Animal Magic

Animal Magic was first seen on 13 April 1962. The fortnightly children's nature programme was made by the fledgling Natural History Unit, and presented by Johnny Morris, who provided voices for the animals and made them talk. On the first show he interviewed a Woolly Monkey. Morris was occasionally criticised for anthropomorphising the animals, but the humour drew viewers into the more formal scientific elements of the programme. In the first edition these were provided by Tony Soper and Gerald Durrell.

Morris frequently filmed as Keeper Morris, at Bristol Zoo. He would then add voices to the animals on film. However, for many years most of the programme was live, and Morris thrived on the unpredictable and sometimes un-cooperative behaviour of the animals. Some creatures, such as Dotty the Ring-Tailed Lemur, became Animal Magic regulars.

Animal Magic introduced generations of children to the natural world and, with its theme tune - "Las Vegas" by Laurie Johnson - ran for 21 years. In later years Terry Nutkins presented alongside Morris. After Animal Magic ended, Morris continued to appear on television until his death in 1999. Nutkins went on to front Animal Magic's replacement, The Really Wild Show. The Natural History Unit has gone from strength to strength, producing some of the BBC's most innovative and popular programmes.