Jack Rebney has died at the age of 93. Rebney played Captain 11 on WMIN, taking over the role in late 1954 when Jim Lange went into the military. Rebney hosted the show through early 1955 when Chris Wedes took over. Following his brief run as Captain 11, he worked in advertising in Minneapolis, then […]
Every so often I bump into a bit of Twin Cities television history that tells us a little bit about our favorite TV hosts. This article comes from BoxOffice magazine dated February 6, 1961. It describes promotion of a movie called Wizard of Baghdad on the local kids shows. The movie was promoted by Casey […]
Every once and a while an obscure bit of Minnesota TV history pops up. This is a vintage signed envelope of T.N.Tatters, who was played by Daryl Laub on KSTP, channel 5. This envelope features a faded images of the TV host with his name typewritten, and signed in blue ink to Sigurd Berg. I’m […]
A March 1967 newspaper article on Twin Cities children’s programs briefly mentioned a show called “Miss Barbara” hosted by Barbara DeValerio. It was described as “Barbara De Valerio of the St. Anthony School District uses puppets to present short reviews of new children’s books.” The program may also have been known as “Sunday Storybook.” A […]
These postcards were apparently given out at a special Easter event at Dayton’s department store. I don’t have details, but two cards refer to “Bunny Breakfast” and the third mentions “Bunny Parties.” I believe that is Mary Davies dressed as Bunny, along with Allan Lotsberg as The Magician. Of course, Allan also played Willie Ketchem […]
So we present to you a little something different this year, for all you kids from Minnesota. Merry Christmas from Minnesota KidVid!
Shoppers’ City opened a new store in Columbia Heights in November of 1968. To celebrate, the store featured personal appearances by several local kids televison show hosts. Casey Jones was scheduled for November 19, followed by Wilie Ketch on the 20th. On November 21, Clancy the Cop appeared, and the week ended with Miss Betty […]
Robert Fransen was one of the early television pioneers in the Twin Cities. He started in radio, writing news for the legendary Cedric Adams back in 1949 and was soon working in the new medium of television. In 1950, he was employed at channel 4 (then WTCN, but now WCCO), in a variety of positions. […]
Captain Daryl on Cartoon Island, starring Daryl Laub, was one of the most popular kid’s shows on Twin Cities television in the late 1950’s. It featured a distinctive, goofy theme which opened and closed the program. Pat Sweeney, one of the leading experts on Minnesota kids shows, has just identified this tune. He was watching […]
Here is a transcript from 1953 of The Night Before Christmas by Clellan Card, known to all of us as Axel on Channel 4. This was apparently sent by Card to listeners of WCCO. Compare this to the version published in 1938, and what was recorded in 1964 Here is the 1964 recording Thanks […]
