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Pinocchio 70th anniversary - toymaker Cyril's a real-life Gepetto
How does a former carpenter from Kenilworth end up on a Disney DVD? Neil Davey finds out more
It's a long and interesting road from social work to Hollywood, as Cyril Hobbins has discovered. Much, it would seem, to his obvious glee.
At the age of 71, Cyril has recently found himself whisked off to LA by Disney. The reason? Disney are releasing a remastered version of their classic film Pinocchio and wanted to discuss toymaking with some experts. And Cyril's involvement was a bit of a no-brainer.
"I suppose it's the hair," admits Cyril. "I work with museums giving demonstrations and often wear period costume and work with sharp tools. I sometimes wore a heavy leather apron and people would ask me 'are you Gepetto?'!"
Before becoming a toymaker though, Cyril enjoyed a very different career.
"I was a natural artist," he explains, "I've always painted and drawn since I was a child, but when I left school at 15, I became a carpenter/joiner. Then I did my National Service and when I came back, I went back to it. But sometimes getting up to put on a roof when there's frost on the ground isn't that pleasant!
"I was looking around for something else and spotted a vacancy for someone with an interest in woodwork and handicrafts to work with people with learning difficulties."
Which is what Cyril did for the next 20 years and, in the process, picked up teaching and social work qualifications and eventually became deputy manager. However 20 years ago, for various reasons Cyril realised that he was no longer "the happiest man who ever went off to work". He wasn't the only one to notice.
"My wife Glenys noticed and said to me 'why don't you leave?' She's always been supportive — it's our 50th wedding anniversary this year — so I decided to make a change."
With his love of woodworking still very much alive, Cyril turned to toymaking and launched Little Wood Studios. While it was a challenge – "I went from having a good salary to nil in four weeks which is quite an incentive" – Cyril soon made a success of his venture.
"With my teaching experience, I latched onto the National Curriculum," reveals Cyril, explaining how he ended up giving demonstrations in schools and designing a series of kits that meant every student he taught could go away from the session with a completed toy. "Over the years, I'd developed a bit of a business head," he adds.
As well as the making, Cyril became a keen student of the history and science of his craft and over the years has built up a vast collection of books — "about 300, 400" — and a large collection of toys from around the world. "I'm addicted to eBay," he admits with a laugh. However, in order to keep the collection together after his death, Cyril has recently passed everything to the St John's House Museum in Warwick, where many of his items are now on display.
The museum collection looked to be the pinnacle of Cyril's achievements...and then Hollywood came calling.
"Somehow, someone at Disney heard about me and I was approached by their UK agents. They turned up one day with a film company and they filmed me for about seven hours, and about 15 minutes of it would be on the Pinocchio 70th Anniversary Edition extras disc."
The fun didn't stop there, as Glenys and Cyril were soon whisked to Hollywood.
"They sent a car to pick us up from Kenilworth to Heathrow, we flew business class to America, we got whisked to this huge hotel overlooking the Hollywood sign and got about four days to de-jetlag. Then I had a couple of days where I had to work, speaking to the world's press, and filming some B-roll footage.
"They put me in make-up, the first time I've ever worn any which my wife thought was highly amusing." Cyril laughs. "I didn't think much of it though!"
Pinocchio 70th anniversary platinum edition is out on Disney Blu-ray and DVD from March 9.
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Reader comments
I have known Cyril and his wife Glenys for nearly 50 years and in his early artist days he did several paintings for me which I still have. Now I have several toys and garden action item(aircraft and seagull mobiles) made from wood. It is by his hard work and dedication to the job that Cyril has achieved his success.
Posted by: Trevor Collier | 13/03/2009 16:33:16
Being a fellow historic toymaker from Canada I've known and worked with Cyril for years. He is among the best in the world at what he does. It is so great that Disney found him and gave him this chance. A great individual with such a wide knowledge of such a fascinating subject! Cyril, as John Wayne once said, "Hope you live forever, and hope I live a day longer!" John
Posted by: John Skakel | 12/03/2009 22:45:28
Loved reading about Cyril,worked with him with people with learning difficulties,in 1987 he painted a much prized portrait of my Jack Russel.All the best Cyril so proud to have known you.
Posted by: Pam Longney | 10/03/2009 11:27:20
