The late 80s, arguably, saw a new golden age for spooky and magical kids drama.
Meanwhile, anthology series Dramarama was going from strength to strength on ITV.
The final season is notable for the episodeRosie The Great, which featured one Peter Capaldi…
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Miniaturisation has long been a staple in cult television.
The children provide a home for the Lilliputians in the dolls house they find in their room.
Over subsequent episodes the children go home and new guardians arrive to discover and protect the Lilliputians.
A Christmas special appeared in the style of a musical.
Stephanie Cole was amongst a cast that also includedThe Bells Of Astercotes John Branwell.
Then Ill begin) on the BBC Home service and then Radio 4 (1950-82).
Surrounded by such aged retainers, Tolly longs for companionship of his own age.
Boston gave gramophone record recitals at the Manor to the RAF during the Second World War.
These days the Manor covers its running costs as a setting for horror and ghost story events.
The Children Of Green Knowehas little plot; to be frank the book is essentially a three-hander.
Moondial, Helen Cresswells powerful, supernatural tale was adapted for BBC1 and first broadcast in February 1988.
The comparatively less well-knownThe Secret World Of Polly Flintwas adapted and broadcast by ITV in 1987.
Mintys mother has a car accident on her return journey and ends up in a coma.
and carrying pumpkin lanterns.
Minty observes them creating a crude effigy, which they burn.
Aunt Mary takes in a lodger a self-styled ghost hunter, the icy Miss Raven.
Perhaps Miss Raven can help Minty rescue the Victorian children from their fate?
The serial provided quite a challenge for Colin Cant.
The author was developing her book in tandem with the serial.
Consequently, between them they created one of the finest and most memorable childrens dramas of the decade.
It shares much in common withMoondial; like Helen Cresswells tale, the story features an adolescent heroine.
Anne is a far spikier character thanMoondials Minty.
She is contacted by a ghost haunting the local lifeboat station.
Like Helen Cresswell, Westall wrote the book with a particular location in mind.
There are many twists and scares along the way.
The serial is visually very striking in spite of its relatively small budget.
It was a show of which the Corporation was undoubtedly very proud.
LikeBox, it kick-started a new generations love of fantasy and magical spooky dramas.
They stay with the eccentric Professor Digory Kirke.
On a rainy day, Lucy rummaging in an enormous old wardrobe discovers herself in the Land of Narnia.
She bribes him to do her bidding with Turkish delight.
The rich tones of Ronald Pickup gave voice to Aslan the Lion.
Early 1989 sawChildrens BBCattempt a new version ofToms Midnight Garden.
It was then produced as a short, part dramatised version by the BBC Schools stalwartMerry Go Roundin 1968.
More recently a colour version set in contemporary times had been made for BBC1 in 1974.
Tom is awoken one night by a grandfather clock which seems to strike thirteen.
Investigating this, Tom discovers a garden where there is normally a backyard.
There he meets a young girl, Hatty.
On a further visit Hatty becomes distant, eventually preferring the company of her fiance, Barty.
Tom begins to wonder about Hattys identity and whether she is still alive.
Can his neighbour, old Mrs Bartholemew, provide an answer?
