Axel begins in 1954 on WCCO

Axel and his Dog, Carmen the Nurse, WCCO
The first Axel broadcast courtesy of Julian West

Axel launched on August 5, 1954 on WCCO. The photo above is from this very first show. On August 4, the following blurb appeared in the Minneapolis paper.

Clellan Card has founda TV job for his Scandinavian accent. His old Scandinavian football coach has been retoolled for a kiddy show called Axel and his Dog. Axel lives in a treehouse and has a lot of animal friends. His best pal is a dog, Towser, whose paw only is seen on the screen.

Here is one of the earliest ads to mention the show, from August 12, 1954.

Today..5:00PM. It's something different in Children's Shows. Axel and his Dog. Axel lives in a treehouse with his faithful dog Towser who can almost talk. Axel frequently looks through his magic spy glass and lets you peak at the delightful antics of his animal friends.

And he was soon joined by Mary Davies as Carmen the Nurse

Clellan Card is under doctor's orders not to talk this week. He's trying to clear up a sore throat. Mary Davies took over Card's Axel and his Dog kit show. She comes on as Carmen the Nurse, talks to Axel on the phone, reads mail from the kids, and like that.

Axel was a hit. He was soon making appearances all around the Twin Cities. Here is an appearance from October 1955.

Clellan Card - WCCO-TV - It really pyoots the actors right in your lap, don't it = Cinerama Holiday

My thanks to Jack Kennally for all the clippings.