The Flying Dogtor
Encyclopedia
The Flying Dogtor is an early Australia
n animated television
series made by Crawford Productions
between 1962 and 1964. It was shown on the Australian Television Network, which later became the Seven Network
.
Its central character is a Great Dane
who conducts a medical practice by aeroplane in outback Australia
, similarly to the Royal Flying Doctor Service
.
The series was devised and written by the leading Melbourne
architect Robin Boyd
.
The theme music was written and performed by Horrie Dargie
and his quintet. Additional music came from a small 78 rpm record library, together with characters' voices, narration and some basic sound effects were added together to produce a master sound mix.
The animation technique was basically a moving plane running across the frame from left to right. The plane was about 5 inches high made of thick high quality art paper. It was pulled through by an electric motor in a machine that was also designed and built by Robin Boyd.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n animated television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series made by Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions is an Australian television production company founded by Hector Crawford; the present incarnation of the company, Crawfords Australia, is now a subsidiary of the WIN television corporation.-History:...
between 1962 and 1964. It was shown on the Australian Television Network, which later became the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
.
Its central character is a Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
who conducts a medical practice by aeroplane in outback Australia
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
, similarly to the Royal Flying Doctor Service
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is an emergency and primary health care service for those living in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia...
.
The series was devised and written by the leading Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
architect Robin Boyd
Robin Boyd
Robin Gerard Penleigh Boyd CBE was an influential Australian architect, writer, teacher and social commentator...
.
Characters
- The Great Dogtor Dane - the Flying Dogtor
- Granny Goana
- Liz Lizard
- The bush children
- Colin Kanga
- Polly Possum
- Katie Koala
- Crafty Carson Carpetbag - the sneaky snake from steamy swamp
- Elvis Eagle - the bodgy bird
- Old Man Redback
Production
The show was produced by Hector Crawford. Cartoons were drawn by Joy Murray and Janice Male who studied together at Melbourne Technical College. The cameraman was Ian Crawford. All characters' voices were read by Roly Barlee who was well known in Melbourne radio. Script and character advice was provided by Dr E.A. Murray, a lecturer in psychology, and Jean Lawson, a school counsellor.The theme music was written and performed by Horrie Dargie
Horrie Dargie
Horace Andrew Dargie was an Australian musician and harmonicist.-Biography:Horrie Dargie was born in Whyalla, South Australia, the second son of Andrew Dargie and Adelaide . His older brother Sir William Dargie was a noted Australian portrait artist.Dargie began his musical career as a diatonica...
and his quintet. Additional music came from a small 78 rpm record library, together with characters' voices, narration and some basic sound effects were added together to produce a master sound mix.
The animation technique was basically a moving plane running across the frame from left to right. The plane was about 5 inches high made of thick high quality art paper. It was pulled through by an electric motor in a machine that was also designed and built by Robin Boyd.
Episode list
- The Great Doctor Dane
- Crafty's Secret Hideout
- Fire!
- Fireworks