AUSTIN POWERS
Four-wheeled superhero Brum wheeled his way onto our screen 30 years ago. MARION McMULLEN looks at the formation of a classic children’s television show
A LITTLE vintage car with a massive personality rolled onto TV screens 30 years ago.
Brum was a real-life super-hero with a difference. Instead of a cape or mask, he had four wheels and an engine as well as a talent for escaping from his motor museum home to “brum” into the big city to have fun.
The yellow-painted motoring star was a miniature version of a 1920s Austin 7 Chummy convertible and was custommade for the BBC series.
His adventures saw him take on baddies and performing amazing stunts, but the programme never lost sight of its primary purpose – making children laugh.
The TV series launched on the BBC on September 17, 1991, and was shot on location in Birmingham. It was the latest TV special from Ragdoll Ltd, who went on to enjoy further success with Teletubbies and In The Night Garden. Anne Wood, who started the business in 1984 to connect with children around the world, launched Brum saying: “Brum is especially good at distinguishing goodies and baddies in ways that make children laugh. Like Brum himself, the comedy is vintage.” Brum became a hit with children across the world and sparked a slew of toys and books bearing his image. The TV favourite was broadcast in more than 30 countries and at one time Brum was the car most easily recognised by Japanese children.
More than 200 parents and children also turned out in Cheltenham to take part in an episode about two thieves who take a busker’s money from outside a theatre.
The series ran until 2002 and also returned in 2016 in CGI form.
Brum even did his bit for charity and joined forces with radio presenter Chris Moyles in 2005 to help raise money for Comic Relief.