Little Gems - Michael Bentine's Potty time

The Flashing Blade

Michael Bentine's Potty Time

Click here for the wonderful little music intro (tiny mp3)

Michael Bentine's Potty time was a superbly scripted and produced show about the world of the Potty characters. Michael Bentine both wrote the shows, did the voices and even designed the Potties. Potty Time is difficult to put into words so lots of images will follow on the next pages. Those of you who do not remember this show (shown around 1973 onwards by Thames Television) will certainly remember both the music and the images of the main characters. It started originally on BBC1 as Michael Bentine Time back in 1972. The most vivid memory I have is when the Potties were visiting somewhere on mass and all you would see would be sand being thrown up in the air as their little feet hurried past. The program ran for seven seasons until 1980.

Michael Bentine also starred in and was screen writer on several films, one of which was on the other week - Sandwich Man (1966, also did screenwrite) where he played a wandering advert man called Horace Quilby. Other films include: We joined the Navy (1962), I only asked, (1958), Rentadick (1972), Raising a riot (1957), Forces' sweetheart (1953, also did screenwrite) and Down among the 'Z' men (1952).

Sadly Michael Bentine died a short time ago but thankfully we still have access to some his brilliant wit and imagination (outside Radio (where he also became a household name) and Film) in the form of Potty Time.

If I have made any errors etc. or anyone having any more information on this charming little series, please email me at address in the navigation bar above. A character list follows and at the bottom is an episode guide.

Characters from - The Foam fighters Episode

Michael Bentine	The Professor	The Foam Fighters
Mable and Norman	The Third Minister	The Tramp

Characters from - The Invisible Potty Episode

Chief Superintendent
Scotland Yard

Sergeant at Scotland Yard

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson

Characters from - The Potty Safari Park Episode

Lord Shower

Fred and Ethel

Lord Shower's Stately Home

Characters from - The Potty in the Iron Mask Episode

D'Artagnan	Porthos, Athos and Aramis	The Queen of France
The Potty in the Iron Mask	The Cardinal and his chief henchman Cowsock Jnr

Characters from - The Great Potty Escape Episode

The Colonel

Camp Commandant

Second in command

Credits for above Episodes

Devised and written by	Michael Bentine.
Puppeteers from	The Barry Smith Theatre of Puppets.
Potties designed by	Michael Bentine.
Puppets made by	Joan and Stan Griffiths.
Voices by	Michael Bentine.
Models made by	Stan Griffiths.
Sound	Peter Willcocks and Mike Fairnbairn.
Design	Bill Palmer (Foam Fighters designed by John Plant).
Produced and Directed by	Leon Thau (Foam Fighters Directed by Micael Custance).

Click on any of the below images to visit the episode guide


Potty Time Main Page	Episode One: The Foam Fighters	Episode Two: The Invisible Potty	Episode Three: The Potty Safari Park	Episode Four: The Potty in the Iron Mask	Episode Five: The Great Potty Escape