Chocky (1984-86)

JOHN WYNDHAM developed his 1963 novella Chocky into the 1968 novel of the same name, and the novel was adapted for television in 1984 by ANTHONY READ for Thames Television. While the 1968 novel was set in an unspecified 'near future', the TV adaptation was set in the present day. Read followed the series with Chocky's Children in 1985, and Chocky's Challenge in 1986. Each serial was shown in six parts. Chocky and Chocky's Children were re-edited into single two hour episodes. All terrestrial broadcasts were shown in all ITV regions.

The 1963 short story was first published in the American Sci-Fi magazine Amazing Stories. David Gore becomes concerned that his twelve-year-old son, Matthew, is too old to have an imaginary friend. His concerns deepen as Matthew becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion, whom he calls "Chocky". As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind. The situation attracts the interest of shadowy government forces. "Chocky" eventually reveals that it is a scout sent from its home planet (where there is only one sex) in search of new planets to colonise, or newly emerging intelligent life that it can subtly guide. Chocky, talking through Matthew, explains to David that in becoming overly attached to Matthew and saving him and his sister from drowning (and thus interfering with events on Earth) it has violated the rules of its scout mission and must end its link with him completely. Its further work on Earth will be conducted in a much more covert manner.

Chocky was first adapted into a 90-minute drama for BBC Radio 2 and broadcast on November 27, 1968. BBC Radio 4 presented a reading of the novel by ANDREW BURT in seven 15-minute parts in 1975. Another 90-minute adaptation was broadcast in 1998 on BBC Radio 4.

First edition

Serials

Chocky (1984)

Matthew Gore is an intelligent boy chosen by a mysterious extraterrestrial visitor to be a source of information about life on Earth. As his schoolwork and artistic talent improve dramatically he arouses the suspicion of powerful groups who wish to tap into the amazing fund of knowledge to which he is now party.

By JOHN WYNDHAM
Dramatized by ANTHONY READ

Notable cast & crew


Broadcast(s)

Chocky's Children (1985)

A year has passed since Matthew said goodbye to his alien friend, and in the summer holidays he meets Albertine, a mathematical prodigy, with whom he discovers he can communicate telepathically. One day Chocky returns to warn Matthew that they are both in danger. When he returns to tell Albertine, he finds she has disappeared.

By ANTHONY READ
based on characters created by JOHN WYNDHAM

Notable cast & crew


Broadcast(s)

Chocky's Challenge (1986)

Chocky hopes, with Matthew and Albertine's help, to help the human race discover cosmic power, which unlike Earth's finite natural resources, will sustain them for as long as the universe itself exists. But their knowledge has aroused a great deal of interest from the military, and they are willing to take drastic action if they don't get what they want.

By ANTHONY READ
based on characters created by JOHN WYNDHAM

Notable cast & crew


Broadcast(s)

Anthony Read

John Hyde

Roy Boyd

Bob Blagden

John Wyndham

Sidney Livingstone

David Richens

Leon Eagles

TV serial

Ed Bishop

Norma Ronald

Vic Hughes

First shown in 1984

Peter Duguid

Zoe Hart

First shown in 1985

Peter Elliott

First shown in 1986

Prentis Hancock

ITV

Produced by Thames Television

James Hazeldine

Richard Bates

Jeremy Bulloch

Richard Wordsworth