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
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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 |