20 Vintage Kids TV Shows From The Golden Age

10. Hartbeat

hartbeat An arts and crafts show presented by the affable Tony Hart between 1983-1994. Hartbeat was an attempt to update Take Hart - the show's predecessor. They added a funky synth score and young woman co presenters were brought in. A storyline was added to each episode which pissed off Tony Hart purists. Colin Bennett continued in his role as the bumbling caretaker Mr Bennett. The gallery sequence where viewers' talents were showcased was also maintained and was a very popular part of the show. Plasticene wideboy Morph was also kept. At its height HartBeat had around 5 million viewers which is very high for a kid's programme. Oh how I wanted my place on the gallery! But I have no talent. Tony Hart was a fantastic artist with tons of fabulous ideas. He made kids want to take up an easel and some paints and set free their own creative visions. Eventually, poor viewing figures forced the show's closure in 1994. Tony Hart took time out but would come back with more art based fun in Smart Hart before retiring from TV in 2001.
 
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My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!