At School in the Tarax Show

As a product of the legendary golden years at GTV9 (circa 1957 to early 1960s), the Tarax Happy Show could call on all the diverse talents and resources present within the bustling studio complex.

Denzil used to say in later years that, provided they kept out of the way of management and did not lose money, the producers of the childrens program had a more or less free reign to do whatever they wanted. This unique circumstance encouraged experimenting with creative ideas for childrens programming.

The Tarax Happy Show was an interesting and eclectic mix of comedy, music, dance, drama and educational segments.

One regular feature that appealed to young viewers was this spoof on life in the classroom, with the “children” played by the program’s regular troupe of performers. In this photo a hapless Geoff Corke (aka “King Corky”) tries to keep control of a classroom of inveterate ratbags. Left to right: Joff Ellen (“Joffa Boy”), Susan-Gaye Anderson, Ernie Carroll (“Professor Ratbaggy”) and Denzil.