We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

Short Film (Excerpts) – 2006

Anchored by the familiar voice of Fred Dagg creator John Clarke, this somewhat nonsensical ditty is part of bestselling children's special The Underwatermelon Man and Other Unreasonable Rhymes. Directed and written by Fane Flaws, the so-called 'video album' was the first of its kind made in New Zealand. This extract unravels the zany tale of the Hide and Seeky Bird  a sort of purple emu/ rooster hybrid hiding its head in the sand, and admiring itself in its mirrored behind. The full Underwatermelon Man epic (comprising 25 songs) can also be watched on NZ On Screen. 

The strangest thing I have personally ever heard, concerns the aforementioned Hide and Seeky Bird.
– John Clarke

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Peter Dasent

Peter Dasent

Composer

Generic Profile image for Francis Salole

Francis Salole

Visual Development, Animator

Profile image for John Clarke

John Clarke

Narrator

Generic Profile image for Dylan Coburn

Dylan Coburn

Animation Director, Animator, Visual Development

Profile image for Fane Flaws

Fane Flaws

Writer, Design, Composer, Background Art, Visual Development, Devisor, Director

Generic Profile image for Jane Byrne

Jane Byrne

Producer

See all 20 credits

Acknowledgements

Made in association with NZ On Air and the Short Film Fund of the NZ Film Commission

Music

Music by Bend (Fane Flaws and Peter Dasent)


 

Categories

More from the John Clarke - The Collection Collection...

Thumbnail image for Country Calendar - Fred Dagg

Country Calendar - Fred Dagg

Fans of Fred Dagg have described this...

Thumbnail image for The Dagg Sea Scrolls

The Dagg Sea Scrolls

In this greatest hits style compilation, John Clarke...

Thumbnail image for John Clarke - Funny As compilation

John Clarke - Funny As compilation

This greatest hits compilation mixes comedy nuggets...

Thumbnail image for A Bit of a Dagg (Fred Dagg Live)

A Bit of a Dagg (Fred Dagg Live)

By 1976 Fred Dagg had become a star. That...

Thumbnail image for Arts All Blacks announcement by John Clarke

Arts All Blacks announcement by John Clarke

John Clarke combined his twin passions for sport and...

Thumbnail image for Tom Scott cartoon - Arts All Blacks

Tom Scott cartoon - Arts All Blacks

Kiwi comedy legend John Clarke created a team of Arts...

Thumbnail image for John Clarke: Thanks for Your Time

John Clarke: Thanks for Your Time

Longtime collaborator and mate Bryan Dawe features in...

Thumbnail image for Dagg Day Afternoon

Dagg Day Afternoon

In 1977 famed farmer Fred Dagg joined director...

Thumbnail image for We Don't Know How Lucky We Are

We Don't Know How Lucky We Are

John Clarke created an unofficial Kiwi national anthem...

Thumbnail image for Vox Pops - watching John Clarke

Vox Pops - watching John Clarke

Comedian John Clarke was a major star in New...

Thumbnail image for Never Say Die

Never Say Die

After their house explodes and they bump into a...

Thumbnail image for John Clarke interviewed by Ian Fraser (NZFGC Conference)

John Clarke interviewed by Ian Fraser (NZFGC Conference)

Iconic broadcaster Ian Fraser reunites with longtime...

Thumbnail image for The Wonderful World of...

The Wonderful World of...

In 1976 Fred Dagg and his creator John Clarke became...

Thumbnail image for Buck House - Series Two, Episode One

Buck House - Series Two, Episode One

In this episode from the second series of New...

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

In the 1970s two hugely influential television...

Thumbnail image for Sunday - John Clarke

Sunday - John Clarke

Sunday presenter Cameron Bennett travelled to...

Thumbnail image for Tom Scott cartoon - John Clarke, 1948 - 2017

Tom Scott cartoon - John Clarke, 1948 - 2017

Tom Scott and John Clarke were good mates over many...

Thumbnail image for John Clarke - Honorary Doctorate of Literature Speech

John Clarke - Honorary Doctorate of Literature Speech

In this ode to Victoria University, (Doctor) John...

Thumbnail image for Gallery - Fred Dagg and company

Gallery - Fred Dagg and company

These comic sketches for current affairs...

Thumbnail image for Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

John Clarke introduced Kiwi audiences to farmer Fred...

Thumbnail image for Tonight at Nine - Fred Dagg Skits

Tonight at Nine - Fred Dagg Skits

John Clarke's iconic farmer Fred Dagg first appeared...

Thumbnail image for Fred Dagg Skits

Fred Dagg Skits

Thumbnail image for The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

Anchored by the familiar voice of Fred Dagg creator...

Thumbnail image for Then Again - John Clarke interview

Then Again - John Clarke interview

In this episode of where are they now series Then...

Thumbnail image for Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Clarke

Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Clarke

In 2004 Kim Hill interviews comedy legend John Clarke...

Thumbnail image for Grunt Machine - Andy Anderson spoof interview with John Clarke

Grunt Machine - Andy Anderson spoof interview with John Clarke

The airport interview with the visiting overseas...

Thumbnail image for Telethon - Fred Dagg

Telethon - Fred Dagg

In 1978 John Clarke was in Wellington to help out...

Thumbnail image for Fred Dagg at the Opening of Avalon TV Centre

Fred Dagg at the Opening of Avalon TV Centre

In April 1975, TV One officially launched from Avalon...

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness - Dr Fred Dagg on Australian Politics

Eyewitness - Dr Fred Dagg on Australian Politics

On the eve of the 1980 Australian federal election,...

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness News - John Clarke interview

Eyewitness News - John Clarke interview

In the late 1970s the comic mastermind behind the...

Thumbnail image for Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

Animated movie Footrot Flats - The Dog's

Thumbnail image for The Grass is Greener - John Clarke

The Grass is Greener - John Clarke

In this episode of The Grass is...

Thumbnail image for Holmes - John Clarke

Holmes - John Clarke

These two excerpts from Holmes highlight...

Thumbnail image for Fraser - John Clarke interview

Fraser - John Clarke interview

This episode of current affairs...

Thumbnail image for One News - John Clarke at the Logie Awards

One News - John Clarke at the Logie Awards

In May 2008 actor, writer and satirist John Clarke...

Thumbnail image for Radiradirah - First Episode

Radiradirah - First Episode

Eclectic comedy show Radiradirah...

Thumbnail image for Percy the Policeman - Full Series

Percy the Policeman - Full Series

Aimed at children, this madcap comedy features Bruno...

Thumbnail image for The Making of Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

The Making of Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

This documentary explores the path of Footrot...

Thumbnail image for bro'Town - A Vegetarian at My Table

bro'Town - A Vegetarian at My Table

A dodgy meat pie inspires a journey of discovery for...

Thumbnail image for Beyond a Joke!

Beyond a Joke!

This 1995 documentary chronicles the origins of New...

Thumbnail image for Wild Man

Wild Man

Wild Man is the missing link between 1970s...

Thumbnail image for Blerta Revisited

Blerta Revisited

If a single word could sum up the free-wheeling...

Thumbnail image for bro'Town - I Still Call Australia Home...Oh

bro'Town - I Still Call Australia Home...Oh

It's PolyFest time in Morningside and the boys are...