Humphrey B. Bear is set to entertain a new generation of children with the rights to the character being bought by an Adelaide company.
A feature of the Nine Network for over 40 years, Humphrey was feared to be gone forever with his former owner Banksia Productions going into liquidation three years ago.
Last year, the rights to the Humphrey brand were among Banksia’s assets put up for sale by accounting firm BRI Ferrier. More than 100 groups had shown interest in purchasing Humphrey, but it was Adelaide-based games and entertainment company Imagination that won the deal for an undisclosed sum.
The company is now exploring options for re-inventing Humphrey for a new generation of youngsters – with the potential for another TV series, charity work or even an animated series spin-off.
Imagination chief Shane Yeend told Adelaide’s Sunday Mail that he plans to celebrate Humphrey’s return with a reunion of those who have worked with the “funny old fellow” over the years:
“For the last few months, we have been going through 40 years worth of material. We have come across all these people who have had something to do with Humphrey and we thought it would be nice to have a reunion later this year to celebrate how he has affected so many people.”
Humphrey was created by Rex Heading of Adelaide channel NWS9 in 1965 – with the Here’s Humphrey program screening across the Nine Network on an ongoing basis until 2003, with a brief return in 2007-08. The show won TV Week Logies for Best Children’s Program in 1970 and 1982.
Source: Adelaide Now
