Toonhound - The Bumblies (1954)

   "Bumbly, Bumbly what do you say?
    Let's sing a Bumbly tune..."

    The Bumblies are three bumbling alien ambassadors who hail from the Planet
    Bumble. This jolly threesome have touched down in the garden of a madcap
    professor and taken up residence in the top corner of his front room, just
    beneath the ceiling. But they're not just hanging around for fun. Oh no.
    Bumbly One, Bumbly Two and Bumbly Three are here on a mission to
    learn all about our planet, its children, and the fun and games and everyday
    adventures we all get up to...

    This simple little series was created and written by Michael Bentine, the
    former Goon who went on to bring us the historical hijinx of Potty Time.
    He also donned wig and glasses to play Professor Bentine. The series'
    alien stars were manipulated via some very basic engineering and a few
    strings, but nonetheless it's good old-fashioned fun and the three Bumblies
    each have their own silly and distinct personalities. Their leader, Bumble
    One is the one with the brains. Bumble Two is the plump one, and Bumble
    Three is slim and rather dim, which means he's the one who always
    mucks things up. There's something Eccles-like about this chap, in fact.
    And when you look again, there's a certain Goon-like appearance to the
    whole scenario. "The Bumblies" floated on to our screens just a few months
    after Michael had left that famous comedy gang. He'd been the best-educated
    of the quartet (at Eton), so it's no great leap to see their relationship reimagined
    here, with Michael as the dotty professor-type "educating" his bumbling
    pals.

     "The Bumblies" (Michael Bentine / Richard Dendy & Associates)

    "Bumbly One, come on down!"

    Each episode opens with Mr Bentine's cooky professor "calling" down the
    floating Bumblies from the ceiling, one at a time. And stories progress with
    the aid of a Bumblescope. This odd creation consists of a base shaped
    something like an upturned dog bowl and a modified rubber swim hat
    which the Professor is encouraged to put on his head. If he closes his
    eyes and thinks very hard the Bumblescope will make props and
    objects appear out of thin air. A handy device, don't you think?

    Well, it would be super if that Bumblescope could make the entire series
    reappear because it's been all-but forgotten in the intervening years since its
    first broadcast...

.
   Broadcast info

      The series premiered on BBC1 on 14th February 1954...

      Episode titles (partial)

     Wallpapering
     Cowboys and Indians

      The Bumblies on DVD

      You'll find one fine episode of the Bumblies appearing as an "extra" on
      this Network DVD release...

    Michael Bentine's Potty Time - Series 1
                 Region 2 / two discs / Network / January 2004

   written, produced and directed by Michael Bentine

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					The Bumblies (1954) puppet style: hand operated puppets producers: Michael Bentine, Richard Dendy and Associates and the BBC SERIES ONE 6 x 11mins SERIES TWO 6 x 11mins
		"Bumbly, Bumbly what do you say? Let's sing a Bumbly tune..." The Bumblies are three bumbling alien ambassadors who hail from the Planet Bumble. This jolly threesome have touched down in the garden of a madcap professor and taken up residence in the top corner of his front room, just beneath the ceiling. But they're not just hanging around for fun. Oh no. Bumbly One, Bumbly Two and Bumbly Three are here on a mission to learn all about our planet, its children, and the fun and games and everyday adventures we all get up to... This simple little series was created and written by Michael Bentine, the former Goon who went on to bring us the historical hijinx of Potty Time. He also donned wig and glasses to play Professor Bentine. The series' alien stars were manipulated via some very basic engineering and a few strings, but nonetheless it's good old-fashioned fun and the three Bumblies each have their own silly and distinct personalities. Their leader, Bumble One is the one with the brains. Bumble Two is the plump one, and Bumble Three is slim and rather dim, which means he's the one who always mucks things up. There's something Eccles-like about this chap, in fact. And when you look again, there's a certain Goon-like appearance to the whole scenario. "The Bumblies" floated on to our screens just a few months after Michael had left that famous comedy gang. He'd been the best-educated of the quartet (at Eton), so it's no great leap to see their relationship reimagined here, with Michael as the dotty professor-type "educating" his bumbling pals. "Bumbly One, come on down!" Each episode opens with Mr Bentine's cooky professor "calling" down the floating Bumblies from the ceiling, one at a time. And stories progress with the aid of a Bumblescope. This odd creation consists of a base shaped something like an upturned dog bowl and a modified rubber swim hat which the Professor is encouraged to put on his head. If he closes his eyes and thinks very hard the Bumblescope will make props and objects appear out of thin air. A handy device, don't you think? Well, it would be super if that Bumblescope could make the entire series reappear because it's been all-but forgotten in the intervening years since its first broadcast... . Broadcast info The series premiered on BBC1 on 14th February 1954... Episode titles (partial) Wallpapering Cowboys and Indians The Bumblies on DVD You'll find one fine episode of the Bumblies appearing as an "extra" on this Network DVD release... Michael Bentine's Potty Time - Series 1 Region 2 / two discs / Network / January 2004 written, produced and directed by Michael Bentine
			photography: recording: models: animation: editor:	J Burgoyne-Johnson Charles W Green, A.N.INST.B.E Richard Dendy and Associates Clementina Bentine Allen Lloyd
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