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First published in The Age on April 28, 1982
Inside Humphrey B. Bear
ADULTS intent on clinging to childhood heroes, be they Britain’s Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, America’s Mickey Mouse or Australia’s own Snugglepot and friends, must realise that a new idol has entered the toddlers’ pantheon.
Humphrey B. Bear in the 1980s.
Humphrey B. Bear is watched by more than one million little Australians each week, and in the interests of explaining the phenomenon, we felt it about time parents knew what sort of man, or men, stumble around inside Humphrey. The explanation is difficult, as some adults are convinced that Humphrey is indeed Humphrey.
Neil Smith, the executive producer of children’s programmes at NWS-9 in Adelaide refused us permission to speak to the inner Humphrey because of the need to preserve, ‘the reality of Humphrey”. The television station produces ‘Here’s Humphrey’ and occasionally we have spied the bear prancing around the continent at shopping centres and church fêtes. But, Rob Carless, the coordinator of Humphrey Bear Enterprises, is loath to admit that Humphrey clones exist. “There is only one Humphrey,” he says. “And he is a very busy bear, what with having to appear all over the country.”
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Humphrey is a fairly profitable bear, making his money through network deals and sales to country television stations and licensing deals negotiated by keepers at HBE. Humphrey charges $370 for a 30-minute spot at neighbourhood shopping centres, and Humphrey products include T-shirts, sweets, biscuits, adventure playground equipment and a range of dolls costing up to $120.
Graeme Dowd and Peter Faux, freelance dancers and choreographers, play inside Humphrey B. Bear skins in Melbourne, and both are dedicated to their job. “Humphrey is very important to a lot of children,” Mr Faux says. He shows toddlers how to do exercises, obey parents and eat their vegetables.
Humphrey is not exactly a hyperactive bear, limiting his repertoire to rubbing his tummy and shaking his head. According to the insiders, a great deal of skill is required to operate the large awkward costume. “I can see through the mouth,” Mr Dowd tells us. “But, of course, I have to keep it closed, otherwise the kids can see in.”