Chocky
Encyclopedia
This article is about the novel; see also the TV series Chocky (TV series)
Chocky is a science fiction
novel by John Wyndham
, first published in 1968 by Michael Joseph. The BBC
produced a radio adaption by John Tydeman in 1967. In 1984 a children's television drama based on the novel was shown on ITV
in the UK
.
s but one father becomes rather concerned that his son, Matthew, is a bit old to have one. His concerns deepen as his son becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary, but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind—a fact that is of intense interest to shadowy government forces. Chocky reveals that it is a scout sent from its home planet (where there is only one sex) in search of new planets to colonise. Chocky, talking "through" Matthew, to his father, David Gore, explains that in saving Matthew from a recent accident it has violated the rules of its scout mission (interfering with events on Earth) and must end its link with him completely. Its further work on Earth will be conducted in a much more covert manner.
and produced by Thames Television
. The main character Matthew was played by Andrew Ellams and Glynis Brooks played the haunting voice of Chocky.
Revelation Films
released the first series of Chocky on DVD on 22 March 2010. The 2nd Series Chocky's Children on 21 June 2010. The 3rd Series Chocky's Challenge was released on 23 August 2010
acquired film rights in September 2008, and is interested in directing.
Chocky (TV series)
This article is about the TV series; see also the original novel ChockyChocky is a 1984 children's television drama based on the 1968 novel by John Wyndham and was broadcast on ITV in the UK. Two sequels were produced. All were written by Anthony Read and produced by Thames Television...
Chocky is a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by John Wyndham
John Wyndham
John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris was an English science fiction writer who usually used the pen name John Wyndham, although he also used other combinations of his names, such as John Beynon and Lucas Parkes...
, first published in 1968 by Michael Joseph. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
produced a radio adaption by John Tydeman in 1967. In 1984 a children's television drama based on the novel was shown on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Plot summary
Many children have imaginary friendImaginary friend
Imaginary friends and imaginary companions are a psychological and social phenomenon where a friendship or other interpersonal relationship takes place in the imagination rather than external physical reality. Imaginary friends are fictional characters created for improvisational role-playing. They...
s but one father becomes rather concerned that his son, Matthew, is a bit old to have one. His concerns deepen as his son becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary, but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind—a fact that is of intense interest to shadowy government forces. Chocky reveals that it is a scout sent from its home planet (where there is only one sex) in search of new planets to colonise. Chocky, talking "through" Matthew, to his father, David Gore, explains that in saving Matthew from a recent accident it has violated the rules of its scout mission (interfering with events on Earth) and must end its link with him completely. Its further work on Earth will be conducted in a much more covert manner.
Television series
The 1984 children's TV series' Chocky, Chocky's Children and Chocky's Challenge, were based on the 1968 novel. They were written by Anthony ReadAnthony Read
Anthony "Tony" Read is a British script editor, television writer and author. He was principally active in British television from the 1960s to the mid-1980s, although he occasionally contributed to televised productions until 1999. Starting in the 1980s, he launched a second career as a print...
and produced by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
. The main character Matthew was played by Andrew Ellams and Glynis Brooks played the haunting voice of Chocky.
Revelation Films
Revelation Films
Revelation Films is a British distributor of entertainment programmes on DVD.It was perhaps most well known as the company through which as of November 2006, the American anime company FUNimation Entertainment has launched its titles in the United Kingdom on region 2 DVD...
released the first series of Chocky on DVD on 22 March 2010. The 2nd Series Chocky's Children on 21 June 2010. The 3rd Series Chocky's Challenge was released on 23 August 2010
Radio Play
A radio version, adapted from the novel, following roughly the same plot, was made for BBC radio four in the late seventies; a 21st Century remake has been broadcast on BBC7 several times since November 2007.Film version
Steven SpielbergSteven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
acquired film rights in September 2008, and is interested in directing.
External links
- Little Gems
- Chocky, BBC radio, 1967 (via the Internet Archive)