Tarax Show
Encyclopedia
The Tarax Show was an early Australian children's TV program on GTV-9
in Melbourne running from 1957 to 1969.
Denzil Howson, who was Assistant Programme Manager at GTV9, was asked by Normal Spencer to develop a daily children's programme. A pilot of the show was kinescope recorded onto film. The program started on Melbourne's GTV-9
on 21 January 1957 (only two days after the official opening of GTV9), debuting from the Myer Emporium Lonsdale St store window, as the GTV9 studios in Bendigo Street, Richmond were still under construction. Normally the program was produced from GTV-9, but some editions were taped at ATN-7
in Sydney to help build the audience there.
Beginning under the name The Happy Show, the first host was Happy Hammond
, who had come to television from radio. As the TV program was sponsored by Tarax Drinks
, the name soon changed to The Tarax Happy Show. After Happy Hammond departed, the program was simply The Tarax Show, hosted by Geoff Corke (Corky King of the Kids) and later Norman Swain (Uncle Norman).
Melbourne ventriloquist Ron Blaskett and his mischievous doll, Gerry Gee, named for GTV-9, were featured for several years. Gerry was very popular, spawning a variety of merchandise, including a range of "Gerry Gee Junior" dolls. Ron Blaskett's ventriloquist act was the first variety act to appear on the channel. He also starred in spin-off programs The Adventures of Gerry Gee and Do You Trust Your Wife. In 2009, a retrospective DVD was released "You, Me and Gerry Gee", following on from the book of the same name.
The most popular segment in the early years of the show was Girl Next Door, where Gerry would talk over the fence to a girl from his class, originally Elaine McKenna, later Patti McGrath (Patti Newton
). Other segments included Banjo Club, Pura Prize Time, Speaking Of Animals, TV Stars of Tomorrow, TV Gym, Stan Stafford's Bunkhouse, Friends in Blue, How It Works, Dog Shop and Tiny's Story.
Musical accompaniments were provided by Margot Sheridan (piano) and Laurie Wilson (organ).
Over time, the show's cast included Susan-Gaye Anderson, Bernard The Magician (Alf Gertler), Joffa Boy (Joff Ellen
), Professor Nitwitty (Denzil Howson), Professor Ratbaggy (Ernie Carroll
), Gael Dixon, Daisy the Talking Cow and Freddo Frog. Ron Barassi
gave instruction on Australian Rules Football
.
Ossie Ostrich
(Ernie Carroll) went on to star in Hey Hey It's Saturday
, appearing with Daryl Somers
for 24 years on TV. Ernie Carroll also drew the cartoon character Joy-belle and worked as producer.
Uncle Norman joined the show after a long radio career at 3KZ
. His very first appearance on the TV show involved arriving down a slide, but he broke his leg in the process. Joffa improvised a little ditty about Uncle Norman breaking his leg, but when it became clear that it was not a joke, he was rushed to hospital. It was some time before he was well enough to appear again.
The TV Dentist caused some consternation with management, suggesting that it did not matter which brand of toothpaste was used, and saying that soft drink will rot your teeth. The program was sponsored by a soft drink company, and included ads for toothpaste.
Freddo Frog appeared both as a cartoon and a costume character at different times. The animated version was one of the first Australian produced cartoon series on TV.
Young performers who later went on to become stars include Denise Drysdale
, Wendy Stapleton
and Marty Rhone.
Budget cuts eventually trimmed the show down to just Uncle Norman and Joffa Boy hosting cartoons, with the occasional brief comedy sketch. This format later became Cartoon Corner.
GTV-9
GTV is a commercial television station in Melbourne, Australia owned by the Nine Network. The station is currently based at a new high-tech, purpose-built studios at 717 Bourke Street, Docklands.-History:...
in Melbourne running from 1957 to 1969.
Denzil Howson, who was Assistant Programme Manager at GTV9, was asked by Normal Spencer to develop a daily children's programme. A pilot of the show was kinescope recorded onto film. The program started on Melbourne's GTV-9
GTV-9
GTV is a commercial television station in Melbourne, Australia owned by the Nine Network. The station is currently based at a new high-tech, purpose-built studios at 717 Bourke Street, Docklands.-History:...
on 21 January 1957 (only two days after the official opening of GTV9), debuting from the Myer Emporium Lonsdale St store window, as the GTV9 studios in Bendigo Street, Richmond were still under construction. Normally the program was produced from GTV-9, but some editions were taped at ATN-7
ATN-7
ATN is the Sydney flagship television station of the Seven Network in Australia. The licence, issued to a company named Amalgamated Television Services, a subsidiary of Fairfax, was one of the first four licences to be issued for commercial television stations in Australia...
in Sydney to help build the audience there.
Beginning under the name The Happy Show, the first host was Happy Hammond
Happy Hammond
Harry "Happy" Hammond was an Australian comedian and children's show host.Happy was famous for his bright personality and wearing a tartan suit and hat, sometimes referred to as his "test pattern" outfit, that clashed awfully in real life but worked well on black and white TV...
, who had come to television from radio. As the TV program was sponsored by Tarax Drinks
Tarax
Tarax is an Australian brand of soft drink.Tarax was the brand-name of an independent Melbourne soft drink bottler which listed as a public company in 1959, as the Taraxale Brewing Company....
, the name soon changed to The Tarax Happy Show. After Happy Hammond departed, the program was simply The Tarax Show, hosted by Geoff Corke (Corky King of the Kids) and later Norman Swain (Uncle Norman).
Melbourne ventriloquist Ron Blaskett and his mischievous doll, Gerry Gee, named for GTV-9, were featured for several years. Gerry was very popular, spawning a variety of merchandise, including a range of "Gerry Gee Junior" dolls. Ron Blaskett's ventriloquist act was the first variety act to appear on the channel. He also starred in spin-off programs The Adventures of Gerry Gee and Do You Trust Your Wife. In 2009, a retrospective DVD was released "You, Me and Gerry Gee", following on from the book of the same name.
The most popular segment in the early years of the show was Girl Next Door, where Gerry would talk over the fence to a girl from his class, originally Elaine McKenna, later Patti McGrath (Patti Newton
Patti Newton
Patti Newton is a Melbourne-born Australian entertainer and radio and television presenter.-Career:...
). Other segments included Banjo Club, Pura Prize Time, Speaking Of Animals, TV Stars of Tomorrow, TV Gym, Stan Stafford's Bunkhouse, Friends in Blue, How It Works, Dog Shop and Tiny's Story.
Musical accompaniments were provided by Margot Sheridan (piano) and Laurie Wilson (organ).
Over time, the show's cast included Susan-Gaye Anderson, Bernard The Magician (Alf Gertler), Joffa Boy (Joff Ellen
Joff Ellen
Joff Ellen was an Australian entertainer, actor and comedian.During World War II he performed vaudeville acts to the troops and after the war did comedy shows on Melbourne radio station 3XY...
), Professor Nitwitty (Denzil Howson), Professor Ratbaggy (Ernie Carroll
Ernie Carroll
Ernie Carroll is an Australian entertainer and television personality most recognised for his role as the man behind Ossie Ostrich on Hey Hey It's Saturday....
), Gael Dixon, Daisy the Talking Cow and Freddo Frog. Ron Barassi
Ron Barassi
Ronald Dale Barassi, Jr AM is a former Australian rules football player and coach. During a long and decorated career, Barassi has been one of the most important figures in the history of Australian football. His father, Ron Barassi, Sr., was the first Australian footballer killed at Tobruk during...
gave instruction on Australian Rules Football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
.
Ossie Ostrich
Ossie Ostrich
Ossie Ostrich is an Australian television character, firstly on the Tarax Show, and then on the long-running program Hey Hey It's Saturday which started as a Saturday morning cartoon show for children in 1971. In 1984, he also hosted an after-school children's show called The Ossie Ostrich Video...
(Ernie Carroll) went on to star in Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...
, appearing with Daryl Somers
Daryl Somers
Daryl Paul Somers OAM , is an Australian television personality. The son of a dairy farmer and a cabaret singer, Somers rose to national fame as the host of the long-running comedy-variety program Hey Hey It's Saturday.-Early life:Somers, who has an Irish Catholic heritage, was educated at...
for 24 years on TV. Ernie Carroll also drew the cartoon character Joy-belle and worked as producer.
Uncle Norman joined the show after a long radio career at 3KZ
3KZ
Gold 104.3 is a radio station broadcasting in Melbourne, Australia. Gold 104.3 is part of the Australian Radio Classic Hits Network and broadcasts on the 104.3 MHz frequency.- History :...
. His very first appearance on the TV show involved arriving down a slide, but he broke his leg in the process. Joffa improvised a little ditty about Uncle Norman breaking his leg, but when it became clear that it was not a joke, he was rushed to hospital. It was some time before he was well enough to appear again.
The TV Dentist caused some consternation with management, suggesting that it did not matter which brand of toothpaste was used, and saying that soft drink will rot your teeth. The program was sponsored by a soft drink company, and included ads for toothpaste.
Freddo Frog appeared both as a cartoon and a costume character at different times. The animated version was one of the first Australian produced cartoon series on TV.
Young performers who later went on to become stars include Denise Drysdale
Denise Drysdale
Denise Anne Christina Drysdale, is an Australian television personality and comedian. She is often affectionately called Ding-Dong.-Childhood:...
, Wendy Stapleton
Wendy Stapleton
Wendy Anne-Marie Stapleton is an Australian pop/rock singer-songwriter, and musical theatre and television actress. Stapleton has performed as a backing singer, session musician and a solo artist; she fronted various Melbourne-based groups including Wendy Stapleton Band and Wendy & the Rocketts ...
and Marty Rhone.
Budget cuts eventually trimmed the show down to just Uncle Norman and Joffa Boy hosting cartoons, with the occasional brief comedy sketch. This format later became Cartoon Corner.
External links
- The Tarax Show on IMDB
- Freddo Frog article at The Age
- Gael Dixon photo at the State Library of Victoria
- Denzil Howson Archive