TV Show spotlight
Take Hart
Take Hart is a British children's television show about art, presented by Tony Hart. It took over from Vision On, and ran from 1977 until 1983. The show featured Hart and the animated Plasticine character Morph, and other characters created by David Sproxton like 'Smoulder the Moulder', which was a lump of mould which would create props by 'spraying' them out of a spray can. The only other human to appear on a regular basis was Mr Bennett, the caretaker, played by Colin Bennett. The programme won a BAFTA award for Hart in 1984. As well as demonstrating small-scale projects, Hart also created large-scale artworks on the TV studio floor, and even used beaches and other open spaces as 'canvases'. This idea was later adopted by Art Attack. A regular feature of the show was 'The Gallery', which displayed artworks sent in by young viewers. The easy-listening vibraphone music accompanying this feature - "Left Bank Two", composed by Wayne Hill - has passed into British TV musical lore. In later series, "Left Bank Two" alternated with John Williams' recording of "Cavatina", which is also well-remembered by many viewers.
Insights
Plot Summary
Take Hart was a BBC children's art program hosted by Tony Hart. The show aimed to inspire young viewers to engage with art and creativity. Each episode featured demonstrations of various art techniques, often involving simple materials, and encouraged children to create their own masterpieces at home.
Critical Reception
Take Hart was a beloved and enduring staple of children's television, widely praised for its educational value and Tony Hart's engaging presentation style. It successfully demystified art for a generation of children, fostering creativity and a lifelong appreciation for artistic endeavors.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its accessibility and encouragement of children's creativity.
Tony Hart's gentle and enthusiastic hosting style was a significant draw.
Effectively made art fun and achievable for young audiences.
Google audience: Audience reviews consistently highlight the show's positive impact on children's artistic development and its nostalgic appeal for adults who grew up watching it.
Fun Fact
Tony Hart famously used a special 'graphics tablet' which allowed him to draw on screen, making it appear as if he was drawing magically in the air. This technology was quite advanced for its time on children's television.
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