Cuckoo Land - The House (First Episode)

Musician Petunia (Jennifer Ludlam) and daughters Polly and Patch are tiring of their lives as land yachting "gypsies of the motorway" in the first episode of this hyperactive children's fantasy drama written by Margaret Mahy. Their salvation could be a magic house owned by Crocodile Crosby — a used car dealer with ambitions to be a pirate — but a devious land agent (Michael Wilson) and a dastardly wealthy couple stand in the way. All powerful narrator Paul Holmes orchestrates the action which features extensive use of music and period video special effects.

I said to Margaret Mahy — go for it, no bounds on your imagination. She’s a dangerous writer to say that to and she gave us a bit of fright.

– Director Yvonne Mackay (On Film, June 1985, Page 31)

Key Cast & Crew

Yvonne Mackay

Director

Dave Gibson

Producer

Margaret Mahy

Writer

Alex Aitchison

As: Whimper Fogbound

Danny Boone

As: Crabby Groucher

Kendyl Robson

As: Patch