Concept and creative process
‘It’s A Square World’ was a zany comedy series devised and written by Michael Bentine (who also starred) and John Law, which ran from 1960-64. It won the 1962 BAFTA Award for Light Entertainment and in 1963 the Press Prize at the Golden Rose of Montreux Festival.
It used all kinds of wacky techniques in its comedy sketches, including cartoon animation in a cut-out style, later revived by Terry Gilliam in ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ to great effect. The 19th century engraved hand image used as the programme logo or calling card referenced this technique. The model animation of the world which preceded it was filmed on a rostrum camera. A jump cut to artwork and the introduction of the lines of longitude and latitude enabled the world to be squared off.