Friday, August 19, 2011

Harry's House


Whatever happened to Harry's House?

I grew up in the 80's and one of the most memorable things about growing up in that decade is the children's TV shows we watched when we were having our tea and peanut butter and jam sandwiches when we came home from school.

I know there are plenty of Facebook groups about 80's TV shows that list Thundercats, He-Man, Gummy Bears, The Polka Dot Door, Bravestar and many more but there is one TV show that I can't seem to find any information about no matter how hard I Google and that show is Harry's House!

I've tried other search engines like Yahoo, Excite and Alta Vista and all results are about some Harry Potter fanatics or Joni Mitchell's song of the same title.

Harry's House was a children's programme that featured a character in a dog costume with human hosts. It was very similar to The Polka Dot Door and Pumpkin Patch. I know the theme song started with "Harry's House, Harry's House, let's all go to Harry's House." That sounds really cheesy but that's as much as I can remember.

Do you remember this TV show? Was it a local production? How long did it run for?
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36 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Hi there!

    I too grew up in Durban (child of the 80s) and remember Harry's House. In fact, like you, I have done countless searches for it on Google and YouTube and found nothing but fleeting references to it. I haven't seen any of the show since I was a kid, and would get a big kick out of seeing it again (I'd settle for just seeing the intro again). The only way that might be possible, is to right to the SABC and see if they have the show in their archives!

    Chris

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2012 at 10:14 AM

      I was 3 years old when Harry's House was showing. He use to wave at the end and one day he didn't. I took it so personal that I burst into tears. My mom came running to me to find out what was wrong. She finally got me to stop crying by telling me she'll write to them. She did and they replied and sent me a blue Harry's House T-Shirt

      Delete
    2. Frank RudyOctober 4, 2012 at 1:47 AM

      Hey guys. I wrote a letter to SABC. Hopefully their response will be favourable. :)

      Delete
    3. UnknownFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:02 PM

      Hi Frank,

      Have you heard anything from the SABC? It would be AMAZING to see Harry's house again.

      Does anyone know who the distributor of the clothing /toys/bed linen for the harrry's house line was? I remember having bed spreads and clothes

      Delete
    4. Frank RudyFebruary 15, 2013 at 1:55 AM

      Hi Nadine,

      Nothing as yet. That's really strange...

      Delete
  2. RicardoJanuary 3, 2012 at 1:01 AM

    Hey...I too remember this show!

    I was searching for it, when I stumbled on your blog...Used to be my fav as a kid.

    Cheers
    Ricardo

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 21, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    Lyrics continued....have a little problem we we want you to help him find an answer to...

    Original hosts were Kim Callie (sp?) and a fellow called Nick something. Later season hosted by Gaynor Young (who later suffered tragic accident in rehearsal for Camelot at State Theatre).

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    Replies
    1. Kim TaylorNovember 8, 2012 at 10:51 PM

      Nick Taylor was his name.... my dad :) He also wrote it. Im trying to track these down as i know have a child myself who is listening to the soundtrack :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 11:04 PM

      Where can one get hold of the soundtrack or even the road safety book?

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 6, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    I also grew up with Harry's House although I barely remember it. I also was a big fan of Pumpkin Patch and Tele 6 - which I also can find nothing about

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  5. shaunmanAugust 6, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    I remember the the theme song kind of Harry House Harry House da dadadad daddadda dadad somthing something and help you find the answer to... harry's house.I think he had like a tiny cap on his head. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 8, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Harry's House, Harry Hound, that hairy hound dog we all love to see play around...

    ReplyDelete
  7. RayDecember 30, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    Hi would love to hear the soundtrack or just see a picture again, perhaps someone could scan in or upload?, would be great :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nat NooJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    I remember Harry's House! The song that sticks in my head most is 'Talking to a wart hog..a warty warty warthog' the programme was epic sadly nothing around about it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. GazzNetApril 24, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    Hi everyone,

    I managed to get someone to hunt this one down for me via Facebook.

    Check it out it's Harry for sure

    Enjoy!!!

    https://www.facebook.com/vintagemedia.co.za?ref=stream

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank RudyApril 30, 2013 at 6:06 AM

      Wow! Thanks GazzNet! That is definitely Harry!

      Delete
    2. compu proMay 1, 2013 at 10:01 AM

      hello do you have the series or episodes of harry's house

      Delete
  10. UnknownAugust 14, 2013 at 8:49 PM

    Harry's House, Harry Hound, that hairy hound dog we all love to see play around...Has a little problem he wants you, to help him find the answer to.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cherry_Lisa83 October 9, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cherry_Lisa83 October 9, 2013 at 5:59 AM

    Such memories! I remember one episode of Harry's House where they caught a train to the Pretoria Zoo to have a picnic. And they had an awesome picnic basket.

    I stumbled across this page because I was looking for another SA tv show produced at roughly the same time as HH - Zeekiezeekombot. I'm not even sure that's how you spell it.
    But it was also a studio produced learning show and the robot used to send the children home (I think?) via teleportation.

    Does anyone else remember this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LaceyApril 4, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      OMG!
      I have been asking my friends if they remember Ziggy Zombot, and no one knows what the heck I'm talking about... I started thinking it was a figment of my imagination. But lo and behold someone else remembers Ziggy (Ziekkie) Zombot!!!

      Thanks, I now know I'm not crazy.

      Delete
    2. Cherry_Lisa83 August 12, 2015 at 2:28 AM

      Haha! I wish I could find it on Youtube. I can even still remember some of the songs that featured in the show.

      Delete
  13. AnonymousOctober 11, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    Hi guys

    Wow, lump in my throat...good old days...

    Cherry Lisa83..i remember, "Zikizikibot is coming for you coming for you"
    Cant remember the spelling either.
    ive been looking for Harrys house for quite sometime, if i remember correctly he had this big red box/chest in his room?? from there certain stories would begin?

    Thanks Gazznet :)

    If i ever come across any old recordings of our fav tv shows, ide be sure to share it wid u guys :)
    didn think there would be anybody interested in those days...up until now...pretty chuffed..thanks guys ( hugs) sarwat@adbmcgregor.co.za

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousDecember 1, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    im 30 now and my dad still calls me Harry, much to the confusion of everyone around us who dont know that my dad calls me that as a result of my love for that very show!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJanuary 15, 2014 at 1:39 AM

    Hi All, I am currently converting video (VHS) video recordings of Harry's House, Polka Dot Door, ZIKI, The Get Along Gang & Maya the Bee just to name a few. I currently have 34 Episodes of Harry The Hound! Contact me if you are interested in obtaining this Public Domain Vintage recordings. www.upmarketproductions.page.tl we are a licensed production and forensics services company, specializing in Audio & Visual Conversion & Restorations. I am in the process of gathering more episodes and categorizing them after digital capturing, then going to do audio and video restoration. my email address is upmarketproductions@gmail.com. Warm Regards, Mark

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    Replies
    1. wimawehOctober 22, 2014 at 8:22 AM

      Hi Mark, I bought the cd of Harry's House music directly from Nick Taylor whom I tracked down on the west coast a year or so ago, but would love to have a few episodes of the show. My sons used to watch the show, and my eldest son now has a daughter and another baby on the way, so would love these for them. Do let me know if you've been successful in getting these done. Kind Regards Rose Meintjes

      Delete
    2. Cherry_Lisa83 August 12, 2015 at 2:33 AM

      Hi Mark, I would love to see Ziki. Perhaps you should create a YouTube channel? I know I'm not the only one who would want to see these old shows again!

      Delete
    3. UnknownFebruary 2, 2016 at 10:33 AM

      Hi Mark
      I would be very interesred in Harry's House and Pumkn patch episodes. My daughter was on one episode doing highland dancing with her Dad piping. Would love a copy to keep for the grandchildren one day.
      Are you doing video or dvd's?

      Delete
  16. Claire August 8, 2017 at 1:12 PM

    The link doesn't work anymore :(

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2018 at 2:58 AM

    No chance in hell this will ever get spotted, but anyone every find a video episode of ZIKI ziggy bot?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dave - Harry Hound in person ; !)October 8, 2019 at 6:13 PM

    Hi everyone who's interested in contacting Harry Hound himself! Well in a way!) harry's costume used to host myself Dave Armitt , I was working as an assistant cameraman for Chroma Video in Wynburg, J,burg in the 80s. Harry hound was a production being made with Nick Taylor and Kim and Later Gaynor. I stepped into the costume when leslie .... wasn't available. The director Barry Morel saw my cheeky behind the scenes personality ( idiot ) and said jump in Hrry's skin! I completed " series, 26 episodes before having to shed Harry's skin again! Few I hope someone washed him after!) Chroma Video became Toron TV productions, it's a little smaller now but i think it's contactable, maybe.

    I loved playing Harry and some of the better memories in my life were looking at all the kids faces cheering outside the Durban shopping center as I arrived on a fire engine. great stuff!
    I sure do miss the good old days of S. Africa

    I don't have any episodes myself and would love someone to upload a few on youtube if poss. maybe i'll get in touch with Rob & Carmen again the last producers before Toron TV merged as Endemol ( now closed ) Change is inevitable!

    I'll dig out a photo or two if anyone's interested in Me verifying my claim to fame, that's if the cobwebs haven't hidden my face too much!

    Ps, Someone else worth a look at from the good old days. See youtube some of my close friends that were taken from this lovely planet, ' Winstons Jive Mix up'

    https://youtu.be/891hwGG0ygw

    one of the better bands of the 80's in my humble opinion. My good friends Adam Reinecke , Winston Nyaunda and Sipho Shange are Remembered by Jennifer Furguson on youtube ( please try link and remember our lost souls of the 80s

    https://youtu.be/-1orCgCrpdo

    Enjoy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank RudyFebruary 29, 2020 at 8:45 AM

      Hi Dave. Thanks for your reply. The information that you provided here is priceless. So many of us loved watching Harry Hound on TV growing up. Thanks again for giving us some insight on what happened to our beloved hound.

      Delete
  19. Dave - Harry Hound in person ; !)October 8, 2019 at 6:15 PM

    davoatyarhoo@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  20. compu proFebruary 26, 2020 at 3:15 AM

    Harrys house theme used to also have a whistling tune

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  21. UnknownApril 8, 2021 at 10:22 AM

    I am Maureen Schuil and I worked with Margaret Landers to write the content for Harry's House.
    WE had a wonderful time taking Harry places with
    Nick Taylor Gaynor Young and Kim Callie. Nick wrote the scripts and created and sang the catchy songs.
    Sadly all the original tapes were
    destroyed by S A B C
    I have some of the old VH S tapes and a couple of the books.
    I may have an L P

    ReplyDelete
  22. griffinJune 14, 2021 at 11:05 AM

    Maureen, can you please contact me? film@decibels.co.za (Gifford)

    ReplyDelete

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