Rolf Harris (Early)

[maggs]

Can anyone remember a children's TV programme on BBC when he would draw a dog called Benjie which would become animated as he told a story of his antics?   This would be in the middle to late 50's.    I have  never met anyone who remembers this, but my son and I looked forward to viewing this programme every day.   Even Rolf, himself, does not include it in his biography.   Maggs

[Merthyr Imp]

I remember Rolf Harris on children's TV at that time when he sat at a piano (as far as I remember) and he interacted with an animated character called Willoughby (a little boy).  Can't remember if we saw him draw the character or not.  I remember a cartoon series at that time about a Boxer dog puppy called Bengo - maybe that's what you're thinking of?  As I remember it was limited in animation - more like drawings where just his mouth would move, for example, rather than a proper cartoon.  I don't remember Rolf Harris being involved with him, and we didn't see any humans - only the drawings.  These are just my memories, anyway - maybe he did a character called Benjie too!   

[Robinia]

Yes I remember Bengo too. This might jog your memory.....

                                  Bengo 

[tonymclark]

Rolf Harris narrated a number of children's programmes on ITV's Small Time

Visit

homepages.tesco.net/~space.patrol/SaraHoppity/SaraIsHome.htm

on the home page, click on The History of Small Time for a full listing of these 1950's and 60's programmes.

[Merthyr Imp]

Yes - that's Bengo!  Having done a Google search it seems that Rof Harris and Willoughby were a feature of Whirligig.

http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/whirligig/whir ligig.htm

[maggs]

Thank you to all of you, I have to confess it was Bengo, not Benjie.....must have been having a senior moment!

I am glad someone else remembers him....I was beginning to wonder if I dreamed it all.   Maggs

[Robinia]

Funny how I could remember Bengo maggs but I can't remember what I watched last week!

[maggs]

Thank you Robinia,  I am glad to hear there are others who can remember the distant past, but can't remember  what we are looking for when we go to the cupboard for something.    My journeys back and forth are fraught with indecision!   LOL   Maggs  

[beeyem]

Rolf used to draw a boxer puppy called Bengo - really very cleverly done with a large marker type pen. A great shame about what's recently happened to Rolf and I'm really not sure that the law has correctly dealt with his case.