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RENTAGHOST AND WORZEL GUMMIDGE RETURN
08 September 2008
RDF Kids & Family (RDF) is delighted to announce a brand new deal covering the rights to nostalgia properties RentaGhost and Worzel Gummidge.
RDF has licensed the rights to both these properties from Pidgeon Entertainment, Inc an intellectual property development company set up by Patrick Pidgeon based in Los Angeles. RDF will be working with Pidgeon Entertainment to develop, produce and distribute the properties in the UK and internationally.
RentaGhost, featured a group of ghosts trying to set up their own business enterprise. Written by Bob Block, RentaGhost ran on the BBC for nine years from 1975 to 1984. Its episodes have been periodically rebroadcast for the past 15 plus years on CBBC by BBC Worldwide.
Worzel Gummidge began in 1936 as a series of very successful children's books which were adapted by ITV into a live-action TV series from 1979 to 1981 and included four series totaling over 30 episodes. The show featured a scarecrow with interchangeable heads for thinking, dancing, and working, played by former Dr Who Jon Pertwee. The series also featured actress Una Stubbs as Worzel's love interest - an Aunt Sally doll with bright pink cheeks and a tendency to move like a robot.
Nigel Pickard, Director of Family Entertainment RDF, said:
“We feel there is real potential for these classic brands to be reworked for a modern day audience and are very excited to be working with Patrick to take them forward.”
Patrick Pidgeon said:
"I'm truly excited about a co-production partnership with Nigel and his experienced team at RDF Kids to bring back the beloved classics, RentaGhost and Worzel Gummidge. In spite of being an American, it has always been my intent to get both iconic shows back to the U.K. for a revival, but at the same time confident that today's worldwide kids' audience will embrace their reintroductions as well. Great ideas are universal, and with new global media applications, the timing could not be better suited for these two nostalgic franchises to get a fresh and imaginative 21st century makeover, but remaining true to the spirit and legacy of each property, and I believe RDF is the perfect place for this to happen."
RDF Kids & Family, a division of RDF Rights hold all international rights to any programmes that are produced from the properties.
For further details please contact:
Alice Robertson
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7013 4368
alice.robertson@rdfmedia.com
RDF Media Group, The Gloucester Building, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London, W14 8RF
Notes to editors:
Pidgeon Entertainment, Inc.
Los Angeles-based Pidgeon Entertainment, Inc., launched by Patrick D. Pidgeon, is a content development and holding company of global Intellectual Properties (IP). The enterprise is set up as a collaboration and co-production outlet to align with strategic international media partners focusing on developing, building brand awareness and managing its portfolio in multiple genres and formats worldwide.
Patrick’s strength lies in his artful instincts and creativity at locating, identifying and reviving iconic international properties by way of his original and unique fresh takes on characters and storylines, while staying true to the spirit and heritage of each property. His current commitments are reviving the much-loved and timeless U.K. children’s TV classics, RentaGhost and Worzel Gummidge, as global franchises by expanding their reintroductions to the worldwide youth audiences of today.
In 2006 Patrick produced a musical stage adaptation of RentaGhost that toured the U.K. to flattering reviews, ending its successful run at two of the famed Butlins Resorts. In spite of the audience’s request for an additional tour season, he was eager to take RentaGhost to the next phase – back to live-action television with an imaginative 21st century twist
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