Animal Magic was first seen on 13 April 1962. The fortnightly children's nature programme was made by the fledgling Natural History Unit, and presented by Johnny Morris, who provided voices for the animals and made them talk. On the first show he interviewed a Woolly Monkey. Morris was occasionally criticised for anthropomorphising the animals, but the humour drew viewers into the more formal scientific elements of the programme. In the first edition these were provided by Tony Soper and Gerald Durrell.
Morris frequently filmed as Keeper Morris, at Bristol Zoo. He would then add voices to the animals on film. However, for many years most of the programme was live, and Morris thrived on the unpredictable and sometimes un-cooperative behaviour of the animals. Some creatures, such as Dotty the Ring-Tailed Lemur, became Animal Magic regulars.
Animal Magic introduced generations of children to the natural world and, with its theme tune - "Las Vegas" by Laurie Johnson - ran for 21 years. In later years Terry Nutkins presented alongside Morris. After Animal Magic ended, Morris continued to appear on television until his death in 1999. Nutkins went on to front Animal Magic's replacement, The Really Wild Show. The Natural History Unit has gone from strength to strength, producing some of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's most innovative and popular programmes.
April anniversaries
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Radiophonic Workshop founded
1 April 1958 -
The Boat Race first televised
2 April 1927 -
The Family first episode
3 April 1974 -
The Good Life
4 April 1975 -
New radio branding
4 April 1970 -
Newsround
4 April 1972 -
The Money Programme
5 April 1966 -
American Half Hour
6 April 1935 -
PM and The World Tonight
6 April 1970 -
Pogle’s Wood
7 April 1966 -
How Does Your Garden Grow?
9 April 1947 -
First episode of The Two Ronnies
10 April 1971 -
Launch of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Networking Club
11 April 1994 -
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
11 April 1972 -
Blue Peter Royal Safari
11 April 1971 -
Citizen Smith
12 April 1977 -
Animal Magic
13 April 1962 -
Demonstration of VERA Video Recorder on Panorama
14 April 1958 -
After Henry
17 April 1985 -
Hamlet at Elsinore
19 April 1964 -
First night of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two
20 April 1964 -
Play School
21 April 1964 -
First episode of Top Gear
22 April 1977 -
Children's Newsreel
23 April 1950 -
The Sky at Night
24 April 1957 -
An Age of Kings
28 April 1960 -
First Episode of Waggoners' Walk
28 April 1969 -
The FA Cup Final is first televised
30 April 1938