Sweep

[www.doyouremember.co.uk]

In 1957, Harry H Corbett introduced Sweep the squeeky dog to the Sooty Show as Sooty's bestest friend. Sweep played the xylophone and sprinkled magic Oofle Dust everywhichway. Sooty & Sweep made a double-act to rival the very best of British Variety acts.(Oh no, they didn't! - Oh yes, they did!). Sweep was as mad with his incessant squeaking and erratic behaviour and his love of sizzling sausages...all the children loved him.In 1976, the reins of the show were handed over from Harry H Corbett to Matthew Corbett (Jnr.) who brought some welcome vitality to the act. Throughout the 80's and into the 90's the Sooty concept was being constantly developed, embracing new audiences and changing tastes.

More...

[George 1978]

Re: Sweep

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought that it was either about: A) the memories of housework and having to sweep things off the floor; B) the memories of the late Dale Winton's 9.25 am game show; or: C) the memories of Sooty's canine pal from his children's TV show. I was correct with the third option.

I am certain that I keep hearing Sweep's "voice" when I hear the instrumental part of various songs such as Ian Dury's "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" or the Commodores' "Easy Like Sunday Morning". Or indeed anything that needs oiling.

He even remained monochrome when The Sooty Show went into colour. Does anyone remember Sweep (and Sooty for that matter) bouncing on a trampoline during the Matthew Corbett era of the 1980s, proving that no puppeteer was operating them? Something that would never happen to Zippy and George on Rainbow...

[tex]

Re: Sweep

...Sooo was sooty giving Sue a portion?

[George 1978]

Re: Sweep

...Sooo was sooty giving Sue a portion?

Her name was spelt Soo not Sue. Even I made that mistake a bit when I was younger.

[Mulletino]

Re: Sweep

I seem to also remember a bulldog type character called "Butch" in the 70s Sooty Show, well he was definitely in the live show I saw as a kid.

Aha, seems he made a few appearances over the years as a supporting actor.

[George 1978]

Re: Sweep

I was only familiar with the character Butch via old Sooty annuals from the 1970s that my family had kept - when did he last appear in the series? I don't remember him appearing by the time Matthew Corbett presented the show without his father.

Was Calico Joe - a cat character, from the same series as well?

[Twocky61]

Re: Sweep

Apparently Sweep squeaked because he was neutered lol

[Clare]

Re: Sweep

I loved Sweep! He was my favourite character!

[zabadak]

Re: Sweep

I picked up a free Sooty and Sweep album many years ago. Strange, considering Sooty was silent...

[I. R. Fincham]

Re: Sweep

In 1957, Harry H Corbett introduced Sweep ...

NB - it was Harry Corbett, no middle initial. Harry H Corbett was an actor most famed for his role in Steptoe And Son. He added the H to his name in order to distinguish himself from the puppeteer. Apparently it didn't work. When people asked him what the H stood for, he replied "Hennything you like".

[tex]

Re: Sweep

I picked up a free Sooty and Sweep album many years ago. Strange, considering Sooty was silent...

Do you play it regularly?

[Clare]

Re: Sweep

Sweep's stunning rendition of Nessun Dorma...

[zabadak]

Re: Sweep

Do you play it regularly?

Never off the turntable!

[George 1978]

Re: Sweep

Never off the turntable!

Unless Russ Abbot or Des O'Connor is on there.

[beccabear67]

I heard one of the old 7" Sooty records and it's mostly Harry saying things like "Oh Sooty, look what you've done now", and "Calm down Sweep!" followed by lots of squeaking. I wish there were a lot more of the old Harry Corbett shows around to see now, he could manipulate Sooty extraordinarily well sometimes... I saw one where he puts on glasses, answers a phone, puts it down, takes off the glasses, picks up a pencil and writes something down, then picks up the phone again!