Prepare to hear the mice on the mouse organ once more! One of Britain's most treasured childhood television characters, the saggy old cloth cat Bagpuss, is being lovingly brought out of retirement for a spectacular new live-action film.
The iconic pink and white striped feline, who first charmed audiences on the BBC in 1974, is set to star in a major motion picture that will blend practical effects and modern filmmaking magic. The project promises to capture the handcrafted, gentle charm of the original stop-motion series while introducing Bagpuss and his friends from Emily's shop to a whole new audience.
A Faithful Return to Emily's Shop
The new film will revisit the enchanting world of the original series. When young Emily (played by a new actress) leaves a broken toy in her mysterious shop, the magical Bagpuss will wake from his slumber. As he does, the shop itself will burst into colour and life, heralding the return of his friends: the musical mice on their mouse organ, the pompous woodpecker bookend Professor Yaffle, and the ragdoll Madeleine.
The production is a passion project for the family of the original creators. Emily Firmin, daughter of co-creator and illustrator Peter Firmin, who originally owned the doll that inspired the character, is serving as a creative consultant to ensure the film remains true to its roots.
Honouring a Legacy of Storytelling
The film aims to honour the legacy of Smallfilms, the legendary Kent-based company founded by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate that produced timeless classics like The Clangers and Ivor the Engine. The new adaptation will seek to replicate the slow-paced, soothing storytelling that made the original series so enduringly popular, offering a comforting alternative to fast-paced modern children's entertainment.
With the project currently in active development, fans across the UK are eagerly awaiting more news. The return of Bagpuss is not just a film release; it's a cultural event, promising to rekindle warm memories for parents and create new ones for their children.
