Animal Magic - Johnny Morris - Terry Nutkins - Complete episode

Here's a 1980 colour episode of one of my all-time favourite TV series from my childhood with the great Johnny Morris a veritable Dr Doolittle and Terry Nutkins. Johnny Morris had an amazing way with animals and he gave them humorous personalities by giving them human voices.
Ernest John "Johnny" Morris OBE (20 June 1916 - 6 May 1999[1]) was a Welsh television presenter. He was known for his children's programmes for the BBC on the topic of zoology, most notably Animal Magic and for narrating the imported, Canadian-produced Tales of the Riverbank series of stories about Hammy the Hamster, Roderick the Rat, GP the Guinea Pig, and their assorted animal friends along a riverbank.
Terence Paul "Terry" Nutkins (12 August 1946 - 6 September 2012) was an English naturalist, television presenter and author. He was best known for his television appearances, notably in the UK children's programmes Animal Magic, The Really Wild Show, Brilliant Creatures and Growing Up Wild.
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. His charismatic style and genuine fondness for animals made the show an instant hit with children and adults alike. The show combined jovial voiceovers applied to various animals from Bristol Zoo with some basic educational features.
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.
Many editions of the show were junked by the BBC in the early 1990s when they were assumed to be of no further use. Recent documentaries such as The Way We Went Wild have had to resort to using clips from off-air recordings of some shows.
The signature tune, "Las Vegas", performed by Group Forty Orchestra, was written by Laurie Johnson in 1962.

[@saanzacs]

Johnny's dedication to animals was just second to none

[@JohnJohn-qq1cw]

I loved this so much when I was a kid.
Never missed an episode, home from school straight in front of the TV to watch Animal Magic.
Jonny Morris was awesome.

[@ladylaois8184]

Johnny was such a huge part of my childhood in a very positive way. He inspired me in many ways snd here I am 60
Still working in Rehabilitating animals

[@pamaherne1851]

I loved Jonny Morris as a child and I can see why as I see him again now!

[@videocurios]

Pam Aherne Ditto yes he seemed such a sweet man. He didnt get on so well with his family though he left them out of his will.He must have had family like mine ha ha

[@ratherknotty]

They were actually his step children and I get the impression the feeling was mutual!

[@MarkMcCluney]

reading things Johnny said taught me a lot about broadcasting and performance, i wish i could have thanked him. he's still a hero of mine.

[@paulafulton4809]

I loved this show as a child my favourite part was when the animals had human voices that always made me.laugh.

[@davehattam1079]

I never missed animal magic johnny Morris is very badly missed by my generation rip johnny

[@mariefrench-smith1810]

fantastic......The wonderful, irreplaceable Johnny Morris & A fantastic Double denimed Terry Nutkins ............Thinking girls crumpet lol

[@therespectedlex9794]

That's a hip outfit on the boat, with the wool epaulettes and lined boots.

[@ale58301]

What a great little show, so pleasant

[@danrkelly]

Calm telly, lovely. Nutkins was only 34 here.

[@camptube7621]

My interest in nature started with this show. He was a great presenter, making you feel involved. The UKs Mr Rogers.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Mr Rogers was the US's Johnny Morris!

[@dalebaker9109]

Johnny morris Mr entertainment! fabulous he was like a favorite uncle too me, when I was little. they have space invaders, on this one, its perfect.

[@dawnkeir549]

loved this

[@LeeGee]

That's my childhood

[@KarlVaughan]

Just to correct you, this is from 1980. It was the flares that made me think it was earlier than 1983. At the end of the programme is the year in Roman numerals. Great to reminisce. Thanks for uploading.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

The automatic correct answer to any trivial pursuit question is 'Terrapin Nutkins'

[@nickforbes-warren6602]

Great show back in the day and I love the funky disco arrangement of the theme!

[@waderaney7]

👍people from my youth😉

[@videocurios]

[@mistofoles]

Does anybody know the title of the theme music or the composer?

[@videocurios]

I think this might be your answer "Las Vegas (theme from Animal Magic). Laurie Johnson. "

[@mistofoles]

Yes, ty :)

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

The automatic correct answer to any trivial pursuit question is 'Terrapin Nutkins'

[@videocurios]