Toytown

For other uses, see Toytown (disambiguation).

An original line illustration by S.G. Hulme Beaman, depicting (from left to right): Mr. Growser, the Mayor, the Mayor of Arkville’s butler, Larry the Lamb, Dennis the Dachshund, Mrs. Goose, Captain Higgins and Ernest the Policeman.

Toytown is the name given to a series of radio plays written by S.G. Hulme Beaman and broadcast by the BBC from 1929 to 1932, 28 of which regularly repeated on Children's Hour[1] until 1964, by which point it had expanded into a media franchise.

Although he was not the main character of the original works, Larry the Lamb became the main character, together with his clever sidekick, Dennis the Dachshund. Each story involves Ernest the Policeman, the disgruntled Mr Growser the Grocer[2] and the Mayor.

Toytown was perhaps the most famous children's series at its peak.[3] It consistently headed the votes for Request Week on Children's Hour for twenty-five years,[4] was believed to be more recognisable than Alice in Wonderland[5] and was seen in over two dozen territories around the world.[4]

  1. ^ Wigglesworth, Angela (24 February 1980). "The Man who Made Toytown". The Observer. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ Reference to Mr Grouser and the BBC approved spelling of his name.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference archive was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Baker, Hendrik. The Book of Toytown and Larry the Lamb.
  5. ^ "Radio Times Issue 1230 (Week Beginning 11th May 1947)". Retrieved 30 January 2024.