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Muffin the mule




















Muffin the mule









Muffin the mule


Muffin the Mule is a very well- remembered character from early black and white TV days of the 1950s. The show's signature tune, 'We want Muffin- J Muffin the Mule' is a catchy jingle that is still fair from forgotten by many adults who fondly remember the TV Muffin sessions presented by / singer Annette Mills.








Muffin the mule
The popular donkey puppet destined to become famous 'Muffin' was actually in existence long before the 1950s. It had been specially created for Jan Bussell, a TV produce!" and owner of the Hogarth Puppet Theatre, by a 'Punch and Judy' man as long ago as 1933!

Jan Bussell and Ann Hogarth, professional puppeteers, had then decided that their performances needed a new act. Jan, after a great deal of thought, sketched a kicking mule and a clown on the back of an envelope and gave it to the 'Punch and Judy' man to turn into a puppet.




With children forming the audience at their shows around the country, they were well aware how they enjoyed a touch of violence in their entertainment. What could provide better action for them than seeing a stubborn mule kicking a clown around the stage?



Well, the scenario probably went down well with the children, but in the course of time it began to prove somewhat boring for the presenters. The act was dropped and the clown was incorporated into other acts, with the donkey being put on one side to become almost forgotten for several years.



Muffin the mule

However, Ann and Jan were to eventually have an important visitor to their home. This was Annette Mills who had been well known for her TV appearances as a singer on the BBCs popular 'Children's Hour' series. From 1946 Annette had been appearing fairly regularly in this kiddies' programme when television resumed transmission after the war.



Her mission in calling to see Ann and Jan was to ask them if they would consider making puppets that could be used to illustrate the songs she wrote and sang. The meeting turned out well, except that the result was that the roles would reverse, with Annette Mills writing the songs to illustrate the activities of the Hogarth's Puppets!

During her visit Annette Mills had been shown a selection of figures that were not being used at the time. She immediately chose the discarded mule puppet as an ideal character for the job straight away and named him 'Muffin'! She also took a fancy to the clown and gave him the name 'Crumpet'. Work started at once and Ann Hogarth composed the necessary twelve minute script whilst Annette wrote the songs- including the 'We want Muffin' signature tune.


Quick work, really, because the show was scheduled to be transmitted the Sunday following!

Muffin the mule







The 'Muffin the Mule' programme, as we now know, was destined to become a very popular children's show and the inevitable production of 'Muffin' memorabilia began to appear. One of the most important items, now especially collectable, is the 1950s cast-metal 'Muffin the Mule' puppet produced as a toy by Lesney, the creator of 'Matchbox Toys' and 'Models of Yesteryear'.







This Anglicised German company of'Moko', originally founded by Moses Kohnstam (hence the 'Moko' derivation) in Bavaria in the late 19th century, and later becoming London based, had the die-cast toy made for them by the new Lesney company.
Lesney became internationally known for their die-cast toys known as 'Matchbox Miniatures' and 'Models of Yesteryear'.


Muffin the mule

It was 'Moko' that was responsible for the idea of 'Matchbox Miniatures' having their cartons designed matchbox-style! in the early days these familiar 'matchboxes' were marked 'Moko-Lesney'.






The 'Moko' was removed after the Lesney family took over the Moko company. Collectors for this particular 'Muffin' model have, unfortunately, to compete with Lesney collectors who also like to acquire examples of 'Moko' products!




Muffin the mule
There are several 'Muffin' collectables for the 'Muffin Club' members to look out for, including a variety of'Muffin the Mule' textiles of various kinds, slippers, giant 'Muffin' figures used by seaside photographers and a toy TV set with pictures of 'Muffin'. Also copies of 'The TV Comic' with a 'Muffin Club News' column written by Annette Mills, 'Muffin Club' badges and membership cards, table games, ceramics, birthday cards, and numerous books. Popular too, though not too easy to come across, are coin-operated 'Muffins' for children to ride. The old Muffin Club, sponsored by the 'News of the World' who published 'The TV Comic', no longer exists but to satisfy present day nostalgic interest in the character Adrienne Hasler decided to launch her 'Muffin the Mule Collectors' Club'.












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