Worzel Gummidge (1979-1981)
Worzel Gummidge is a children's sitcom, produced by Southern Television for ITV, based on the Worzel Gummidge books by English author Barbara Euphan Todd. Beginning in 1979, the programme starred Jon Pertwee in the title role and ran for four series in the UK until 1981. Channel 4 reprised the show in 1987 as Worzel Gummidge Down Under, which was set in New Zealand.
In the series, Worzel Gummidge was a scarecrow that could come to life. Living in Ten Acre Field, he would often visit the nearby village of Scatterbrook. He befriended two children, brother and sister John and Sue Peters, who often tried to clear up the messes he created. Worzel had a collection of interchangeable turnip, mangelwurzel and swede heads; each suiting a particular occasion or allowing him to perform a certain task. He also had his own language, Worzelese. Worzel's catchphrases were: "A cup o' tea an' a slice o' cake", "I'll be bum-swizzled" and "Bozzy MCoo". He was madly in love with Aunt Sally, a vain, cruel-hearted fairground coconut-shy doll who considered herself a lady and far too good for a common scarecrow such as Worzel. Aunt Sally often exploits Worzel for her own ends (in one episode, she promises to marry him if he frees her from a junkshop washing machine, but she never has any intention of going through with it).
The rationale for the move to New Zealand in Down Under was that Aunt Sally is purchased by a visiting museum curator from New Zealand, and Worzel follows her into the luggage chute.
First TV broadcast February 25, 1979 - December 12, 1981; 4 seasons
Find out more at Wikipedia*
Notable Cast & Crew
 Jon Pertwee - "Worzel Gummidge" |  Una Stubbs - "Aunt Sally" |  Geoffrey Bayldon - "Crowman" |
 Charlotte Coleman - "Sue" |  Mike Berry - "Mr Peters" |  Bill Maynard - "Sgt Beetroot" |
 Norman Bird - "Mr Braithwaite" |  Thorley Walters - "Colonel Bloodstock" |  Michael Ripper - "Mr Sheperd" |
 Norman Mitchell - "PC Parsons" |  Barbara Windsor - "Saucy Nancy" |  Megs Jenkins - "Mrs Braithwaite" |
 Sarah Thomas - "Enid Simmons" |  Joan Sims - "Mrs Bloomsbury-Barton" |  Lorraine Chase - "Dolly Clothes-Peg" |
 Connie Booth - "Aunt Sally II" |  Bernard Cribbins - "Jolly Jack" |
Opening and Closing Credits
Stage Musical
A stage musical adaptation, titled Worzel Gummidge - The Musical, was created by the TV series creators Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall with music by Denis King and featuring the original TV principal cast Jon Pertwee, Una Stubbs and Geoffrey Bayldon. The musical first premiered at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre for the 1980 Christmas season before receiving rave reviews and transferring to the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End from December 22, 1981 and extending to February 27,1982. The Original London 1981 Cast Album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios; It featured 15 songs and 4 bonus tracks titled The Worzel Gummidge Christmas Maxi Single.
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