Kay Harker is returning from boarding school when he finds himself mixed up in a battle to possess a magical box. It allows the owner to shrink in size, to fly swiftly, to go into the past and to experience the magical wonders contained within the box.
The current owner of the box is an old Punch and Judy man called Cole Hawlings whom Kay meets at the railway station. They develop an instant rapport, which leads Cole to confide that he is being chased by a magician called Abner Brown and his gang, which includes Kay's former governess. For safety, Cole (who turns out to be the medieval philosopher and alleged magician Ramon Llull) entrusts the box to Kay. The schoolboy then goes on to have many adventures as he protects the box from those who wish to use it for bad deeds.
Adaptations
BBC radio
There have been several radio adaptations of The Box of Delights.
The channel was brought to the United Kingdom by Vincent Monsey (of Radio Caroline fame) and his partner Liz Laskowski, who discovered the channel in Miami in 1991 as The Jukebox Network. The UK company, Video Jukebox Network International Limited, was formed in 1991 and the channel was launched in April 1992 as The Box in the early days of cable television, carried by four operators United Artists, Telewest in London and Bristol, Nynex in the south of England, and Videotron which is also based in London.
Containerization is a system of intermodal freight transport using intermodal containers (also called shipping containers and ISO containers) made of weathering steel. The containers have standardized dimensions. They can be loaded and unloaded, stacked, transported efficiently over long distances, and transferred from one mode of transport to another—container ships, rail transportflatcars, and semi-trailer trucks—without being opened. The handling system is completely mechanized so that all handling is done with cranes and special forklift trucks. All containers are numbered and tracked using computerized systems.
The system, developed after World War II, dramatically reduced transport costs, supported the post-war boom in international trade, and was a major element in globalization. Containerization did away with the manual sorting of most shipments and the need for warehousing. It displaced many thousands of dock workers who formerly handled break bulk cargo. Containerization also reduced congestion in ports, significantly shortened shipping time and reduced losses from damage and theft.
A RetroSpective look-back at The Box Of Delights Christmas TV show (1984). Schoolboy Kay Harker (Devin Stanfield) returns home for the Christmas holidays and is given a magical box by a mysterious old magician named Cole Hawlings (Patrick Troughton).
Like what I do? Here's my 'tip jar' 👍☕
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retrosteveuk
Social Links:
https://mastodon.online/@retrosteveuk
https://www.facebook.com/RetroSteveFB
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Audio CD / Download (2021):
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-box-of-delights-2238
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
0:26 History & Overview
1:00 The Special Effects
1:17 The Music
1:35 Other Versions
1:54 Plot Summary
3:39 My Memories / Review
4:57 Your Memories
6:03 Wrapping Up
6:40 TV Promo Trailer (1984)
7:50 End Card L...
published: 01 Dec 2022
Box of Delights opening
The opening to the BBC's adaptation of Box of Delights, made in the 1980s
published: 04 Feb 2007
The Box Of Delights Episode Three - In Darkest Cellars Underneath
We are introduced to Abner's partner in crime, Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. But is she as dedicated to Abner as she first appears?
Meanwhile Miss Maria is 'scrobbled' and is nowhere to be found. Have Abner's men taken her?
While out in the woods Kay, Peter and the others hear the familiar sound of the car that becomes a plane, the vehicle used by Abner's men. They use the boxes magic powers to 'go small' and board a child's sailing boat in the river, little realising that the river heads into fast flowing rapids. Will they escape....?
published: 06 Sep 2015
The Box of Delights Trailer
The Box of Delights started on the 21st November on BBC1 in 1984. Based on the novel by John Masefield this 6 episode series is a true children’s classic. At the time it was the most expensive British production, with cutting edge special effects but a number of scenes from the book still had to be cut to keep costs down. Here’s the original BBC trailer for the first episode. Enjoy.
published: 21 Nov 2020
24 December 1984 BBC1 - The Box of Delights
A trailer for "One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing" followed by the BBC1 intro for the final episode of "The Box of Delights"
published: 28 Dec 2014
The Box of Delights (1984) | New Trailer
A trailer/tribute to the wonderful 1984 series, The Box of Delights starring Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens and Devin Stanfield. A perfect series to watch at this time of year.
published: 15 Dec 2023
THE BOX OF DELIGHTS by John Masefield (1966 BBC broadcast)
The 1966 BBC radio adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. This is the earliest surviving broadcast of Masefield's fantasy story, unless anyone out there knows differently? (If you've anything earlier than 1966 please let us know at The John Masefield Society - www.johnmasefieldsociety.org)
published: 12 Dec 2020
The Box of Delights (EMU) - Episode 1 REMASTERED "When the Wolves Were Running"
The Box of Delights Returns! Now with High Quality remastered audio!
Mystery is afoot... The villainous Abner Brown is out to gain control of the mystical Box of Delights and steal it's magic powers for his own evil doing, no matter the cost.
Join the young master Kay Harker in his magical Christmas adventure with his friends Peter, Mouse and the mysterious Cole Hawlings in an adaptation of John Masefield's classic book The Box of Delights!
Download for free now!
https://store-emu.weebly.com/store/p1/The-Box-of-Delights-Digital_Download.html
published: 03 Mar 2019
The Box of Delights, by John Masefield (1968 Version)
Support me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mysteriousmagpie
This 1960s version of the classic fantasy story was broadcast on a Saturday night... it was remade (which is to say, the same adaptation was given a new recording) in the 1970s with a mostly-new cast... I'll upload that version too, but for the moment here is the earliest of the versions that I have...
MYSTICAL MAGPIE is a channel devoted to stories of fantasy, mythology and adventure.
Check out my other channel @mysteriousmagpie for hundreds of radio plays about ghosts, monsters and murderers...
If you're interested to know more about the century-long history of ghost and horror stories broadcast at Christmas on British television and radio, you might like to check out my book, HOLLY WRAITHS (and its companion volume HOLLY TERR...
published: 05 Oct 2023
Box Of Delights - John Masefield - Abridged Dramatised Audiobook
When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.
Read the full story here and find the sequel Midnight Folk: https://amzn.to/3cjU1mH
A RetroSpective look-back at The Box Of Delights Christmas TV show (1984). Schoolboy Kay Harker (Devin Stanfield) returns home for the Christmas holidays and is...
A RetroSpective look-back at The Box Of Delights Christmas TV show (1984). Schoolboy Kay Harker (Devin Stanfield) returns home for the Christmas holidays and is given a magical box by a mysterious old magician named Cole Hawlings (Patrick Troughton).
Like what I do? Here's my 'tip jar' 👍☕
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retrosteveuk
Social Links:
https://mastodon.online/@retrosteveuk
https://www.facebook.com/RetroSteveFB
https://www.youtube.com/@RetroSteveUK/community
Audio CD / Download (2021):
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-box-of-delights-2238
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
0:26 History & Overview
1:00 The Special Effects
1:17 The Music
1:35 Other Versions
1:54 Plot Summary
3:39 My Memories / Review
4:57 Your Memories
6:03 Wrapping Up
6:40 TV Promo Trailer (1984)
7:50 End Card Links
A RetroSpective look-back at The Box Of Delights Christmas TV show (1984). Schoolboy Kay Harker (Devin Stanfield) returns home for the Christmas holidays and is given a magical box by a mysterious old magician named Cole Hawlings (Patrick Troughton).
Like what I do? Here's my 'tip jar' 👍☕
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retrosteveuk
Social Links:
https://mastodon.online/@retrosteveuk
https://www.facebook.com/RetroSteveFB
https://www.youtube.com/@RetroSteveUK/community
Audio CD / Download (2021):
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-box-of-delights-2238
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
0:26 History & Overview
1:00 The Special Effects
1:17 The Music
1:35 Other Versions
1:54 Plot Summary
3:39 My Memories / Review
4:57 Your Memories
6:03 Wrapping Up
6:40 TV Promo Trailer (1984)
7:50 End Card Links
We are introduced to Abner's partner in crime, Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. But is she as dedicated to Abner as she first appears?
Meanwhile Miss Maria is 'scrobbled'...
We are introduced to Abner's partner in crime, Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. But is she as dedicated to Abner as she first appears?
Meanwhile Miss Maria is 'scrobbled' and is nowhere to be found. Have Abner's men taken her?
While out in the woods Kay, Peter and the others hear the familiar sound of the car that becomes a plane, the vehicle used by Abner's men. They use the boxes magic powers to 'go small' and board a child's sailing boat in the river, little realising that the river heads into fast flowing rapids. Will they escape....?
We are introduced to Abner's partner in crime, Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. But is she as dedicated to Abner as she first appears?
Meanwhile Miss Maria is 'scrobbled' and is nowhere to be found. Have Abner's men taken her?
While out in the woods Kay, Peter and the others hear the familiar sound of the car that becomes a plane, the vehicle used by Abner's men. They use the boxes magic powers to 'go small' and board a child's sailing boat in the river, little realising that the river heads into fast flowing rapids. Will they escape....?
The Box of Delights started on the 21st November on BBC1 in 1984. Based on the novel by John Masefield this 6 episode series is a true children’s classic. At th...
The Box of Delights started on the 21st November on BBC1 in 1984. Based on the novel by John Masefield this 6 episode series is a true children’s classic. At the time it was the most expensive British production, with cutting edge special effects but a number of scenes from the book still had to be cut to keep costs down. Here’s the original BBC trailer for the first episode. Enjoy.
The Box of Delights started on the 21st November on BBC1 in 1984. Based on the novel by John Masefield this 6 episode series is a true children’s classic. At the time it was the most expensive British production, with cutting edge special effects but a number of scenes from the book still had to be cut to keep costs down. Here’s the original BBC trailer for the first episode. Enjoy.
A trailer/tribute to the wonderful 1984 series, The Box of Delights starring Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens and Devin Stanfield. A perfect series to watch a...
A trailer/tribute to the wonderful 1984 series, The Box of Delights starring Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens and Devin Stanfield. A perfect series to watch at this time of year.
A trailer/tribute to the wonderful 1984 series, The Box of Delights starring Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens and Devin Stanfield. A perfect series to watch at this time of year.
The 1966 BBC radio adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. This is the earliest surviving broadcast of Masefield's fantasy story,...
The 1966 BBC radio adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. This is the earliest surviving broadcast of Masefield's fantasy story, unless anyone out there knows differently? (If you've anything earlier than 1966 please let us know at The John Masefield Society - www.johnmasefieldsociety.org)
The 1966 BBC radio adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. This is the earliest surviving broadcast of Masefield's fantasy story, unless anyone out there knows differently? (If you've anything earlier than 1966 please let us know at The John Masefield Society - www.johnmasefieldsociety.org)
The Box of Delights Returns! Now with High Quality remastered audio!
Mystery is afoot... The villainous Abner Brown is out to gain control of the mystical Box o...
The Box of Delights Returns! Now with High Quality remastered audio!
Mystery is afoot... The villainous Abner Brown is out to gain control of the mystical Box of Delights and steal it's magic powers for his own evil doing, no matter the cost.
Join the young master Kay Harker in his magical Christmas adventure with his friends Peter, Mouse and the mysterious Cole Hawlings in an adaptation of John Masefield's classic book The Box of Delights!
Download for free now!
https://store-emu.weebly.com/store/p1/The-Box-of-Delights-Digital_Download.html
The Box of Delights Returns! Now with High Quality remastered audio!
Mystery is afoot... The villainous Abner Brown is out to gain control of the mystical Box of Delights and steal it's magic powers for his own evil doing, no matter the cost.
Join the young master Kay Harker in his magical Christmas adventure with his friends Peter, Mouse and the mysterious Cole Hawlings in an adaptation of John Masefield's classic book The Box of Delights!
Download for free now!
https://store-emu.weebly.com/store/p1/The-Box-of-Delights-Digital_Download.html
Support me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mysteriousmagpie
This 1960s version of the classic fantasy story was broadcast on a Saturday night... it was remade (whi...
Support me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mysteriousmagpie
This 1960s version of the classic fantasy story was broadcast on a Saturday night... it was remade (which is to say, the same adaptation was given a new recording) in the 1970s with a mostly-new cast... I'll upload that version too, but for the moment here is the earliest of the versions that I have...
MYSTICAL MAGPIE is a channel devoted to stories of fantasy, mythology and adventure.
Check out my other channel @mysteriousmagpie for hundreds of radio plays about ghosts, monsters and murderers...
If you're interested to know more about the century-long history of ghost and horror stories broadcast at Christmas on British television and radio, you might like to check out my book, HOLLY WRAITHS (and its companion volume HOLLY TERRORS), an A-Z guide available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Lulu.com:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holly-Wraiths-Stories-Christmas-Television/dp/B0BRPNV5QT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19SPJYB8KTAJ0&keywords=holly+wraiths&qid=1693491353&sprefix=holly+wraiths%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2
Support me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mysteriousmagpie
This 1960s version of the classic fantasy story was broadcast on a Saturday night... it was remade (which is to say, the same adaptation was given a new recording) in the 1970s with a mostly-new cast... I'll upload that version too, but for the moment here is the earliest of the versions that I have...
MYSTICAL MAGPIE is a channel devoted to stories of fantasy, mythology and adventure.
Check out my other channel @mysteriousmagpie for hundreds of radio plays about ghosts, monsters and murderers...
If you're interested to know more about the century-long history of ghost and horror stories broadcast at Christmas on British television and radio, you might like to check out my book, HOLLY WRAITHS (and its companion volume HOLLY TERRORS), an A-Z guide available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Lulu.com:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holly-Wraiths-Stories-Christmas-Television/dp/B0BRPNV5QT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19SPJYB8KTAJ0&keywords=holly+wraiths&qid=1693491353&sprefix=holly+wraiths%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2
When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old m...
When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.
Read the full story here and find the sequel Midnight Folk: https://amzn.to/3cjU1mH
When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.
Read the full story here and find the sequel Midnight Folk: https://amzn.to/3cjU1mH
A RetroSpective look-back at The Box Of Delights Christmas TV show (1984). Schoolboy Kay Harker (Devin Stanfield) returns home for the Christmas holidays and is given a magical box by a mysterious old magician named Cole Hawlings (Patrick Troughton).
Like what I do? Here's my 'tip jar' 👍☕
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retrosteveuk
Social Links:
https://mastodon.online/@retrosteveuk
https://www.facebook.com/RetroSteveFB
https://www.youtube.com/@RetroSteveUK/community
Audio CD / Download (2021):
https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-box-of-delights-2238
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
0:26 History & Overview
1:00 The Special Effects
1:17 The Music
1:35 Other Versions
1:54 Plot Summary
3:39 My Memories / Review
4:57 Your Memories
6:03 Wrapping Up
6:40 TV Promo Trailer (1984)
7:50 End Card Links
We are introduced to Abner's partner in crime, Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. But is she as dedicated to Abner as she first appears?
Meanwhile Miss Maria is 'scrobbled' and is nowhere to be found. Have Abner's men taken her?
While out in the woods Kay, Peter and the others hear the familiar sound of the car that becomes a plane, the vehicle used by Abner's men. They use the boxes magic powers to 'go small' and board a child's sailing boat in the river, little realising that the river heads into fast flowing rapids. Will they escape....?
The Box of Delights started on the 21st November on BBC1 in 1984. Based on the novel by John Masefield this 6 episode series is a true children’s classic. At the time it was the most expensive British production, with cutting edge special effects but a number of scenes from the book still had to be cut to keep costs down. Here’s the original BBC trailer for the first episode. Enjoy.
A trailer/tribute to the wonderful 1984 series, The Box of Delights starring Patrick Troughton, Robert Stephens and Devin Stanfield. A perfect series to watch at this time of year.
The 1966 BBC radio adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. This is the earliest surviving broadcast of Masefield's fantasy story, unless anyone out there knows differently? (If you've anything earlier than 1966 please let us know at The John Masefield Society - www.johnmasefieldsociety.org)
The Box of Delights Returns! Now with High Quality remastered audio!
Mystery is afoot... The villainous Abner Brown is out to gain control of the mystical Box of Delights and steal it's magic powers for his own evil doing, no matter the cost.
Join the young master Kay Harker in his magical Christmas adventure with his friends Peter, Mouse and the mysterious Cole Hawlings in an adaptation of John Masefield's classic book The Box of Delights!
Download for free now!
https://store-emu.weebly.com/store/p1/The-Box-of-Delights-Digital_Download.html
Support me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mysteriousmagpie
This 1960s version of the classic fantasy story was broadcast on a Saturday night... it was remade (which is to say, the same adaptation was given a new recording) in the 1970s with a mostly-new cast... I'll upload that version too, but for the moment here is the earliest of the versions that I have...
MYSTICAL MAGPIE is a channel devoted to stories of fantasy, mythology and adventure.
Check out my other channel @mysteriousmagpie for hundreds of radio plays about ghosts, monsters and murderers...
If you're interested to know more about the century-long history of ghost and horror stories broadcast at Christmas on British television and radio, you might like to check out my book, HOLLY WRAITHS (and its companion volume HOLLY TERRORS), an A-Z guide available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Lulu.com:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holly-Wraiths-Stories-Christmas-Television/dp/B0BRPNV5QT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19SPJYB8KTAJ0&keywords=holly+wraiths&qid=1693491353&sprefix=holly+wraiths%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2
When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.
Read the full story here and find the sequel Midnight Folk: https://amzn.to/3cjU1mH
Kay Harker is returning from boarding school when he finds himself mixed up in a battle to possess a magical box. It allows the owner to shrink in size, to fly swiftly, to go into the past and to experience the magical wonders contained within the box.
The current owner of the box is an old Punch and Judy man called Cole Hawlings whom Kay meets at the railway station. They develop an instant rapport, which leads Cole to confide that he is being chased by a magician called Abner Brown and his gang, which includes Kay's former governess. For safety, Cole (who turns out to be the medieval philosopher and alleged magician Ramon Llull) entrusts the box to Kay. The schoolboy then goes on to have many adventures as he protects the box from those who wish to use it for bad deeds.
Adaptations
BBC radio
There have been several radio adaptations of The Box of Delights.
On the top shelf in the closet in the workshop where he spent his extra time Was a dusty wooden box but I had never noticed till that time Then we set it on the table and carefully we opened up the top And stared into the memories daddy kept inside the box There was a letter from mama when She went out to Reno to help her sister out in sixty two And a flower from Hawaii when they went on vacation It was the first time that my daddy ever flew And the pocket knife I gave to him on fathers day Years ago I thought it had been lost We all thought his heart was made of solid rock But that was long before we found the box I guess we always knew it, but 'I love you' was hard for him to say Some men show it easily and some just never seem to find the way But that night I began to see a softer side of someone I had lost I saw the love he kept inside the first time when we opened up the box There was a picture that was taken When he and mom were dating standin' by his 1944 And the faded leather Bible, he got when he was baptized I guess no one understood him like the Lord And the poem that he had written about his wife and children The tender words he wrote were quite a shock We all thought his heart was made of solid rock But that was long before we found the box We all thought his heart was made of solid rock
For The Box of Delights turns 40 this ... Why were we all – do we continue to be – so captivated? The Box of Delights is adapted from John Masefield’s 1935 book, a masterpiece of children’s literature.
Set in 1979, Marcelo Dos Santos’s new play glances at a country on the cusp of Thatcherite change; it finds in its characters two apparent opposites yoked by mutual dependence – and by ricocheting puns.
... novel about an orphan who travels through time Going small and swift are the magical transformations available to orphan Kay Harker from the mysterious box in John Masefield’s 1935 novel.
Yet I’d be willing to offer a free Christmas dinner to anyone who can explain exactly what is going on in this cluttered adaptation of John Masefield’s fantasy novel from the Thirties.
It had featured on at least one of the earlier radio productions of John Masefield’s Christmas-set novel, and the producer remembered its magical effect.
‘As soon as I heard it, I agreed it was perfect’ … The Box of Delights theme ... I did go to a few auditions after The Box of Delights, but I stopped after losing out to Christian Bale for Empire of the Sun.