Rainbow

Rainbow

1972 - United Kingdom

Pre-school fun, songs and learning with a dedicated hard core adult following, Rainbow ran for almost twenty years on the ITV network as a production of Thames Television, starring Bungle the Bear (voiced by Stanley Bates) alongside puppets George, a mild mannered, pink hippopotamus and the gruff, sarcastic and zip-mouthed creature know as Zippy (both voiced by Roy Skelton, who had also supplied the grating, memorable voice of a Dalek more than once in the BBC's Doctor Who), as well as human co-star, Geoffrey Hayes, formerly Detective Constable Scatliff at Newtown CID, in the BBC's classic Z Cars

However, the original, now almost forgotten line-up when the series first appeared on the nation's TV screens in 1972, consisted of actor David Cook as the host along with Moony, a meek mauve puppet, and Sunshine, an aggressive yellow one. 

Another well loved element which contributed greatly to Rainbow's enduring success was the resident musical trio of Rod, Jane and...Matthew. Future custodian of the mighty Sooty franchise, Matthew Corbett was one-third of the show's original musical trio before being replaced by the person who's name helped immortalise the threesome, Freddy! 

In its early days Rainbow attracted a superb roster of talent for its rotating band of guest storytellers, including Dame Judi Dench and Stephanie Beacham. Charming, innocent and a mainstay of pre-school programming, Rainbow continues to be a fondly remembered and much admired example of the very best television for the very young...as well as the very young at heart.

Published on January 24th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Boomers

Three groups of friends who have lived in each other's pockets for over 30 years now face the challenges and joys of retirement, with differing results...

Also starring Stephanie Beacham

kung fu

US action-adventure drama in which a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West, armed only with his spiritual training and his skill in martial arts, goes in search of his half-brother.

Also released in 1972

Crown Court TV series

Courtroom drama in which the jury, who were made up of members of the public, would decide the verdict.

Also released in 1972

Kenneth Williams on Jackanory

Storytelling series that proved to be one of the most popular children’s programmes of all time.

Also starring Judi Dench

Small Time

Early afternoon series that introduced many children's classic TV series.

Also tagged Puppet Series

Cranford

Elizabeth Gaskell’s charming tale of a fictional Cheshire town and its eccentric characters has been adapted for TV three times by the BBC. In this review, we take a look at all three productions

Also starring Judi Dench

Hector's House

Animated children's series - it wasn't Joanna Lumley

Also tagged Pre School

Beachcombers

Immensely popular Canadian series concerning the adventures of a professional lumber salvager and his friends in British Columbia.

Also released in 1972

Pinky and Perky

Children's puppet series starring two little pigs.

Also tagged Pre School