Chic Littlewood and Alma Woods were the humans, Noucy the Dog and Mousey (aka Willie McNab) were the puppets. Together they presented cartoons etc.
Littlewood will lead off the afternoon’s programmes for the younger ones by presenting about an hour and a-half’s viewing for tiny tots from about 2.30 p.m. The programmes will include “Rainbow,” “Romper Room” and finally Chic’s choice — a surprise each
day for children at home and in the audience with songs, cartoons, feature programmes and contests with prizes. Chic’s session will be known as “Chicaboom.” It will be produced in Christchurch by Kim Gabara and the Auckland based Littlewood will fly south each week to record his part.
Producing Chic Littlewood’s session in Christchurch was a rationalisation of TV2 production as tot’s programmes such as “Romper Room” and “Woolly Hills” were already being produced there, said TV2’s acting controller of programmes Rod Cornelius. It also eased the strain on production space in Auckland.
PRESS, 27 MAY 1976, PAGE 14
Children like Willie
PRESS, 24 AUGUST 1976, PAGE 15
One of the most popular local characters on television these days is a mouse with Scottish ancestors and close relatives in Dunedin, Willie McNab. Kilt-wearing Willie is seen here with the host of “Chicaboom,” Chic Littlewood.; Willie, who appears with Chic in the afternoons, received more than 6000 letters in the first five weeks “Chicaboom” was on air. Wee Willie is at his liveliest when his good friend : Alma Woods (Mrs Tindall in “A Going Concern,”), is close behind him. The two are almost inseparable; they travel from Auckland every week so that Willie can appear with Chic. Alma says Willie is just as likeable at home as he is on screen although he is constantly getting into mischief. “I’m often amazed at the ages of children that seem to watch him,” she said. “Even teen-agers like, Willie.”
One of her most rewarding moments during her friendship with Willie was, the day she took him out to the Kelston School for the ‘ Deaf in Auckland. A 15 year-old boy who had rarely shown any sign of communication with the world outside him immediately recognised Willie. “He rushed off, found a map and pointed out Scotland on it,” she said. “He knew where Willie's kilt came from.” A cassette featuring Willie is available for blind children, and Alma has written a. book (Tales of Willie McNab by Alma Woods, illustrations by Judith McCulloch) on his adventures' which she hopes to have' published before Christmas.
Tales of Willie McNab (1977)
Willie McNab is a furry brown, fat little mouse who lives in a cosy mouse house with his ma and pa, his three younger brothers and one wee sister. The McNab family has Scottish ancestors, and Willie, as the eldest, is very proud of the kilt that has been handed down to him. He is a naughty, inquisitive, greedy, yet always lovable young mouse. His brothers say he is bossy because he tells them what to do. But Willie's ideas and his love of food usually lead to trouble - especially when CAT is around. No wonder his life is full of adventures as told in the Tales of Willie McNab.
Adventures of Willie McNab
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