Worzel Gummidge

As a child I only vaguely remember this show (I was born in '82). About 6 years ago I found a charity shop bundle of VHS videos of this franchise, bought the lot and instantly fell in love with what became a new favourite !

Essentially it's quite a basic plot. 2 kids their single father go to live in a caravan on a farm. The field's scarecrow comes to life in the form of an illiterate but lovable and hilarious character 'Worzel Gummidge'. He is constantly amorously pursuing the local antique 'Aunt Sally', also a living being, alongside his other chief passion of 'A Cup O' Tea And A slice O' Cake' ! Always up to mischief, the kids and Worzel's creator 'The Crowman' have to guide him through his adventures, making sure he doesn't get into trouble !

As well as highly comical, the show is also highly aesthetically beautiful and culturally idyllic. Set in rural Kent, the intimacy of tender fields and garden-like countryside, alongside a score of gentle, easy instrumental music gives the show a natural, traditional, serene and idyllic cultural bliss - there's next to no reference to contemporary popular culture.

The cast are quite notable too. The late Jon Pertwee plays the clumsy scatterbrained Worzel, Una Stubbs as the arrogant, deluded, greedy but charming Aunt Sally, the late Charlotte Coleman (an unrecognisable, dark featured 'Scarlet' from 4 weddings...) as young Sue, and Jeremy Austen as her brother John (otherwise only known for a brief role in Red Dwarf !) Guest appearances include Barbara Windsor, Anthony Sharpe + Connie Booth.

Overall, this show, both entertaining and cultural, is an often overlooked gem that should be seen by today's kids amidst a sea of internet degeneracy and apologies for shows. Not to forget the late-80s spin-off series, 'Worzel Gummidge Down Under', which I think I remember vaguely seeing back in the day !

As a child, I found scarecrows a little bit too creepy but by the time I was an adult and watched this show, I soon forgot about the creepy scarecrows you see in fields and enjoyed this show.

The late Jon Pertwee played scarecrow Worzel Gummidge who lived on Scatterbrook Farm (I think that was the name of the farm). Joining him were the likes of Una Stubbs as his girlfriend and Carry On... favourite Barbara Windsor.

The show itself was fun as Worzel got up to all sorts of adventures, scrapes and the like. Jon Pertwee did a great job with Worzel who is probably one of the funniest characters ever.

This is the perfect show for kids today. You can put on a video of this show for your kids and let them watch safe in the knowledge there will be no sex, bad language or violence. Worzel Gummidge didn't need to do it's best to be entertaining-it was just entertaining, period.

I am such a big fan of John Pertwee he was just amazing the Doctor who series after he left I thought he would not be in any other show or film that was until I saw this show Worzel Gummidge what I a great show that people that are really forgetting I mean its such a great show. Worzel Gummidge is a talking scarecrow who always seems to get into trouble for something but always finds away out of it this show is funny fresh and nice I mean what ever happen to old comedies like this show even Thoe its not the greatest show ever made its still great fun for kids and the family its seems to be a very underrated show I would say this 80s underrated gem I give this show a 9.5 out of 10 at its best.

Jan 2022

The original Wurzel Gummidge ran for 4 series in the early 80s and i remember liking them back then, i recently saw them again and wow, they have stood up brilliantly, very funny, laugh out loud funny at times, and suitable for the whole family.

I then discovered they had comeback a few years later with a new series called Worzel Gummidge down under and of course there has been a much newer remake, i will review these on their respective pages.

Anyway the original gets 9 out of 10.

No, its not, and it does seem quite old fashioned compared to todays television.

What it hasn't lost though is its very genuine innocent and gentle charm and humour. Worzel Gummidge was hugely popular with all ages, and Worzel's (Jon Pertwee) naive innocence was quite touching. Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs) was excellent, and so was Barbara Windsor in the episodes that she appeared in.

I don't know what Pertwee was like to work with in the series, as apparently when he was Dr Who he was allegedly very difficult. Ah well, its nice to see a perfectionist in whatever role he is playing.

When the series moved to New Zealand I personally felt that was not a good step as it became more darker - I believe a couple of episodes had zombies in them. Oh dear.