Catweazle news

I will be progressively updating this site over the next few months. The first new feature is a discussion forum. A place to discuss all things relating to this site and Catweazle in general.

Network Video is expected to release Catweazle in DVD in 2005. A date is yet to be confirmed although March has been mentioned on some websites. The company recently reached agreement with Granada Ventures to acquire and release a wide range of programming from their archives. They are currently drawing up a schedule for 2005 and have assured me they will be in touch when they can make an announcement.

Catweazle on DVD: Several fans have emailed me to report that Network Videos has confirmed to them that Catweazle is back on their release schedule for 2004. The Catweazle Fan Club reports the release was slated for very early in the New Year, but has been pushed back to April to make way for another release. At this stage I have been unable to confirm any details but it is likely the release will come in the same format as originally planned back in 2001. At that time I was advised by Network Videos the release would include a two disk box with some special features including an extended and re-edited version of the 'Brothers in Magic' documentary that appeared on the first volume of the VHS release. There is also a stills gallery featuring previously unseen shots on location and in rehearsal. Back in 2001 Network Videos also confirmed that new masters were struck for the release which are far superior in quality than those used for the VHS release. [13/10/03]

Goodies on DVD: If you love Catweazle, chances are you're also a Goodies fan. You can now order the first Goodies DVD which features eight digitally restored episodes and spans their 10 years at the BBC including Kitten Kong, The Goodies and the Beanstalk, Ecky Thump and Saturday Night Grease. [14/2/03]

Innocence: Australian actor Charles Tingwell has been receiving rave reviews for his role in Paul Cox's film, Innocence, which was awarded prize best film at the Montreal Film Festival.

Official Catweazle Fanclub: Catweazle fans are finally getting organised! I can't say enough good things about the Official Catweazle Fan Club. The Club's patrons are Geoffrey Bayldon and Richard Carpenter. If you want to join and become a brother or sister in magic visit their website...

Catweazle DVD Postponed: Tim Beddows from Network Videos has confirmed that the Catweazle DVDs had been prepared and were ready to go to manufacture in March. Unfortunately there were some last minute contractual issues that need to be resolved and for the time being the release has been removed from the schedule indefinitely. Tim also advises that new masters were struck for the release and although they are still not perfect they are far superior than those supplied for the VHS release. The extras include an extended and re-edited version of the 'Brothers in Magic' documentary that appeared on volume one of the VHS release. There is also a stills gallery featuring previously unseen shots on location and in rehearsal.

Catweazle Film: With all the interest in wizards and magic generated by Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings the time is right for a Catweazle film. This is the belief of of David Parfitt, producer of the Oscar winning Shakespeare in Love. Parfitt has been linked to a new project to bring Catweazle to the big screen. I understand key people from the TV series are involved, including cast members and Richard Carpenter who has been working on the scripts. I am advised that all involved want Geoffrey Bayldon to repeat his performance as Catweazle, although Bayldon clainms he is too old to do so. With a little luck Catweazle could soon enthrall another generation.

Catweazle on DVD: Word is out that the first season of Catweaze will be releaed on DVD in the UK in mid March by Network Videos. The release will come in a two disk box with some special features including an extended interview with Geoffrey Bayldon and a photo gallery. Keep an eye on this site for more details as they come to hand. Many thanks to John "the mad catweazle fanatic" who alerted me to this news.

Bud Tingwell: Acclaimed Australian actor Charles "Bud" Tingwell (Mr Bennett from Catweazle) could recently be seen in the Australian mini series Changi on ABC TV. Tingwell plays a retired property developer who remembers his horrific ordeal as a POW at Changi. Also check out the interview with Tingwell at TV Eye.

Touchwood never sounded so good! A Sydney vocal trio have named their band after Catweazle's famous familiar! Describing themselves as "a little bit folky, a little bit funky, and a little bit fa-la-la" the members of Sydney vocal trio Touchwood have their new CD launch on Friday 26th October at the Harp Hotel, Tempe. The Touchwood repertoire reflects the eclectic tastes of the three and a set list can accommodate everything from a medieval pilgrim song to a vocal arrangement of a contemporary hit (they do a mean When the Doves Cry). If you can't make it to the launch grab a sample of their music from the Touchwood website.

Catweazle in Germany: The group of friends who used to meet regularly to watch Catweazle in Germany are no more. I have received hundreds of emails from Germans wanting to meet other fans. Alas, many of these emails are in German! If you would like to be a contact point for fans in Germany and have your email address listed here, please email me.

Location photos: As part of a new section for this website I would like to post photos of the Catweazle filming locations. If you can help with this please email me [thanks to Simon Wells for this great idea!].

Cult TV: AIf you are into other cult tv shows check out the Cult Telly Website. It has theme songs and links to over 600 websites.

What happened to this site? This site was forced into hiatis for several months this year when my ISP was taken over by Austarnet. Unfortunately it was too much trouble for them to redirect this site and thousands of people were left hanging, hopefully everyone will make their way back here eventually.

Top 100 Kids TV Shows: Channel 4 recently conducted a poll of the top 100 kids shows. Surf to the results to see how Catweazle fared and if you know of a poll for which Catweazle is in the running, let me know so I can promote it here.

Neil McCarthy: There have been conflicting reports for some years whether Neil McCarthy (Sam Woodyard) is alive or dead. If you can shed some light on this please let me know. In the meantime there is a great overview of Neil's career at the Avengers website.

New Websites:There has been a steady increase of Catweazle content online since the launch of the videos and I am will soon add a definitive links list to this site. In the meantime, check out Dave Cov's great Catweazle Homepage, it is well worth a visit. Laurence Marcus & Stephen Hulse have also put together a good tribute page at Television Heaven and Andrew Butler has updated his great Catweazle tribute page.

Yahoo Clubs: Two yahoo clubs devoted to Catweazle have been established recently. The Magician's Cave, and the Catweazle Fanclub are just getting started so be sure to check them both out.

How to buy Catweazle Videos: Catweazle was released for the first time on video in the UK on 4 July 1998. All 26 episodes were eventually released (three episodes per tape in the correct running order) and included in-depth sleeve notes, location details and production photographs. Boxed sets are also available now and we recommend buying your Catweazle videos from Blackstar. [Australian fans: Australian and other overseas Fans! The Catweazle videos are not available in Australia but many people have successfully purchased them through Blackstar.]

Bayldon in Heartbeat: Paul Miller reports that Geoffrey Bayldon appeared on a May 1999 episode of Heartbeat as a returned veteran from Africa living in Ashfordly. Paul says that at 75 Geoffrey still has exactly the same tone of voice as Catweazle. I have checked this out and belive Paul is refering to the seson 8 episode " Spellbound." Geoffrey appears as Mr Follett, an aged farmer who spent many years in Africa and believes witchcraft to be the cause of his deteriorating health.

Another Catweazle website: This link will take you to Salmay, Dalmay, Adonay! a great website created by David Anthony Robinson. I have had trouble accessing the site with Netscape and if you are not using IE5 follow this link.

Where to buy Catweazle books: Want to know where to buy copies of the long out-of-print and hard to find Catweazle books published by Puffin? Use the search page at Binliofind and the books should appear as if by magic! (thanks to Nick, Wash. DC. for this item).

Richard Carpenter Evening: Rob Andrews reports there was a special Richard Carpenter evening at the National Film Theater in London during August 1999. "They screened three Catweazle episodes and Geoffrey Bayldon was guest of honor and looked genuinely pleased and surprised by the amazing reaction he got. "

Catweazle Dedication: Australian author Jessica Adams has made a special dedication and acknowledgement to Richard Carpenter and Catweazle in her new book series for Penguin, Handbag Horoscopes.

Another dedication: Another Australian author, Mark Wheeller, has given Catweazle a mention in the introduction to a new educational playscript (allegorical story of substance abuse) entitled Wacky Soap!

Creature Effects: The impressive picture on the left is the work of English based company Creature Effects which specialises in prosthetic make-ups, creatures, and puppets for film and television.

Forbidden Planet Signing: Geoffrey Bayldon and Robin Davies attended a signing session at Forbidden Planet to launch the Catweazle video release on 4 July 1998.

More details about the Catweazle film: I have been advised by one of the players involved with efforts to bring Catweazle to the big screen that Richard Carpenter did in fact prepare a script for a Catweazle film. The film project has been shelved for the time being, however my source indicates that those involved are keen to revive the project. I hope to provide more details regarding the on the script and production details soon.

Catweazle in Germany: Catweazle screens regularly in Germany; follow this link if you would like to hear German Actor Hans Hessling interpretation of Catweazle's favourite incantation (thanks Meinolf).

Last update: Tue, 1 Feb 2005

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