ANDY PANDY'S ANNUAL...

Hard though it may be to believe, ANDY PANDY first appeared on

TV in June or July of 1950, in the FOR The CHILDREN slot.  Astonish-

ingly, the episodes were first broadcast live, until it was realized that filming

them meant they could be conveniently repeated.  26 episodes were recorded

in 1952 and repeated continuously up until 1970, whereupon 13 new episodes

were filmed.  In 1953, the WATCH With MOTHER name was adopted and

Andy alternated with The FLOWER POT MEN ('52) and RAG, TAG And

BOBTAIL ('53).  PICTURE BOOK and The WOODENTOPS (both 1955)

were later added to the line-up and the 15 minute, 1.30 p,m. slot expanded

from three to five times a week, with other programmes added to the mix

over the coming years.  (The Watch With Mother name was finally

dropped in 1975 on the grounds that it sounded dated.)

Suprised as I was to learn that new shows were made in 1970, I

was even more amazed to discover that Andy Pandy Annuals (published

by PURNELL) were issued every year from at least the '60s right into the

early '80s.  Who ever knew Andy was so popular with the Annual-buying

public?  Anyway, I only have one in my collection, dated internally from

1974, so here's two-pages to show you what you've been missing.

Anyone got a full set?  (Anyone brave enough to admit to it?)

And here's an extra bonus - the opening and closing credits.

Posted in: Cartoons