OLD-TV

TELEVISION IN AUSTRALIA

Television in Melbourne Australia - 1956 to the early 1960's

THE DOUGHTY BROTHERS

THE DOUGHTY BROTHERS - GTV9 HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY - 1995

GTV9&HSV7'S HAPPY SHOW1950's/1960'S

The Happy Show was the first regular live children’s show on Channel Nine in Melbourne. Starting in January 1957, it ran for one hour every weekday afternoon. Initially hosted by Happy Hammond, it was re-named the Tarax Show in 1959. Perhaps the most famous stars of the show were ventriloquist Ron Blaskett and his doll Gerry Gee.

The Happy/Tarax Show featured a mix of variety, music, dance, educational segments, comedy, stories and drama from a resident cast of Channel Nine personalities who included: Elaine McKenna (“The Girl Next Door”), Susan-Gaye Anderson, Ernie Carroll (“Professor Ratbaggy”), Joff Ellen (“Joffa Boy”), Geoff Cork (“King Corky”), Norman Swaine (“Uncle Norman”) and Ron Blaskett and Gerry Gee. Musical accompaniments were provided by Margot Sheridan (piano) and Laurie Wilson (organ) and there was even a Channel Nine Junior Ballet.

The Happy/Tarax Show was the creation of Denzil Howson, and every year from 1957 to 1963, Denzil conceived, wrote and produced a children’s Christmas Pantomime. These became an annual highlight for many of the staff at GTV9. They brought together not only the children’s show team, but other GTV9 personalities and Melbourne performers.

The Tarax Show in 1956, from the basement of Myers Melbourne. This was before Happy Hammond started to wear his checkered suit and hat

HAPPY HAMMOND - Harry Montague Hammond (7 May 1916 – 1 April 1998 ) professionally known as Happy Hammond, was an Australian comedian, Radio host and Children's Television show host. & day time television producer

PRINCESS PANDA

(PARA THE MAGICIAN) TOMMY PARA

(ROBBIE BOB) BOB HORSFALL

(LOVELY ANN) ANN WATTS

(COUSIN ROY) ROY LYONS

(FUNNY FACE) VIC GORDON

The Happy Show was a familiar favourite for young viewers in the early 1960s — produced at Melbourne’s HSV7 and later relayed to ATN7 Sydney. The cast included Vic Gordon, Princess Panda and Happy Hammond, whose ‘test pattern’ hat became his trademark. Picture: TV Week, 27 April 1963