Andy Pandy (1950–1957) User Reviews

Andy Pandy's coming to play

[glenn-aylett · 8/10 · 10 April 2021]

This 15 minute programme featuring Andy Pandy, a marionette based on a small child, and his friends Teddy and Looby Loo kept generations of small children entertained in Britain for nearly 30 years( including the author). OK the programme is old fashioned now, particularly the 1950s shows, with its very upper crust narrator and singer, but the concept of small children being encouraged to sing along and act out scenes with the marionettes was unique when Andy Pandy started in 1950. Also the programme formed part of the long running and very popular Watch With Mother strand of programming on BBC 1 in the afternoons.

Andy Pandy was remade in 1970 in colour as some of the orginal programmes were worn out, and the new version, made at the Abbey Road Studios, had a bigger budget and the narrator sounded a little less formal. It's this version I remember with Andy in a blue romper suit and a mildly psychedelic background, but the concept of children singing along and playing along to the show continued.

Out of interest, the Andy Pandy puppet was based on a very young Paul Atterbury( a presenter of Antiques Roadshow) and Mr Atterbury is the owner of some of the marionettes from the 1950s shows.

Andy Pandy

[jboothmillard · 6/10 · 19 April 2005]

When I was a kid this was a slightly unusual shows for me to enjoy, but I watched it regardless because it was easy entertainment. It stared the marionette Andy Pandy, wearing the blue and white striped cloths and hat, with his friend Teddy, slightly clumsy at times by my favourite character, and there was always the appearance by the secretly alive rag doll Looby Loo, she only came to life when Andy and Teddy were not in the scene. It was originally black and white programme, but obviously the version I saw was in colour, I only remember small moments, like an episode where Teddy fell off trying to get onto a seesaw, but I know I really liked it at the time. It was nominated the BAFTA for Best Pre-School Animation. It was number 62 on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows. Good!

Unbelievable

[redcustard · 17 March 2005]

Well, what can I say? If you've seen this show you'll certainly know all about it, and if you haven't you ain't likely to now and will never know what you've missed. I don't know whether to be sorry or glad.................... Those in the know will also treasure hallowed memories of the original "The Flowerpot Men". After that, everything went wrong - television turned colour and abominations such as "The Magic Roundabout" and "Kimba the White Lion" infiltrated our screens. Let's face it, that was the beginning of the end for quality television. Anyone who wasn't brought up on shows of this calibre just hasn't lived.

Well worth coming out to play for

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 1 November 2021]

My childhood (the 90s) was full of shows that were very popular and well regarded for a long time, but now almost forgotten and shows that many children today would never have heard of. And there were a lot too that were watched and liked without taking note of the title. 'Andy Pandy' was a very easy and catchy title to remember, due to the very memorable theme tune. Which is the thing that stuck out at me all these years. Decided to relive my fond memories of 'Andy Pandy' after so long.

It still is a timeless classic and deserves to be much better known today in a time where shows like 'Andy Pandy' are hard to come by. It does sadden me that jewels such as 'Andy Pandy' that show effort and the charm factor with good values and will appeal to people of all ages are so little known today, other than the odd recommendation from anybody that grew up with it. While vastly inferior shows with very little quality and charm air regularly on accessible time slots on channels that have not been the same for a long time.

'Andy Pandy' holds up very well visually, have always found old puppet animation incredibly charming to watch and affectionate. Old-fashioned yes but beautifully crafted, am with those that remembers it more in colour but the backgrounds throughout the show are meticulously detailed and there is nothing stiff or primitive about the puppet designs or movements. Andy Pandy himself is a creation that stays in the memory too.

As said, one of the things that has always stood out to me has been the theme tune, which is still incredibly catchy (well it must be if it is the thing about the show remembered mostly vividly by me, other than the design for the titular character) and easy to like. The lyrics are simple but not overly so and they are cute without being treacly, while the melody is hum along worthy. The show is nicely scored too, and fits well with the show's quaintness.

The writing has a good deal of charm. It is very easy for younger audiences to understand, but does so without resorting to juvenile or dumb humour or using over complex terminology. Older audiences shouldn't find it a problem either, and find plenty to be amused by and be charmed by its simplicity. The stories are full of quaint charm and wisely keep things simple, they don't come over as too slow either. Andy Pandy is an endearing character as is Looby Loo, but my favourite of the three is Teddy who had his fair share of fun and sweet moments.

In conclusion, wonderful and under-valued today. 10/10.