The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television
By Ted Okuda; Jack Mulqueen
(Lake Claremont Press, Paperback, 9781893121171, 355pp.)
Publication Date: June 2004
Categories: Television - History & Criticism, United States - State & Local - Midwest
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There was a time when every television station in Chicago produced or aired programming for children, and this book discusses the back stories and details of this special era from the people who created, lived, and enjoyed it, such as producers, on-air personalities, and fans. This compendium describes how from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, local television stations created a golden age of children's television unique in American broadcasting and how the FCC changed the regulations governing the relationship between sponsors and local programming in 1972, effectively bringing the genre to a close since the programs operated under strict budgetary constraints. The story of this chapter in television history show the richness of imagination and inventiveness of children's programming and the devotion of the fans. Featured shows include Bozo's Circus; Garfield Goose; Kukla, Fran, & Ollie; The Mulqueen's Kiddie-A-Go-Go; Ray Rayner and Friends; and Super Circus.
"Today, we can be nostalgic about the passing of great local children's fare such as Bozo's Circus . . . and Garfield Goose. However, I believe that today's children have more and better choices in programming . . . . What is missing is the localism, the heart and soul that emanated from these and other programs. Economics, regulation, and expectations for what a program should look like have altered children's television forever. As you read this book, perhaps you will not only find memories or curiosities from a bygone era, but inspiration to create children's television for today's audiences. A pie in the face is still funny, kids still like to dance, and the last time I looked, you could still buy six buckets and nail them to a board and call it a Grand Prize Game."—from the foreword by Neal Sabin, WCIU-TV, Chicago
Behind-the-Scenes Stories of the Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television as Told by the People Who Lived It
At one time every station in Chicago—a maximum of five, until 1964—produced or aired some programming for children. From the late 1940s through the early 1970s, local television stations created a golden age of children's television unique in American broadcasting. Though the shows often operated under strict budgetary constraints, these programs were rich in imagination, inventiveness, and devoted fans. The mere mention of their names brings smiles to the faces of Midwestern Baby Boomers everywhere: Kukla, Fran, & Ollie, Super Circus, Garfield Goose, Bozo's Circus, Mulqueens' Kiddie-A-Go-Go, BJ & Dirty Dragon, Ray Rayner and Friends, and a host of others. In 1972 the FCC changed the regulations governing the relationship between sponsors and local programming, effectively bringing to a close this chapter of television history.
What Chicago kids' show had American Bandstand host Dick Clark dancing on T.V. for the first time ever? Why did one have to wait months and, more often, years to get tickets for Bozo's Circus? Which very popular and successful host never wanted to do a children's T.V. show? Who really made the puppet Garfield Goose (you may not have known it was a mystery)? Remember the talent that bit the head off a parakeet on live TV and the shocked emcee's reaction? What sent television executives into a quandary when Kiddie-A-Go-Go went on the air? Which show was almost forced off the air because a giant soft drink company opposed a so-called rival's use of the word sip? Now, discover the back stories and details of this special era from the people who created, lived, and enjoyed it—producers, on-air personalities, and fans.
Ted Okuda is a film historian and writer. He is the author of The Columbia Comedy Shorts, The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television, and The Monogram Checklist and the coauthor of Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay, The Jerry Lewis Films, and The Soundies Distributing Corporation of America. He has written for The Big Reel, Classic Film Collector, Cult Movies, Filmfax, and Movie Collector's World and has appeared on Chicago Tonight, NBC–Channel 5 News, Nude Hippo: Your Chicago Show, The Today Show, and Three Stooges Stooge-A-Palooza. He lives in Chicago. Jack Mulqueen is a former puppeteer and producer of commercials, segments, and television programs, including three Chicago Emmy-nominated kids shows: The Mulqueens, The Mulqueens' Kiddie-A-Go-Go, and The Swingin' Majority. He and his wife Elaine Mulqueen had a regular spot on Bozo's Circus. He lives in the Chicago suburbs.
Ted Okuda is a Chicago-based film historian whose previous books include The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television (coauthored with Jack Mulqueen), The Columbia Comedy Shorts, The Monogram Checklist, The Jerry Lewis Films (coauthored with James L. Neibaur), and The Soundies Distributing Corporation of America (coauthored with Scott MacGillivray). His most recent book credits include coauthoring Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp David Maska, contributing chapters for Guilty Pleasures of the Horror Film and Science Fiction America, and writing the foreword for Castle Films: A Hobbyist's Guide. Okuda's articles, interviews, and reviews have appeared in such media-themed publications as Filmfax, Classic Images, Cult Movies, Outre, Classic Film Collector, The Big Reel, and Movie Collector's World. He has discussed film, television, and pop culture topics on The Today Show, Chicago Tonight, Three Stooges Stooge-A-Palooza, Nude Hippo: Your Chicago Show, and NBC Channel 5 News. Ted was also a research consultant for the cable access anthology series The Kings of Comedy.
Jack Mulqueen was born of Irish Catholic parents on the South Side of Chicago. John Mulqueen, father, was born in Kilrush Clare, Ireland. Marie, mother, (maiden name Calaghan) was born also on the South Side of Chicago near the steel mills. His father worked most of his life as a lab technician for the swift meat company and was known for his work in curing hams. However, Jack was always attracted to show business and loved movies. At every opportunity he would be entertaining the family, his sister, Maryann, friends and neighbors. His father soon realized Jack was one ham he couldn’t cure.
By the time he reached High School, Chicago Vocational on the South Side, he was active in the glee club, school band, school paper, and produced and wrote a series of plays for the students. He got his first taste of TV, appearing on TV with fellow high school students from around Chicago interviewing Ross Hunter, producer of films that starred Doris Day and other stars. In college he had his own radio show weekly and produced a children TV special on WTHI, Terre Haute, IN, along with his fellow students.
During the Korean War, the Army gave him the opportunity to broadcast his own show with fellow army pal, Herb Wills, a magician; A kid show three days a week on KKTV in Colorado Springs. After the Army, he appeared on WTTW-TV every Monday for a half-hour show, working his puppets and sponsored by the Chicago Park District. In the 50s and early 60s he made guest appearances, sponsored by Coca-Cola on WGN-TV with his wife as Pandora, producing kid commercials. This exposure launched them into their own show on April 13, 1963. The Mulqueens and Mulqueens' Kiddie-a-Go-Go ran for eight years over WGN-TV, WLS-TV, and WCIU-TV.
"Looks to be the definitive tome of the genre." —Chris Miksanek, author, The Library of Chicago Children’s TV of the 60s and 70s
"For anyone who grew up with Kukla, Fran and Ollie; Garfield Goose; Bill Jackson's Dirty Dragon; Ray Rayner [and His Friends]; or the greatest of all—Bozo's Circus—it's a fun read." —Robert Feder, Chicago Sun-Times
"A look at many of the memorable kid shows from years gone by . . . a lot of fun." —Bob Sirott, Chicago Tonight
"Such an informative and fun book. I enjoyed it tremendously." —Rich Koz, host, Svengoolie and Three Stooges Stooge-A-Palooza
"A masterful job of writing. I'm really impressed by the amount of research and affection that went into this book." —Bill Jackson, creator, The BJ and Dirty Dragon Show and Cartoon Town
"Relying on extensive interviews with the people who made these shows, the book brims with stories from behind the scenes." —Chicago magazine
"Remember when children's television was fun instead of fierce? Okuda and Mulqueen reminisce about that era of kinder, gentler television in their aptly named book." —Chicago Parent
"A wonderful book filled with great memories." —Terri Hemmert, WXRT radio
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