B. T. (Before Television), there was radio . . .and Saturday mornings were the best time of the week. Let's Pretend, The Lone Ranger - and, best of all - Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (with his horse, Rex, and his dog, King)! |
"LET'S PRETEND" A TEACHER'S FRIEND Although Let's Pretend* never made it to the television era, I have to confess that listening to such wonderful fairy tales had a great bearing on my future life as a parent and grandparent. For, these tales have become an instrument I've used to inspire our young people to imagine ... and dream. Children's author, Tomie dePaola, shares my sentiments. He credits Let's Pretend for helping to develop his imagination. Let's Pretend boasts over 50 national awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, which the series won in 1943. |
The Sgt Preston show finally appeared on TV in September 1955. But, not before
I had succumbed to one of Quaker Oats' radio advertising promos. On the
backs of Quaker puffed rice and wheat were cutouts of Sergeant Preston, his
dog, his horse, and a complete village set in the |
More radio personalities who made it to the TV screen: |
Alan Funt's radio show, Candid Microphone, led to NBC's hit TV show, Candid Camera. |
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello came to TV after years of film, radio and stage work. |
Father Knows Best began on radio (5 years) before becoming a television series. |
Several people played the part of the Lone Ranger in its radio days, but Clayton Moore became the legendary hero on TV. |
The Lone Ranger |
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon |
But, first, a message from Radio Land |
 |
|
|
|
Yukon Territory. Each week, I would fervently search the grocery shelves for
the newest issue. So, each morning, I stuffed myself with puffed oats
or wheat, until I finally collected the whole set! A complete village, with
stores, and wagons, fences . . . well, you get the picture . . . And, although
I endured an abundance of puffed stuff in my cereal bowl, I still buy a bag
once in a while - just for old times' sake. Gee, I wonder what became of
that neat cardboard village? |
Like most people who relaxed in front of the tube in the '50s, I had my list
of weekly favorites. You'll probably find that we share a fondness
for a few of these great classics. |
IT'S A FACT: Today's young TV audiences enjoy the reruns of the shows that were "born" in our heyday. |
50s TV Favorites |
Granny's |
Granny's |
|
*DISCLAIMER: Any copyrighted images, words, sounds, logos or company names that appear on this
site are the property of their respective owners and are being used for entertainment
purposes only. |
|
Granny Grafix© Studios Atlanta, Texas |
|
For CDs and sound clips of this and other popular shows of the era, go to The Old Time Radio site. |