Teddy Edward

I can only just remember this. No one else has written a review so maybe no else does either. I don't think it was ever repeated. I can't recall the 'plot' to each episode. I say 'plot' as it was one of the simplest concepts in TV history and it was remembered for that reason alone.

Made in 1973 by the BBC who were making big budget spectaculars someone came up with the idea of a story of a teddy bear and a couple of his friends. I can't remember what species his friends were but they cuddly toys too; actually one was definitely a dog. One of those small breeds.

Here's the clever bit: The filming consisted of photographic stills. There was no movement at any time. To overcome this limitation the cameraman used slow zooms and moving the camera at an angle to keep things interesting and it worked. The programme was accompanied with continuous incidental music and the photographs were of mostly outside locations under bright sunlight.

To take the simple idea further the narrator of th shows was Richard Baker, the piercing blue eyed BBC newsreader. Richard was one of the main anchors a serious major news presenter. His voice may be fantastic and soothing but its authoritative and surprise to find such a major figure narrating a children's programme. It can't be imagined that a leading newsreader would be asked to narrate a children's show now. The BBC prefer hyperactive people in their early 20's. This supposedly appeals to children. The 1970's presenters were very different and probably better.

There's no sign of this little gem on DVD and it might not even exist any more. The BBC wiped many programmes from tapes in the 1970's and a programme like this could easily be lost forever being seen as a cheap and insignificant programme. Actually it is important as an example of how so little can be turned into something so charming.