmer's son Carrot, (Robin Davis) in season one and latterly the young aristocrat Cedric (Garry Warren), the normal roles between adult and child are cleverly reversed, with the skittish, irresponsible magician taking on the mantle of the dependent child to the actual physical adolescent's much more modern day, worldly-wise persona.

In a decade which saw many fine examples of children's television, Catweazle has easily withstood the ravages of time to emerge as a quality series which is as good now as it was when originally broadcast. Many of us grew up watching the misadventures of the misplaced magician. Thankfully, few, if any of us, have ever truly outgrown him.  

Published on December 3rd, 2018. Written by Humar for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Sky TV series 1975

A stranded alien needs to return home before the forces of nature overpower him. Thought provoking 1970s science fiction series

Also tagged Childrens Fantasy

Crime of Passion TV series

In France crime passionnel (or crime of passion) was a valid defence during murder cases; during the 19th century, some cases could result in a custodial sentence for two years for the murderer.

Also released in 1970

Sooty

Introducing the glove puppet superstar of children's TV.

Also tagged Childrens Comedy

Albert and Victoria

Alfred Marks starring comedy vehicle produced by Yorkshire Television and set, as the title suggests, in the late 19th century when Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert were the figureheads on the British throne.

Also released in 1970

Having returned from a colonial life in Malaya to an England he longer recognised Basil Allenby-Johnson, "the Alf Garnett of the middle classes", takes a verbal swing at feminism; permissive and undisciplined youth; age prejudice by employers; student demos; the press; and the health service.

Also released in 1970

The Magic Boomerang

13-year old Tom Thumbleton discovers a boomerang that makes time stand still when thrown.

Also tagged Childrens Fantasy

Worzel Gummidge

Former Doctor Who, Jon Pertwee, as the tatty old scarecrow of Scatterbrook Farm who comes to life and gets up to all sorts of mischief.

Also starring Geoffrey Bayldon

The Man in Armour

Two children discover a suit of armour in an antique shop. Inside it is a 500-year-old living knight, still looking for the woman he loves.

Also tagged Childrens Fantasy

Brights Boffins

Children's comedy series about a group of scientists who work in a rambling long-forgotten Government establishment called Halfwitt House.

Also released in 1970