User:Aven13/LastSandbox

Sara and Hoppity
Created by	Roberta Leigh
Written by	Roberta Leigh
Directed by	Arthur Provis Bill Palmer (art)
Composer	Ronald Hanmer
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of episodes	52 (1 unaired pilot)
Production
Producer	Roberta Leigh
Running time	13 mins (approx)
Production company	P. P. Productions
Original release
Release	27 February 1962 (1962-02-27) – 26 February 1963 (1963-02-26)

Sara and Hoppity is a British children's puppet television series created and produced by Roberta Leigh that aired for one year in the early 1960s. It was based on a series of four books written by Leigh and illustrated by Marion Wilson. The series follows a young girl, Sarah Brown, who comes into possession of Hoppity, a mysterious puppet who causes her to misbehave when he sings a special tune. The series was first aired in February 1962, and ran until February of the following year. Most of this series is lost, but the first episode has survived.

The show was produced by Roberta Leigh and directed by Arthur Provis. Unlike some similar puppet shows of the time, the puppet strings were all but invisible.

Plot

Sara Brown lives with her parents, above their "Toy Hospital" shop. In the first episode an old man brings in a broken toy, which he has found in a goblin ring, to sell. The toy, called "Hoppity", can sing and dance, but it is a "falling over dance" as the toy only has one leg. Her parents want nothing to do with the toy, but Miss Julie who lives up in the attic and makes clothes for all the toys, gives Sara the money to buy Hoppity.

The man accepts six pence. Sara washes the dirty toy and her father finds it a new leg, but one a little bit shorter than the other. Miss Julie gives her clothes for him, and her mother gives Hoppity two shiny glass beads for eyes. Her mother cuts off a little of Sara's hair and puts it on the bald doll's head. Miss Julie also gives Sara an apron with a pocket big enough for Hoppity.

When wound up, the toy dances and sings annoying "Diddly dum, diddly dee" song, which Sara somehow understands. Being very naughty, Hoppity's ideas often lead Sara into trouble. In the first (and sole surviving) episode, she cuts all the flowers from an expensive hat, belonging to her step aunt Matilda, to put in a vase on the dining table.

Production

The show was conceived, written, and produced by Roberta Leigh, who had written several books featuring the characters prior to the television show. The show itself was directed by Arthur Provis and art directed by Bill Palmer, and was edited by Peter Saunders. The puppets were made by Jack Whitehead and operated by Jane Tyson, Jane Phillips and Michael Whitehead. Roberta Leigh wrote the screenplay, music and lyrics. The music was arranged by Ronald Hanmer and the show was made by P. P. Productions of Teddington for Roberta Leigh.

External links

• Fan website (archived 29-August-2011)
• Aven13/LastSandbox at IMDb

Category:1960 British television series debuts Category:1963 British television series endings Category:1960s British children's television series Category:Black-and-white British television shows Category:ITV children's television shows Category:Fictional dolls and dummies Category:British television shows featuring puppetry Category:Television shows produced by Associated-Rediffusion Category:English-language television shows