Coming To A Theater Near You

Here's a trailer for a 1936 Republic serial, Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island.



This 14-chapter serial starred Ray Mala, whoever the hell he was.

Ducks Fall Out Of AP Top 25

That's what happens when your offense falls asleep on the Smurf Turf.

For You Folks In Melbourne....

Here's another old Australian TV ad, this time for Melbourne-based Home Pride Bread.

G'Day, Mate, Have A Coke

From 1960, here is one of the first Australian TV commercials for Coca- Cola.

Another Old Commercial---Uhhh, Advert----From Down Under

Here's an animated television commercial for British Petroleum that aired in Australia in 1960.

Happy 30th Birthday, ESPN!

On this date, 30 years ago, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly referred to as ESPN, went on the air. That's host Lee Leonard, running down the scheduled programming for that night, then introducing George Grande, who was getting set to anchor the inaugural edition of SportsCenter.

1950s Suburbia, British Style

Here it is, mates.

Another 1950s commercial that aired on the telly in Great Britain, this time for Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

Pip-Pip, Cheerio!

Here is a commercial---uh----advertisement that aired on British television in 1958 for Persil detergent.

Beavers Batter Vikes In Opener

In the regular-season opener for both teams, the Oregon State Beavers overpowered the visiting Portland State Vikings 34-7 on Saturday. Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 103 yards and a career-high three touchdowns for the Beavers, while brother James was on the receiving end of an 87-yard TD pass from quarterback Sean Canfield.

LeGarrette and Byron: Opinions

Here are some thoughts:

What LeGarrette Blount did night before last was outrageous, as he acted like a thug. As for Byron Hout, he was no angel, either. I don't know what the Boise State defensive end said to the now-suspended Oregon running back, but that, along with tapping Mr. Blount's shoulder pad certainly got ol' LeGarrette going.

Here are thoughts from Dennis Dodd and Gregg Doyel.

Sucker Puncher Finished As Duck

Well, buddy, this is what you get for punching an opposing player (even if provoked) and threaten to cause problems for the other team's home fans.

He may as well kiss his shot at an NFL career goodbye as well.

Ducks Fall At Boise State

At Boise, Idaho:

In the regular season opener for both teams, #14 ranked Boise State knocked off Oregon for the second straight year, beating the 16th-rated (AP poll) Ducks 19-8 at home Thursday night. Broncos' quarterback Kellen Moore complete 19 of 29 pass attempts for 197 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Ducks running back LaGarrette Blount, who earlier predicted an Oregon beatdown of the hosts, punched Broncos' defensive end Byron Hout and had to be restrained from fans heckling him.

Not exactly an auspicious debut for Ducks new head football coach Chip Kelly, who had been Oregon offensive coordinator for the past two years.

Ain't She Sweet

Here is Lawrence Welk's longtime organist-pianist Jerry Burke playing "Ain't She Sweet" on the Hammond electric organ as seen on a 1958 ABC telecast of Lawrence's other weekly network show, the Monday night Top Tunes and New Talent.

You Might Say That..

What happened here in Medford this morning was for the birds.

Here's Another Trailer

This trailer is for the 1937 Universal serial "Radio Patrol."

Here's A Trailer

Here is a theatrical trailer seen in the motion picture theaters back in the day for a 1942 Universal serial, "Gang Busters," based on the radio show of the same name which was created by Phillips H. Lord.





Kent Taylor, who was one of the stars of this serial, later starred as "Boston Blackie" on television in the syndicated series that ran from 1951 to 1954.

How 'Bout A Mouth Full Of Candy?

Another vintage ad from the Good Ol' Days of television?






Have a box of Good and Plenty candy!

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Here is an old TV commercial for Swanson frozen dinners.

How Bout Some Animation History?

This is believed to have been the first animation segment done in Technicolor (this looks like the two-strip variety). This is a segment from the 1930 Universal feature "The King of Jazz," which starred Paul Whiteman and his orchestra.



The animation was supervised by director-animators Walter Lantz and Bill Nolan.

Time For A Be-Boppin' Cartoon, Folks

Here is The Cat starring in a 1961 Paramount cartoon entitled "Bopin' Hood."





Produced and directed by Seymour Kneitel and made in New York City.

Another Aussie Ad

Here's a commercial for Esso Motor Oil, seen on TV in Australia in the mid-to-late 1960s.

Let's Go Down Under

Here's an advertisement that aired in 1968 on Australian television for Shell Motor Oil.

Who Dunnit?

According to an Associated Press report, the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled on Monday that the passing of Michael Jackson was a homicide.

Final Four? What Final Four?!

Looks like the NCAA is stripping the University of Memphis of its' 2008 Final Four appearance.

It's Polka Time, Kids!

In this excerpt from a 1956 ABC telecast of the Lawrence Welk Show, Myron Floren plays the "Champagne Polka," while Lawrence and then-Champagne Lady Alice Lon dance.


Wunnerful, Wunnerful!

Finally

I finally returned home to Medford, Oregon this afternoon from Reno, Nevada.

Due Back Saturday

My return home to Medford, Oregon has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday.

Les Paul, R. I. P

Legendary guitarist and innovator Les Paul passed away on Thursday at a hospital in White Plains, New York from complications of pneumonia at age 94.

Mr. Paul was a major influence on so many guitarists in various fields of popular music, not only with his guitar playing, but also his various innovations.

Looks Like Thursday Or Friday

Seems as if I will remain here in Reno until this coming Thursday or Friday.

Still In Reno Until Wednesday

I'm still in Reno, Nevada and am not expected back in Medford, Oregon until this coming Wednesday.

In Reno

At this hour I am currently in Reno, Nevada and should be back in Medford, Oregon sometime between this coming Sunday and Tuesday.

Looks Like...

I have watched my last ArenaBowl.

Happy Birthday, NBA!

On this date in 1949, the three year-old Basketball Association of America merged with the 12 year-old National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association.

Former BAA clubs currently playing in the NBA:

Boston Celtics (1946-present)

New York Knickerbockers (1946-present)

Philadelphia Warriors (1946-62)/San Francisco Warriors (1962-71)/Golden State Warriors (1971-present)

Former NBL clubs currently playing in the NBA:
Syracuse Nationals (1946-63)/Philaelphia 76ers (1963-present)

Buffalo Bisons (1946)/Tri-Cities (Davenport, Iowa; Rock Island and Moline, Illinois) Blackhawks (1946-51)/Milwaukee Hawks (1951-55)/St. Louis Hawks (1955-68)/ Atlanta Hawks (1968-present)

Former NBL and BAA clubs currently playing in the NBA:

Fort Wayne Pistons (1941-57)/Detroit Pistons (1957-present)

Rochester Royals (1945-57)/Cincinnati Royals (1957-72)/Kansas City-Omaha Kings (1972-75)/Kansas City Kings (1975-85)/Sacramento Kings (1985-present)

Detroit Gems (1946-47)/Minneapolis Lakers (1947-60)/Los Angeles Lakers (1960-present)

NOTE: The Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, and Fort Wayne Pistons jumped from the NBL to the BAA in 1948, as did the Indianapolis Jets (formerly Kautskys), with the Hoosier State capital city's club closing up shop in 1949.

From The "Are You Kiddin' ?" Department

If you've got the hot cigarette habit, why not switch to Kool?


This is an ad from the 1950s.

After Roughly Half-A-Century, Trix Are STILL For Kids!

Silly Rabbit.





Mort Marshall, who lated did the voice of frustrated zookeeper Stanley Livingston on the old Tennesse Tuxedo television show (sponsored by General Mills, which made and still makes Trix cereal), voiced the rabbit on this commercial from around 1960. That old slogan is STILL used today in Trix commercials.

Time For Bucky

Here, in an ancient commercial for Ipana Toothpaste, is Bucky Beaver, doing battle in outer space against his archenemy, Decay Germ.






Brusha! Brusha! Brusha!

Hey, What's Goin' On There?

Let's go back to the December 31, 1956 telecast of Lawrence Welk's Top Tunes and New Talent (ABC) and give a listen to Bob Lido as he wonders what's going on behind "The Green Door."

R. I. P. Taco Bell Chihuahua

Gidget, the Taco Bell Chihuahua who delighted millions of television viewers, while at the same time, helped to make fast food tacos adorable, passed away Tuesday night from a stroke at age 15.

And That's the Way It Was

Veteran newsman Walter Cronkite, the long-time (1962-81) anchorman of the CBS Evening News, as well as chief anchorman for CBS News coverage of many major news events, passed away on Friday at age 92.

Oregon Caves Centennial Celebration

This past Saturday, my sister and myself traveled to the Oregon Caves National Mounument.

She took some interesting and fascinating photographs.

State Of Origin: Consolation Win For NSW

At Brisbane, Queensland, Australia:

Ben Creagh scored two tries (19', 66') as New South Wales salvaged one win in their fourth consecutive losing State of Origin Rugby League series, downing Queensland ( who took the series two games to one) 28-16.

From The People Are No Damned Good Department

This guy certainly has made his last trip to the Grand Canyon.

Hey Folks, Remember This?

Remember, kids, not to take presents or rides from strangers.







This is a 1949 educational film from producer-director Sid Davis entitled "The Dangerous Stranger."

And Now, A Word From Our Alternate Sponsor

Here's a commercial from many moons ago for King-Sized Chesterfield Cigarettes.

Yes, that's the legendary Daws Butler doing all the voices on this animated television commercial.

Here's Yogi!

Here is Hanna-Barbera cartoon star Yogi Bear, in an early 1960s commercial, plugging Kellogg's OKs cereal.



Yes, that's Daws Butler as Yogi's voice.

Time For Another Cartoon, Boys and Girls

Here is a Columbia cartoon from 1944 entitled "The Case of the Screaming Bishop." This is a takeoff on Sherlock Holmes produced in black-and-white in 1944. This was part of Columbia's "Phantasy" series.

Personnel:

Direction: Howard Swift

Story: John McLeish

Animation: Jim Armstrong, Grant Simmons

Music: Eddie Kilfeather










Produced by the Screen Gems cartoon studio in Los Angeles and released by Columbia Pictures.

R. I. P. Karl Malden

Academy Award-winning actor Karl Malden, who was also one of the stars of the 1970s TV series, The Streets of San Francisco, as well as long-time commercial spokesman for American Express Travelers Cheques, passed away on Wednesday at age 97.

Jiminy Christmas, Still Another?!

Fred Travalena, a talented comedian and impressionist, lost his seven-year battle Sunday against cancer at age 66. He was a perennial guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and during his 40-year career, delighted audiences with his impersonations of such show biz figures as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bob Hope.

Not Another?!

Actress/Singer Gale Storm, best remembered for starring in two television sitcoms and recording a cover version of "I Hear You Knocking," passed away on Saturday at age 87.

Ken Roberts, R. I. P.

Perhaps best remembered as the long-time announcer for such television Soap Operas as Love of Life and The Secret Storm, Ken Roberts, who was the father of Broadway and motion picture actor Tony Roberts, passed away on June 19 at age 99 from pneumonia.

Mr. Roberts was also in demand for radio and TV commercials. Here is a 1955 ABC telecast of Dollar A Second, hosted by Jan Murray. On this show, Ken was not only the announcer but also on-camera commercial pitchman for Mogen David wine.









To a generation of TV viewers, he was the announcer of Love of Life and The Secret Storm.

Here is the conclusion of a 1966 CBS telecast of The Secret Storm.

Music performed by Charles Paul.

Death Of A Salesman

This was a rough week for cultural icons, with the recent passings of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.

Now comes news of the passing of a television commercial and infomercial icon of recent years.

Here's one his commercials:




Billy Mays was 50 years old.

Not Everyone

It appears not everyone misses the recently-deceased "King of Pop."

Red Letter Day For Obits As "Jacko" and Farrah Pass On

As you may have known by now, entertainer and "King of Pop" (as well as cultural icon) Michael Jackson passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles at age 50. Family members suspect that Mr. Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Actress and former Charlie's Angel Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer at age 62, also on Thursday. Miss Fawcett went from emerging as somewhat of a cultural icon from the swimsuit poster she posed for and as being one of the stars of the ABC television series Charlie's Angels in its first season (1976-77) to gaining positive reviews for serious roles in movies and TV, beginning with her performance in "The Burning Bed."

Queensland Squad Wins State of Origin Series

At Sydney, Australia:

Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyear, and Cameron Smith each scored a try (four points each in Rugby League) as Queensland defeated New South Wales 24-14 in game two of the State of Origin Rugby League series. The Queenslanders win the series, but there will be a third game in this year's series, to be played on July 15 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Ed McMahon, R.I.P.

Ed McMahon, who was Johnny Carson's longtime announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show (1962-92) and who was also the host of the original version of Star Search, passed away on Monday in Los Angeles at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center at age 86.

Now, up there, Ed will once again announce, "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!"

I also must add that Mr. McMahon's association with Mr. Carson actually dated back to 1958 when Ed became the new announcer on an ABC game show that Johnny was hosting entitled Who Do You Trust.

Johnny passed away in 2005.

Ed McMahon was also co-host with Dick Clark on a weekly primetime show TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes. He was also the announcer and sidekick to Jerry Lewis on numerous Muscular Dystrophy telethons.

Ed also did numerous commercials. He was a spokesman for the American Family Sweepstakes as well as Budweiser, brewed by Anhauser-Busch.

In recent years, Ed had been having all sorts of financial problems. He also had suffered from a broken neck that had left him unable to work.

Okay, Kids, Time For A Cartoon

The title of this cartoon is "Yelp Wanted" starring Scrappy in his first cartoon.

Produced by Charles Mintz

Story: Dick Huemer

Animation: Sid Marcus, Art Davis

Music: Joe De Nat

Released theatrically in 1931 by Columbia Pictures

Enjoy!

More Video

Here is another piece of video from Sunday's Southern Oregon coast trip.

Queensland Tops NSW In Series Opener

At Melbourne, Australia:

Three tries (each worth four points in Rugby League) in a six-minute span in the first half helped lift Queensland to a 28-18 win over New South Wales in the opening match of the State of Origin rugby league series on Wednesday.

Beach Video, Take One

Here is a piece of video from Sunday's trip to the Southern Oregon coast.


This was taken at Harris Beach State Park, near Brookings, Oregon.

A Day At The Beach

These photos were taken this past Sunday at Harris Beach State Park, just north of Brookings, Oregon. I hope to have some video uploaded in the near futre.

Heeeere's Tony!!!

Here's a closeup of Tony the Lhasa Apso.

Sam And The Wonderful World Of Football

Here's Sam the Chihuahua with a pair of different types of footballs: an Adidas rugby ball that I bought recently at a liquidation sale in Medford, Oregon, and a ball used for Australian Rules football purchased on eBay several years ago, from a seller in, I believe, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Sam And Tony Enjoy Each Other's Beds

A sister of mine has come up from Reno, Nevada with her two dogs, Tony the Lhasa Apso and Sam the Chihuahua. Here they are, laying in each other's beds.

Bulls Gore Chiefs To Claim Super 14 Title

At Pretoria, South Africa:

Fourie Du Preez and Brian Habana each scored two tries as the Bulls (based in Pretoria, South Africa) routed the Chiefs (Hamilton, New Zealand) 61-17 to win the Super 14 Rugby Union club championship on Saturday. It was the Pretoria-based club's second such title. They are the only South African club to win the championship of the Southern Hemisphere's most prestigious Rugby Union club tournament. Here are the happy Bulls with the championship trophy.

Hey Phil, Let's See You Wear That Suit In the Big House

Well, it looks like one record producer will get to work on FOUR walls of sound. For a long time.

Irish Club Wins First Heineken Cup Title

At Edinburgh, Scotland:

Jamie Heaslip scored a try (five points in Rugby Union), Brian O'Driscoll (who's pictured here) added a drop goal (three points) and Jonathan Sexton had three three-point goals (two penalty and one drop) as Leinster captured the Heineken Cup final 19-16 over Leicester Tigers of England on Saturday. It marked the Irish club's first championship in European Club Rugby Union's biggest tournament, sort of their equivalent of the UEFA Champions League. That's Brian holding the big prize.

Reuters Photo (of Brian O'Driscoll Holding Heineken Cup) By Russell Cheyne

Saints Use Five Penalty Goals To Capture European Challenge Cup Crown

At London:

Five penalty kicks (three points apiece) from fly-half Stephen Myler (whose pictured here) lifted Northampton of England to a 15-3 win over France's Bourgoin-Jallieu to win the European Challenge Cup title on Friday. Also pictured are happy Saints players with the prize.




Both Photos © Getty Images

Bowler Pops Sister In Match

Well, I hate to brag...........BUT,

I had one of my best bowling games ever today, beating my sister 150-86 at Lava Lanes in Medford, Oregon!

Leicester Tigers Cop Guiness Premiership Crown

At London:

Jordan Crane scored the only try of the contest as Leicester Tigers defeated London Irish 10-9 to win the Guiness Premiership title on Saturday.

What's Next: G.I. Joe TV?

What in Sam Hill is next?

Talk About Taking Their Football Seriously

If only the USFL (1983-85) had crowds like this in the spring.

Once Again, No Pro Football In The City Of Angels

Even when the Arena Football League is on hiatus, with the 2009 season having already been canceled, it can't remain intact.

End Of An Era

After some 30 years as an analyst for all of the big four broadcast networks, former Oakland Raiders hall of fame coach John Madden has called it a career.

Cris Collinsworth has been tapped to suceed coach Madden as Al Michaels' Sunday night broadcast partner on NBC.

Obituaries

Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster and voice of NFL Films Harry Kalas passed away on Monday at age 73. He was discovered unconcious in the broadcasters' booth at Washington's Nationals Park and later pronounced dead.

Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark (The Bird) Fidrych was found dead in an apparent accident on his farm in Massachusetts at age 54.

Former Utah State, California, and Arizona State head football coach Bruce Snyder lost his 10-month battle with cancer at age 69.

Dominating Heels

At Detroit:

Ty Lawson dropped in 21 points, Wayne Ellington 19, and Tyler Hansbrough 18, as North Carolina dominated Michigan State 89-72 Monday night to lay claim to their fifth NCAA men's national basketball championship.

Time For A Viennese Waltz, Boys and Girls!

From the ABC Network premiere of The Lawrence Welk Show, which aired on July 2, 1955, here is the meistro and his Champagne Music Makers performing "Tres Jolie."





Yes, that's Lawrence dancing with Champagne Lady Alice Lon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UMA!!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is the birthday of America's Sweetheart, Fox News Channel anchorwoman Uma Pemmaraju.

Happy 29th Birthday, Uma!!!

It's Rock 'N' Roll, Champagne Style!

Several weeks back, I embeded a YouTube video of a 1955 ABC telecast of the Lawrence Welk Show that originated from Chicago. Here's another clip from this episode as the Champagne Music Makers perform Chuck Berry's "Maybelline."



Key Personnel:

Buddy Merrill, electric guitar (Let's see him try Chuck's duck walk!)

Myron Floren, accordion

Johnny Klein, drums

Buddy Hayes, bass

Pete Lofthouse, trombone

Bill Page, clarinet

George Aubry, saxophone

Rocky Rockwell, trumpet

Oh Boy! Redux

Here is the only other reported surviving episode of the British TV series Oh Boy!

This is the series finale from May 30, 1959.

Segment One:

Compered by Jimmy Henney and Tony Hall

-- TV Hop (Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, Bill Forbes & Dickie Pride)
Rip It Up (2 Vernons Girls)
Lonesome Traveller (4 of Lord Rockingham's XI + Cliff et al)

-- Rah Rah Rockingham (Lord Rockingham's XI)

-- Let's Rock While the Rockin's Good (Cuddly Dudley)

-- Don't Knock Upon My Door (Billy Fury)

-- Looby Doo (Cherry Wainer)

-- All American Boy (Marty Wilde)



Segment Two:

Compered by Jimmy Henney and Tony Hall

-- Slippin 'n' Slidin' (Dickie Pride)

-- When I Grow Too Old To Dream (Peter Elliott)

-- When the Saints Go Marching In (Complete cast for close of first half)

-- I Had A Dream (Start of 2nd half with Vernons Girls & Dallas Boys)

-- Woman From Liberia (Bill Forbes)

-- Dirty Old Town (Mike Preston)





Segment Three:

Compered by Jimmy Henney and Tony Hall

-- Turn Me Loose (Cliff Richard)

-- Good Cat (Neville Taylor & The Cutters)

-- Percy Green (Don Lang)

-- Three Cool Cats (Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Dickie Pride)

-- Early in the Morning (Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard)

Oh, Boy!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, let's go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear.  Those of you in Great Britain (or who lived there during the late 1950s)  who are old enough to remember, may remember a show entitled Oh, Boy! that aired on ITV, a commercial television network during 1958 and 1959.  Kinescopes of eight episodes aired here in the US on ABC during the summer of 1959.  Here is the episode from April 4. 1959.

Segment One:

Compered by Tony Hall (a Jazz critic)

1. It's Late (Dean Webb) 
He's My Own (2 Vernons Girls) 
Good Rockin' Tonight (The Cutters & Entire Cast.) 

2. Long Gone (Lord Rockingham's XI) 

3. Charlie Brown (Neville Taylor & The Cutters)

4. Oh Wait For It Baby (Cherry Wainer) 

Segment Two:

Compered by Tony Hall

1. I Like Love (Tony Sheridan and his Wreckers) 

2. Don't Look Now (The Vernons Girls) 

3. Red Planet Rock (Don Lang - with Red Price on sax solo)

4. Slippin' n' Slidin' (Dickie Pride) 

5. This is Our First Anniversary (Lorie Mann)

Segment Three:

Compered by Tony Hall

1. Move It! (Chris Andrews) 

2. Dirty Old Town (Mike Preston) 

Tony Hall introduces Brenda Lee's first UK TV appearance;

3. Humming The Blues Over You (Brenda Lee) 

4. Wont You Come Home Bill Bailey (Brenda Lee & Lord Rockingham's XI)

This series was produced by Jack Good, who formerly produced 6:5 Special for the BBC,  and who also produced Shindig! here in the States on ABC  from 1964 to 1966.  38 episodes of this show were produced, but only two of them are reported to be still in existance.

It's Music Time, Again, Boys and Girls!

Here is a 1950 recording by Mel Cox and his Flying X Ranchboys on the King Records label, which was based at the time in Cincinnati.  It's a good jumpin' instrumental titled "Guitar Jump."  

Mel and the boys were in rare top form  in this one.

Other Country and Western artists who recorded for King Records at the time included Cowboy Copas, Moon Mullican, Grandpa Jones, and the York Brothers.

Enjoy!

Time For A Tune

Here is a video I took today. This is an Imperial Records 78RPM disk of Billy Briggs singing his own composition, "Chew Tobacco Rag." The record was made around 1950. I bought it at a flea market in 1977. Enjoy.


Even though Billy's record did not make the country charts, there were cover versions recorded by artists such as Pee Wee King, Spade Cooley, and Lucky Millinder.

ALOHA!

Here are Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers as seen on the October 10, 1959 telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show. This program originated from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu. The number features lead violinist Dick Kesner performing "Hawaiian Paradise" on his magic Stradivarius violin. Roughly 46 seconds into the video, while Dick performs, you would see in the background, a 1960 Dodge station wagon. Dodge was still the sponsor of the Welk show. In fact, this episode marked the world premiere showing of the 1960 Dodge and 1960 Dodge Dart.

And Now, A Word From Our Alternate Sponsor

The year is 1957, and here is a commercial for Tootsie Roll, as seen on a telecast of the Howdy Doody Show.




In June, 1956, Howdy and the gang were exiled from weekday afternoons to Saturday mornings because they were getting clobbered ratingswise at the hands of ABC's Mickey Mouse Club. At the time of this broadcast excerpt, the show was still televised live, but by late 1957 or early 1958, they began taping ten shows (in one week) per month. In case you're wondering, that's budding jazz musician Lew Anderson in the role of Clarabell.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

The year is 1950, and here is an advertisement for 3 Musketeers as seen during a live telecast of the Howdy Doody Show.






Buffalo Bob Smith sure knew how to sell a product. And yes, that was TV's future Captain Kangaroo himself, Bobby Keeshan, as Clarabell the Clown.

FBN On Dish Network

The Fox Business Network (which went on the air on October 15, 2007) was finally added to the Dish Network lineup last Tuesday (February 3) on Channel 206. It is also available in HD.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Here is the late Jack Narz, from a 1958 telecast of the nighttime version of Dotto, extolling the vitues of Fab detergent.



The nighttime version of Dotto aired on NBC, while the far more successful daytime version aired on CBS. Colgate (which made Fab detergent) cancelled sponsorship of the show and the respective networks took Dotto off the air in the wake of allegations of the quiz show being rigged.


Jack hosted both versions

Time For Perry, Folks!

Here is a 1952 CBS telecast of the old 15-minute Perry Como Show, with Perry, along with the Fontaine Sisters, commercials for Chesterfield cigarettes, and Perry's special guest (and fellow RCA Victor recording artist), country music legend Hank Snow!





The Como show aired on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:45 PM Eastern Time on CBS until 1955, when the network eliminated the news-and-music half hour slot (7:30-8:00 PM), this in the wake of ABC's huge success with Disneyland. NBC did not eliminate their 15-minute musical-variety early evening shows until 1957. As for Perry, following the elimination of his early-evening CBS telecasts, he moved over to NBC to star in what would be a hugely successful hour-long Saturday night show, before moving to Wednesday nights (in 1959) to take over the Kraft Music Hall.

Here's That Wild And Crazy Concertmaster

Here, on this 1956 telecast of the Lawrence Welk Show, is lead violinist Dick Kesner performing "Indian Love Call" on his Stradivarius violin. But not before trying to become the Sid Caesar of the ABC Network.




I wonder if Steve Martin saw this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

From all of us at Bob's House!

Still More Christmas Cheer

Here's a 1949 recording of "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas" by Yogi Yorgesson, which was a nom de plume of the song's composer, dialect comedian Harry Stewart (who also recorded as Harry Kari).





Here's the flip side, "Yingle Bells" another Yogi Yorgesson opus (with lyrics adapted by Mr. Stewart)

Yogi was accompanied on both recordings by the Johnny Duffy Trio.



Merry Christmas, by Jiminy!

More Christmas Cheer?!

What could be more in tune with the spirit of the season









than an old commercial with Dale Robertson hawking Pall Mall Cigarettes?

Hey, you can even light up from EITHER end!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From Bob's House!

Time For A Visit From Suzy!

Suzy Snowflake, that is. This 1951 made-for-TV short, "Suzy Snowflake," was produced by Centaur Productions (for Alamo Music) using stop-motion animation.







The Norman Luboff Choir provided the vocal, with Suzy's voice provided by future Lawrence Welk Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer.

Here Are Three Friends You Might Run Across Tomorrow Night (Beside Santa)

Here is a 1951 presentation of "Hardrock, Coco, and Joe," based upon the song "The Three Little Dwarfs" by Stuart Hamblen.





This made-for-television stop-motion animated short was produced for Hill and Range Songs by Centaur Productions

Time For Frosty

Here's a made-for-TV cartoon of "Frosty The Snowman," produced around 1950 for Hill & Range Songs in Hollywood by United Productions of America (UPA) and directed by Robert (Bobe) Cannon, who directed the 1950 Oscar-winning cartoon "Gerald McBoing Boing.)









This short used to be shown on television stations all over the country.

Time To Spread Some Christmas Cheer

Here's "The Christmas Song" as performed by David Seville and those Chipmunks, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore on a 1961 episode of The Alvin Show.







Dave and the boys were the creation of songwriter Ross Bagdasarian, who did all the voices. The Alvin Show aired on CBS in prime time in the 1961-62 season, before reruns of these episodes moved to that network's Saturday morning lineup, where they would remain until 1965.

I WANT MY MAYPO!

Now for something somewhat different:



This was the first commercial for Maypo cereal featuring Marky Maypo. This commercial, produced in 1956, was the work of the late former UPA producer/director John Hubley.

Another Confronatation With The Bullies

Here's another early commercial for Kellogg's Apple Jacks.







I wonder how many gullible and/or impressionable kids got their clocks cleaned after eating a bowl of this cereal before confronting the local bully or bullies.

Those Were The Good Old Days

Here, from probably the mid-1960s, was the first commercial for Kellogg's Apple Jacks.



The late Paul Frees did the voice of Mr. Apple Jack.