Sara and Hoppity facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sara and Hoppity |
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|---|---|
| Created by | Roberta Leigh |
| Written by | Roberta Leigh |
| Directed by | Arthur Provis Bill Palmer (art) |
| Composer(s) | Ronald Hanmer |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 52 (1 unaired pilot) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Roberta Leigh |
| Running time | 13 mins (approx) |
| Production company(s) | P. P. Productions |
| Release | |
| Picture format | 480i (4:3) |
| Original release | 27 February 1962 – 26 February 1963 |
Sara and Hoppity was a fun puppet television show for children. Roberta Leigh created and produced this series. The show was based on four books that Roberta Leigh also wrote. Marion Wilson drew the pictures for these books. Sadly, most episodes of the TV show are now missing. But the very first episode still exists!
Contents
About the Show: Sara and Hoppity's History
The Sara and Hoppity show aired from February 27, 1962, to February 26, 1963. There were 52 episodes in total. Each episode was about 13 minutes long. The copyright for the first episode actually dates back to 1960.
Who Made Sara and Hoppity?
Roberta Leigh was the producer of the show. Arthur Provis was the director. Bill Palmer worked as the art director, making sure everything looked just right. Peter Saunders was the editor.
The amazing puppets were made by Jack Whitehead. They were brought to life by puppeteers Jane Tyson, Jane Phillips, and Michael Whitehead. Roberta Leigh did a lot for the show! She wrote the stories, the music, and the song lyrics. Ronald Hanmer helped arrange the music. P. P. Productions in Teddington made the show for Roberta Leigh. A cool fact about this puppet show was that the strings used to move the puppets were almost impossible to see!
Meet Sara and Hoppity: The Story Begins
Sara Brown lives with her parents above their "Toy Hospital" shop. This is where broken toys get fixed!
Hoppity's Arrival
In the first episode, an old man brings a broken toy to the shop. He found the toy in a "goblin ring," which is like a fairy ring. He wants to sell the toy. This special toy is named Hoppity. Hoppity can sing and dance, but it's a "falling over dance" because it only has one leg.
Sara's parents don't want the broken toy. But Miss Julie, who lives in the attic, helps out. She makes clothes for all the toys. Miss Julie gives Sara the money to buy Hoppity.
Making Hoppity Whole Again
The old man sells Hoppity for six pence. Sara washes the dirty toy to make it clean. Her father finds a new leg for Hoppity. The new leg is a little shorter than the other one. Miss Julie then gives Hoppity some clothes. Sara's mother gives Hoppity two shiny glass beads for eyes. She even cuts a little of Sara's own hair to put on Hoppity's bald head! Miss Julie also gives Sara an apron with a big pocket, just right for Hoppity.
Hoppity's Mischief
When you wind Hoppity up, the toy dances and sings a catchy but sometimes annoying song: "Diddly dum, diddly dee." Sara somehow understands what Hoppity is saying. Hoppity is a very naughty toy! Its ideas often get Sara into trouble. For example, in the first episode, Hoppity convinces Sara to cut all the flowers off an expensive hat. The hat belonged to Sara's step-aunt Matilda. Sara wanted to put the flowers in a vase on the dining table.
