W.O.C.K On Vinyl: The Here's Humphrey Theme / The Safety Song - Look Both Ways (1966)

Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.

Humphrey B. Bear is a fictional character first created in an Australian children's television series called Here's Humphrey, which first went to air in 1965. Its fictional character namesake is an icon of Australian children's television. Humphrey B. Bear first aired on Adelaide's NWS-9 on Monday, 24 May 1965. The show became one of the most successful programs for pre-schoolers in Australia. Edwin "Ted" Duryea (c.1930-2009), an actor, singer and dancer, first played the part of Humphrey.

The character of Humphrey is a tall, shaggy honey-loving brown bear with a large, round, shining, glossy black nose, straw boater hat, tartan waist-coat and oversized yellow bow-tie. His television show always features a companion who assists and narrates Humphrey's various adventures in the "magic forest" including his brightly coloured treehouse. In the early days, the character was known as Bear Bear, and was evenetually named Humphrey B. Bear as the result of an on-air competition.

The show has won Logies for Best Children's Series and the Humphrey character has received national awards and commendations, including the "Citizen of the Year" Award at the 1994 Australia Day celebrations. Humphrey B. Bear has viewers all over the world thanks to the United States version of his show shown on PBS in America and the Spanish version shown on Galavision. It has been translated or produced in 55 different languages.

The writers of Humphrey B. Bear, including Anthony O'Donohue (also long-time host of the show), attempt to set up each show as a new adventure for Humphrey. Each episode parallels the needs, encounters and interests of the average young child. The character of Humphrey explores life as they do, trying to reinforce their self-esteem and showing them it's all right to embrace challenges.

In July 2013 Humphrey returned to national TV screens on television stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Humphrey celebrated his 60th anniversary only days ago, on May 24th, 2025.

I grew up watching Here's Humphrey on black & white T.V during the late sixties, and when my own children came into the picture, they too watched the show - but in colour of course. When I heard that Humphrey was celebrating his 60th Anniversary this month, I couldn't help thinking that I should pay tribute to this Wonderful, Oversized, Cuddly and Kind Bear.  As it happens, the Channel 9 people behind Humphrey B. Bear released a 'road safety' song called "Look Both Ways" along with the "Here's Humphrey Theme" back in 1966.  

Oh What a Funny Ol' Fella is Humphrey 

I was lucky enough to source this single not long ago from a fellow blogger (thanks to SunnyToo at Ausrock), and would like to share the single with you for this month's WOCK on Vinyl post.

As you can see above, it ticks all the WOCK boxes, and absolutely ticks the Obscure category as well.

Thank you Humphrey for bringing so much joy and happiness into my life as a child and also my children. I look forward to seeing you again on the airways, while babysitting the grand kids !

Ripped from Vinyl in FLAC with full artwork and label scans.

Track Listing

01  Ann North with The Del Rios - The Here's Humphrey Theme

02  Ann North, Humphrey B. Bear and Wilbur Worm - The Safety Song Look Both Ways

Here's Humphrey Link (21Mb)