A review of the Sara And Hoppity episode 'Gorgey Georgie Goes Visiting' The recent discovery of a second Sara And Hoppity episode provided the opportunity to see an example of this long lost series. The episode opens with a simple but effective title in which Sara is swinging on the gate of her garden in front of the Toy Hospital, while Hoppity dances about in the background. As the title song plays (possibly sung by Ysanne Churchman, though she is of the opinion her version was not used) the shot slowly closes in on the gate and the three bars turn one by one to give the title of the series 'SARA AND HOPPITY', which then turn once more to read 'BY ROBERTA LEIGH'. A final long shot is used as the episode title 'GORGEY GEORGIE GOES VISITING' is superimposed in a stylised block typeface. The title song, in full, is: Sara Brown has a toy as naughty can be And he'll start to sing if you wind-up his key He'll sing and he'll dance, all over the floor And when he stands still then you wind him some more Dear old Hoppity, naughty Hoppity There is no toy more naughty than he Dear old Hoppity, clever Hoppity He sings 'Diddlee-Dum' and he sings 'Diddlee-Dee' The story opens with Sara talking to Mummy, who tells her Mrs Guzzler and Georgie are coming to tea. Sara doesn't like Georgie and asks why Mrs Guzzler doesn't leave him at home. Mummy replies that Sara would not like it if she was left behind. She doesn't like Georgie either but does like Mrs Guzzler. Sara decides to hide Hoppity away as Gergie has said he wants to take the toy for himself. In her bedroom, Sara tells Shaggy off for growling at Hoppity before inserting his key three times into the toy and setting Hoppity off dancing. She gets Hoppity to dance into the cupboard and shuts the toy in, much to the agitated 'diddlee-dum, diddlee-dee's from within! Sara then goes outside to play on her tree swing but unknown to her Shaggy opens the cupboard door and lets Hoppity out! Outside, Mrs Guzzler and Georgie have arrived. Georgie doesn't want to be there either. While Mummy and Mrs Guzzler chat, Georgie goes upstairs to watch television. He finds Hoppity in the hallway but realises he can't just carry the toy out as he would be seen. Then he has an idea and goes to see Mr Brown. Mr Brown is happily working away with his hammer, and singing his song: Plink plonk, plink plonk! I'm always mending lots of toys! Plink plonk, plink plonk! For lots of little girls and boys. I'm always getting teddies With no stuffing in their tum So I buy a bag of sawdust And stuff them one by one. Whoosh! See the sawdust fall All around the floor, all upon the mat Whoosh! See the sawdust fall And watch the teddies getting fat. Plink plonk, plink plonk! I'm always making lots of noise Plink plonk, plink plonk! When I am mending broken toys I'm always getting soldiers That can't walk any more Stand them up and they fall down Upon the kitchen floor Plink plonk, the nails go in. Then I add a nut, then I add a screw Plink plonk, the soldiers stand And walk around as good as new He stops when Georgie comes in asking for some paper and string to make a parcel, which Mr Brown gives him - though he wonders after the boy has left what he may be up to. Back in Sara's bedroom, Georgie wraps up Hoppity and, after procuring a stamp from Mr Brown, goes to post it. Mrs Brown thinks possibly Mr Brown sent Georgie on an errand to post a toy back to its owner, though she admits it is odd as most children come to collect them. Having posted the parcel in a nearby pillar box, a passing woman is frightened to hear "Diddlee-dum, diddlee-dee" coming from it! The postman arrives, and both are shocked when a parcel jumps off by itself. Racing down the road, the packaging falls away to reveal Hoppity as he dances home! In the garden, Sara is surprised to hear a Hoppity-like voice and even more surprised when the toy dances into sight and winds down in front of her. Seeing Georgie, who has come out into the garden for fresh air having gorged himself on chocloate biscuits, she asks if he let Hoppity out! Georgie didn't but does admit he wrapped the toy up 'to see if he could get out'. Sara hugs Hoppity and says of course he could - he is the cleverest toy in the whole world... The end titles uses similar footage to the opening title but in this instance the shot pans from Sara on the gate to follow Hoppity as he dances across to the garden at the side where Shaggy (curiously) is sitting on the tree swing, and back again. The song is the same as the opening song but with an extra verse and slightly changed chorus for the reprise: Sara Brown takes her toy, whereever she goes He has ginger hair and a small turned up nose. One leg is much shorter but give him a chance And he'll show you how he can manage to dance. Dear old Hoppity, naughty Hoppity There is no toy more clever than he Dear old Hoppity, naughty Hoppity He sings 'Diddlee-Dum' and he sings 'Diddlee-Dee' Production Credits: Puppets made by Jack Whitehead Operated by Joan Garrick, Sally Bussell Voices Created by... • Ysanne Churchman (Sara, Jimmy etc) • Ronnie Stevens (Hoppity, Shaggy etc) • Dera Cooper (Mummy, Miss Julie, Aunt Mathilda etc) Screenplay, Music and Lyrics by Roberta Leigh • Arranged by Ronald Hanmer Organist - Neville Meale Cameraman - Arthur Provis Art Director - Bill Palmer Editor - Roy Baker Made by P.P.Productions for Roberta Leigh Critique Unfortunately, the only surviving episode of Sara and Hoppity other than the pilot isn't the best example of the series. The story is somewhat pedestrian and does little to showcase any of the true talents of the voice artists or puppeteers. One of the last episodes to be delivered to Associated-Rediffusion, in March 1962, this may suggest that the production was winding down, with less enthusiasm and effort being put into it. That said, the episode is still enjoyable with Mr Brown's 'mending song' being quite catchy! It also highlights Ronnie Stevens' singing talents, and one can see even from this brief scene why his career in revue was highly acclaimed. Production Notes • This episode survives as a pristine quality 35mm print. • Sara would appear to have a picture of Twizzle on her bedroom wall (an interesting in-joke if it is), though with the image being small and in black and white we're not 100% sure... • The Sara puppet either has flexible or interchangeable hands, as they grip the strings of the swing when she is on it. • Although it would probably not have been seen on its original 405-line broadcast, the string which pulls the cupboard door as Sara closes it is clearly visible. • For those who are curious, it is Hoppity's right leg which is shorter. • Georgie remarks he can't stuff Hoppity under his jumper as it would be seen but he is wearing a shirt and jacket (see photo). • The shadow of the out-of-shot postman (presumably) can be seen on the pavement near the pillarbox long before he is referred to. • Different mouth types are used - regulars Mr and Mrs Brown and Sara have 'flip-lip' mouths, as with the puppets in Space Patrol, while Georgie, Mrs Guzzler, the woman and the postman seem to have more ventriloquist puppet style mouths. • It is interesting to speculate, as Dr Brown (seen in episodes of Space Patrol) has the same kind of white hair and smiling face as Mr Brown, whether he was supposed to be descended from him. • The end credits actually list who plays which regular characters but Ronnie Stevens also voices Georgie, Mr Brown and the postman, while Dera Cooper plays Mrs Guzzler and Ysanne Churchman voices the woman by the pillar box. • The end titles give an overview of the Toy Hospital exterior and the garden set, which is to the right. Interestingly, the set where Mummy (Mrs Brown) talks to Sara and then Mrs Guzzler seems to be intact and is visible through the front door and top of the window, suggesting that to film it the front of the hospital could be removed. With thanks to Jeremy Clark, Simon Brown, and the National Film Archive On to the Sara and Hoppity pilot Back to the Sara and Hoppity homepage The Sara and Hoppity Website would welcome any information on the series for future updates.