'Flower Pot Men' is another one of those shows watched in my childhood on videotapes of very old shows (long after the show first aired), some of them with puppetry, that left a big impression on me at the time for its unique characters and ahead of the time atmosphere. Also one of those shows that was forgotten about for a while after it started to fade into relative obscurity. Then saw pictures of the characters somehow by chance when researching old puppet shows and decided to relive those fond memories.
Just like what was done with 'Andy Pandy'. 'Flower Pot Men' is every bit as fun and charming as it was when younger and actually holds up very well. It did attract criticism at the same for apparently promoting immaturity, especially concerning Bill and Ben's dialogue. Have never understood that criticism and it is as of now in my view out of date, compared to what can be seen regularly today 'Flower Pot Men' is actually very sophisticated and daring and unlike anything seen before at the time.
Don't know where to begin with the praise. 'Flower Pot Men' holds up very well visually, have always found old puppet animation incredibly charming to watch and affectionate. Old-fashioned yes but beautifully crafted, the backgrounds throughout the show are meticulously detailed and there is nothing stiff or primitive about the puppet designs or movements that are also quite cleverly used.
The music is easy on the ear and is never overused or bombastic. The theme tune is another catchy and charmingly written one. All the characters are hard to forget, not just the titular characters Bill and Ben but also the deliciously unusual and amusing supporting characters such as Little Weed.
Writing is funny and smart, as well as surprisingly subversive which was not expected in 50s puppet animation. It is writing that was quite unique back then and unlike some at the time Bill and Ben's language was creative and didn't strike me as immature at all, neither did it come over as too complex. The stories are simple and charming, while also remarkably imaginatively surreal. Something that was also not expected.
All in all, wonderful and another criminally underrated show by today's standards. 10/10.
