[TBP]

Normally, I dislike Shales (a screeching liberal), but I share his love of this great early kids' TV series. How much better off the world would be if kids had things like this today instead of the junk and propaganda that is fed to them by the Establishment.

I LOVED this show. It remains one of my favorites all these years later.

I am SO glad that it's out on DVD, even if it is just a few episodes. Perhaps more will follow. (One can only hope.) I'm looking forward to seeing all the Kuklapolitans again.

You can find the DVDs at http://www.kuklafranandollie.com/Kukla__Fran_and_Ollie.html

[Kirkwood]

I hated the show. I hated the show almost as much as I hated Howdy Doody. The only puppet show I liked was Garfield Goose and Friends.

[Beowulf9]

All this reminiscing and not one mention of Shari Lewis and Lambchop???

For shame........

Shari, darling, I love you and I love little Lammy’s. Sweetheart, come back to us, we really need your ‘adorable’.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Puppets and marionettes were weird. But the strangest kids show of all was the one sponsored by Buster Brown Shoes, starring Andy Devine and that rubber frog (”Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy!”). What was THAT about?!?!?

[TBP]

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=179962130&blogId=502210437

Did You Know That You Can “Adopt” A Kuklapolitan?

Every year, The Chicago History Museum allows the public to sponsor, or “adopt,” its famous artifacts. Since the museum has given the Kuklapolitans their forever home, it is only natural that they be included in the fund raising.

So that each Kuklapolitan gets his (or her, sorry Buelah!) day in the sun, the characters are rotated every year. Fletcher Rabbit is the Kuklapolitan adoptee for 2009.

The cost of adoption is anywhere from $35 to over $1000. This fund raising effort helps the museum with the upkeep of the wonderful treasures they hold. This might include a day at the hairdresser for Madame Ooglepuss, some polish for Ollie’s tooth, a tune-up for Buelah’s broom or starch for Fletcher’s floppy ears (on special occasions).

If you would like more information on adopting Fletcher, or several other items up for adoption, please go to the Museum’s website:

http://www.chicagohs.org/support/adopt/index

If you adopt an artifact you receive a personalized adoption packet, which includes a certificate of adoption, a picture of your artifact, and a description of its historical significance. There are many other benefits to adoption, all of which can be found at the link above.

Fletcher hopes you will adopt him and help support the Kuklapoitans’ home at the Chicago History Museum!

[JoeProBono]

[stormer]

First off, I didn't realize how many old geezers were hanging here. Second, Shari Lewis happens to be the first woman I was ever in love with (except my mom)...

But most importantly (and actually relating to the original article), Burr Tillstrom was truly an artist; K, F & O was all improv and he was a master. A number of years ago I saw tribute to him and they showed some, I don't know what you would call it, experimental puppetry without the puppets - just his hands - it was like watching a dance. Amazing. I'm a geezer too.

[firebrand]

Cecil Bill's language was more like doi-doidoi-data-doi-da-doi-doi etc. My sister, my cousin, and I were experts at it. We were speaking it one day on the playground and a kid wanted to know if we were talking Italian. We can still crack up over that one.

Buffalo Bob did the college circuit for a while with a weed routine. I guess the incongruity made it especially funny. It's all scrubbed from the Net so don't bother looking.

[saundby]

I had an Oliver J. Dragon and a Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent. Loved them both, and the shows. Ollie and Cecil fought sometimes, so I'd have to step into Fran's role. These shows were great stuff, I wish my kids could have had the same sort of thing. I did the best I could with direct-to-tape newer stuff I bought, but it's just not the same.

[NTHockey]

Tampa Bay area had Captain Mac, who dressed as a safari hunter. The cartoons were Tom Terrific and Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog.

Also, NY had Ray Heatherton - Joey’s dad - on Channel 11. He was the Merry Mailman and back then, there was no duble entendre.

My favorite was Beany and Cecil. Reception on Channel 13 was horrible.

[Fresh Wind]