Chocky

Chocky is a science fiction novel by John Wyndham, author of The Day of the Triffids. In 1984 a children's science fiction television drama based on the novel was shown on ITV in the UK.

Plot summary

Many children have imaginary friends but one father becomes rather concerned that his son, Matthew, is a bit old to have one. His concerns deepen as his son becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary, but is an alien consciousness residing inside Matthew's mind—a fact that is of intense interest to shadowy government forces.

Television series

Chocky, Chocky's Children and Chocky's Challenge are a series of three shows based on the original 1968 John Wyndham book Chocky.

All of them were written by Anthony Read and produced by Thames Television.

Starring

Matthew Gore - Andrew Ellams
David Gore - James Hazeldine
Mary Gore - Carol Drinkwater
Polly Gore - Zoë Hart
Albertine Meyer - Anabel Worrell
Arnold Meyer - Prentis Hancock
Chocky's Voice - Glynis Brooks

Transmission Dates

Chocky - 9 January to 13 February 1984
Chocky's Children - 7 January to 11 February 1985
Chocky's Challenge - 29 September to 16 October 1985

TV Plot

Chocky

Matthew Gore is an intelligent boy chosen by a mysterious extraterrestrial visitor to be a source of information about life on Earth. As his schoolwork and artistic talent improve dramatically he arouses the suspicion of powerful groups who wish to tap into the amazing fund of knowledge to which he is now party.

Chocky's Children

Sequel to Chocky. A year has passed since Matthew said goodbye to his alien friend, and in the summer holidays he meets Albertine, a mathematical prodigy, with whom he discovers he can communicate telepathically. One day Chocky returns to warn him that they are both in danger. When he returns to tell Albertine, he finds she has disappeared.

Chocky's Challenge

Chocky, an invisible being from another world, has come into Matthew's life. His powerful knowledge has aroused a great deal of interest from the military, and they are willing to take drastic action if they don't get what they want.

Trivia

- 'Chocky' was the name and inspiration of one of Mogwai's songs on their popular album Come on Die Young.
- The post mill used in Chocky's Children is Nutley Windmill near Nutley, East Sussex