The Magic Roundabout
     
This animation was originally created in the 1960's by Frenchman Serge Danot, and was aired by the BBC between October 1965 and January 1977.
Ironically, this programme has many times been referred to as ' cult.' Indeed many people admit to having watched it as a student or while in the army.
This programme was revived by Nigel Planer for channel four in 1992, with each episode lasting just four minutes. They concerned the goings on in the Magic Garden. Characters included: Mr Rusty, who owned the roundabout, and was ancient and bearded; Florence, a young girl; Dougal, a cynical, sugar-cube loving dog; Dylan, a guitar -playing rabbit who was always far out and tired; Brian, an amiable snail; Ermintrude, a pink, moping cow; Mr Machenry, the scotsman who rode a scooter and was always in a rush; Zebedee, a strange creature with a spring for legs, and a walrus moustache; the train which also spoke; and also a few of Florence's friends.
The magic garden was a peaceful place with colourful trees and plenty of flowers and mushrooms, but not much grass.
The whole thing was nice to watch and is well regarded, but was also somewhat bizzare. People wonder just what was going through Serge Danot's mind when he created it. Some people think he was a drug-taker, and when stoned he would see things in a way that was portrayed in the programme. Indeed, Mr Rusty could well have been a drugs-pedlar, and Florence the customer. After all, she only entered the magic garden prior to talking to him at the beginning of each episode. Also, Dougal's yearning for sugar-cubes ( with all their LSD connections! ) and the mushrooms' presence.
Whatever, this show is most certainly a classic, and will go down in history as a great programme for kids.
KIDS' PROGRAMMES OF THE 1980S PAGE
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