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20 Oct 99 - 10:47 PM (#126203) Subject: The Bumblies From: Bugsy Another offshoot from the radio and watch with mother thread. Does anyone remember Michael Bentine and the Bumblies. They were wonderful puppets that defied gravity. The puppets were remote controlled and the government at the time wanted to buy the sytem from Bentine to use in their guided missile systems! Luckily he refused the offer. I had a heated discussion about this subject with a guy in a pub in Aussie which resulted in him betting me that I could not prove my point.I wrote to Michael explaining that I had a $10 bet on the outcome of the bet and he wrote me back a very nice letter telling me to claim my money. It was all true. Sadly he is no longer with us but left some great kids TV including The Bumblies and Potty Time, and also they great series "It's a Square World" Cheers, Bugsy |
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20 Oct 99 - 11:31 PM (#126216) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Den Wow interesting story Bugsy. I remember the Potties though, somewhere in the recesses of my mind which are never good to venture back into with a only a naked flame for light. Michael Bentine what infectious laugh. Den |
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21 Oct 99 - 04:28 AM (#126271) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Melbert Didn't one of his shows feature a wonderful Flea Circus? |
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21 Oct 99 - 08:02 AM (#126292) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Steve Parkes The flea circus was on Square World, although it might have been around before. If you ever get the chance to see a moovie called, if memory serves, "Down among the Z-men", you'll see young Bentine in action (along with with the young Goons, of which he was a founder member). He has a big afro-style wig, and a full set of whiskers, to go with his character of Mad Scientist, who has invented an hilarious new nerve gas (this was just after the War; things were different then!), and he goes through an indescribably funny routine from his stage act, using a bit of broken chair as a prop. When I say "indescribable", I mean just that: I won't even try. In case you're wondering, "Z-men" refers to the "Z" reserve, which was something to do with War/National Sevice ... I expect someone old enough to know will explain. Steve |
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21 Oct 99 - 09:08 AM (#126310) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Bert And I'm the one that nobody loves, I'm Bumbly number three. Don't forget that Z in England is pronounced 'Zed'. Bert. |
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21 Oct 99 - 02:00 PM (#126456) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: selby Doing a quantum leap what about the Clangers NOT Bentine I know but still wonderful Keith |
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21 Oct 99 - 04:56 PM (#126522) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Rana Hi, The previous web refs I've given also include the Bumblies The Bumblies Michael Bentine devised and wrote a thirteen part children s series about three friendly little aliens from outer space cheerful ambassadors from the Planet Bumble wh URL: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/bumblies/bumblies.htm Whirligig Home Page This website is dedicated to 1950's British television nostalgia Andy Pandy, Muffin the Mule Bill and Ben, The Woodentops, The Bumblies, Billy Bunter, Sooty, Ivor the Engine, Tony URL: http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/home.htm Rana |
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21 Oct 99 - 07:41 PM (#126587) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Penny S. I remember the fleas climbing the north face of the Eiger or something. Mit ze little tiny Zherman accents. Jawohl, Fritz. And I've only see it once! The little tiny footprints appearing in the snow. Ah. Modern TV doesn't stick like it. Penny |
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22 Oct 99 - 03:37 AM (#126695) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Steve Parkes Rana, what a fabulous site! There's so much I remember, and even more I thought I'd forgotten. You've made a happy man feel very old! Steve |
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07 Dec 09 - 11:56 AM (#2782977) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: GUEST http://www.facebook.com/groups.php#/group.php?gid=144863608275 |
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07 Dec 09 - 01:22 PM (#2783041) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Rasener http://www.facebook.com/groups.php#/group.php?gid=144863608275 I remember the Bumblies, but I am not going to admit to it LOL :-) |
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08 Dec 09 - 04:21 AM (#2783563) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Splott Man The flea circuses on Square World were created by artist Bruce Lacey, who was later celebrated in song by Fairport Convention on What We Did on Our Holidays. One of his sculptures was made from a hand drying machine, he called it the Politician. You press a button and all this hot air comes out. He also played the "gardener" (cutting the carpet with clockwork false teeth) in the film Help. OK, sidetrack aside, back to the plot... |
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08 Dec 09 - 05:27 AM (#2783586) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: Bryn Pugh " . . . and I'm the one that's not very bright, Yes, I am Bumblie Three . . ." As a young student and at that time, a very heavy smoker, we used to take the 'silver' paper out of a cigarette packet, separate the 'tissue' paper from it ; shape the 'silver' paper into vaguely a 'chalice' shape ; having well wet the tissue paper with spit, tuck that latter into the former. The aim (in more ways than one) was to throw the so - called 'bumblie' to the ceiling. If it stuck, apparently, it was the father and mother of a task to shift them. Michael Bentine, IMO, was a genius - and I do not bestow this accolade lightly. |
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08 Dec 09 - 05:50 AM (#2783595) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: GUEST,fogie One thing I remember him doing which had me in fits was Dreary Weary which was a puppet made of bits that came apart as he was talking to it. I wish that was on you-tube! |
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08 Dec 09 - 07:03 AM (#2783628) Subject: RE: The Bumblies From: jimL "The puppets were remote controlled and the government at the time wanted to buy the sytem from Bentine to use in their guided missile systems" Well, I seem to recall visible strings - we're talking 1954 here folks - nearly everything on TV had strings, including most of the actors. Think Bumblies, think Muffin The Mule .... I rest my case, I suspect Mr Bentine was joking ... |
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08 Dec 09 - 11:55 PM (#2784365) Subject: RE: The Bumblies - gravity-defying puppets From: Bert Ha, Bryn, that brings back memories of my time at Dagenham Tech. The canteen ceiling was peppered with similar devices, made from gum wrappers and using the well chewed gum to stick them to the ceiling. |