johnny's jaunts

Johnny Morris's Jaunts

Johnny morris's jaunts, "around the world in 25 years".

Johnny Morris was well known as the presenter of Animal Magic on the BBC. This kind and gentle man gave so much pleasure with his abstract and amusing take on life and if anyone wants to know more about him and have a great laugh then read his autobiography “There’s Lovely”

Johnny Morris also recorded a very funny and timeless travelogue about his journalistic travels over the world during the 1950’s – 1960’s and these were recorded on BBC Radio 4 and known as “Johnny Morris’s Jaunts” or “Around the World in 25 Years.” There seems to be a great demand to re-listen to these wonderful stories, which give a snapshot into a world that has passed. Unfortunately the BBC have not re-broadcast or made them available to “listen again” in their library, which is a great shame. To allow others to enjoy these wonderful programmes, I have created a library of as many of his recordings as I could obtain from both my own collection as well as those donated by contributors.

You may download the programmes from the website (free of charge) but will need to email me at the following email address; [email protected] 

Johnny's Jaunts

This is a hidden page listing the known episodes of this BBC series.

Info relevant to Delia's contribution to the series is on the page Johnny's Jaunt .

The bold titles are those for which audio is available.

• 1 Fourteen Voices and a Mind of Quicksilver
• 2.1 1954: North Country, Midlands, West Country, Devon
• 2.2 1955: Manchester, North Country, Scottish border, Scotland, Edinburgh
• 2.3 1956: The River Thames: Gloucestershire, Oxford, Reading, Windsor, Richmond, London, Essex coast
• 2.4 1957: Bristol, Eisteddfod, Liverpool, Isle of Man, N.Ireland
• 2.5 1958: A sea cruise to the Mediterranean
• 2.6 1959: Brussels, Nuremburg, Vienna, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Istanbul
• 2.7 1960: France , Switzerland, Italy, Greece
• 2.8 1961: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway
• 2.9 1962: Spain
• 2.10 1964: Hong Kong, Japan
• 2.11 1965: Majorca, New York
• 2.12 1966: U.S.A.
• 2.13 1967: Mexico
• 2.14 1969: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
• 2.15 1971: The Pacific
• 2.16 1972: Down the Rhine
• 2.17 1974: Japan , Majorca, Sicily, Tunisia, Rhodes, Yugoslavia, Corsica
• 2.18 1974: France
• 2.19 1982: ... Sweden , Japan ...
• 2.20 1983: Mexico , Sicily , New Hebrides & Hawaii, France , New York , Germany & Holland , Tonga & Samoa, The Rhine , Thailand , America
• 2.21 1984: France, Rio de Janeiro , Hong Kong , America, Mexico , Greece, Patagonia , Niagara, Japan, France
• 2.22 1986: France, South America, Yugoslavia , Finland , Malaya , South America , Corsica
• 3.1 Around the World in 25 Years
• 4.1 BBC Bristol
• 4.2 Mexico, Argentina, Tahiti, New York
• 4.3 France, Germany, Sicily, Corsica
• 4.4 Finland, Yugoslavia, Japan, Malaysia
• 5 References

Fourteen Voices and a Mind of Quicksilver

From the Radio Times, 24th July 1954

BBC Radio programmes

1954: north country, midlands, west country, devon, 1955: manchester, north country, scottish border, scotland, edinburgh, 1956: the river thames: gloucestershire, oxford, reading, windsor, richmond, london, essex coast.

1957: Bristol, Eisteddfod, Liverpool, Isle of Man, N.Ireland

1958: A sea cruise to the Mediterranean

After wandering round much of Britain in search of people, things, and places that take his fancy, Johnny tries travelling the easy way, on a sea cruise to the Mediterranean sun.

1959: Brussels, Nuremburg, Vienna, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Istanbul

This year Johnny's search for interesting people and places takes him by train from Ostend to Istanbul, passing through Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. He describes his impressions and adventures in six episodes.

1960: France , Switzerland, Italy, Greece

Johnny Morris travels by road across France, Switzerland, and Italy to Greece to consult the Delphic Oracle.

1961: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway

Johnny Morris travelled to Scandinavia in search of the Midnight Sun. He visited Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, and describes his adventures.

1962: Spain

Johnny describes his journey by road from Andorra, through Spain, to Gibraltar and on to Madrid last September. See Radio Times for 7 Jan, page 18.

1964: Hong Kong, Japan

Four programmes in which JOHNNY MORRIS describes his visit to Hong Kong and Japan

1965: Majorca, New York

1966: u.s.a..

Last October he jaunted 2,000 miles around north-east America and recalls his adventures in six programmes. See Radio Times for 16th Feb 1967. The repeats broadcast New York twice and omitted the 6th episode.

1967: Mexico

Johnny Morris in Mexico: Six programmes in which he recalls his adventures and impressions of a journey through Mexico last summer

1969: Brazil, Argentina, Chile

In six instalments he describes his journey of almost 20,000 miles through Brazil, Argentina, and Chile

1971: The Pacific

Johnny Morris goes 'island-hopping' across the Pacific Ocean. He visits Hawaii, the New Hebrides, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji and describes his journey in six instalments.

• johnnymorrisjaunts Tahiti 01 : Fumigation. Johnny becomes ill. Trying to buy daps in the shoe shop. Probably episode 5.

1972: Down the Rhine

Johnny Morris follows the course of this great river from its source in the Swiss Alps to the North Sea at Rotterdam.

1974: Japan , Majorca, Sicily, Tunisia, Rhodes, Yugoslavia, Corsica

Johnny Morris goes island-hopping, out of season, in the Mediterranean.

1974: France

Johnny Morris on his 'tour de France' - from Normandy to the Mediterranean and back again to Paris.

1982: ... Sweden , Japan ...

Ten programmes in which Johnny Morris recalls some of the people, places and happenings in a quarter-of-a-century of jaunting. Producer: Brian Patten [4]

He is also on Any Questions on Friday 5 March 1982 (says the 28th Feb entry.)

1983: Mexico , Sicily , New Hebrides & Hawaii, France , New York , Germany & Holland , Tonga & Samoa, The Rhine , Thailand , America

Johnny Morris recalls some of the people. places and happenings in a quarter of a century of jaunting. Producer: Brian Patten

The Mexico episodes here and below may be the wrong way round. The only clue I have is that Mexico-02 and France-02 both start with some silence.

1984: France, Rio de Janeiro , Hong Kong , America, Mexico , Greece, Patagonia , Niagara, Japan, France

Johnny Morris recalls some of the places he has visited and the people he has met in a quarter of a century of jaunting.

1986: France, South America, Yugoslavia , Finland , Malaya , South America , Corsica

Johnny Morris recalls some of the places he has visited and the people he has met in a quarter of a century of jaunting. Producer: Margaret Bradley

Around the World in 25 Years

In 1984 Johnny wrote a book, "Around the World in 25 Years", ISBN 10: 0450057569 / ISBN 13: 9780450057564, published by New English Library Ltd. [7]

BBC Bristol

The Radio Times' 2nd Jan 1987 entry for I've Been Together Now for 70 Years , "the last of nine programmes in which Johnny Morris recalls his childhood in Wales", says "Cassettes of Johnny Morris's series 'Around the World in 25 Years' are now available. Details from Johnny Morris Cassettes, BBC, Bristol BS8 2LR" [8]

Mexico, Argentina, Tahiti, New York

The Global British Comedy Collaborative lists a 1990? cassette with: [9]

• 3-1: Mexico 25:19
• 3-2: Argentina 25:37
• 3-3: Tahiti 25:01
• 3-4: New York 25:31

France, Germany, Sicily, Corsica

• Google Books lists a 1993 item "Johnny's Jaunts A Unique View of France, Germany, Sicily, Corsica, Vol. 1, Part 1 (Around the world in 25 years)" but has no images.

Finland, Yugoslavia, Japan, Malaysia

• Amazon lists a 1995 cassette "Johnny's Jaunts - Discover Life In Finland, Yugoslavia, Japan & Malaysia (Around The World In 25 Years)" [10]
• abebooks lists a 1995 item published by CAM "Johnny's Jaunts - Discover Life In Finland, Yugoslavia, Japan & Malaysia (Around The World In 25 Years) [11] Only £46.49!
• ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Search results for Johnny's Jaunt on the BBC Genome Project
• ↑ Roaming Round article in Radio Times, 28 June 1957
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Search results for Johnny's Jaunts on the BBC Genome Project
• ↑ Search results for Around the World in 25 Years on the BBC Genome Project
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 From the leadin/tailout to johnnymorrisjaunts Sweden-01 44:55
• ↑ 1984-10-29 at 12.27: "Aroand the World In 25 Years" on the BBC Genome Project
• ↑ Around the World in 25 Years on abebooks
• ↑ I've Been Together Now for 70 Years entry on the BBC Genome Project
• ↑ [ https://thegbcc.selfip.info/w-cy/Johnnys_Jaunts.html Johhny's Jaunts on the Global British Comedy Collaborative
• ↑ Johnny's Jaunts on Amazon
• ↑ Johnny's Jaunts on abebooks

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Around the world in twenty-five years Hardcover – January 1, 1983

• Print length 220 pages
• Language English
• Publisher M. Joseph
• Publication date January 1, 1983
• ISBN-10 0718122291
• ISBN-13 978-0718122294
• See all details

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ M. Joseph; First Edition (January 1, 1983)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 220 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0718122291
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0718122294
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces

About the author

Johnny morris.

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Like the another famous Thomas storyteller, Johnny Morris was initially reluctant to do the recordings of the Railway Series books.  However, Isabella Wallich (Founder and manager of Delyse Records) convinced him to do it through the success of the books, as well as assuring him of his ability to bring the characters to life through his own voice.  

Her assurance wasn't far wrong, with Morris giving each character their own individual and distinctive voicing.  He also built upon the Rev. Awdry's style of repititions, improvising and enhancing his recordings with his own unique range of whistles, puffs, chugs and great bursts of steam.

However, much like Ringo, Johnny found the experience to be extremely rewarding and forged a common bond with fellow steam buff, the Reverend Awdry.  Johnny recorded eleven volumes of the Railway Series books from The Three Railway Engines to Percy the Small Engine, however, only eight of the audio books he recorded have been committed to cassette tape, Edward the Blue Engine, Four Little Engines and Percy the Small Engine were left as LPs, and re-recorded by Willie Rushton when he took over as the storyteller for the Railway Stories. 

Johnny hosted a number of popular programmes, including Johnny's Jaunts (Radio) and Animal Magic (Television).  He died in May 1999.

Johnny Morris

Railway stories volumes 1 to 11.

Aldbourne Heritage Centre

Exploring our villages history

The 1940s were a bit of a ‘golden age’ in Aldbourne for ‘characters’ who not only left their mark on the village but also on the wider world. Once of these was Ernest John Morris, better known as Johnny Morris, best known for his zoo-based ‘Animal Magic’ programmes and many other TV and radio series from the 1940s to 1990s.

Johnny was born in 1916 in South Wales, the youngest son of a Post Office worker. His was a talented and humour filled family. Straight from school aged 14 he was ‘lucky’ to get a job as a junior clerk (or dogsbody as he preferred to call it) at £2 a month in a solicitors office, but that was never to be his forte. Through a contact he got a job in London as a time-keeper opn a building site at £3 a week – quite a step up! He even applied for a job teaching English in Germany which in the 1930s seemed quite a risky career move.

However, whilst awaiting a reply he came to the village with a friend whose brother-in-law had just bought a farm in Aldbourne. Thus Johnny met Jimmy Bomford, the rich new owner of ‘Laines’ in Stock Lane. For some reason, despite the gulf in their backgrounds, they got on really well. Lacking farming experience, Jimmy needed somebody to help manage the 2000 acre farm. What better plan than to ask somebody who also lacked farming experience! Nevertheless, he asked Johnny to join him.

Jonny’s strength was his engaging character and soon Johnny was ‘in’ with the locals and benefitting from farming advice especially from one character named George. With Jimmy’s money, Johnny’s enthusiasm and George’s local know-how, the farm soon thrived. A successful farm was needed because WW2 had just broken out. Jimmy and Johnny were viewed with suspicion by ‘the authorities’ because of ‘odd goings on’ at Laines and allegedly Johnny was refused entry to the Home Guard, but later in the war Johhny did join and his ever youthful face can be seen in several Home Guard photos held in our heritage centre.

Johnny was often in the local pubs chatting and story telling with the locals, especially with his friend Pelly Barnes. It was there in about 1946  that Johnny met Desmond Hawkins, a journalist who was moving to the BBC in Bristol. By mutual agreement Johnny want to the BBC for an audition reading one of his own stories. He was soon writing and telling stories on the radio, mainly for children. He was an instant success with his ‘simple’ style of story telling and ability to present in many varied voices. In Aldbourne he courted and married Eileen who had moved from London with her two boys and so Johnny gained an instant family. He moved from Laines into a village cottage, became a fulltime freelance broadcaster on radio & TV and moved later in Pond House on The Square where he lived for many years. He is best remembered for  his ‘Animal Magic’ zoo-based series but he also told strories as the ‘Hot Chestnut Man’ and travelled far and wide with ‘Johnnys Jaunts’, a TV travel programme. He eve ‘voiced over’ some of the early Aardman Animations e.g. ‘Creature Comforts’. Later still he moved to live near Hungerford. He was still active in his 80s and was even busy planning a new TV series when, as a result of a complication of his diabetes, he died in May 1999. He was buried in his own garden. His autobiography ‘There’s Lovely’, published in 1989, is a slightly ‘disorganised’ but engaging read with many references to Aldbourne.

Johnny Morris, OBE, farm manager, mimic, impersonator, writer, raconteur and traveller lived for many years in Aldbourne.

• International edition
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The beast within

The man who gave voice to all manner of animals from aardvarks through to zebras (but specifically including camels, llamas and other ruminants) described his vocation in these terms: "A grey-haired man drives in his car to a railway station, he catches the inter-city to Paddington, takes a waiting cab to the West End, enters recording studio, sits at microphone, watches film, waits until donkey turns to camera, the man says 'thistles' (in a peculiar manner), gets up, shakes hands all round, takes taxi to Paddington, takes inter-city to country station, gets in car and drives home." It was enough to earn his television programme a 22-year run on the BBC and an audience of seven million even when it was axed in 1984.

Animal Magic was an institution and Johnny Morris, the weird little man who presented it whilst wearing a zoo-keeper's cap, became one of the most famous faces on television. His voice, or rather voices, were already well known on radio where he had been working since a BBC radio producer, Desmond Hawkins, overheard him telling an anecdote in a country pub. The year was 1946 and at that time Morris was a farm manager, a position he later said had helped him develop an intuitive understanding of animals and their emotions. "And they do have emotions, you know," you can almost hear him saying.

Prior to that he had been employed as a solicitor's clerk, a time-keeper on a building site and a bailiff. Most remarkably, he had also been briefly under suspicion of being a Nazi spy and placed under house arrest at the beginning of the second world war (he had, it seems, frequently expressed a desire to become an English teacher in Hitler's Germany and had been seen driving a German-made Opel car through the streets of Wiltshire). Eventually, he was allowed to join the Home Guard. Andy Kershaw's affectionate tribute to Morris (Animals, Jaunts & Magic, 11.30am, today, Radio 4) skirts around this period of his life but throws new light on his non-animal related radio work.

Starting as a quirky newsreader (he would interview people and then come back into the studio and recreate the scene by impersonating the individual concerned), he was quickly given his own series and was in much demand in either a story-telling capacity (The Hot Chestnut Man) or as a unique type of reportage journalist (Johnny's Jaunts). The latter involved him talking to people as he journeyed across Britain, on one occasion from Manchester to Torquay. It took him 20 weeks and this, don't forget, was before Virgin Trains even started running the West Coast line. Eventually, the "jaunts" went international and he travelled as far afield as Western Samoa and South Africa with his producer/ straight-man Tubby Foster.

The break which propelled him into television came in 1961 after the BBC Natural History unit was established in Bristol. He was asked to come-up with some ideas to fill a four-minute slot for children's television which was to be educative and entertaining. He adopted a zookeeper's cap and started talking to and for the animals. By his own admission, "we just made it up as we went along". What they (whoever they might be) succeeded in creating, besides the perfect vehicle for Morris's incredible talent for mimicry, was a mindset which generations of children have found impossible to shake. Through this prime-time anthropomorphism, animals were invested with human emotions and characteristics.

According to Kershaw, Morris once reminisced that his father, a postmaster in Monmouthshire, had treated animals as though they were humans and he also thought that to be crucial if animals were to be treated with respect. It is certainly the case that even today it is impossible to encounter a llama at a wildlife park or even watch one on television without hearing Johnny Morris's voice and wondering what it is thinking. For everybody between the ages of 25 and 60, it is pondering its situation with careworn deliberation and looking down its long nose with a faint sense of withering superiority. Had Morris, by chance, been suffering from laryngitis on the day he was due to provide a voice-over for a couple of shrimps in the Morecambe Bay area, the watching public would have taken it for granted that shrimps actually sounded a lot tougher than might be expected. That was the power he commanded.

"My sort of stuff is dead and buried," he said some time after the BBC took Animal Magic off the air. "Many mothers who were children when I was presenting come up to me and ask why they don't get more of my sort of programme, which was non-violent, amusing, informative and gentle." He had answered his own question, although he could be accused of being a little hard on himself. During his absence from the tube he made a tidy living providing voice-overs for advertisements and recording children's stories onto tape. He also assisted with the production of such musical delights as Juanita the Spanish Lobster, and, of course, Cooey Louis (which was about a homing pigeon).

Whatever he was doing, it seemed that he had not quite gone away. In fact, he had kept in the public eye and retained the fondness of the collective public memory sufficiently to have been commissioned, along with John Noakes, to present a new wildlife series for ITV when he died in May this year. Perhaps somebody should have thought of it earlier. Regardless. He was buried with his zookeeper's cap, next to his wife Eileen in his back garden in Hungerford and, by way of a touching coda, the BBC producer who first discovered him in that country pub over 50 years before, Desmond Hawkins, died on the same day. "Who'd have believed it?" you can hear a cocksure parrot croak.

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The story of my twenty-four day motorbike tour from Calais to Calais, taking in incredible views and amazing food, complete with photographs I took along the way. Set aside some time and enjoy the adventure with me.