The Enid Blyton Society

Listen in to the one on one chat with Gary Russell the former child actor who played Dick Kirren in the ITV series the Famous Five. Marcus Harris, Gary Russell, Jennifer Thanisch, Michelle Gallagher and Toddy brought Enid Blyton's books from the 1940s and 50s alive in their portrayal of Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog.

Most interesting!

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This is really interesting. It's good to hear Gary speaking about his role as Dick again. I say 'again' as I was at the Enid Blyton Day when he entertained us along with Marcus. Great to hear such positive language about Enid Blyton. Thanks Nigel.

Thanks for that, Nigel. What an excellent "chat", full of interesting details. I'm glad Gary was given half an hour and allowed to speak at length with only brief prompts and responses from presenter Emma Haskin. So many interviews and discussions on the radio or TV are short and hurried, but in this programme there was plenty of time for information, anecdotes and opinions. Very relaxed and enjoyable. I was particularly interested to hear that Gary spent time with the editors of the Famous Five series, learning behind-the-scenes stuff, and that that experience influenced his choice of career.

Yes, I was so impressed by Gary's conversation. For once, I could find nothing to moan about! I wondered who the blonde actress (?) was in the group photo?

The blonde lady is Gail Renard, who wrote the scripts for some of the Famous Five episodes.

Thanks, Anita.

Another thing that interested me was Gary's remark that he got extra screen time in the second series because he was a few months older than Marcus, Michele and Jennifer, which meant that he was allowed to work for an hour longer each day.

I have just had an email from Emma Haskin asking me to post a link to the interview, but old eagle eyes has beaten me to it!

Tony Summerfield wrote:I have just had an email from Emma Haskin asking me to post a link to the interview, but old eagle eyes has beaten me to it!

It was very interesting interview.

Tony Summerfield wrote:I have just had an email from Emma Haskin asking me to post a link to the interview, but old eagle eyes has beaten me to it!

As Society Social Media Administrator, I am privy to such things as they happen!

A cracking interview, & thanks to Moonraker for sharing it. Really enjoyed that! Gary certainly knows how's to hold an audience, that's for sure!

Being away I've not listened to this recording properly, so will look forward to listening once home.

Thanks for sharing it. Really interesting. Gary has an excellent speakers voice.

Nigel, how do you stay so updated?
How do you people get to know such interesting stuff,I cant find the right word to describe it but I mean all these sort of literary,intellectual things on the internet.
I wish I could do all this too.

That was fantastic to hear. A great interview. Took me back to the Enid Blyton Day a few years ago when I met, Gary, Marcus and Julie Davis.

It was interesting to hear Gary say that at the beginning of the books, George was definitely a tom boy, but as the books grew in numbers, George seemed to leave this behind and become more of a girl. I hadn't thought about this before, but as Gary says, you have to read the books in order to see this.

Great interview anyway.

Thanks for putting it up Nigel. Interesting that Gary is now working for a couple of years in Australia doing a project.