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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It still sparkles 50 years on - a hit with todays kids and don't forget season two, 26 Sep 2005
"The adventures of a boy doll who travels by rocket to Topsy Turvy Land where toys can walk, animals can talk and cream buns grow on trees." It's also the place "where all the neglected and mistreated toys that belonged to bad children go". Torchy is credited to Roberta Leigh, a prolific author who is probably best remembered for the excellent 'Space Patrol' and the under five's 'Sara & Hoppity'. Kenneth Conner from the carry on films does eight of the characters in Torchy (Mr Bumbledrop, King Dithers, Pongo, Polliwig, the Pollikan bird, Gilligolly, Daffy and Whirly). Gerry Anderson & AP films were involved in this first Torchy series, although Roberta Leigh took over completely for the second series, also available on DVD - she retained all the original series one puppets and the rights. AP Films went on do `Four Feathers Falls' instead.
Episodes from this series include : Pom Pom and the toys, Torchy and Squish, The building of Frutown, Torchy and the broken rocket, Torchy returns to Earth, Polliwig gets a present, Torchy gets stolen, A bell for a pennyfarthing, Bad boy Bogey, Torchy and the strange animal, Bossy boots forgets to be good, The hungry money box, The naughty twins, The twins learn a lesson, The moon falls asleep, and Torchy's birthday.
Torchy series one (and two) are filmed in excellent detail on these DVD sets - far better than any BBC 60's Dr Who so it was probably taken from B&W 35mm film. The puppet strings appear to be made of thick wool and are hardly AP films `supermarionation' of the 60's, but as most of the characters are toys anyway, being a puppet as well just adds to their charm. Besides it's the quality of Roberta Leigh's imaginative stories (and songs) that carry these series, e.g. Torchy's song: "Torchy, Torchy, the little battery boy, I'm a clever walking, talking toy. With bright blue eyes and golden hair, I've a magic beam that can shine anywhere". Typical quote: "Elephants never forget, but donkeys always remember".
My son (9) and daughter (11) are very taken with the Torchy series and watched all the episodes over 2 nights. They weren't fazed by the B&W picture either. Torchy and Flopsy the rag doll are very much children compared to the more adult characters in Anderson's later projects, so perhaps my kids identified with them. So surprisingly a big hit with the latest generation. Highly recommended then, but no extra's - as the two DVD set is crammed with twenty-six 15 minute episodes that's no surprise, there is the two minute TV promotional trailer though. If you don't want to buy, try renting. Probably not for sober adults though, unless you first caught this series in 1958 age five.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant show for young kids., 15 Jul 2005
By A Customer
This is a brilliant show for both kids and adults with charming characters, comedic elements and songs that will remain with you for the rest of your days.I know that most of you out there are probably groaning and complaining about it not being Gerry Anderson but you are wrong the stories are written by the sweet Roberta Leigh and the episodes are directed by... *drum roll* Gerry Anderson. With Leigh's superb writing and Gerry's fabulouse direction this show is one that you and the rest of your familly will remember forever.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, 2 Feb 2009
I loved this as a kid. this will bring back many memories to those of a certain age. Today's youngsters should also enjoy it.
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