Animal Magic

Animal Magic (1962-1983)

EndedReality showAdventure, Children, Nature

Animal Magic was a BBC children's television series which ran from 1962 to 1983 from BBC Bristol. It began fortnightly and was transmitted weekly from 1964. The presenter was the avuncular Johnny Morris.

Morris' co-presenters over the years were: Gerald Durrell, Tony Soper, Keith Shackleton, Roger Tabor, Sheila Young, David Taylor and Terry Nutkins. When Nutkins joined the show in the early 1980s, the producers tried to update it, using new video effects technology. This allowed them to do such things as "shrink" the presenters to allow them to see life from an ant's viewpoint, or to swim in a riverbed for example. Dottie the ring-tailed lemur appeared as a regular guest for eight years in the 1970s. Much to Morris' anger, the show was discontinued in 1983 when the programme's anthropomorphic treatment of animals fell out of fashion.

The 100th edition was transmitted on 4 January 1967.

Network
Scheduleevery Tuesday

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S42E03Episode 3Sep 6, 1983
S42E02Episode 2Aug 30, 1983
S42E01Episode 1Aug 2, 1983
S41E10Episode 10Mar 8, 1983
S41E09Episode 9Mar 1, 1983
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did the TV show Animal Magic premiere?

The TV show Animal Magic premiered on April 14, 1962.

Who was the main presenter of Animal Magic?

Johnny Morris was the main presenter of Animal Magic.

What was the theme song of Animal Magic?

The theme song of Animal Magic was "The Zoo Man" by Desmond Fennell.

What was the format of Animal Magic?

Animal Magic focused on educating viewers about various animals and their behavior in the wild.

How long was an episode of Animal Magic?

Each episode of Animal Magic had a runtime of approximately 15 minutes.

What type of animals were featured on Animal Magic?

Animal Magic featured a wide variety of animals including monkeys, lions, tigers, and elephants.

Did Animal Magic incorporate any humor into the show?

Yes, Johnny Morris, the presenter of Animal Magic, would often voiceover the animals with humorous dialogue.

Were live animals ever brought onto the set of Animal Magic?

Yes, live animals were occasionally brought onto the set of Animal Magic.

What was the target audience for Animal Magic?

Animal Magic was geared towards children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Did Animal Magic have a set format for each episode?

No, each episode of Animal Magic was unique and focused on different animals and their natural behavior.

How many episodes of Animal Magic were produced?

Animal Magic ran for 21 seasons from 1962 to 1983, producing a total of 524 episodes.

Was Animal Magic ever released on home video?

Yes, some episodes of Animal Magic were released on home video in the 1990s.

Did Animal Magic receive any awards or nominations?

Yes, Animal Magic was nominated for a BAFTA TV award in 1978.

What was the production company behind Animal Magic?

Animal Magic was produced by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

Cast

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