It's Friday. It's Five O'Clock. And, It's...CRACKERJACK!

It's Friday. It's five o'clock. And it's...CRACKERJACK!

Leslie Crowther and Peter Glaze

Friday wasn't Friday without watching Crackerjack! 

Because the series ran for the bulk of the school year from autumn until late spring, I guess the weekend proper started with our tea whilst watching the charismatic Leslie Crowther and the more pompous straight man Peter Glaze. It was a popular programme. The programme had a standard format, which was comforting in its way-it looked as if it were broadcast live, like many of the programmes from the era. It was filmed in front of a bunch of rowdy kids who all sat on the edge of their seats, almost wetting themselves, waiting for a member of the cast to purposely (Crowther) or by mistake (Glaze) utter the word Crackerjack so that they could scream back at the top of their voices, parrot fashion, Crack-er-jack! 

The programme featured competitive games for teams of children-I always fancied the Crackerjack pencils which were handed out as minor prizes; also there was a music and a comedy spot; and at the end of the show the cast performed a short comic play, which incorporated pop songs from the charts-it was a good vehicle for Leslie Crowther to display his many talents-charm, cheekiness and wit amongst others.

Crack-er-jack!-Aye we were easily entertained in the 1960s, but by clever and talented performers.