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Pinny's House by Peter Firmin

Pinny's House by Peter Firmin

Pinny was a truly wonderful series of stories written by the great Peter Firmin. Both Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate dominated the world of Children's television for nearly three decades with a brilliant series of unbeatable childrens programs including, "Noggin the Nog", "Ivor the Engine", "Pingwings", "The Pogles", "Pogles Wood", "Tottie - the story of a doll's house." Some images are show below:

Tottie - the story of a doll's house

Tottie - the story of a doll's house

Tottie - the story of a doll's house

Tottie - the story of a doll's house

Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House

Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House

Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House

Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House

Tottie - The Story of a Doll's House

"The Clangers", "Bagpuss." Together they were Smallfilms and when you see their logo you know it is a classic. The story of Pinny and the pictures were by Peter Firmin. The program narrator was Matilda Thorpe. The music by Ar Log. Pinny was directed and animated by Oliver Postgate.

Pinny concerned the adventures of two tiny wooden dolls, called Pinny and Victor. Pinny was a tiny wooden Dutch doll very much like a small wooden peg. Victor was a wooden sailor doll who always wore a nice blue and white suit. Pinny was first shown by BBC television back in 1986. The books, however appeared earlier than that with some being printed in 1985. The BBC showed 13 episodes of this little adventure series. However for some reason they have never been seen on British television since the late 1980s (feel free to correct me here, I am only going off my Radio Times and I admit that there are gaps in the collection). I have searched high and low for television copies of Pinny but have always found nothing. Not even good old Ebay appeared to have an visual material. However, all is not lost since I was able to get hold of several of the books which I might add, are highly sought and fought over (as my bank manager will testify to). Pinny then became part of BBC2's "See Saw" production back in 1989. A quick snapshot is shown below.

Pinny's House on BBC2's See Saw 1989

Pinny and Victor live in the sitting room of a house with two children called Jo and Tom. They have a naughty dog called Tess.

In the original books, Victor was the first doll, the smallest sailor doll in the world. He had a little sailing boat next to a small china house. Victor was quite lonely and wished someone would live in the house. In fact he was so lonely he would often ask insects if they would like to live in the house. Once day the girl who owned Victor and the china house put a new doll in the sitting room. She was called Peg and was a Pedlar Doll. Of the items she had to peddle was a a small doll who would just love to live in the china house. The Pedlar Doll refuses to let the little doll go as she is very valuable. Victor has no money and eventually goes searching for other items to trade with. He finds a sparkling diamond ring (between the floor boards) and offers it in exchange for the doll. Peg agrees and Pinny as we find out her name, climbs down and is shown the house. Pinny loves the china house and wants to stay there forever.

There were at least five books published by Andre Deutsch Limited of 101 Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LJ

Pinny Finds a House

Pinny Finds a House

Pinny in the Snow

Pinny in the Snow

Pinny and the Floppy Frog

Pinny and the Floppy Frog

Pinny and the Bird

Pinny and the Bird

Pinny's Party (alas I do not yet have this book)

Image soon to come

If anyone knows of anymore, I would be very grateful for the titles.

I have scanned a couple of the books presented on the nex two pages. I hope it will bring back a few memories for those who were avid fans of the Smallfilms company.

Characters from Pinny's House

Pinny's House
Pinny
Pinny's House - Victor
Victor
Pinny's House - Jo, Tess & Tom
Jo, Tess & Tom
Pinny's House - Tom
Tom
Pinny's House - Tess
Tess
Pinny's House - Jo
Jo
Pinny's House
Tess can be a naughty dog
Pinny's House
Victor and Pinny together
Pinny's House - the mantlepiece
The Mantlepiece

Pinny's House - Main Page Pinny's House - Pinny and the Floppy Frog Pinny's House - Pinny and the Bird
Pinny's House - Main Page Pinny and the Floppy Frog Pinny and the Bird

End Credits

Pinny's House

Pinny's House Pinny's House

Pinny's House Pinny's House

Again truly great piece of work is confined to gather dust in the archives although it is fondly remembered by many. Simple, elegant, wonderfully filmed, future animators could learn a lot by watching this little animated series. You can keep all the CGI effects, this series gets my vote every time. Anyone having memories, images/scans or (sharp intake of breath)....any video footage, I would love to hear from you at the usual address.