“Down in the woods, where nobody sees, there’s a light dancing and that light is me!”
These were the familiar introductory words from Willo the Wisp, the central character at the heart of this classic 1980’s animation series. Now here for you to enjoy in Willo the Wisp: The Complete Collection on DVD and Blu-Ray (from Fabulous Films) are all 26 original episodes from the hit first series narrated by the legendary British comedy actor Kenneth Williams. Plus, included as a bonus feature is the second series of 26 episodes made in 2005, featuring James Dreyfus as the narrator.
The first series was written, directed and produced by Nick Spargo. Spargo had created an animated educational film called Super Natural Gas in 1975 for British Gas. The film explained what natural gas was and how it was brought ashore through a character named Willo who was a wisp of methane gas voiced by Williams. This short film (included in the Extras of this release) was the inspiration for the first series (the second series was co-produced by animator-illustrator Bobbie Spargo, daughter of Nick Spargo).
A will-o’-wisp is a flame-like phosphorescence seen in a marsh or forest, and held in legend to be a sprite carrying a fleeting wisp of light. Lost travellers would follow the light and get led astray into the marsh. The term will-o’-the-wisp has become any impractical or unattainable person or thing.
An average of 8.2 million people watched each episode of ‘Willo the Wisp’ in 1982. This was a huge audience for a new afternoon children’s programme. It was Willo who resembled Kenneth Williams although he voiced all the characters.
Williams was surprised by the tremendous success of the show saying “When I was walking down Bolsover St some men were digging in the road and they cried out ‘Here’s old Willo The Wisp!’ as I came along and shouted ‘Hallo Kenny!’ I’d never have thought navvies would watch ‘Willo’! It’s extraordinary the audience television attracts.”
Each story is based around characters found living in Doyley Woods. Alongside Willo, there is Mavis Cruet, the fairy, whose magic doesn’t always work; Arthur, the intelligent caterpillar; Evil Edna, the witch who has been turned into a television set; Carwash the cat; The Moog, a dog with very little brain; Twit, a bird and the Beast, who was a Prince before he was changed by Evil Edna.
Extras: Super Natural Gas, the very first animation featuring Willo the Wisp produced for British Gas by Nicholas Spargo.
Includes: English subtitles
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Brett Summers
Brett founded CultFaction.com in 2014 a website and podcast that deals with cult film and tv. He also has a strong interest in grappling martial arts both as a practitioner and as a historian.
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